(Above: A return to Cristo and the panorama that surrounds the mighty statue.)
Weather: Today began in the low 50s and proceeded to warm into the mid 80s.
The morning stroll to Cristo:
Dawn of 4/1/2022: The journey begins. 
A view from the bench-wall surrounding Santuario de Ojeda. 
I climbed a small set of stairs which promptly led to the open courtyard of this church. It is called Santuario de Ojeda. 
Another view from the same position. I took this picture because of the presence of skylights in the roof which were wrought simply of thick glass bricks embedded into the cement. 
The first major set of stairs, thankfully occurring in shade. 
A rooster (and accompany hens) found along another set of stairs. 
This picture turned out a tad blurry because I didn’t want to be ‘the creeper taking pictures of schoolkids’. I simply wanted to show the setting in which these highschoolers or middleschoolers enjoy their education. As I passed, they were all working on some form of papers on picnic tables set beneath the sailshade. 
Alpine lane leading to the final ascent toward Cristo. 
On my arrival, no one was present – not even taxi drivers. 
A return to Cristo and the panorama that surrounds the mighty statue. 
Cristo from the front. 
I asked a boy (I think he was there to help tourists take pictures for tips) what the architecture to the distant right-side was. He confirmed Padre’s and mine prior suspicions. It is (was) a silver mine – one of the last ones to have operated before closing. At least, that’s what I gathered from our conversation. 
A closer look in that direction. 
Due to the absence of Taxis, I decided to return to Casa Spratling on foot. 
This meant more stairs. 
And even more stairs (and great scenes to go along with them). 
Another pass by the Parroquia de Guadalupe.
Breakfast at Scaffecito – 10/10
Mid-morning writing:
Lunch at Cocina Economica: La Aurora – Tremendous flavor, good portions, excellent people – 9/10*
Cocina Economica: La Aurora. On being invited to eat here by another matronly-type Mexican woman, I accept. She recommended the Pimientos co queso, which I very much liked the sound of. 
Even now, it just looks delicious. For this fare, 6 corn tortillas, and a Coca Lite, it was 80 pesos. 
I asked two questions in regard to the meal after I was done eating. Firstly, I asked what type of pepper was utilized: Poblano. The second question I asked was ‘cual tipo de queso?’. To this, she answered: Queso Crego [Ahumado] It is smoked sheep cheese, and she got me some to try by itself. It was slightly green (with pepper juice, I think or hope), with an outer rind of orange. Its taste was slightly spicy (again, I think this is due to it being handled at the same time as the peppers) and slightly sour. I liked it, but I did not want to eat too much because I was comfortably full and, to be honest, somewhat disquieted by the green tinge. I told her: “El queso es bueno, pero es mejor en el pimiento” to which she replied “Sí, es la combinación”. She went on to say that it also goes well on spaghetti, on enchiladas, and interestingly, on bistec de rez.
* The only reason I have a 9/10 instead of 10/10 is because the Mercado atmosphere is not my absolute favorite atmosphere to dine in. Also, 10/10 denotes places that I definitely want to eat at again.
Postre of the unnamed neveria – Superb flavor and texture – 8.5/10
Dinner at Bálsamo Café – High quality ingredients, novel drinks (tea and coffee), and live entertainment – 9/10
I was invited to Bálsamo Café by the fellow playing electronic keyboard in the background. His name was Jesús, and he was born in Taxco but then traveled through the United States and Europe for many years. He also played in the Yucatan (Isla de Mujeres) for about 15 years. COVID brought an end to many a musician’s career, so he returned to Taxco. Now, he is just beginning to play again, and he is really loving it. His style of music consists of playing the keyboard while mixing music via MIDI programming. Some of the combinations he came up with ‘on the fly’ were impressive. 
Piña coco Tizana (Venezuelan fruit punch): A beverage reminiscent of a tea and containing: piña, coco, manzana, hojas de piña y jamaica. Pineapple, apple, and leaves of pineapple. I’m not sure what Jamaica is. 
The entrée was called: Crunch sandwich (toasted bread), and it had roasted chicken breast, spinach, grated carrots, apple, queso panela, and pickled peppers. Accompanied by cucumbers adorned with sweetened sesame seeds. Very delectable. 
Dessert: A bowl of fruit consisting of banana, papaya, and apple. Well-presented and satiated any residual vestiges of hunger.
Dusk and evening of 4/1/2022:
Final Note: At this time (4/2/2022 @ 10:08 AM), I have taken my morning walk, written for an hour, swept the central terrace, and eaten a breakfast of fruit & yogurt. Now, it is about time to go for the midday adventure. I think I’m going to walk to the mine.
Quite a walk, great pictures, I like how quiet things were on that trip up to the top and back, and like usual some really good food. B
y the way I remember you seeing that little writing desk and thinking that that would be a place that you could get some work done, glad it’s come to fruition… it didn’t take long did it.