Kevin's Tropic Driveabout: San Luis Potosi and Queretaro (9/30/10-10/3)

Laredo to S.L. Potosi
(black is prior trip-2006)

Mexquitic

If it aint the topes, its the horses

Pedro's lighthouse and my FJ match!

Shortly after leaving Matehuala, I crossed the Tropic of Cancer. I should now be in the tropics for about the next six months. It doesn't feel tropical here, though, since both Potosi and Que. are over 5800', and the nights are cold enough to warrant full sweats and a sleeping bag. The campground at Potosi is actually west of the city in a small town called Mexquitic. I'm the only one here, but Pedro and Susana, the owners are very nice and even open their restaurant just for me. It's two nights of country relaxation except for the chorus of dogs and roosters, which seem ubiquitous down here if memory serves. Not to mention the topes (Mexican speedbumps). There must have been thousands on the last 10 miles to this town. Pedro built himself a lighthouse just for the hell of it. Actually, it's next to a reservoir and I think it's his calling card. The place is called El Faro de Peter.

Queretaro

At the Flamingo, Queretaro

An easy 3 hour drive gets me to Que. The "campground" is on the grounds of the Flamingo Hotel, a pretty nice place. I'm parked next to a lawn and get full use of the facilties for about $20/day. They even provide me with toiletries and towels (one for the private shower, one for the pool, of course). One guest walks by and is pretty taken by my set-up; he even shoots a video with his cellphone. Maybe I'm on u-tube?

Luis, one of the managers, volunteers to guide me around later that evening and have a dinner at one of the nice restaurants on one of the main plazas (I learn later he really wanted a night away from the wife and kids). The old, colonial part of Que. is made up of several large plazas joined by pedestrian streets. This is a great town. I love all of the colonial cities I've visited. I know 99.9% of people think of beaches in regards to Mexico, but you could spend an awesome 2 or 3 weeks seeing this part of the country.

We go to see the great aqueduct built back around 1730. The guy that paid for the whole thing got a statue! It's Friday night and the city centro is packed with people shopping, hanging out, drinking and eating, music is coming from every direction. The restaurant we go to offers a great view of everything, and the food is pretty good, too. The highlight for me is the tortilla soup. On the side they serve a plate of toasted chile ancho, avacado, queso fresco and chicharron (pork crackling). Dump it all in as one big mess. Delicious!

The Que. aquaduct

Luis and I hoist a cold one

the great tortilla soup

The next day (Oct. 3) I study up on the maps and take a four hour walking tour of all the plazas and connecting streets and andadores (pedestrian streets), all paved with cobblestone. Lots of templos and museos and churches here. The Spanish knew how to spend their money. Again, the streets are full of life and I probably spend half my time just watching the people go by. So many young people. Couples of all ages kissing and hugging. Public affection seems to be more accepted here in Mexico. Around noon I can't escape all the food around me. Many restaurants and stalls to choose from and I plop down at the one that's pictured. I thought, I'll have one taco (with carne - pork -, salsa verde, lechuga, queso y papas), but ended up having 3. And I could have stayed for 10. Especially at about 65 cents each. They were great!