Jan 5

Up by 8am and off to the OXXO (Mexico's Tim's) for coffee. It is cool, much cooler than last year. We have to put on warm clothes to sit at the roof top table beside our room. We have not brought the proper clothes for this weather. However, the sun is shining and I probably am not getting much sympathy from you when I whine about 8 or 10 degrees C.
Guanajuato (pronounced wanna-wa- toe) is 6600 ft above sea level and therefore has a moderate climate.
After going to a cute outdoor cafe for breakfast we meet James at our hotel room. James is an American who had been involved in professional tennis as a player and in other capacities. For the past 5 years he has lived in Guanajuato. He is our real estate adviser.
Guanajuato is situated in a steep river valley. It looks like a couple of bowls joined together with the historical center at the bottom and the houses built on the surrounding hillsides. It was day of walking up and down the winding alleys and staircases to see houses. Yes, great cardio!!!!
James seems to know everyone and it is apparent that there is a much larger expat community here than we had thought. People are very interesting and welcoming and we get the feeling of a small town. Everyone is complaining about the cold weather (now about 18 C.) The weather related complaints makes me feel right at home. We Canadians do spend a lot of time discussing weather!
We are unable to get into an old historical home that I had wanted to see, but we did see some renovated homes and an interesting new construction property that is partially built and needs a second floor. It has spectacular views, great possibilities but no car access so we are unsure about the steep walk to get to it.
James had paid for one night to reserve our hotel and it was much more than our agreed upon rate. So after a heated discussion in Spanish at the hotel with much gestering and sign language we are on the street pulling 4 pieces of luggage, a camera bag and a computer bag to our new hotel.

This hotel is located in an historical building and we have 18 foot high ceilings and a small balcony overlooking one of the main streets.











After enjoying a scotch on our balcony and watching the Three Kings Day parade below, we get bundled up (it is now about 11 C. and off to dinner. The food in good here. ***Three Kings Day, January 6, is a holiday much more celebrated than XMas day where gifts are exchanged and many fiestas take place.