Friday, 9 October 2009

Despite the smog, I maintain my stiff upper lip! (Uruapan part 1)

We took the bus to Uruapan, 45 mins away from Patzcuaro, in order to go see the Volcano Paricutin. This volcano last erupted in 1943 burying San Juan, a nearby village, but has since died down. However, the church tower is apparently still visible, sticking up through the lava (the lava apparently stopped at the foot of the altar). Should provide a good photo opportunity!

We’re looking forward to the trip to the Volcano tomorrow. It is a days worth of walking either by foot, with a guide or on a horse. The crater should be amazing to see, as I’m sure will be the sight of me on a horse, if we get one!

The town of Uruapan isn’t all that pleasant. It is clogged with traffic and fumes, - not a pretty place to look at. In Patzcuaro there were colectivos, which are small mini vans that act as a cross between a taxi and a bus. Superb value at only 5 pesos a ride (25p) you didn’t need to use a taxi. They have the same system here, however they use huge, loud snorting beasts, that throw out plumes of black smoke. And there are so many of them. Surely, replace them with the small minivans and pollution problem solved!

This afternoon we escaped `the beasts` and had a quick walk around the national park, which is just on the edge of the town. This has to be Uruapan’s one redeeming feature. Bring on the volcano!

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