La Casa en Guanajuato

22 Aug 2009 - Change is Coming

The construction blog has stayed front and center for way too long. We have guests that have returned 3 years in a row now (we love you guys!), so it's long past time we present the completed house. Until I get the new website up, allow me to give you a quick tour. We have 5 different 'rooms' for our guests: In the house itself, we have two suites, the Boveda Suite, and the Buena Vista Suite. The Buena Vista Suite is located at the top of the house. It features a private bath, bedroom with king sized bed and study desk, and a sitting room with a mini fridge, microwave, and coffeemaker. The door opens up to a small patio, with views up the callejon, and easy access to the roof. The Boveda Suite opens to an interior patio, and has the same general features as the Buena Vista. The sitting room features a boveda ceiling, a brick domed ceiling found in this part of Mexico. It is probably the quietest suite in the house, being the most protected. Also part of the main house is the Master Bedroom. This is a large room with a balcony overlooking the Callejon Barranca. It features a king sized bed, sitting area, and built-in bookcases and a desk. A large private bathroom, with twin sinks, is attached. The room opens into one of the pricipal patios of the house. We have two apartments with separate entrances, the first is the Don Quixote. This apartment contains a bedroom with a full sized bed, bath, small complete kitchen (stove, no oven), and a living room/dining room. It is street level, and offers the easiest access. Finally, the 'student' apartment is a small efficiency, which is usually rented to a student of the University of Guanajuato in an effort to maintain the diversity of the neighborhood. Proceeds from the student apartment help fund a scholarship at the Interlochen Center for the Arts. The house offers a wonderful place to stay, near the heart of Guanajuato, but just far enough up the callejon to escape the noise of the streets. At night, the voices of the troubadors that roam the callejons filter up on the cool night air. Our trilingual innkeeper, Carl, speaks English, French, and Spanish. He can help guide you to the major attractions, cultural attractions, and out of the way spots. Contact us now for availability.

29 January 2008 - Master Bedroom

We are nearing the end of this website as a construction blog, which is both good and bad. I've certainly gotten a great deal out of the process, fascinated by the construction techniques, learning to work in Mexico, and getting to meet many hard workers and artisans. We have only some work on the roof to complete - shade under which to enjoy the expansive view, and the roof garden, the frosting on the cake.

The master bedroom was finished in time for Christmas, we have been using the room for the last month as part of a shakedown. It will be added to the list of rooms available to guests beginning this month. The master bedroom is one of the largest rooms in the house, with a balcony overlooking the callejon, and a large attached bathroom.

The entrance to the master bedroom is off the main patio, and through the original heavy doors. The key itself is about 8 inches long! Inside is a study/reading area, and a king sized beds. In the evenings, you can hear the serenades of the estudiantes, as they serenade the crowds through the callejons (alleys) on their way to the Callejon del Beso. You can sometimes catch a glimpse of them from the balcony as they play their lutes and guitars, dressed in the troubador costumes of old. Muy romantico!

31 December 2007 - End of year update

99% complete, only 25% left to go! This is how Mary described the house in November. Well, now I would call it 99% complete and 15% left to go. The scaffolding is down, and the house gleams in the winter sun.

All the rooms in the interior of the house are complete, with some of the private spaces still in the process of being furnished and decorated.

Other details in the interior are finding their place, and there is not a room in the house which is not livable. The apartments and suites are renting quickly, and some of our early guests, who were willing to put up with construction noise, have made return visits. Book early if possible, as the property fills up well in advance.

16 July 2007 - Work has moved outside

With the exception of a few fixtures, a bit of ethernet cable, and a bit of paint, the interior work is done. Work has shifted to the outside of the house where the old 'aplanado', or cement facing, is being replaced. The aplanado creates the smooth walls over the stone and adobe structure. It is thrown on by the trowel full, then screed smooth. It is the primary surface on the walls, used inside and out.

While I was in town, we walked over to an art show opening at the Alondiga (grainery), which was the site of the first major battle of the war of independence from Spain. It is now combination history museum and art gallery. The Alondiga is a must stop for anyone wanting to understand the history of Guanajuato.

The 'cantera verde' or green stone that you see in the Alondiga, is naturally occuring in the hills around Guanajuato. The same stone is used throughout the house, in the stone of the fireplace, in pedestals and arches, as well as in the foundation and walls of the house.

11 June 2007 Update!
New passport rules from the state department