Divisidero to Bahuichivo

Nov. 11, 2006

We spent the morning in the area around Divisidero and go back on the train for the trip to Bahuichivo, where we would spend the night.

Copper Canyon, as seen from Divisidero in the morning light.

The hotel at Divisidero is really perched on the rim of the canyon, with fantastic views.

Just to prove that we were really there.

Our guide, Alfredo, is standing atop the "Balancing Rock", which actually wobbles. If he slipped, it would be a long ways straight down. Fortunately, he didn't slip.

A Tarahumara woman and her daughter with the items they have for sale. How's this for a store with a view?

Looking down into the canyon we could see Tarahumara homes perched on ridges and steep hillsides, and the trails used by Tarahumara women to get to the rim to sell their handiwork to the tourists.

A ladder used by Tarahumara women to ascend the sheer cliff at the rim of the canyon. The girl is probably 8 - 10 years old, and climbed the ladder without showing any fear.

Ed, our "macho man", also went down the ladder. "O.K. I did it! Now, how do I get back up?"

We also went to visit a Tarahumara shaman, or medicine man. He made some sort of concoction and used the fumes to rid us of evil spirits.

This Tarahumara woman is carrying a huge load on her head, and her baby on her back. What did they do before plastic bags?

Back on the train we watched the scenery roll by from the "deck" of our railroad car, as the train headed for our next destination, Bahuichivo.  That is indeed a pleasant way to travel.

Nancy and Pat enjoying the view.

Sitting outside on the railroad car while going through tunnels is an eerie experience. Except for the flash of my camera it was totally dark in there. So, if a tunnel caught you by surprise, you just grabbed a hold of something and didn't move until you exited the tunnel. Don't those look like the Blues Brothers sitting there in front of their motor home? The lights on top of the motor home weren't really on; they are reflecting the camera flash.

In Bahuichivo we had a potluck dinner beside the train. It was a lot of fun. Isn't this what hoboes did as they traveled the freight trains?

These two Mexican  kids, Consuela and Gustavo, live in Bahuichivo. They helped gather and carry firewood for the fire, and Gustavo brought his guitar.

Tomorrow is the last day on the train; our guides say that we will see some of the best scenery in the Copper Canyon as we ride to El Fuerte.