Colonial life in Zacatecas

In Mexico, the old colonial towns are some of the most beautiful you will see. I recently paid a visit to Zacatecas, a town set in a soft shade of pink.


The town is proud of it's mining history thus the Mina el Eden is a must see for visitors. Opened in 1586, it only closed down a couple of decades ago, and now serves a tourist destination and museum, and a nightclub!


The rock and gem display is exquisite, but the mine not so much. While our tour guide was knowledgeable, he sounded like he repeated the same tour 5 times a day, 365 days a year, and the same lame jokes. It does however give you an insight into mining life centuries ago when miners sons became slaves to the mine owner until they could repay their debts.




On the way out you should visit the plato store if you're in the market for some beautiful and cheap local silver.


Wander through the Unesco heritage listed town and now will feel as if you are wearing rose coloured glasses. Nearly every building is built from pink limestone of different shades and thus casts a soft and romatic mood over the entire town.



Cerro de la Bufa sits on the top of a hill looking obscure and ugly, however Zacatecans love their strange 'wineskin' looking rock formation. From this hill you can visit the musem of the taking of Zacatecas and hitch a ride on the cable car to the other side of the city. When I visited local women and children had camped on the roadside selling homemade jewellery from colourful beads.



I was also lucky enough to be visiting during La Morisma, a weekend long war re-enactment of the Spanish battle between the Christians and the Moors. The thousands of people who get involved REALLY get involved. Powder guns shoot non stop as men, and children, run around in complete costumes and all. It really was a sight to behold.
I had one question- why, in this country that tries to forget everything related to the Spanish conquest, so much so they believe their history starts in 1810, would they celebrate a Spanish event? The only answer I got was because there are still so many Spanish living here... Hmm?

A favorite local haunt is Cantina 15 letras, a cute little dive bar with cheap beers and even cheaper decor. Dance along to the cliche old men on the acordian singing terrible Spanish love songs ain the corner and you've got yourself a Mexican night out!

But my highlight of the trip was following the andanzas (local version of mariachi) through the cobbled streets, dancing, singing and drinking awful mezcal in tiny ceramic pots tied around our necks! The more you tip, the longer the night goes!