| It was suggested that we went back to the canyon rim
at dawn. I must be mad but I went at 0600hrs. The sun came up on the far
side of the canyon so photos were near to impossible but I was glad I went. |  |
 |
The colour of the hotel changes radically as the rays of the rising sun
catch it. |
| Looking down into the canyon we spotted this tiny
house perched on a flat spot halfway down. I've no idea how they eke out a
living down there but apparently quite a number do. |  |
 |
We walked down a cliff path about 1000ft and found another dwelling under a
cliff. Although brick built these days, this was probably originally a cave
dwelling. The receptacle at the bottom left is to collect water from the
rock seepage just above. There are a few cultivated fruit trees and some
other produce being grown and a small hut with baskets and other handicrafts
for sale. Even at 0630hrs in the morning they watched us although they are
very shy. They must get very tired of tourists. But it must be even harder
without... |
| Another madrona tree clinging illogically to a rock.
How vegetation survives here is a miracle. |  |
 |
We thought we might have some breakfast at the hotel but although the doors
were open...... |
| there was nobody inside!. We called in again later and
still saw nobody but staff. This place can only be afforded by international
travellers (mainly American) and when they stop coming as they have done
..... |  |
 |
So we walked back down to the farm for breakfast, passing the small church
along the way. Although the Indians escaped the Spanish conquistadors, the
Jesuits eventually got to them and they adopted a form of Catholicism. |
| However this is much simpler than most catholic
churches we have seen, but to my mind more in keeping with the people it
purports to serve. |  |
 |
Back at the farm we had a good breakfast and then prepared to depart. The
mornings are still quite chilly enough to need a jacket, just until the sun
gets to you. The owner had agreed to drive us around some of the local views
and then into Creel rather than us taking the local bus. |
| The rooms were very comfortable with en suite showers
and toilet and air conditioning. The other rooms had all the signs of modern
living and there were several vehicles around. Whilst this was not a wealthy
family they were doing all right. This was not third world living. |  |
 |
So we set off in a minibus to visit a number of viewpoints and look down
into the canyons. |
| After a while they all look very similar. Because
there are so many canyons we are not sure which is which. To really
see this area they suggest back packing in for about 10 days. We aren't that
fit! |  |
 |
And I'm not sure I've got that much head for heights. That rock the couple
is standing on wobbles, and it is a 2000ft sheer drop down! This is Piedra
Volada (Balancing Rock) and it looks down on Urique canyon which is up to
4265 ft deep and has a total length of 932 miles. That's four times the
length of the Grand Canyon. |
| I just look at the scenery, which is so far removed
from anything we have in England. The canyons in places are deeper than
Britain's highest mountain. |  |
 |
But it is the eerie quiet which seems to pervade the whole area. Even the
noise of the people around you doesn't detract from that. |
| Jan is happy - she notices different things to me. All
of these places have their collections of Tarahumara Indians selling their
baskets and other handicrafts. It is almost always women with young female
children. |  |
 |
They are colourfully dressed and many seem to be continually working
particularly on the baskets which they make quite quickly. |
| The children can be adorable. But we were told that
few of them go to school since it is not in the Indian culture and the
government doesn't compel them like they do with other Mexican children.
This helps to preserve their culture but does nothing to improve their
health, or standard of living. This contributes to keeping the overall
standards lower in Mexico and is part of what keeps it classified as a
developing country rather than a developed one. |  |
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