Monday, November 18, 2013

I rented a car today and drove out to the San Xavier Mission - fascinating historical, still-functioning spanish-catholic church built in 1692.  I had my first taste of fried bread sold by some indian people outside the mission.  After that, I walked around the Sonora Desert Museum - amazing experience - it's all outside, so one basically walks around paths through the desert, with plots of particular plants and cages of particular animals in their natural habitat.

Our tour guide says that the bell tower on the right is missing the bell part because they ran out of money, contrary to the more popular story that this was a political protest

Interior garden

Incredible frescoes, etc.

Copious statues, engravings, etc.

More 

And more . . . 

. . . and more!

Outside garden with many varieties of cactus!

Path in the Sonora Desert Museum.  The Saguaro cacti grow in this area of the U.S. only - and in Mexico - fascinating plants!

A reproducing cactus!

Gotta prove I was there!

Still in the museum

The road to the museum

Notice all the cacti scattered around the hill

A much-needed drink at the Hotel Congress, where John Dillinger and his gang stayed and were arrested in the 1930's.