Trip to San Ignacio on Valentine's Day.

Sunday Feb. 14, 2010

This morning Eric and I, along with Sam, Rita, Frank and Sandi headed out on a road trip to San Ignacio. 

This was Eric's first time picking a trip destination and he had looked the town of San Igancio up on the internet and also checked the mapping to get there.  We started out about 9:30 a.m. and headed out the libre road in a northeast direction.  By the time we hit the turnoff  to El Quelite Eric and I stopped to add some clothes.  The weather here has been a bit cooler and another jacket was in order and Frank and Sandi in their jeep stopped to add clothes as well.  Sam and Rita were a bit ahead of us and doubled back to check and see what was happening.   We then pulled into the lead but as we got to a newly constructed intersection close to where Eric thought we were to turn off to San Ignacio it was uncertain if this was the way to turn.   No sign, what a surprize|!  Sam went into the lead  at this point as he thought this was the way to go, at least for a while.  A nice ride until we hit another crossroads with again, you guessed it  "No sign|!"  Sam asked a couple of Mexicans which way to turn and so we headed to the right and on to San Ignacio, we hoped.   It's a good thing Sam knows some Spanish.  At the next Y the turn was marked and we headed left and on towards San Ignacio.

We passed the usual cows and horses at the edge of the road as we travelled and as we neared the entrance to the town we were at the beginning of a huge puente (bridge) and so we stopped to take pictures.

   There was a huge vista to each side of the bridge and the arch at the beginning  gave us an idea that the town would be lovely as it was beautifully painted and well kept. 

The beautiful arch at the beginning of town.

Note the date on this plaque!

Looking down the river.

The gang at the entrance to the bridge.

Looking up the river.

This beautiful hotel is on your right as you cross the bridge coming into town.

As we got ready to head into town Sam asked a Mexican walking by (in Spanish) if there were any restaurants that he would recommend (that served cervezas) and got a couple of tips.  We headed down to the town square to see the old church before lunch and as we passed through town we were impressed by the cleanliness and  how well kept and painted everything was.  A very pretty Mexican town and the nicest one we've seen. 

As it was Valentines Day there were lots of storefronts selling balloons and candy.  We were the only gringos that I saw as we travelled through town which is surprizing in such a pretty town but, with such poor signage maybe no one can find it! 

The church.

Looking through the square, note the Jesus statue in the distance.

That is a really big statue!

Inside the church looking out into the square.

The town square was well kept, garbage free and everything was nicely painted .  The church was very old as were many of the surrounding buildings.

Town square.

Eric and Kathy " Happy Valentines Day!"

  After we had taken a few pictures we headed off to find lunch with Sam and Rita leading.   A block or so up the street Sam spied a truckload of Municipal Policia  and decided to ask where a good place to eat was.

So, do you know where a good restaurant is?

 Since we weren't going far and it was now hot Sam and Rita were without  helmets and did the police care?  Of course not!  Sam explained we wanted to find a restaurant where we could have cervezas (beer) with lunch " No problemo, follow us they said."

So now we have the police leading the people with no helmets (Mexican helmet law states that one person on a motorcycle must wear a helmet!) to find a place to drink before we all drive home. 

No problemo!  Ah Mexico!

Will everyone please keep up!

 We made a keystone cops trip all over town up and down the streets to the many restaurants that were closed because it is Sunday until the policia finally gave up!  We ended up back at the beginning of town by the bridge in a little half finished shop eating pollo asado (barbecued chicken.)   It was good! 

Inside the chicken shack.

After lunch was done we started home since  Sam and Rita were going to the Carnival Parade and wanted to be home by 3pm.  As we were making our way out of town the policia were now coming in and they made sure they gave each of us a friendly wave.  Nice guys!

Our lunch stop.

We arrived home in time and when I mentioned to Frank and Sandi that we could have spent a little more time seeing the town Frank said " I think we saw most of it."  Too true as we spent about a half an hour going up and down every street on cobblestones (hard on a motorcycle) following the policia looking for lunch. 

A really good day!