Zacatecas

We stayed in Torreon overnight - this is all we saw of it!

plus a hotel and a big double bed!

Then we were off again on another big bus.

Passing the desert for many miles

Arriving in Zacatecas was rather like coming in from the cold.

A beautiful Colonial city founded on the wealth from the Silver mines.

Needless to say there were many churches, but our favourite was this.

At one time it was a prison, but the government converted it into a Museum and a library to hold the ancient city records.

How old are these?

The Franciscan Monastry next door was remarkable.

The door in was small but impressive

What was behind it took our breath away. 

Along the walls were gold retablos.

There were seven!Each one as impressive as the other.

They were busy restoring them.

built in Pink Stone the building glowed in the strong light.

One of the oldest mines is now a visioers centre. It demonstrates the diabolical conditions the miners had to put up with in the old days!

We were all kitted out with helmets, but higiene was important! A shower cap had to be put on first.

this little mine train pulled us into the tunel.

It was dim and cold inside,

A museum of old machinery and remarkable crystals.

 This is a lump of silver!

children worked in the mines as well.

great gaping caverns made me feel very insecure!

But the little shrine protected the miners.

The beautiful streets reminded us of Bath.

We are still in Cowboy country!

Not 'kitch' this time, but Silver!

The last night we went to one of the reccomended restaurants for a typical Mexican meal.

The restaurant was called:

The decor was not what we expected.

and the flower arrangements were different too!

But the food was delicious, note the dark Mexican beer!

Very nice and malty.