Pictures of the Week 2008-6
Hello All,
Topolobampo on the Sea of Cortez was our next port of call. It is a small fishing village which specializes in shrimp for export. We were told that it is a beautiful seaport located 13 miles from Los Mochis. We couldn’t swear to it though as our ship arrived in the dark at 4:00am. At 4:30am we took a 2-hour ride in a motor coach to the town of El Fuerte where we boarded a privately chartered train on the Chihuahua Pacifico Railway.
Our 12-hour roundtrip train ride took us into the Sierra Madre Mountain range, and eventually enter the legendary Copper Canyon of Mexico. Our rail journey wound through tunnels and over bridges as we climbed from sea level to 7,200 feet. When compared to the Grand Canyon in the US of A, the 25,000 square mile Copper Canyon is deeper, though it is not quite as long. And, it is only accessible by rail. It wasn’t long before the sun started rising in the mountains followed by a beautiful blue sky day.
Topolobampo on the Sea of Cortez was our next port of call. It is a small fishing village which specializes in shrimp for export. We were told that it is a beautiful seaport located 13 miles from Los Mochis. We couldn’t swear to it though as our ship arrived in the dark at 4:00am. At 4:30am we took a 2-hour ride in a motor coach to the town of El Fuerte where we boarded a privately chartered train on the Chihuahua Pacifico Railway.
Our 12-hour roundtrip train ride took us into the Sierra Madre Mountain range, and eventually enter the legendary Copper Canyon of Mexico. Our rail journey wound through tunnels and over bridges as we climbed from sea level to 7,200 feet. When compared to the Grand Canyon in the US of A, the 25,000 square mile Copper Canyon is deeper, though it is not quite as long. And, it is only accessible by rail. It wasn’t long before the sun started rising in the mountains followed by a beautiful blue sky day.
Yup, we were busy snapping
photos around every bend.
Mexican engineers demonstrated
their capacity to overcome the problems of the geography of the region while
building the railway. Track was laid
using clever construction methods. At one point the train climbed up a river
gorge and then did a 180-degree turn over a bridge; and then did another
180-degree turn inside a tunnel--all the time climbing. It was awesome!! The
following photos were taken after making the two 180-degree turns.
Tarahumara Indian ladies
selling their baskets came to the train when we made a brief stop at a railway
yard. They don’t speak English or Spanish. Transactions were completed in
American currency using hand signs.
The Tarahumara are an
indigenous people of northern Mexico, renowned for their long distance running
ability. Originally inhabitants of much of the state of Chihuahua, the
Tarahumara retreated to the Copper Canyon in the Sierra Madre Occidental on the
arrival of Spanish explorers in the sixteenth century. Current estimates put the
population at between 50,000 and 70,000 people.
Most still practice a traditional lifestyle, inhabiting natural shelters
such as caves or cliff overhangs, as well as small cabins of wood or stone.
Almost all Tarahumara migrate in some form or another in the course of the
year.
After 6 hours of climbing we arrived at Posada Barrancas where a wonderful lunch was served. There were more Tarahumara Indians selling their wares around the lodge. As an observation it was noted that they rarely smile--even the children!!
After 6 hours of climbing we arrived at Posada Barrancas where a wonderful lunch was served. There were more Tarahumara Indians selling their wares around the lodge. As an observation it was noted that they rarely smile--even the children!!
After lunch we were provided a
demonstration by the Tarahumara of their dances and running prowess. With
widely dispersed settlements, these people developed a tradition of
long-distance running for intervillage communication and transportation. The
long-distance running tradition also has ceremonial and competitive aspects.
Often, male runners kick a wooden ball (about the size of a grapefruit) as they
run in “foot throwing” competitions, and females use a stick and hoop. These
races can last anywhere from a few hours, for a short race, to a couple of days
without a break. The Tarahumara also practice persistence hunting, using their
ability to run extreme long distances (sometimes as far as 100 miles) to catch
animals such as deer. The animals eventually tire and slow down allowing them
to get close enough to harvest it.
We were then transferred by school buses over a harrowing road to the Posada Mirador Hotel for a chance to admire the vastness of the Copper Canyon from the terrace of the hotel. The hotel is built on the side of the canyon. We could also see typical Tarahumara dwellings from the terrace.
We were then transferred by school buses over a harrowing road to the Posada Mirador Hotel for a chance to admire the vastness of the Copper Canyon from the terrace of the hotel. The hotel is built on the side of the canyon. We could also see typical Tarahumara dwellings from the terrace.
A hike to the rim of the
canyon was next on the agenda. It was an awesome sight. Copper was never mined
in the canyon. The name refers instead to the copper and green lichens that
cling to the walls of the chasm.
The journey back was along the
same route. This route is considered by many to be one of the most scenic rail
routes in the world. Not sure we would go that far! We arrived back at the ship
at 11:00pm. It had been one heck of a long day! We were surprised when we got
to the ship as the walkway to the gangway was lined with over fifty crew
members (officers, deck hands, chefs, etc.) clapping and welcoming us back “home”
to the ship--it was a nice touch.
Until next time,
Dave & Barb
The Traveling Browns
Until next time,
Dave & Barb
The Traveling Browns