The People
Our Team in Copper Canyon: The Jovial Alberto Lopez
A phone conversation with Alberto Lopez. I was on the phone last night with Alberto Lopez. He was in his home/lodge on the square in the tiny town of Cerocahui. I was all hot to trot about telling him of our arrival there in a few days with our first culinary trip, “The Blue Corn [...]
Full StoryWhat do we mean, “Authentic”?
Authentic? Authentic is according to dictionary.com “not false or copied; genuine; real: an authentic antique”. I used the word authentic as the first word in the name of this company because I wanted people to experience the true Copper Canyon with all the culture, history, people, and places. I wanted them to be there…not just [...]
Full StoryOur Lodges in Copper Canyon: Noritari
I love food and little neat places that are out of the way enchant me. So Norítari is a favorite of mine… and of our guests as well. It sits up in the pines above the little town of San Juanito in one of the highest altitude places we visit on the Copper Canyon train trip. [...]
Full StoryRafael with Medicinal Plant Brazil Tree
Another medical plant remedy from “The Birdman of Ocolome“. Here Rafael gives us a remedy for nerves, explaining that you make a tea to drink from the leaves to settle things down.
Full StoryOur Team in Copper Canyon: Carlos Vega
I was on CHEPE one day headed for El Fuerte when in the cafe car I met a portly affable Mexican named Carlos Vega. One cannot help but be befriended by this guy and he soon volunteered to do some shopping for me for a certain necklace at the upcoming Divisadero market. He explained in [...]
Full StoryTiny Copper Canyon towns no one overnights in: Cusarare
Cusárare is one of those places that some people visit but very few experience overnight. This is a Tarahumara town and the local culture is awash in the distant Indian ways. People speak but are quiet and reserved. Colors are brilliant. Kids are smiley. We often visit this little village and usually stay overnight. Very [...]
Full StoryCelso at Don Cuco Sotol
Celso Jaquez and his family are the 4th generation at their hacianda near Janos (north of Copper Canyon) to be distilling sotol under the name “Don Cuco“. Most people are not familiar with sotol, but it is truly THE drink of Chihuahua, being made from the sotol plants that grow in this high desert. As [...]
Full StoryRafael with a Medicinal Plant for Toothache
Rafael (an Ocolome Indian) is a walking encyclopedia of medicinal plants. He has one for every need. While birdwatching on the river near El Fuerte, he often spots a plants of medicinal value. In this case he is explaining to us that the vinorama tree leaves can be use as a toothache remedy. Just crush up [...]
Full StoryOur Lodges in Copper Canyon: Real de Carapoa
El Fuerte is awash in colonial charm and that laid back Mexican pace…I love this place and so do our guests. There are many fine places to lodge here, but my hands down fave is Real de Carapoa. A converted mansion and the handiwork of “Billy”, an architect fromLos Mochis, it features large rooms with [...]
Full StoryWhere do you think “Aaaaah, Chihuahua!” came from…New Jersey?
I tell people, “Get ready to “Aaaah” alot.” Yet the experience there is almost always magically and hugely beyond what people expect or have ever experienced before. They say Copper Canyon is the greatest place the world has never heard of…so true! I tell people, “Get ready to laugh alot.” The kids are a riot. [...]
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