Friday, April 13, 2018

March 10- 19, 2018 Copper Canyon, Mexico


Nogales, Mexico

Mexico is the 14th largest country in the world with an area of 761,603 square miles and a population 142 million. The country is divided into 31 states.    


         


             
Nogales is the second largest boarder stop entering Mexico.  Only one worker was checking everyone’s passport.



 San Carlos, Sea of Cortez


We were greeted by an amazing view from our room, a welcome drink and entertainment.   



We departed on an early morning cruise from the marina to view the protected natural area around the Sea of Cortez.









Alamos

Alamos is in the foothills of the Sierra Madra and was initally know for its mines. 
This area is the best preserved colonial town in the northern Mexico and takes its architecture from the Spanish town of Andalusia.





Tarahumara Indians are the second largest indigenous group in North America, 
Navajos being the largest. They live on what they grow. 
This group of people famous for their long distance running. 





In this small village an amazing dancer and his three year old nephew 
entertained us while dad played the flute and drum.  This woman is making tortillas with a stone given to her as a wedding gift.







We boarded the train for a 420 mile  journey that went through 32 trestles 
and over 86 tunnels.




View from the train.






Copper Canyon



This massive canyon is four times larger than the Grand Canyon.  We had a wonderful view of the canyon from our balcony.










Tamarhauara Indian Boarding School


We visited a boarding school on a rocky mountain top that serves 75 children in grades K-6. Parents send their children to the school because it is free and provides 3 meals a day.  On Fridays the children walk 3-4 hours through rocky mountains to visit their families. On Sunday afternoon they trek back to school.   Most kids make it through 3 or 4 years before deciding to stay at home.  To reach the boarding school, we traveled on  rocky river bottoms!    Elevation 7,122 feet




The Tarahumara Indians, have changed little over a thousand years: their ancestors lived for generations in the canyon's caves. They live throughout Copper Canyon in small wooden shacks and natural caves. Numbering about 50,000, most still practice a traditional semi-nomadic farming lifestyle.The women sell beautiful handmade baskets and other crafts to help support their families.





Casas Grandes 

Casas Grandes is a prehistoric archaeological site in the northern state of Chihuaha.

The USA-Mexican border wall 

Total length of the continental border is 1,989 miles.



                                





Beautiful country!