Chihuahua, State of Chihuahua

Interior of Parral Cathedral

Ore encrusted pillars

On the way to find a taxi we paid a quick visit to the Parral cathedral.  Of special interest in this church are the pillars encrusted with ore from the local mine containing zinc, copper, gold and silver. 

We arrived at the Parral bus station at 9 AM and were able to purchase tickets (at 190 pesos for the both of us) for a bus leaving for Chihuahua at 10.15 AM, after getting confirmation that it would be a first class service.  The trip lasted an enjoyable 3 hours of comfortable riding while we watched the rugged scenery pass by.  We got movies and access to two toilets with no padlocks.

Scenery on way to Chihuahua

There was a bus stop just outside of the bus terminal and within a few minutes we were on our way to the center of Chihuahua six kilometers away.  The bus driver spoke very good English, asked me where I was from, and soon we were in a lively conversation about Australia, Mexico, and the USA where he had lived for three years and toured through about 25 states.  He dropped us off at Calle Victoria near the Cathedral and after walking southwest along the road for a few blocks we found the Hotel Jardin del Centro, which had been recommended in the guide.  The hotel is a good one.  It has a pleasant verdant courtyard, although it is in a bit of disarray while they do some renovations.  The room is modern, the staff is friendly, and we feel very secure here.  The price is slightly higher than that reported in the guide, at 380 pesos ($32) per night.

Angel de la Libertad monument, Templo de San Frnacisco at left

We went for two walks in the afternoon.  During the first walk we discovered the great fresh food market and purchased bananas and mandarines.  Before returning to the hotel we had a late lunch of 2 tacos each.  We then went on another walk to the Plaza Armas then visited the cathedral, taking note of the chandeliers of imported Venetian glass. Walking on we saw the impressive Palacio de Gobierno where the revolutionary hero Miguel Hidalgo was shot.  Further along we saw the huge monument Angel de la Libertad, representing the liberty of the Mexican people.  And beyond that was the white Templo de San Francisco, the city's oldest church, built in 1721-1741.