22 November ‘09 Sorry, I guess I slipped up and forgot to put this in a couple of days ago, so here we go....
Backpacks all re-packed, breakfast enjoyed, and we’re off for another morning of “touring” before climbing aboard the train to head back to El Fuerte. We’ll be driving the rim of the canyons to Divisadero. At that point we’ll be looking directly into the Copper Canyon and all the different canyons that lead from it.
Backpacks all re-packed, breakfast enjoyed, and we’re off for another morning of “touring” before climbing aboard the train to head back to El Fuerte. We’ll be driving the rim of the canyons to Divisadero. At that point we’ll be looking directly into the Copper Canyon and all the different canyons that lead from it.
During our drive to Divisadero we found ourselves going through some beautiful hills and valleys while taking hairpin turns all the way. At a couple of points, we came upon large areas of icy roadways where we had to carefully make our way through. Finally at Divisadero we stopped at a large view point and received our instructions for our walk back and to the train station. The walk was just over a half mile and it took us all along the high cliffs of the canyon.
All along the walk, we had Tarahumara displays of their craft, looking for those of us that hadn’t spent their last peso. The view changed constantly as we moved from one point to the next over the canyon. At one point we had a “swing bridge” to cross. Now most of the time we are thinking that OSHA would die if they saw how lax everything was, but on this swing bridge…you had a wire hatched frame work that completely encased the walkway. Arriving at the train station we found about 10 different little kitchens waiting for us to stop by and have lunch before catching the train, and of course, more Tarahumara goods for the last minute shopper. Now Louise found that she was one of those “last minute shoppers”. Finally just as the train was pulling up, she found her last items….all is good now. Also standing and waiting for the train was this wonderful lady with her baby. I sure hope she gets a big discount on the price of the train ride.
We had originally planned to take the First Class accommodations (a little newer car and seats, and a MUCH more expensive lounge car) but found out that the only option we had for a Sunday travel was first class. Oh yes, and it’s three times the cost of our trip up…Sunday returns are more expensive. Now get this…if we would have stayed at the hotel one more night and caught the early Economy train back, we would have more than paid for the train, hotel, AND the cost of our campsite in El Fuerte…and most likely the cost of two or three margaritas as well !!! Well we ended up pulling up to El Fuerte at 6:30, taking the cab back to the campground, and heading into the fair… The fair was now in town
and it seemed like the whole county came out for it. Now I’m not sure, but I think we just happened to “sneak” in without paying. When we pulled up in Sol’s truck, we just walked across the drive and walked under and through a rope that was holding up a large tarp. The reason that I think we snuck in was no one else followed us. In front of the tarp was a large audience that was listening to this pitchman. He was talking so fast and loud (especially since it was amplified the Mexican way…) trying to sell Mexican blankets. We didn’t see anyone buying anything, but they sure liked to watch and listen. Meanwhile, we were hungry and were on the lookout for the largest crowd around the tables and taco stands. Finally we found just what we were looking for, a large group of hungry eaters and the smell of something truly amazing. Sol and I each had 4 and the girls 2 each, and then it was onto finding the churros. Now there we made the wrong choice…the grease was so burnt that the churros tasted like the fat looked…we had to toss and find another churros stand. Walking around and watching the people we came up to a large group that had their eyes trained to the sky. Up on top of this large and very tall pole were 5 men. One was standing up-right with a drum and flute, and the other 4 were tied to the center pole with a long rope. Soon the 4 leaned over and started circling their way back to the ground as the rope turned away from the pole and lowered them to a safe landing. On another stage we watched 4 or 5 groups dancing Mexican traditional dances.
Overall, we had a great time…except the first churros which taught us a very important lession...check the color of the oil !!!