Ay, Chihuahua!

I'm back! I love Mexico. I love to travel. Seeing how other people live is truly fascinating to me, partly because it is so different, and partly because when it comes down to it, it's really the same. People ask me if I'm nervous going to Mexico, and I always wonder why. The people, the history, food...the experience of it all has always been one that I would gladly repeat and recommend to people. I thank my friends Ruben and Aracely for getting me out of the office and into the beautiful city of Chihuahua a few times - nos vemos amigos!

Here are a few of my favorites from downtown Chihuahua.

Here is the Cathedral of San Francisco in the heart of Chihuahua. It is said to be the most beautiful in northern Mexico. Construction began in 1717, but Indian raids delayed completion until 1789. The baroque facade has statues of Saint Francis of Assisi and the 12 apostles. Its pipe organ is the fourth-largest of its kind in the world. The cathedral also houses a museum of 18th century religious art, where a very passionate curator took us on a private tour. He joked about Mexico being much bigger at one time, and we laughed that as one who lives in LA, I should technically be Mexican.

The cathedral rises above the town's main square, the Plaza de Armas. On sale here, and throughout the city, are crafts made by the indigenous people, the Tarahumara, who adhere to their traditions perhaps the most of any Indian people in Mexico (I picked up a belt and a few other things). They can be seen throughout Chihuahua, wearing brightly-colored clothing and head coverings. You will also see men in cowboy hats and boots. This is cattle country, as it has been since the days of the "haciendas." Tourism is not the main source of income here, which is very refreshing. Chihuahua is a fairly prosperous cattle-raising, lumbering and silver-mining area.

The city is celebrating it's birthday with a terrific light and sound show at the cathedral. After a spectacular dinner at La Casona, the former residence of Don Luis Terrazas, we walked over to the cathedral to see the show. It was great!