An Afternoon in Historic Santiago de Querétaro

Although the arrival of Spaniards was generally met with resistance by the indigenous cultures, the Otomí people aligned themselves with the Spaniards and fought beside them to defeat the Aztecs living in the Querétaro region. As a demonstration of loyalty, the Otomi leader Conin converted to Roman Catholicism between the years 1522 and 1526 and changed his name to Fernando de Tapia. In 1531 the city of Santiago de Querétaro was planned by Juan Sánchez de Alaniz and Conin.

I had passed on a late afternoon invite for a BBQ with my team as I had planned to explore the central city. I wish that I could have done both, but there will be other times. I’ve been here a month and have yet to explore anything but the location of fee-free ATMs and grocery stores the have somewhat familiar foods.

I had a late lunch at Harry’s Lousiana Cafe and ordered half of the wrong items. The seafood chowder was great, but the crab cakes were, um, vaguely Mexican. No matter as I had a good seat outside with a view of Constitution Plaza. Yes, this very plaza is where the Constitución Política de los Estados Unidos Mexicanos was drafted in 1917 during the Mexican Revolution.

 I have to say – this beats anything I had in the Chesapeake Bay!

The Plaza now, thankfully, has a seven level underground parking garage, and Harry’s has been an institution here for many undisclosed years. Clearly Expats come here not only to eat but take advantage of one hell of a happy hour!

These Brits got the system down – 5:01 p.m. and the night starts with 2 beers and 3 shots (2 hours later they were still at it)!

Well the real fun of course was on and about the plazas – and there are four that I discovered in the historic district. There’s music and food and all kinds of entertainment. Of course as the sun goes down the families head home and the night life begins.

And for those not quite old enough to consume adult beverages, a cold Coke is just perfect!

So after lunch I walked about a bit and was approached by these three. The young man had a high school assignment – ask an English speaking person 12 questions in English. I volunteered and his “girlfriend” captured a video of his test. I think he passed, but I had to admit that I have no favorite Mexican movie star or singer (yet).

The 12 Question Engish Test – Both He and I Passed!

And what Saturday afternoon does not pass without a wedding? Apparently a hot pink hummer is a prerequisite!

The bride is the beautiful one – of course!

It was what I call a perfect afternoon exploring the foods, buildings and people of this happy city of a million people. It reminded so much of Spain and Italy. Yet what was clearly ever present was this mass of impoverished people at every turn. Young mothers with children were begging in the streets. Elderly of all kinds with nothing but their clothes. It was disheartening to say the least.

This is the mix of life we have – all around the world. And this well may be the future of Europe and perhaps the US, as the gap widens between the rich and the poor in developed countries.

I could not believe the voice and fingers of this blind man – I gave him 200 pesos

So tomorrow I return to my 12-hour day seeing that a new super-duper luxury business jet is fit for its new super-rich owners. This life is indeed a paradox.  Yet I can’t wait to return to Harry’s for lunch and tour this unique spot on the planet again.