Day 4 – Creel, Mexico

3/21/2006 – Day 4 – Creel, Mexico

We are in Creel, which is at 7250 feet above sea level, all day today mostly waiting for the train.  Outside our hotel this morning, Hotel Grand Vison (I think because I did not write down the name), it is just a bit cold, since I can see my breath and my coffee is steaming.  We are about to go for a walk around the town before coming back to make sure we are packed for the early start tomorrow morning.

As we make our way around town, we see many of the streetlights are made with a dragon motif, like this one.  Also, many have bare light bulbs.

As we near one of the parks there are many shawls folded over the railings.  Many vibrant colors, but I’m partial to the blue ones.  We did not check on the prices of the shawls, since we have no room in our bags to pack one if we did buy it.  Too bad, they are really nice.

One of the churches in town.  Notice the stone construction of the walls. 

Here is one of the tourist shops in town.  Like in all other tourist towns we’ve been in this is a crafts shop which also sells t-shirts and other souvenirs. 

Walking north and west around the edge of town, we approach the rocky outcroppings.  It would be interesting to hike around these hills with the rocks. 

Behind one of the houses that borders the rocky hills is a small prayer alcove tucked up on the cliff.  There is a small statue inside the small room.  Not sure if this belongs to the town of Creel or to the people that own the house at the base of the rocks.

Walking a little further around town we find another hotel.  This one looks like it has small Juliette balconies for the rooms facing the street.

We make our way along a trail that takes us to the Cristo Rey Statue.  Part of the trail was pretty steep, with no hand railings.  I was holding onto Carmen’s hand, so I wouldn’t fall over; LOL!!  There is a nice overlook of the entire town of Creel, which I did not take a picture of. 

As we are heading back to the hotel and stopping in several of the shops, I see this Indian woman looking into the store from outside.  I had to take a picture.

One of the Tarahumara Indian women making belts and beads and other items which she is selling on the street. 

During our walk we find out that there are a number of train flat beds waiting for motor homes to get loaded.  One of the trains travels back and forth brings motor homes and campers on flatbeds towards the west coast of Mexico towards Los Mochus where they will either take the ferry to La Paz on Baja California or drive up to Tucson Arizona.

Tomorrow we jump on the train.  We are told to have flashlights handy as we  will finish the train ride in the dark.  Early to bed I see.