The Paricutin ... one of the wonders of Mexico

After a few quiet days in Pátzcuaro I moved on a bit further south to the city of Uruapan. It is again an interesting city with old houses, churches and museums (and a building that once was the oldest hospital on the American continent...) plus a wonderful park with fountains and waterfalls, the Parque Nacional. But my main objective was a trip to the village of Angahuán, to see the ruins that were left over when in 1943 the volcano Paricutin was born.

The Paricutin is the youngest volcano in the Western Hemisphere and during the years it took for it to be created, an Indian village was destroyed (the inhabitants could be relocated). Everything is covered by a mountain of black lava... and plants growing again out of it. Only the church towers can still be seen  - and the altar. It is really a miracle that the lava stopped and spared the altar of the church. I just had to see this with my own eyes.

Usually you go through the village of   Angahuan to the visitors' centre where you can also stay over night and from where you can start your way to the lava fields either on horseback or on foot. On the day I was there, however, the village was closed because of a "fería", but there were "shuttle horses" between the parking place and the ruins. There and back for 150 pesos. Oh my, the last time I had been on a horse was when I was 12, so I had my panicky 10 seconds, but then decided that the horse knew what it was doing and relaxed. It was also good that I had gone fairly early, because I not only avoided the midday heat, but also could enjoy the peace and quiet on the way through the forest, which has a certain magic quality. It is a place to think and remember that nature is stronger than humans and that we cannot control everything.

My Indian guide was also with me in the ruins, which was a good thing, because climbing around on the lava rocks is quite a challenge , but I managed with a helping hand now and then. And then I finally stood in front of the altar. I remembered the first time my friend had told me about it. It is a sight that makes you wonder ...

The things I had seen, heard and smelled on this morning did not leave me for the rest of the day and even now, a few days later, I still feel the atmosphere of that place. It is a special place and I am happy I could see and experience it ... it is one of the many wonders of Mexico.

The altar .. I am standing on the lava