Michael

On the Train

We leave the Hotel El Fuerte 15 minutes late for the train station. The Chihuahua Pacific Railway was our preferred mode of transportation to the very small village of Bahuichivo where a bus would take us to our final destination of Cerocahui. The Hotel Mission would be our home for two days as we explored the surrounding countryside and the small village of approximately 1800 people.

Fortunately or unfortunately, depending on your perspective, our train was 1 hour and 10 minutes late. According to our guide, Mexican trains have their own time table and the schedule can change continuously. You just have to learn to go with it.

The trip was long (4 ½ hours) as we inched our way up the canyon slopes and followed one of the many rivers very closely. The train swayed back and forth as we crossed multiple bridges and traversed many tunnels.  This area was incredibly rugged. I’ve never seen anything quite like it.

The Mission Hotel Bell

Before we boarded the train, our guide told us that there would be observation decks to take photographs and view the rugged landscape we were traveling through. I had to laugh as I entered the observation deck. Basically, it was the area between the train cars. So, to take a photograph, you had to hold on to the hand rails with one hand, lean towards the opened train car door (top half was opened) and take a photograph with the other hand. The intense swaying and bouncing made it quite challenging. I was reminded of trying to take photos of orcas in Puget Sound earlier this summer on a severely rocking boat.

We reached Bahuichivo safe and sound but still swaying to and fro.  Cerocahui is 8 miles south of Bahuichivo. So, we boarded a bus-like vehicle, our bags thrown on the top and off we bounced down the dirt road towards our destination. 45 minutes later we thankfully reached the Hotel Mission. Cold margaritas were waiting for us. A late lunch was quickly consumed giving us time to walk around the small village or rest.

The evening started with some local entertainment. It was quite relaxing. Dinner consisted of local caught fish peppered with a multitude of spices, rice and a bowl of lentil soup. Hmmmm. Very tasty.

Time for bed. Tomorrow we will travel to Barranca de Urique to see some dramatic canyon scenery. Who knows what else?

View my photos for the day (28 photos).

Michael