Margie (Granny), Francis, Mrs. Pancho Villa, CarolineJune 28th
It is Caroline’s wedding day and as we leave on our tour, just the three of us with Fredie Gonzalez, he tells us it is All Saint’s Day. I am very excited to know that if you have just one day here that a guided tour is the only way.
P.M. We are back and packed and checked out ready to leave Juarez, El Paso and home. But what a day!!! Oh My! Fredie, a man probably 45 or 50 really gave us the red carpet treatment. Chihuahua is a beautiful City. The big mansions with the gardens, you just can’t think of anything so grand elegant. Certainly they make homes we have seem like Mrs. Hoagland’s proverbial sheep sheds. Of course we saw only the outside, how I should have liked to go through some of them. But the tile and the hand caring, marble, grill work in iron… just you got[t]a see to realize it. Then in a few short minutes we were taken to the bleak extreme—such abject poverty and filth. You look at the contrast and how can you keep from saying to ourself “We are all God’s children, so why?” No wonder people rise up and revolt. It really makes one think. Our guide told us that Chihuahua was built as it were by two means—the silver and the water. Of course without the water nothing could have been built not matter how much silver. So as always, the water means much to me. For instance in our tour there was a great aqueduct 222 years old still in service. Chihuahua’s Cathedral cannot be described by such as I. It took 100 years to build. The intricate perfect carving done with Indian slave labor had to be perfect and if a mistake was made it cost a man a finger, a hand, or his life. It is now in use but as I mentioned, it was all Saint’s Day and the crowd was small. We were taken in to view as the mass, or whatever, was going on. Didn’t seem right to me, but the Priest went right on with this thing, and the plate was being passed. Fredie told us “It was the Catholics who conquered Mexico with fear.” But now even thought 95% would say they are Catholic, you see from this crowed that it means little to most of them. Time was when on such an occasion this entire area would be jammed with people, but now just a handful. We went to the State Capitol where Chihuahua’s history is shown in beautiful murals. We went in the governor’s reception room where hangs a life size portrait of Benito Juarez and one of Father Hidalgo. Hanging form the ceiling is the most exquisite crystal rock chandelier.
Perhaps the high light to me was that which pertained to [Pancho] Villa and I wished I had known more, but I live with most things like water funning off a ducks back. But we aw the tome he had built for himself—beautiful but empty. His body is buried far way with no one knowing where his head is so the building stands in State. I wonder if Luz Corella Villa does, who still lives in the mansion and sits in a room full of his books and things of interest, tells his story, just parts of it of course, but she is a large pleasant gracious person. I suppose until recently she conducted the entire tour. She has set a price of 40 cents for each one who comes to see her. The money she uses for the poor, such as a big building in connection with the part of which she lives, just separated by a courtyard or garden live many of the poor class. Then there is an orphanage built and supported by her. Said Fredis, “I don’t know what a lot of them will do when she dies, if she ever does.” She doesn’t say how old she is but he says at least 91. She smiles and says “I live with my memories”. The old Dodge care in which Villa was riding when he was shot sits enshrined, full of bullet holes. There is a great case of his guns, knives, etc. Oh, I don’t know how much is true and how much is tradition and stories for the tourists, but it was an interesting and I’m like Janie, I am glad I went. I wanted to so bad. Yet I had fear and dread of it as you know, until we were in the car and on our way. I can’t seem to write more. Maybe I can say more once we get talking. I will say the story has it that Villa had 53 wives but Luz is the only one who had papers to prove it. You know, I wish we knew the really true story.
We left the great city of Chihuahua about 1:30 and headed for Ciudad Juarez. We stayed at a beautiful Roadway Inn. It was hot but our room was cool and comfortable. After resting awhile we walked around and looked in a few little shops but decided that we could probably find more things the next morning nearer the boarder. We would be rested and fresh and we knew there would be more things displayed for a tourist trap. I did buy a bag for Helen’s birthday and a cap for Taylor’s.
Since it was our last day in Mexico we figured we should have some Mexican food. On most of our trip we had eaten from our good food box which we carried along. Francis inquired as to a good Mexican restaurant but the place was some distance from our motel so we decided to eat in the café there. We were surprised when we went in to find that it was sort of a night club deal—dim lights, live music which was good, some folk were dancing. On the menu was delicious Mexican food. We were told that there would be a good show later, and that we didn’t have to buy drinks. How about that? Such a good chance to let our hair down. We didn’t like the show but we had paid for it and we weren’t about to waste our chicken dinners, so we endured the ‘screeching’ girl singer. The back ground orchestra music I think would have been good if she had shut up. It was about the time we left very mild, but you know I am certainly like what Lark said about his grandma, even more so. It was the nearest thing to night life I had ever been in.
The next morning we left at a “pretty good time”. We reached the said shops and were in and out of a jillion of them, looked and bargained. I didn’t buy a thing but a mantilla for myself. Selfish I guess, but it all seemed too futile. Frances and Caroline bought “duff” for each of their children, but I couldn’t start with the grands.
We had to go through customs and show and tell, opened our bags, etc. But it was painless and quick and easy, and we crossed the bridge into the good old United States and the very air seemed better and the ground sacred. I know it has much to be desired but still the best the Lord has to offer. A land choice above all other lands. We thought we might stop some place and come home Sunday but our dear little bishop needed to be home for his Fast Day duties so we just kept coming and got here at 1:30am.
I must finish in words of Kirk once when I went to New Jersey—“I wish grandpa could come.” Maybe grandpa wouldn’t have loved this as much as I did but, Oh Luellie, I wish you could come.
Note: According to Yahoo Maps, the round trip was 1319 miles.
It is Caroline’s wedding day and as we leave on our tour, just the three of us with Fredie Gonzalez, he tells us it is All Saint’s Day. I am very excited to know that if you have just one day here that a guided tour is the only way.
P.M. We are back and packed and checked out ready to leave Juarez, El Paso and home. But what a day!!! Oh My! Fredie, a man probably 45 or 50 really gave us the red carpet treatment. Chihuahua is a beautiful City. The big mansions with the gardens, you just can’t think of anything so grand elegant. Certainly they make homes we have seem like Mrs. Hoagland’s proverbial sheep sheds. Of course we saw only the outside, how I should have liked to go through some of them. But the tile and the hand caring, marble, grill work in iron… just you got[t]a see to realize it. Then in a few short minutes we were taken to the bleak extreme—such abject poverty and filth. You look at the contrast and how can you keep from saying to ourself “We are all God’s children, so why?” No wonder people rise up and revolt. It really makes one think. Our guide told us that Chihuahua was built as it were by two means—the silver and the water. Of course without the water nothing could have been built not matter how much silver. So as always, the water means much to me. For instance in our tour there was a great aqueduct 222 years old still in service. Chihuahua’s Cathedral cannot be described by such as I. It took 100 years to build. The intricate perfect carving done with Indian slave labor had to be perfect and if a mistake was made it cost a man a finger, a hand, or his life. It is now in use but as I mentioned, it was all Saint’s Day and the crowd was small. We were taken in to view as the mass, or whatever, was going on. Didn’t seem right to me, but the Priest went right on with this thing, and the plate was being passed. Fredie told us “It was the Catholics who conquered Mexico with fear.” But now even thought 95% would say they are Catholic, you see from this crowed that it means little to most of them. Time was when on such an occasion this entire area would be jammed with people, but now just a handful. We went to the State Capitol where Chihuahua’s history is shown in beautiful murals. We went in the governor’s reception room where hangs a life size portrait of Benito Juarez and one of Father Hidalgo. Hanging form the ceiling is the most exquisite crystal rock chandelier.
Perhaps the high light to me was that which pertained to [Pancho] Villa and I wished I had known more, but I live with most things like water funning off a ducks back. But we aw the tome he had built for himself—beautiful but empty. His body is buried far way with no one knowing where his head is so the building stands in State. I wonder if Luz Corella Villa does, who still lives in the mansion and sits in a room full of his books and things of interest, tells his story, just parts of it of course, but she is a large pleasant gracious person. I suppose until recently she conducted the entire tour. She has set a price of 40 cents for each one who comes to see her. The money she uses for the poor, such as a big building in connection with the part of which she lives, just separated by a courtyard or garden live many of the poor class. Then there is an orphanage built and supported by her. Said Fredis, “I don’t know what a lot of them will do when she dies, if she ever does.” She doesn’t say how old she is but he says at least 91. She smiles and says “I live with my memories”. The old Dodge care in which Villa was riding when he was shot sits enshrined, full of bullet holes. There is a great case of his guns, knives, etc. Oh, I don’t know how much is true and how much is tradition and stories for the tourists, but it was an interesting and I’m like Janie, I am glad I went. I wanted to so bad. Yet I had fear and dread of it as you know, until we were in the car and on our way. I can’t seem to write more. Maybe I can say more once we get talking. I will say the story has it that Villa had 53 wives but Luz is the only one who had papers to prove it. You know, I wish we knew the really true story.
We left the great city of Chihuahua about 1:30 and headed for Ciudad Juarez. We stayed at a beautiful Roadway Inn. It was hot but our room was cool and comfortable. After resting awhile we walked around and looked in a few little shops but decided that we could probably find more things the next morning nearer the boarder. We would be rested and fresh and we knew there would be more things displayed for a tourist trap. I did buy a bag for Helen’s birthday and a cap for Taylor’s.
Since it was our last day in Mexico we figured we should have some Mexican food. On most of our trip we had eaten from our good food box which we carried along. Francis inquired as to a good Mexican restaurant but the place was some distance from our motel so we decided to eat in the café there. We were surprised when we went in to find that it was sort of a night club deal—dim lights, live music which was good, some folk were dancing. On the menu was delicious Mexican food. We were told that there would be a good show later, and that we didn’t have to buy drinks. How about that? Such a good chance to let our hair down. We didn’t like the show but we had paid for it and we weren’t about to waste our chicken dinners, so we endured the ‘screeching’ girl singer. The back ground orchestra music I think would have been good if she had shut up. It was about the time we left very mild, but you know I am certainly like what Lark said about his grandma, even more so. It was the nearest thing to night life I had ever been in.
The next morning we left at a “pretty good time”. We reached the said shops and were in and out of a jillion of them, looked and bargained. I didn’t buy a thing but a mantilla for myself. Selfish I guess, but it all seemed too futile. Frances and Caroline bought “duff” for each of their children, but I couldn’t start with the grands.
We had to go through customs and show and tell, opened our bags, etc. But it was painless and quick and easy, and we crossed the bridge into the good old United States and the very air seemed better and the ground sacred. I know it has much to be desired but still the best the Lord has to offer. A land choice above all other lands. We thought we might stop some place and come home Sunday but our dear little bishop needed to be home for his Fast Day duties so we just kept coming and got here at 1:30am.
I must finish in words of Kirk once when I went to New Jersey—“I wish grandpa could come.” Maybe grandpa wouldn’t have loved this as much as I did but, Oh Luellie, I wish you could come.
Note: According to Yahoo Maps, the round trip was 1319 miles.
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