Querétaro, Mexico

In planning my route through Mexico I haven't been too concerned with the details of the places that I have decided to see. I've read enough and listened to enough suggestions to have a good idea of the places to go, but I also like to be surprised. Querétaro was a great surprise. It's a city that has a beautiful combination of elements of the old world and new world. Once a prosperous mining town it has abundant colonial charm at it's core, and on the fringes it almost resembles the States with stores such as Home Depot, Sams Club, Costco, Blockbuster and all the other franchises lining the commercial centers. The city was clean, cosmopolitan, and had a great feel. People were out and about in the parks, restaurants, and streets.

In Querétaro I stayed with Daniel, who is one of the younger Servas hosts I have met. He picked me up from the bus station on a Friday evening and we were off. After a cookout at his house we went to another party at a friend's house. It was a fun time drinking beer and tequila, and playing Wii of all things. Ironically, it was my first time ever playing the game.












The whole gang with Daniel in the white












Playing Wii












Looking over a pedestrian bridge crossing the freeway with commercial centers along the way












Heading into town signs of old parts of Querétaro begin to appear such as the old aqueduct that carried water over the valley to the city












Fountain masking the tank the aqueduct once fed












Querétaro has a lot of great parks and open spaces. Here is one on the many churches with a great plaza in the foreground.












Alemeda Park












Shimmering fountains












The architecture of the city is quite impressive and there are a lot of great buildings to appreciate such as this old theater that is still used by the president of Mexico, who is required to make least one speech here each year.












Colonial building and blue sky












Ornate old door












Courtyard of the art museum
















Querétaro has no shortage of beautiful churches such as this one












Ornate interior of the church shown above












Small wedding taking place in another church
















Church bell tower












Church domes in the distance












The city was alive and there were a number of activities all around such as this free concert in the park












One block from the concert another group was putting on an exhibition of Capoeira, which is a Brazilian blend martial arts and dance. This definitely speaks to the cosmopolitan nature of the city.











Clowns entertaining a crowd in another park












An old couple playing instruments for money in front of a wall of balloons for sale












Shoes being shined in the park












The old canal that once brought water to the city












Querétaro has many beautiful restaurants and hotels with great courtyards. I loved this one in particular.












Looking down on a table in the courtyard












We had a great time and it was fun going out at night, as you can tell












Eating tacos at night












Intricate woodwork