Jim, Morgan, and I headed for the larger city of Querétaro, east of SMA. We drove in, found a place to park for less then 10 pesos (a dollar) and walked toward the central domes. We found a tourist office on Pasteur and 5 de Mayo, which suggested 3 hotels in our price range (medio, less than about $600 pesos/ $45). We saw no gringos and spoke almost exclusively in Spanish (lousy Spanish, I might add). We ended up in the new el Senatorial on Guerrera and Hidalgo which was fine, but I wish we’d found the Hotel Hidalgo (Pino Suarez between Juarez and Allende) first. It’s an 18th C Spanish hotel built around a courtyard and right on the street. Next time. If you’re filthy rich or go for high end hotels, definitely stay at La Casa de la Marquesa at Madero # 41 (www.lacasadelamarquesa.com). Rooms start above $200 USD. Wow wow and wow.

The architecture is spectacular. But we found the city odd. Jim couldn’t find a bottle of wine or even a glass of wine, not for not trying. The city has three jardins each quite close to the next–Jardin Zenea (the main one), Plaza de la Constitución, and Plaza de la Corregidora.

In search of the centuries-old aqueduct, I took us in the wrong direction, but we found instead el Templo de Santa Rosa de Viterbo.

I was readily forgiven. Across the street, is one of many city squares where there’s a fountain show. The water spray of water is better than a light show.

The interior of the church is absolutely spectacular. Gold painted wood, as so many are. Way ornate. Then we walked from this western point of the center and walked and walked to get to the aqueduct. Here it is in the midst of the city.  

And here’s Jim and Morgan looking at it.

And now it’s late and we’re whipped but we’ve got to walk east to get back to el centro.

Then it was time (8:30) to go to Orquesta Filarmónica del Estado de Querétaro playing in the courtyard of the spectacular Templo y Ex Convento de San Agustín.

The orchestra was very good and played contemporary Mexican composers. The second being a guitar concerto (guitarrista: Isidora Ramos; composator: Eduardo Angulo). We left at intermission to find dinner but there was no dinner to be had. Everything was closed down on a Friday night in this large city. Morgan and I weren’t hungry, having eaten ourselves silly over the last few days, but Jim needed sustenance (and wine). We ended up in a dreary cafe where Jim got a beer and day old spaghetti.

In the morning we headed to Tequisquiápan.