macloo

I just started my fourth week of studyng Spanish in the city of Guanajuato. I love it here! It is not as touristy as I had feared, and it’s a fun place to explore on foot.

The tip I have is about buying silver, especially jewelry. There are several great shops in the area called Valenciana, where there is a big, beautiful church (you must see the inside to believe it). Two shops are on the same side of the main street as the church. The other two are on the opposite side of the street. You can easily get to Valenciana by city bus (4 pesos) or taxi (30 pesos). For the bus, go to the corner opposite La Alhondiga and ask for the bus to Valenciana.

Many of the shops in the center of Guanajuato have the same tourist junk and the designs are not very interesting. So go up the mountain to Valenciana — you will enjoy it.

The city of Rousse is northeast of Sofia, the capital. Rousse sits on the Danube River and has been an important port for centuries. The countryside and villages we drove through were really, really beautiful. Unspoiled by industry for the most part, and also unspolied by chain stores and highway overpasses and other obnoxious features of urbanization. The rock churches were simply amazing (elaborately painted sanctuaries inside caves, high up in the cliffs). And the FOOD! Such wonderful food — salads, breads, succulent grilled meats, marvelous cheeses and yogurt. The Rousse wines were delicious too.

Just visited this new museum a couple of weeks ago for the first time. It was sooo wonderful! An absolutely fantastic example of what a museum should be. I started on the top floor (take the elevator up) and walked down. The area called “The Universe” impressed me most of all. The displays of pottery and clothing, etc., cannot be described adequately. Fantastic sounds and sights.