Eronga
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Eronga [1], also called Erongarícuaro, is located on Lake Patzcuaro in the state of Michoacan, Mexico.
[edit] Understand
Erongaricuaro, which means "place of waiting" or "place of the watchtower" in the Purhépecha language, is a village in the state of Michoacán, Mexico. It is located about an hour and a half drive from Morelia and Uruapan, and just 20 minutes from the famous colonial town of Patzcuaro. The estimated population is 5,000 people.
Eronga, lies just across Lake Pátzcuaro from Pátzcuaro. The native Purhépecha from the pueblos near Eronga come to market day on Tuesdays. This ancient town was one of the critical trade points for the Purhepecha empire. Friendly to outsiders, Eronga has hosted artists such as Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera along with the fathers of surrealism, Andre Breton and Leon Trotsky. Former president Lazaro Cardenas used it as his hideway across the lake before the road arrived to Eronga. Today Eronga hosts ex-patriots from Argentina, the United States, France, Germany, Switzerland, and Italy.
The lively Eronga plaza has many exotic trees displaying the area's tolerant climate.
Altitude above sea level: 2,100 meters
Temperature: Maximum 24°C Minimum 6°C
[edit] History
The pretty Purhepecha village of Eronga lies on the west side of the lake about 17km/11mi from Pátzcuaro. During the Second World War a group of French Surrealists found refuge in Eronga.
[edit] Get in
Bus from Morelia direct to Eronga.
Busses and combis leave from near the statue of Lazaro Cardenas. The Bus station is farther up though that might be the easiest for you.
[edit] By car
The roads are safe. In some seasons potholes can pose a serious hazard to unaware drivers in the stretch between Eronga and Patzcuaro. Drive carefully as the roads have burros, dogs, cows, and horses.
From Pátzcuaro, head toward the muelle (dock), and follow the signs to Tocuaro and Erongarícuaro, where you'll pass through the villages of Huecorio, San Pedro, Tócuaro, Arocutín, San Francisco Uricho, before reaching Erongarícuaro, 17 kilometers from Pátzcuaro.
[edit] Get around
Visitors should do most of their exploring by foot in Eronga. Everything is within walking distance.
Maps: http://www.patzcuaro.com/amberikua/mapas.htm
[edit][add listing] See
- The Plaza.
- The furniture factory.
- The Church The naturalistic crucifix above the altar is known locally as 'El Señor de la Misericordia'. It is an example of 16th century "Pidgin Plateresque" architecture, a style unique to highland Michoacán. The large plaza hosts large Banda concerts.
- Monastery. The Church and monastery was founded by the Franciscans. Occasionally the door to the seminary is open and you can see the gardens and views of the lake. Occasional concerts.
[edit][add listing] Do
- Language Exchange Every Tuesday at 3PM in the Plaza. All Languages welcome.
- Permaculture Farms Some of the permaculture farms allow visitors.
- El Molino, [4] Summer Camps for children and high schoolers from Mexico and the US.
[edit] Tours
- Horsebackriding. Granja Lolita has horses available for riding.
- Birdwatching.
- Pitaya Farm Tour. The Pitaya (dragonfruit) farm is only available for tour by special appointment.
- Homestay Language Exchange.
- El Molino. [5]. Kids camp.
- People's Retreat Center. [6], Calle Profesor Urueta Carrillo N° 105 Erongarícuaro, Michoacán, Tel: 01 434 34 4 0167, Local call: 34 4 0167. Francisco Castilleja Director of Erongaricuaro Retreat Center. Speaks English, German & French. P´urepecha; The Ones who are on a visit. The name of the last volcanic lake indians.
[edit] Festivals
- Reyes Magos, January 6th, is the largest festival in Eronga. The men working in the United States return with theeir trucks and earnings. The plaza has many rides for children
- Jaripeos (Bullriding) Best ones are for Reyes Magos. Nearby towns have japipeos. Horse racing in Zincero.
- February 2 Day of the Candlemas
- Festival in honor of the water spirit. In February.
[edit][add listing] Buy
- No ATM is available though across the lake in Patzcuaro there are several.
- Bike shop for bike repairs.
[edit][add listing] Eat
Red Star Café This is to announce the opening of the Red Star Café on the plaza in Erongarícuaro. The address is Portal Hidalgo (the right portal as you face the plaza) number 3. We will be open for breakfast from 9 until 2 and closed on Monday and Tuesday. At the moment we are restricting ourselves to breakfasts and Italian-style espresso and cappucino, plus apple pie, homemade flan, and cookies. You can also order a Negra Modelo, teas of all sorts, hot chocolate, and soft drinks.
The nieve (ice cream), sold in shops on the plaza, is a delightful treat. There are many different flavors, made with water or with cream. Combinations of flavors add variety and taste. Popsicles made from exotic fruits make a pleasant taste adventure.
Except for early evening there is always food on the plaza. Warm atole in the morning and night. Tacos, gorditas, hamburgers and burritos.
The bread shop at the lower end of the plaza has wholewheat bread. And tortilla shops of all kinds abound. Whole roasted chickens.
Seafood stands.
- Seafood Place. Just after down the slight hill out of town on teh way to Patzcuaro, there is a Seafood Restaurant.
- Lonceria "El 10", Lower side of the plaza, Open all day. Tasty simple tortas. $10-$15 pesos.
- Sunday Evenings on the streets. Each Sunday evening the local Matriarchs and those in training sit out and sell their homemade goodies. Head slightly uphill from the plaza or into any back streets and you will likely find them. Don't ask about the water or food conditions. Buy what they have if it looks good and you are not too sensitive. These ladies have fed generations of Mexican kids. Common prices?
- Campestre Alemán. Just outside of Arocutín is Restaurant Campestre Alemán, serving up trout raised right on the premises along with German food amid strains of classical and German pop music. Open daily from noon to 7:30PM. You can wander among the fish raising ponds and feed the geese or fish.
- La Gran Pitaya, has closed. Right on the plaza at Portal Hidalgo No 1-B, Abierto de Martes a Domingo, [7]. Tea and coffee. Wireless internet. Gallery of local art.
- Restaurant Japhúndaru [8]. Familia Mejía Rodríguez. In nearby Oponguio, Tel: 01-4431-12-6936. Exquisite regional dishes. Mexican Antojitos. A beautiful view of the lake. A variety of cold beverages. Excellent service and hygiene.
- Restaurante y cabañas Uekápiani, In nearby Oponguio, Tels: 01-44-33-93-2945 y 01-44-33-30-4091, [9]. Owners: Family Ruiz Garnica. Regional dishes, the best view of the lake. Quality in hygiene and service. Whitefish, Tarascan bean soup. Corundus, and cold beverages.
[edit][add listing] Drink
- The Plaza. The most popular place to drink is on the Plaza on the upper end outside "El Brazo Fuerte". Other grocery stores serve as simple bars for drinking beer.
Stores on the upper and lower ends of the plaza have a limited selection of overpriced wines. You would do better to buy you wines direct from costco which is likely where they buy them.
- The Pool Hall. There are not too many chairs in the pool hall, so it is a poor choice for drinking. No women's bathroom and the men's room is disgusting.
[edit][add listing] Sleep
There are several excellent lodging choices in Eronga.
- Hotel Jardin, Calles Ignacio Zaragoza 14 (At the upper corner of the plaza), 01-434-34-40168 y 01-44-31-29-3230, [10]. Days and times open. , 15 rooms, $250-$350 pesos. Very clean triples, doubles and singles available. The friendly manager, Sandra Bass Ibarra, speaks English, French and Spanish. She can direct you to local guides as well. Open 24 hours. Food is available but perhaps it is best to arrange that ahead of time. Since this hotel is right on the plaza, there is food available nearby from morning till night. Tour groups of all kinds use Hotel Jardin. The hotel has a bathroom which charges $3 pesos for non-guests. More rooms to be added soon.
- La Orilla, Salida a Napizaro, phone number 01 434 34 40106, [11]. Open 24 hours. 5 single and double rooms, Meeting area. Secured Parking (not necessary for security in Eronga.) This hotels has its own covered basketball court, handball, and gymnasium. Two hundred meters from the plaza, with a peaceful friendly, ambiance. The conference room and dining areas have spectacular views of the lake and Janitizo island and the volcanic mountains which form the Cuenca del Lago de Pátzcuaro. This hotel could be part of your conference rental.
- Raul's, Out on the end of Ocampo street. Rustic. Charming handbuilt spaces, including some of the old troje style cabins which are available as well. Bring a sleeping bag if you have one. A studio with mirror for dance classes. Campfires at night.
- Granja Lolita, Telephones: 01 434 342 1645 y 01 434 3440183. Cel: 01 434 100 2924, [12]. This is a great place for families. Has backbacker and regular rooms, and camping. Restaurant. Horsebackriding, and tours of various kinds. Located a short walk downhill from the plaza. Event space and kids areas. RESERVACIONES: Ing. Rafael Arriaga Zaragoza. Cabalgatas guiadas, Country Restaurant, Special events park for rent.
- The Monastery Maybe be open to conferences sometimes. Performances are held there.
[edit] Get out
Taxi to Patzcuaro is 80 pesos. Quiroga 90 pesos. Combis leave frequently to Patzcuaro for 10 pesos. Bus to Morelia leaves every hour: 25 pesos- get off at Isquina Corona and taxi in to centro.
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