On Sunday afternoon, February 27, of 1994 we departed from Valle de Bravo to Amealco in the state Querétaro, our 3rd state. It gave us a good idea of the rural area where lots of cacti and agave grew, rather poor and very sparsely populated. Homes that looked more like huts, with corrugated metal roofs and big rocks that had to hold them in place. A donkey or a cow often stood there, on a rope. We saw also lots of pack mules, that were badly in the hair and looked desolate. If the humans have no wealth, it shows also on their animals...
For both of us, as son and daughter of a market gardener, the soil looked very poor with so much stones and only a very thin upper layer.
Agustín pointed out how happy those farmers were with the spent compost from their mushroom farms; that was such an improvement for them.
Next we approach better grounds where in the 16th century the Spaniards had started irrigation by means of canals, to divert the lake water to the fields.
We're approaching such a medieval Spanish hacienda; Mansión Galindo where we will stay.
Here Pieter is outside on the patio of Mansión Galindo where we always enjoyed our breakfast.
Photo is from May 29, 1997 as we have been there, numerous times over the years.
Me standing inside the patio.
If only those ancient trees could talk!
Do you see that HUGE palm tree to the right? How old that might be.
Now it is HOTEL FIESTA AMERICANA HACIENDA GALINDO ★★★★★
Fiesta Americana where you can see also a gallery of photos
Our first trip for consulting work, we did stay here for three nights before going back to the airport in México City on March 2nd.
Another beautiful experience richer we arrived back home in Georgia/USA!
Related links:
Hacienda Galindo Fiesta Americana | Excellent 2 min. video to see how we arrived and how it looks
TLC LATIN AMERICA - HACIENDAS MEXICANAS: GALINDO | Good 1.5 minute video
Nice pictures, dearest Mariette!
ReplyDeleteHAve a happy new week,
Love and hugs, Claudia xo
Dearest Claudia,
DeleteThank you, to us these are precious photos that remind us of our consulting time there.
Hugs,
Mariette
What a wonderful luxurious place. So bright and airy.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
Dearest Victor,
DeleteYes, they did an excellent job converting this once hacienda into a luxury hotel.
Hugs,
Mariette
bellissima vacanza!
ReplyDeleteCara Olga,
DeleteMi scusi ma questa NON è stata una vacanza! Siamo andati qui solo per dormire dopo una lunga giornata di lavoro nella fungicoltura. . .
Ci è piaciuto solo vedere i nostri dintorni intorno all'ora di colazione.
Abbracci,
Mariette
What a beautiful place, Mariette, in spite of the seeming poverty all around. Sometimes, living in the US, we forget how blessed we are by all the things we have.
ReplyDeleteDearest Martha Jane,
DeleteIt sure was a pleasure for coming home from work to this.
One could imagine how the average people in the rural areas have always struggled to exist. Making a living off the land is rough! Even our parents had a rough life making a living by growing fruits and vegetables...
Hugs,
Mariette
The divide between those that have and those that don't is present in almost every country, so sad to see. You have lovely photos from all of your trips Mariette, do you have them on disc to protect them into the future?
ReplyDeleteDearest Grace,
DeleteYes, contrasts are to be found everywhere and it often is heartbreaking to view.
We have all we got digital now; no disc or album.
Hugs,
Mariette
Hello Mariette, While many above have pointed out the too-sharp distinction between the haves and have-nots, you and Pieter can be proud that your industry produces a healthy byproduct that helps the poor farmers, instead of the run-off and chemicals that we now know harm everyone.
ReplyDelete--Jim
Dearest Jim,
DeleteWell, it is always easy to find a so-called negative point but we both have always stepped back for seeing the total picture. And yes, aside from the Spaniards back then introducing irrigation systems, for improving an otherwise very poor soil, the spent mushroom compost is a great endproduct for recycling in a meaningful way.
On July 9 you can see part of a map with the big lake from where they irrigated in the 16th century and it benefitted all. Leading others out of desperate poverty and make them survive was quite an accomplishment.
Pointing a finger at things is easy but they always forget to mention a 'better way'.
Hugs,
Mariette
Tiene reminiscencia de esos tiempos pasados. Es un interesante lugar para alojarse.
ReplyDeleteBesos
Querida Antónia,
DeleteSí, y el 9 de julio, en un próximo post sobre otra hacienda mostraré el gran lago desde donde los españoles utilizaban su sistema de riego. Hicieron mucho bien por ese valle, para ayudar a los agricultores a tener mejores cosechas.
Nos encantó alojarnos allí en un entorno tan histórico!
Abrazos,
Mariette
Such bloody nice photos as per usual
ReplyDeleteDearest Jo-Anne,
DeleteThank you and it was a perfect work combination for staying there!
Hugs,
Mariette
I like Mexican culture. This architecture is also very interesting
ReplyDeletexoxo
Coisas de Feltro
Dearest Christina,
DeleteIt comes so close to the Spanish culture and that's also where its architecture derived from in the 16th century.
We both loved it and it is full of many surprises to learn from and enjoy.
Hugs,
Mariette