Las weekend I travelled to Taxco, Guerrero with the choir to give two concerts. The choir has an ongoing relationship with UNAM's Taxco campus of CEPE (Centro de Enseñanza para Extranjeros), where foreigners go to learn Spanish and other cultural topics such as literature, history, art and dance. The choir has been visiting (and giving concerts) in Taxco for 4 or 5 years, but this was my first time in Taxco.
Taxco is known for its silver, which was first discovered there in the 16th Century. Now the silver deposits are almost gone and Taxco relies on tourism (and the sale of silver jewelry in the countless silver shops). Taxco preserves its colonial architecture is recognized as a national historical monument, meaning that new buildings must conform to the old in scale style and materials.
We rehearsed on the bus on the way...
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| rehearsing on the bus on the way to Taxco |
...and arriving in Taxco we had about half an hour to change, get ready, warm up and perform!
Friday's concert was at the CEPE (though I did not see any foreigners in the audience at the concert!).
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| lovely ladies getting ready for concert #1 |
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| rehearsing before the concert |
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| rehearsing before the concert |
We stayed at the
Hotel Posada de la Misión, which had a beautiful view of Taxco. I somehow lucked out with a huge room!
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| view from outside my hotel room |
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| view from the terrace up the stairs from my hotel room |
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| view from the terrace up the stairs from my hotel room |
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| hotel room |
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| hotel room |
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| view of Taxco from the hotel |
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| view of Taxco from the hotel |
Saturday morning we rehearsed for a bit before free time and then I went with a group to tour Taxco. We hiked our way up the steep hills to the center of Taxco, where we saw the Parroquia de Santa Prisca, a baroque-style church with an elaborate Churrigueresque facade.
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| Parroquia de Santa Prisca |
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| Parroquia de Santa Prisca |
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| Parroquia de Santa Prisca |
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| Parroquia de Santa Prisca |
We stopped for
nieve (similar to a sorbet or water ice) and a photo.
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| a stop for nieve (like sorbet) |
We wandered around a bit and browsed the many silver shops and stands. We generally shopped in the markets away from the center (where prices are hiked for tourists).
I took a quick dip in the pool (Yes, outdoors. In November. Jealous?) and had a late lunch before Saturday night's concert.
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| view of Taxco from the hotel |
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| mural at the hotel |
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| poolside view |
Saturday night we gave a concert in the Juan Ruiz de Alarcón Theater of our hotel. We premiered the song Taxco de mis amores, an arrangement by G. Alvarez Navarro commissioned by the CEPE and dedicated to our choir. His sister was in the audience both nights and said she was honored to hear us sing her brother's songs.
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Juan Ruiz de Alarcón Theater in the hotel Posada de la Misión,
where we gave the concert Saturday night
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| the Altos at dinner after the concert |
Sunday I relaxed, enjoying brunch, conversations with friends and the poolside view, before getting on the bus back to the DF.
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