Remember, that our goal is to live on 2,000.00 a month WITH creating a savings account. We have made a choice in where we want to live based upon the price of rentals, the weather, but most of all the people that live there.
The name of the town is Patzcuaro (PAHTZ-kwah-roh). This is a very small colonial city in the state of Michoacan, a land of immense natural beauty. Pazcuaro is known as the cultural and artisan center for the entire state.
Mostly in the Mexican towns we have stayed at, I have not seen women in the community so much a part and forceful as in Patzcuaro. Woman play a large part in this society and from the past history of the town, woman played a major part int the earlier days as well.
Mostly in the Mexican towns we have stayed at, I have not seen women in the community so much a part and forceful as in Patzcuaro. Woman play a large part in this society and from the past history of the town, woman played a major part int the earlier days as well.
Originally Patzcuaro was named "Tzacapuansucutinpatzcuaro" (say that three times in a row and see what you get). Tzacapuansucutimpatzcuaro means "door to heaven".
The beauty of this state could not easily be matched - there is jungle-like vegetation, with spectacular mountain landscapes, and velveteen pasturelands. The state has few large cities, but rather is a quilt of small villages and towns that have changed little since the early 1800's. It's pace is leisurely, its people friendly, and its Spanish colonial and indigenous heritage rich.
Before the Spanish conquet, Patzcuaro was one of the three principal centers of the local Purepecha Indian. Its early inhabitants believed Patzcuaro to be the doorway to heaven where the gods ascended and descended.
Patzcuaro is hidden high in the mountains at 7130 feet high. The town is veiled from the outside world by a curtain of high pie trees. The town consists largely of one-story adobe or plaster-over-brick buildings with red tile roofs. The streets are dusty cobblestones traveled on by horse, cows and cars. The town has retained its ancient atmosphere.
One of the most striking features of the lake area is the island of Janitzio. It is a very steep, rocky island that is completely covered with people and buildings. At the top stands an impressive statue of the revolutionary leader Jose Maria Morelos.
We had dinner at the Best Western hotel in town and we were treated to "the dance of the old men". Ken got quite a kick out of watching them.
The main plaza is lined with many shops selling everything you could want. Shops around town carry hand spun rugs, lacquered trays, fabric, Indian masks and wooden boxes. The lacquered trays from this town are quite famous. Supposedly the lacquer is made from the crushed bodies of purple insects, which provide the deep, rich finish and durability.
The point of our visit now is to see a house. This house has been referred to me by two different people = both of whom know the owner of the house.
As usual - our trip was not just ordinary. I would really like to know what it is about me that gets me into such situation! This time it was a storm - and believe me this was a major storm.
Once in Michoacan you drive through all these little villages that have five or more different ways to enter and to leave. You travel constantly in and out of valleys, up and down mountains, and wonderful fields of crops - along side cows, horses, goats and sheep.
Well we entered into this town that was flooded because of the rains. So we had to found a different way past the town. Now I just learned this route and I was doing fine until I had to guess my way around. But I got back on track and then there was a section of road that was washed out. Another guess my way around time. Long story short - our appointment to meet the owner of this house was at 5:30. Well we pulled into town at 7:00 pm. Needless to say he was still not at the meeting place.
After a phone call to the owner of the house we arranged for him to meet us the next day at 10am. I don't see why I can not just drive somewhere without "events" occurring .
As usual - our trip was not just ordinary. I would really like to know what it is about me that gets me into such situation! This time it was a storm - and believe me this was a major storm.
Once in Michoacan you drive through all these little villages that have five or more different ways to enter and to leave. You travel constantly in and out of valleys, up and down mountains, and wonderful fields of crops - along side cows, horses, goats and sheep.
Well we entered into this town that was flooded because of the rains. So we had to found a different way past the town. Now I just learned this route and I was doing fine until I had to guess my way around. But I got back on track and then there was a section of road that was washed out. Another guess my way around time. Long story short - our appointment to meet the owner of this house was at 5:30. Well we pulled into town at 7:00 pm. Needless to say he was still not at the meeting place.
After a phone call to the owner of the house we arranged for him to meet us the next day at 10am. I don't see why I can not just drive somewhere without "events" occurring .
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