Internet connection established, thanks to Leonardo the housekeeper's 11 year old son yesterday when I arrived, here I am in a centrally located guest house owned by a Canadian lady. I'm on the top floor looking out from my desk onto a pretty terrace with views over the city.
The history of the city dates back to the 15th century (according to my trusty Lonely Planet Guide to Mexico) when a settlement was founded by the Otomi. "That was soon absorbed by the Aztecs and then by the Spaniards in 1531. Franciscan monks used it as a missionary base not only to Mexico but also to what is now southwestern USA."
It also played a major part in the Independencia movement 200 years ago. So - plenty to see and visit. Beautiful pedestrian areas with lovely old buildings and shady plazas lined with restaurants.
Have included, this time, some photos of food (N.B. Rocky!) taken at a restaurant three of us ate in last night.
Went with Shelley to the market this morning and this afternoon returned to a cultural space I found yesterday with loads of stalls and an artists' centre. Sat and watched local people dancing to different traditional Queretano bands. The music is wonderful (some I recognised from the soundtrack of the movie 'Frida') and there were people of all ages dancing, some in traditional dress.
The state of Queretaro is primarily known for agriculture, ranching and, of course, opals. Less well known is that it is an important cheese making and wine producing region.
The Spaniards brought wine over in the early 16th century and Carlos 1 sent vine shoots and olives over in every ship going to the 'new territories'. However in 1595 his son, Carlos 11, prohibited Mexican wine production and the industry collapsed. It was revived in the 19th century and today there are three Queretaro wine companies: La Redonda, founded in 1972, Freixenet (who would have thought?) in 1979 and Los Azteca which began to plant in 2006.
I'm going to see if I can find a tour going to one of them and will report back later on in the week.
x
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