Hermosillo (21JAN12--22JAN12)

The Wild Adventures of Roaming Hamsters...

Although there are so many more interesting ways of recounting our adventures, it seems that chronologically accounting is so much easier.  There are just too, too many stories to tell, and by the time we sit down to write them, well...we're exhausted!!!

We arrived in Hermosillo after a short (192km/119mi) ride from Magdelena.  With all of our riding gear on, the easy (83F/28C) weather seemed infinitely hotter.  But, the ride was fairly easy and uneventful.  The countryside is very similar to South Utah and much of Arizona.

The city of Hermosillo is a very confusing one.  To start with, it is VERY old.  It was founded in the 1700's, and has evolved (to say the least).  There isn't a straight line to be found, and so our friends had to meet us at the local Starbucks and escort us to their home.  Anyhow, Hermosillo is the capitol city of the state of Sonora.  It has a population of approximately 610,000.  There are approximately 6 LDS meetinghouses and 1 LDS temple.  Over time, the city has expanded to absorb another town.  It has a very delicious and uniquely-Hermosillo flavor.

A Local Shop that Makes Fresh, On-The-Spot Root Beer and Uvolo (A carbonated-grape/lime drink)

Our friends are fantastic.  We met them on CouchSurfing, and they have been the most gracious hosts.  Saturday night they took us to El Centro (downtown) which is the social focus of the city.  There, you will find a bustling plaza with a very old Cathedral, government center, cultural center, street vendors, musicians, and nearly every inhabitant in the city.  There is so much energy there, it is incredible.

The Plaza with A Public Gazebo/Bandstand, and Cathedral

One Of The Delicious Flavors of The Area--Corn On The Cob with Local Cheese Sprinkled on Top

Our Friends' Lovely Home

What is so enjoyable about being here is that, although the people possess modern luxuries, i.e., gaming boxes, computers, iPads, phones, televisions, etc., they actually go OUTSIDE and play with the 3-dimensional people.  You won't find televisions as the focal point of the home.  In fact, we didn't see a TV in the living rooms, at all.

Our friends invited their friends for dinner, and we all had a fantastic time, staying up until late, bbq-ing, eating, talking, and enjoying each other's company.  Something fascinating about the people here is that they all speak excellent English.  And, what is more, they are so courteous--they spoke to us AND to one another in English so that we could understand the conversations around us.

Our Friends and Fantastic Hosts

On Sunday, we went to church and later went to visit the temple grounds.  It was a perfect day to spend quietly with friends, enjoying the afternoon sun, and the sweet aroma of the temple.  And, as with all good Sundays, we took a nap.  :)

At the Hermosillo Sonora Mexico Temple

We then went over to another friend's house for "Movie Night".  We watched a very good, and very insightful movie entitled The Station Agent (Descubriendo La Amistad).  It was a delightful evening, and could not have been a more perfect ending to our stay in Hermosillo.