Copper Canyon Top & Bottom and Baja Peninsula of Mexico: Day 12

The Batopilas district is located in one of the deepest canyons of the Sierra Madre Mountains in the state of Chihuahua. This area produced large amounts of silver over a period of three centuries and Batopilas was once a thriving mining town.

Our first stop of the day was at the town of Batopilas where we visited a school for Tarahumara children operated by nuns of the Catholic Church. There are a total of 115 children in the school and 31 of the girls live in the dormitory. There are 28 students in the first grade, their ages range from 6 to 11 years. Some of the older girls sew their own clothes which are their native dress. There are 6 teachers, 2 professors and 4 assistants. The assistants teach 5 days a week and then attend college on the weekends.

Food carried to the bottom of the canyon

Located just a short distance from the town of Batopilas is the lost Cathedral of Satevo which was founded in 1760 by Jesuit Missionaries. It is an elaborate cathedral that was discovered in a remote uninhabited canyon, therefore the lost Cathedral. Today the cathedral is in good repair and is the center of the village and a meeting place for the children of the area. One of the local girls who required expensive special medicine for her epilepsy displayed her art work which was for sale. Our Caravan group donated money which we gave to her.

This food will be shared with many families

We continued south along a very rough, dusty and windy road to visit a Tarahumara family that lived in a very remote area of the canyon. We delivered the food that we purchased in Creel from the monies donated by our Caravan. We also donated material, thread and needles to the women to sew their own clothing. A lot of candy was given to the children who seemed to enjoy having their pictures taken. The family made us feel welcome and to show their appreciation for our generosity played and danced to some of their native music. It was a good time enjoyed by everyone.

After lunch we did a quick tour to the entrance of the Portirio Diaz mine which was the largest silver mine in the area, and had a significant impact on the economy of Batopilas.

Our last stop for the day was at the Hacienda San Miguel village which was the center of activity during the days that the mine was in operation. Today the village is in ruin, but it is easy to imagine what life must have been like for the miners who lived and worked there.

Local musicians added to the festivities

Our trip to Batopilas had many pleasant surprises for us along the way, and our happy hour and dinner on this day was the best of all. As we gave a toast to our tour director,

4 musicians appeared to our surprise and entertained us with Mexican music. We danced and enjoyed the festive spirit of the singing, playing and margaritas.