Guanajuato: Day of the Dead
November 1st, 2014 – November 3rd, 2014 ($1,030 mxn)
Leon – Guanajuato (290 km)
“Can you help me bring my motorcycle inside the lobby?” I asked the woman tending the front desk at the hostel I checked into in Guanajuato, central Mexico. It had been a few days since I parted ways with my travel mates. I now felt more at ease about solo motorcycle traveling in Mexico for some time.
The day prior to my arrival to Guanajuato, I contacted Motoruta Mexico, which is a group of motorcycle enthusiasts all over the Mexico, and more than one reached out and offered help that came in different ways. Marco and his girlfriend offered me a place to stay with them in Leon, Guanajuato. Marco, and his friends, Luis and Andres, took me out for tacos that night, and the following day we off roaded from Leon to Guanajuato. Their hospitality made me, a stranger, feel like family. Motoruta Mexico, and its humble, selfless members, would prove to be a helpful resource and provide friendships that are still active to this day.
I had reached the beautiful colonial city of Guanajuato, in the Mexican state by the same name. This city is, by far, one of the most beautiful cities I’ve ever been in. It was in a small basin, surrounded by mountains the roads in and out of the city were on. One could actually stand on the side of said roads and look out across and around the city to the remaining mountains surrounding it. The heart of the city was made up of small cobblestone streets with differing widths in different parts of the same street; I know, points taken off for city planning, but the small streets were something that actually made the city so picturesque. Aside from the peculiar streets, there is a system of underground tunnels, which make for a pretty scene, or one from a horror movie, too, I suppose. These dark tunnels take you from one side of the city to the other and everything in between. This gem of a city maintains a romantic atmosphere in the evening since there are no publicity displays as there are in other cities, contributing to the beauty of it.
Rich in culture and history, it is relaxing to walk the hillsides and center streets of Guanajuato and enjoy a coffee, or beverage of choice, in one of the many establishments while listening a live music group, or going up to a lookout around the city. I visited during Mexico’s Dia de Muertos (Day of the Dead), in which deceased loved ones are remembered and death itself is celebrated as a natural part of life. Due to the holiday, the city was packed with typical art and Cempasuchil flowers (Mexican Marigold) which is tradition during this festivity. One can easily spend a few days in Guanajuato wandering the streets, which is exactly what I did for two days and, quite honestly, I would not mind coming back soon.
When I checked into my hostel, I noticed I could probably ride my motorcycle over a few doorsteps and park it right inside the lobby, keeping it safe overnight. I asked the staff and they didn’t have a problem with it, so I went ahead and did so. The woman at the front desk also gave me a key to the main door of the entire hostel. I was confused. “Why do I need a key? Does everyone get one?” I asked her, still confused. “You are everyone” she replied. No one else was staying in this multi-story hostel with many bunk beds so there would be no staff either during the night. Hmm, that was frightening. This huge place all to myself for the night.
After I came back from wandering the city, I heard noises in the one of the lobbies upstairs. I wasn’t sure if I should be loud to announce my presence, quietly investigate, or just bail and wait for the morning. It turns out two other traveler’s had checked in while I was out, I guess they were also given a key. They were both from Germany and were making their way from central Mexico down to Central America. We stayed up talking about football and the different places in Mexico we had visited and turned into good friends with who I still keep in touch.