La Gruta

From Cheryl:

On Friday, our last day, my prayer for a sunny summer day was answered, which meant we were going to visit the hot springs we had heard about. We called a cab, and rode about 20 minutes out of SMA into the countryside. I had no idea what to expect, other than warm water pools. I didn't know how rustic and natural or developed they would be. I wondered if they would resemble the sink holes I knew from Tallahassee.

La Gruta (the grotto) is actually a day resort. It is a step back in time, to a 1940's or -50's style attraction here. In a lovely park-like setting terraced into a lush hillside, it's beautifully landscaped, with several concrete pools of varying heat. The coolest is about body temperature. It seems strange to swim in such warm water. The next pool is warmer still; then you enter a tunnel that is chest-deep, and go another 50 feet, where it opens up into a domed room that is hot-tub temp. A pipe bringing water in creates a waterfall that you stand under for hydro-massage. Steam collects in the dome. The water has a high mineral content that allegedly removes toxins from your skin. It felt wonderful.

Elise and I had back massages-- $15 each for 30 minutes, given by young Mexican women. Not deep-tissue, but very soothing. There was a raised tiled patio area for sunning and dining, with table service and lounge chairs. Other tables were scattered on a grassy lawn, where you could also be served. All in all, La Gruta was one of the most serene and relaxing places I've ever experienced.

I'm On A Mexican.... Radio. I'm on a Mexican... woh woh..

I wish I was in Tijuana

eating barbecued iguana

I take requests on the telephone

I'm on a wavelength far from home

(sign in lobby of station.)

Station's website - they webcast - here

Art Event

Proprietor of the event meeting people at the door....  Elise and Cheryl's grand entrance...

Elise sends out a few dozen more text msgs at 35 cents each... Kirk and his photogenic friend Billie

Return of El Sol

The sun returned yesterday, so we played all day instead of blogged. So sorry to have let you down,  bog-o-borough citizenry. And there is more playing to do today. So here's a few sunny pix.

Dance in the dark

!!!!

kaaa boom

Monday evening found us back at the jardin to dine in a recommended restaurant. It was mostly empty, and altho they have a wonderful rooftop garden, it was damp and dark so we opted to dine in a lovely room with a window on the street and landmark cathedral (la Parroquia) at the highest point of the city. The meal lived up to the hype, I had enchiladas with a rich molé sauce that were exquisite. Elise is conducting a scientific search for the SMA's best guacamolé, and may have found it there. 

Midway through the meal we noticed the electricity had gone out on the opposite side of the street. This is fairly routine here, and Kirk thought that there was a fashion show planned for the square as we had seen scaffolding going up earlier. Electricity is "borrowed" for events like this. After dinner, we walked the block up the hill to investigate, and had no clue what we were about to witness. A light show was projected on the cathedral, a smaller church to its left, and the buildings to its right. I thought it kind of crass and tacky initially, and wondered WWJD? But then a brass band started up in the gazebo and the atmosphere became quite festive. A film promoting SMA played on a large screen. We spotted the large puppets made by children that march in Mexican parades, shrouded in plastic against the drizzle. A few minutes later the sky directly overhead exploded with fireworks while the cathedral bells clanged constantly. Some of them were coming out of the cathedral itself! It was deafening and spectacular. I had missed the 4th fireworks for the first time in memory, busy packing. This event certainly gave me my fireworks fix!

After the display, there was a brief impromptu parade, with the brass band leading the puppets, a couple of stilt-walkers, other costumed characters, and the general public around the square. people would form conga lines behind the giant puppets. It was all very joyous.