La Pena de Bernal...

Yesterday we went hiking to the 3rd biggest bouldering place in the world: La Pena de Bernal, about 1 hour driving from Querétaro (http://www.queretaro-mexico.com.mx/montes/index.html)... The weather was good to walk, so not so sunny but well, we do not have to complain about the weather ;-)

Little chapel on the west side of "La Pena"

La Pena, south-west side... the third biggest monolith in the world, 288 meters high, 2 515 meters in total!

Landscape on the West side of the monolith

Lost and cute donkey... I think Marco scared him a little!

Landscape of the East side of "La Pena". A lot of limestone quarry around.

My favorite plant... giving the marvellous "aqua de Agave" as well know as "Tequilla"

It seems that I'm blushed...

This one is great I think ;-D

A "via ferrata" on the top part of "La Pena", pretty straight but ok!!

We started a collection of mexican hat!!

From "La Pena"... the area is surrounded by hills with funny shapes, there is always a kind of plateau on top of them.

During our ascent...
















If you pay attention, you'll see some climbers, we plan to reach the top soon!!! Iyahhhhhh!

A couple of other views from the lab...

Marie-Carmen and Mayda, I replace Marie-Carmen who is working in San Luis Portisi now...

Details of blooming flowers in the campus... Perfect steel cercle to represent Lady Nature ?

I like the details on the bottom part of the University emblem!

El Instituto de Neurobiologia from the seminar/cultural building (below). I'll try to take some pics of the inside tomorrow, I've to give a lecture there the 20th of April!!!!

Celina, one colleague of mine, at the end of her PhD. She even would be interested in doing a post-doc in France!!!

On Sunday 11th of March: visit of San Miguel de Allende

Funny details under a balcony Colourful, pretty impressive tiles!
The streets are full of these promising entrances...

Mexican design for this mural fresco

Main church in San Miguel, may be a cathedral, no sé...
Inside a patio...

Before a "tortilla", some kind of NIV (Non Identified Vegetable) sprinkled with chili powder and lime

Colourful Banderole (they remind me the ones at Sacha and Lalo's wedding!)
Funny little girl with great boots!

Relaxing moment, the typical mexican hat is mandatory!

Fortunately, it wasn't so warm for this guardsman ;-) My favorite Guapo!

Another view of the church

San Miguel de Allende is a cosy city in the state of Querétaro, 1h hour driving from our place, North-west direction.

In summary, nice city to visit, a bit touristic for my taste and it's the favorite place for retired Americans in Mexico!

Quite beautiful I've to say, pretty touristic and favorite place for retired Americans! A colourful little trip...

My working place!

Here are some pics of my working environment, some of the people... quite lovely isn't it?!

My desk

Culture room

Benches...

One view from the corridor leading to my working unit!



Antonio and Daniel (well, it was 8 a.m., probably a bit early to smile...)

The entrance of my unit!!!! Instituto de Neurobiologia, unidad cuatorze

This place is in front of our lab... to have lunch or a fresh drink. On the right is the unit B and the administration offices on the top!