Hola! Bienvenidos! Welcome to beautiful Pátzcuaro!
Buenos dias! Good morning Country Collectors. Today we have found ourselves in the Pueblo
Mágico, Pátzcuaro, Michoacan located on the shore of Lago de Patzcuaro. It's a beautiful town filled with culture and
tradition and we can't wait to dive in. But before we get started make sure to hit that subscribe
button and ring the bell so you don't miss out on any of our future adventures! Let's do this! To get
here we took a DiDi from our spot in Morelia for 354 pesos. The 55 kilometer journey took just over one
hour. Welcome to where we're staying. We found this lovely spot on Airbnb for $47 USD per night. Our bright
airy room consists of a large comfortable bed, TV, fireplace, Wi-Fi, private bathroom and
private terrace. As well as a shared well-equipped kitchen and a shared terrace with incredible views
of the town and lake. All right let's hit the streets and see what this place has to offer!
One of the first things you're going to notice are these cobblestone roads that give you the
feeling like you've stepped back in time. And like I might roll my ankle at any moment! Yeah so make
sure you're watching where you're walking. Before the Spanish arrived in the 16th century this town
was founded in the 1300s by the Purépechas, an indigenous group that has called Michoacan home
for over a thousand years. Pátzcuaro actually translates to, The Door to Heaven, and was one
of the Purépechas main religious sites. It's believed to be where the gods ascended and
descended. So while you're here you're going to notice the colonial influences as well as
the very prominent indigenous heritage. So make sure to come here with an open mind and an open
heart because it is then when you are truly going to feel the culture and tradition of
this very sacred place. Right now we are in the town's central plaza called Vasco de Quiroga which
I read is the second largest Colonial Plaza in Latin America after the zocalo in Mexico City.
It's such a lovely place to come down and take a stroll, relax or even enjoy some time on a bench
in the shade of the trees. You may even be able to pick up some beautiful art. And right here in the center of the plaza
you will find the Statue of Quiroga who was the first bishop of Michoacan.
Here in Pátzcuaro he founded the cathedral and the seminary and was also responsible for
teaching each Purépecha community a skilled trade and the fundamentals of self-government
which helped each town become the center of an industry. That's why you'll notice in some
of these towns around here they are known for a specific item such as copper, pottery or guitar
making. Surrounding the zocalo you will find 17th century buildings that have been converted into
cafes, restaurants and shops. Behind me here you will find the Municipal Palace where you can go
in and check out a beautiful mural as well as some art exhibits. And right down here is the cutest dog
ever! Wow. Look at those big ears! The biggest ears ever. Hey buddy. He just wants some scratches!
Big ears and belly rubs. This guy has got it made! And when you're down here you might even get lucky
and be able to see Danza de los viejitos which is the dance of the old man. It's a traditional
dance from this region and it's so unique. We just love it! These ladies keep walking by with churros
and they are very enticing. But I think we're gonna head into Casa del Naranjo and get some
breakfast as we have heard some great things! So let's go do this. Wow what a special place
to enjoy a meal. The setting is so welcoming and full of character from the art on the walls, up
to the vibrant papel picado streaming across the ceiling. This gentleman just came in and
played some traditional Purépecha music for us all to enjoy. It was beautiful. To eat we went with
three recommendations of the house. Adam got the Chilaquiles Tarascos which are fried tortillas
bathed in salsa tarasca, habanero chocolate, cheese and crema. I went with the Aporreadillo which is
consisted of scrambled eggs in a house salsa, cumin and Cecina. And for you we went with the
Uchepos! The sweet tamales that originated in this region. Open up! Here comes the tamale plane!
What a delicious and relaxing breakfast especially thanks to
our wonderful waiter Juan right here. He was absolutely Juan-derful!
Muchas Gracias!
Now let's keep this day moving! Adios! Located just across the street from the restaurant you will
find Casa de los Once Patios. This two-story Colonial building was once a Convent. Nowadays you can
find five of the original 11 patios whose bedrooms and courtyards are now filled with artisan shops
selling beautiful handicrafts. You may even get the chance to see them hard at work creating these
masterpieces. It is a very unique part of this town and definitely worth a visit. Out here in one of
the courtyards you will find this marvelous mural which represents the union between the Spanish and
the Purépecha. Earlier I mentioned Don Vascos's influence and behind me here you can see him
holding a wheel. This symbolizes the many tools and machinery that were built and used to make
many of these handicrafts. And if you're feeling a little risque it's none of your business but
this is where the nuns used to bathe! What a great place to come down and spend some time, pick up
some handmade souvenirs, and really feel like you're part of the history in this town. It is
a must do. Let's keep going. Across the street here are some steps that will take you up to a mirador
so you can look down over the city as well as this complex to see just how big it really
was. Now let's head up and take a look. And just a few steps up here like Adam said you can really
see how massive this was. The convent over here and Templo de el Sagrario over here which was founded
in 1540 by Don Vasco and used as a hospital. And out here in the distance is Estribo Grande or
the Great Stirrup Mirador. If you are up for some exercise you can hike up it to get the best views
in town. We did it last night and from our place it took about an hour and a half to reach the
viewpoint. The walk cuts through town, then heads uphill with cornfields on one side and the lake
on the other. Once you reach the top you you will find a kiosko, some places to barbecue, a bathroom
as well as 400 more steps that will take you to the tippy top which we wouldn't do but could
be fun! It is definitely something we recommend. Alright let's head back down and continue this day.
We are down here in the courtyard of the temple I was just talking about and it is so tranquil and I
love the architecture and these arches you can see back here. You can also see the layers of the paint
and the rocks, the construction. It really tells a story of the history of this place. Just diagonally from
the church you will find the Cultural Center which has rotating exhibits featuring Michoacan artists.
And just across the street here you will find the Museum of Arts and popular Industries which
features many pieces from Purepecha culture. Which shows us their traditions and heritage. It
even has some ruins inside the building. It costs 65 pesos to enter. And please drop us
a comment we would love to hear what you think of this beautiful Pueblo Magico so far. And you know
what time it is! Hug bug baby! We're sending you all a virtual one or two actually look there's
another one right over there! And if you continue just north you will run into the main Catholic
Church here in town known as Basilica de Nuestra Senora De La Salud. Inside the church you can find
her beautiful image that was created by the hands of the Purepecha as well as the mausoleum that
contains the remains of Don Vasco. And right in front of the church on the weekend they set up an
artisan market so it's a great place to come down and pick up some handmade souvenirs. Wow! That is
so soft and so warm inside here it's got that nice wool. And as you can tell I'm wearing a long sleeve
because the climate here is nice and fresh. I mean we've been some very hot places in the past month
in Veracruz and this is like such a nice respite from that heat. It certainly is. So definitely bring
layers or buy some while you're here. All right now let's head over to the next square. Come along!
Another cute dog! They're everywhere! Oh another one! Aww!
Hi!
I could stay and pet them all day but we have a lot more to do! Sorry buddies!
Let's keep going! And it looks like we made some new friends. They've just been following us. If you
walk just a couple of blocks west you'll run into this plaza, Plaza Gertrudis Bocanegra AKA Plaza
Chica, or the small plaza. In the center of the plaza you will find the Statue of Bocanegra. She
was born here in Pátzcuaro to Spanish parents. And during the Mexican War of independence she
sided with the insurgents. She became a spy and a messenger and was ultimately shot dead here in the
plaza for treason. On one side of the park you will find the public library. I definitely recommend
stopping in and checking out the massive mural on the back wall. It's very powerful. Just next door is
the very beautifully restored theater where you can go in and catch a movie. And on the weekends
this place comes alive. Markets spring up, people are just hanging out having a good time. There's
live music and you can pick up some great produce and other stuff too. And while we're here we had
stop in and get a pallet because they were said to have originated here in Michoacan. And where
better than La Michoacana! They have many points of sale throughout the country but what is difficult
is choosing a flavor because they have over 120 of them. But I went with the mango con chile which is
just fantastic! And while we are finishing up these tasty treats we would love to give a shout out to
our new patrons: Jean, Jose, Blanca, Jeff and Vivian! Thank you so much for all of your support! We're
just so grateful and blessed to have you a part of this community. And thank you for these lovely
treats I mean you helped to make these possible so I especially appreciate you! Yes and as much as we're
inspiring people so are you and I hope you really feel that. So if you would like to join our Patreon
community we'll put the link in the description below. All right we're gonna finish these up and
then hop in a van because we are about to head to the lake. Join us! And to get over to the dock
you can either take a taxi or shared transport that stops right here in front of the library.
It costs 10 pesos and it's said to come about every five minutes. They have a green stripe
across them and it says Lago on the front window. So let's go hop in this one and get going! Gracias!
We made it! Let's go get our tickets and see what this is all about. I'm excited! And right as we
stepped out of the van there's all these stands they are selling Charales. If you remember from
Lake Chapala they had those little fish that they fried up and you just pop them in like Cheetos or
something! We just walked down a little bit and saw the stand selling tickets. They are a hundred pesos
each. On Saturday and Sunday the last boat comes back at 7 pm but throughout the rest of the week
it comes back at 6 pm so keep that in mind. Well let's head down and get on our boat! And while
we're waiting for our boat to fill up we just learned that there are 32 indigenous communities
surrounding the lake and there are six islands. And as I just said that I realized I didn't even tell
you what we bought tickets to do! We are boarding a boat to go out to the main island, Janitzio. It's
one of the most popular activities to do here in Patzcuaro. We are so excited. It looks like the
captain is calling us over now so let's do this! And look if you're hungry they're selling snacks
on here. Yeah you don't go hungry in Mexico that's for sure! The captain's taking his seat.
He started the engine, we're pulling away! Let's go do this thing! Wow this is cool already. Look
at all these water plants. I was gonna say lily pads but I don't think that's what they are.
There's a lot of pretty flowers here as well. So nice just being back on the water here. I love it!
And a beautiful quick 25 minute boat ride later and we have arrived! Welcome to Janitzio! Right as
we got off the boat - oh my gosh! It's like a fiesta. You can hear it and you can feel the energy. You
can hear actually the dancers over there, Danza de los Viejitos. That dance we showed you earlier of
the old men. They're performing it here. There's vendors set up selling clothes, food, micheladas.
Whatever you want, they have it here! And also over here are the Janitzio letters which is
a great place to snap a photo. And look it right here, I met Juan who is Purépecha and he lives on the island.
Yeah in Janitzio. And he was saying on for Dia de los Muertos this is the best place to come.
He said come here for Dia de los Muertos
on November 1st. He said it's absolutely beautiful and we have heard the same thing. This
is the best place to you know experience that tradition and the celebration. We did
it in Oaxaca last year. And we have a video I'll link it above right here for you and
it was life-changing! So yeah if you got the time definitely make it down here or make it
a priority to come here to experience it. One of the top things to do while you're here is
hike up to the top of the island and see the giant statue of Morelos, one of the heroes of
the Mexican Revolution. Let's go check it out! Wow I love this. These streets are so cool. They're
like winding up the hill. This place is selling some more micheladas and souvenirs. I'm getting
excited let's keep going! No one said the stairs were gonna be like this! Okay. I'm gonna give it
a shot though for you guys! Definitely get a little glute workout in. I feel like los viejitos I need my little cane.
Already got a nice view from here. Just up the steps there is this beautiful
mirador that looks out over there lake. And on the other side is the famous cemetery here. It's
actually where they took the scene from Coco where he climbs in the window and steals the
guitar. This is where the inspiration came from because of that huge celebration they
have here every year for Dia de los Muertos. And just up the hill here between these two
houses you can see the statue we're heading to. Let's keep going and get the best view possible!
Woo! We have made it up to the
top. Well almost. It was 10 pesos to get in and you can come up here and see this 40 meter statue of
Morelos with his arm up high saying power to the people. Biggest armpit I've ever seen. But
what I said was the climbing is not done yet because we're gonna actually go up the steps
inside of him up to the tip of that fist up there to get the absolute best view of this
entire surrounding area. I hope you're ready for a little more climbing. Let's go! Let's do it! Wow,
I can honestly say I was not expecting this. I read that there were murals but I didn't know
it was going to be this spectacular! There are actually 64 and they depict the life story of
Morelos. They wind up all the way to the top so let's go check them out together. And I'll be
honest. It feels like you're on a rocking ship here. If you have vertigo just know that because I am
like all over the place. But don't worry they have some great railings you can just grab right onto
and follow them all the way up to the top. It's true! Luckily. Wow! Have we made it? We have
made it to the tippy top and it was absolutely worth all those steps for this view. Check it out!
We are up here in his fist, looking out over the island. I can see Patzcuaro in the distance.
What a beautiful symbol of freedom. And uhh, I'm getting choked up.
You know it's it's those people who ultimately died and sacrificed
their life and their loved ones and everyone for the freedoms that we
have today in the United States and Mexico. All over the world.
I don't know why I'm getting so emotional. It's just yeah, it just feels very special and I'm just
very grateful for all those people who put their lives on the line for us. Wow this view
is the best you can get in the entire city in my opinion. And it was so incredible the
journey coming up here. Seeing those murals. Watching the life. It was birth. It was death.
It was Revolution. And the thing is the man that this is dedicated to, Morelos, he gave everything
for Freedom. He gave everything for his people and it is just so incredible that they built
this monument and that we can share in the beauty of it. Muchas gracias Mexico. Well it's
getting a little cramped up here so we're gonna head back down we'll see you there!
Welcome back down to the waterfront. Our plan was to go to one of the restaurants here and get the
pescado blanco, the white fish, I believe it's from the lake. It's one of the local dishes here but
unfortunately it's getting a little late. And I don't want to have to swim back after all those
steps I just don't think my little legs could handle it. But thank you so much for joining us
today in Patzcuaro and here on Janitzio. We had such a blast with you. And it would have been nowhere
near as much fun if you hadn't been here to share it with. So thank you for making it so much fun
for us! Yeah it's such a pleasure to have you here with us. So if you enjoyed this video please give
us a big thumbs up, comment, subscribe and don't forget to...
DLING, DLING, DLING, DLING the bell!
We'll see you, next time! Adios!