After leaving Dolores Hlldalgo's parish church (Part 1), Lori, Bob, and I continued exploring the city with a visit next door to the Museo de la Independencia (Museum of Independence). The museum's building was once a prison, and when Father Hildalgo issued his 'Cry of Independence' on the church steps, one of his dramatic gestures was to march next door and free all the prisoners, inviting them to join the cause. Besides local history, the museum's rooms also portray early Mexican history.
Another long-lasting legacy of Father Hildalgo's was the introduction of pottery-making techniques to the area. Today, Dolores Hildalgo is well-known as the center for production of Talavera, pottery which is decorated in vibrant colors and fired at very high temperatures for durability. There are hundreds of shops along the streets and everything can be packed and shipped to accommodate shoppers from all over the world. As we walked through the streets, some of the beautiful plates and bowls I saw were very hard to pass up.
We found on this trip that when visiting Dolores Hildalgo it's important to save room for dessert! The city is famous for its ice cream stands in the Zocalo, or Plaza. These stands offer hand-made ice cream in creative flavors. Pine nut (tried it - good!) and guacamole as well as shrimp, tequila, pork rind, and even octopus (I've heard it's chewy). I learned that I could make up any flavor and ask for it. I'd be told by the vendor that they were out of it but to come back the next day. And it would be there! Maybe something like 'Chile, Rum, Avocado, Chocolate Chip'.....?? Unfortunately, our trip was only a few hours - not enough time to create a new flavor. For me, this is a good reason to plan a return trip. There's also plenty to explore while I'm waiting for my new flavor.
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| This lovely Colonial building facing the Plaza is constructed of pink granite with Baroque columns. |
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| Here's a 'visual' in the Museum of Independence depicting Father Hildalgo releasing the prisoners. |
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| A painting in the museum illustrates the Aztec Calendar Stone, which was found in Mexico City and dates back to the 15th Century. |
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| These Talavera toilets could certainly be a focal point of any bathroom. |
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| More colorful bathroom ceramics |
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| Lori next to a few mugs. |
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| Here's a creative way of washing a windshield, not sure I'd recommend it though. |
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| Saturday is one of the city's market days and there are many stands selling fresh fruits and vegetables. |
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| A VERY popular snack in Mexico is fried pork rind. In the Plaza, a vendor sells huge slabs - looks like the whole skin of the pig. |
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| One of the vendors selling hand-made ice cream in the Plaza. |
