Lions Michoacán Trip
Thu, Apr 2 
Reserve by Mar 19 to: 
Janice Page, 152-5541
1900 pesos double, 2650 single

Lions visit Pátzcuaro, Uruapan 

The San Miguel Lions Club is off on another fundraising trip for their eye clinic. This trip includes the Artisans’ Fair in Uruapan. A first-class bus leaves for a three-day sojourn on April 2, after a continental breakfast.

Tzintzuntzan, a Púrepecha name meaning place of the hummingbirds, is the first stop. The town attractions include five pre-Hispanic temples, the ex-convento de San Francisco from the 1500s and local straw artesanias. A visit to the reed factory is followed by lunch in Pátzcuaro, the most important town of Michoacán’s lake region. You might consider pescado blanco, white fish from Lake Pátzcuaro, or charalitos, small lake fish fried in large flat pans and served as a snack. Pátzcuaro is colonial Mexico at its most enchanting and an especially charming zócalo marks the center of town.

The two nights will be spent at the four-star Plaza Hotel in Uruapan, with a BYOB party each night (nibbles supplied by the Lions). Since ancient times, Uruapan has been considered one of the most beautiful places in the region and was used by Purépecha emperors for recreation.

Participants have the opportunity to visit the 90-foot drop of Tzararacua Falls and the Parque Nacional Eduardo Ruiz, whose sun-dappled paths lead to the Cupatitzio River, the source of the “singing waters.” They also can visit the fish farm and feast on fresh trout.

The highlight of the trip is the parade of artisans over Palm Sunday weekend. Each year, Uruapan visitors walk through aisles of woven textiles, glazed pineapple pottery from San Jose de Gracia, clay figurines from Ocumichu and copper-colored clay pots from Huancito. The event is bigger than the Day of the Dead market in late October and early November in Pátzcuaro. Michoacán has 100,000 artisans from 200 communities and many are represented in the region’s famous fairs and markets. Many towns specialize in a craft, such as the guitar-makers of Paracho, the stringed-instrument capital of Mexico. 

The trip home includes Santa Clara del Cobre and Morelia.

The trip costs 1900 pesos based on double occupancy and 2650 based on single, including bus, hotel, breakfasts, tips and a donation to the Lions. For reservations, call Janice Page at 152-5541. Money is due by March 19; after March 25, contact Jean Schickel at 152-0934.