A Bridge Too Far!

The view from the ruins towards Cucuchucho and Janitzio
(Click on the picture for a larger view)

Have a look at this picture. I took it a short time ago but saved it for today's post.

Here you see the ruins at Ihuatzio in the foreground and the island of Janizio in the background. Now the way the shot is taken it almost looks like the land is connected, but that is not so. In actuality the island is about a bit less than a kilometer from the shore.

Janizio is a very popular tourist destination for the area, especially for day of the dead. Which has lead to an interesting announcement.

Department of Infrastructure Advancement (D.I.A.) representative Santos Inocentes has announced that by December 28th of next year there will be a bridge put in place to increase tourist access and also to speed up access to emergency services for those on the island.

Sadly progress marches on.

Merry Christmas from "El Corazon"

Just wanted to wish all a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!
And that's from the heart.

Now that's a Christmas Cactus!

If I had more time I would do a better picture of it, but we have to get ready for Christmas dinner!

The Church at Tupataro

Today we go exploring. Driving along a back road between Corazon and Cuanajo, know for its hand made furniture, we continue on to the little village of Tupataro.

The Quaint Plaza

Across from the small town plaza is the Church, with a stone cross at the entrance. Wandering in past the austere entrance, the church is very dark. Shortly, your eyes adjust to the dark and the first thing you notice is the retablo against the back wall, that's not real gold is it?

Templo del Señor Santiago

Then as your eyes travel up the wall you realize the ceiling is covered with paintings. Saints and sinners, Angels and demons, Last supper and maybe even a brunch or two.

Ceiling Detail

You will notice going in a sign that says photography is not permitted. But the caretaker is a very kind man, and if you ask nicely he will allow one picture, no flash, no tripod.



Now, what little I have come across on the internet and books talks about the church being from the 17 hundreds, but the caretaker was telling me the building dates back to the 15 hundreds, but all the artwork dates from the latter date. The federal institute for anthropology and history arranged for the ceiling to be restore in the 80's and 90's by local artist Enrique Luft.

Cat Rangler!

Well, no home found for the new kitten, so it seems we have rescued 2 kittens in less than a month.

Buddies

We tossed a number of names around for the latest kitten. I suggested Divorciado, Shannon was not amused but did promise to stop bringing more kittens home.

The name we ended up with was Scooter as he is always scooting around, usually at 50 miles an hour. When he stops he is out like a light. Scooter and Bindi have become fast friends, and generally sleep in a jumble of arms and legs together.

Although occasional when they find Diego in a deep sleep, they will use him as a pillow.

"I'm a pillow now! Are you sure I can't just eat them??"

With three cats I think I might need to start taking some cat handling tips from the guys in this video!