Nochistlán de Mejía, A Pueblo Mágico
The road to Nochistlan, a narrow, rolling ribbon of asphalt, follows a broad valley with undulating mountain ridges appearing on both sides. Villas, haciendas and roadside stands dot the roadside, often appearing at unexpected intersections as the swaying bus rounds a bend in the road. The bus stops often, seeming to trade one passenger for another. A woman climbs aboard and sits up front on an inverted bucket and chats animatedly to the driver. They are surely old friends….
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| Nochistlán's Historic Center. |
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| One of several lovely churches... |
Nochistlan de Mejía, a remote pueblo built to sustain the nearby area of farms and ranches, occupies a broad ridge that slopes into a surrounding valley. Hazy, grey-green mountains frame the town. Nochistlán, laid out with narrow, gridded streets that are lined with low building built from the stone of local quarries, the earthy colors and painted stucco providing harmony and charm to visitors and locals, alike. Nochistlán is located in semi-arid mountainous southern Zacatecas.
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| j.k. Hannula: Illustrative Plan of the Historic Center, graphite & watercolor on Arches Paper, 22 x 30" , 2018 c. |
Nochistlan offers us the opportunity to paint:
* townscapes
* park and garden scenes
* farms, animals and farmland
* mountain-valley landscapes
* themes & studies
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| A Portale (covered walkway).. |
This alluring pueblo is a 3-hour bus ride south of the capital city of Aguascaliente; Nochistlán’s bus station (central de autobuses) is on the edge of town, a 5-minute taxi ride to the historic center, where you’ll find hotels and a vibrant town life.
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| The Captivating Indigenous Village of Toyahua |
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| A Lane in Toyahua |
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| Waterfall near Toyahua |
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| An Acquaduct |
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| The Central Garden (Jardín Principal) |
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| The Author ( R) with a local restaurant owner |
