Aguascalientes, AGS is located in central Mexico and is mostly known for its cock fights, la famosa Feria de San Marcos, and it's warm residents also known as Hidrocalidos.
Having married an hidrocalido, I have come to know and love this city. My husband is living in Aguascalientes while we adjust his immigration status so that he can legally return to the U.S. During this time, I have discovered the great degree of resilience and strength that our partnership is made of as I resume our life, without him, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin which is where we once called home. Earlier in my blog, I wrote about our lives being a lot like a tale of two cities. This is our current reality due to the broken immigration system that separates families not just through devastating deportations, but also through processes like mine; we are one of thousands of couples that have to endure separations that are not on our terms, but on those of a failed system. Making the best out of a bad situation, I travel to Aguascalientes as much as I can. This blog reflects my top 10 places in Aguas, where Miguel and I have created memories, laughed, reflected, cried, and dreamt of better days. The following are places I wholeheartedly recommend if you ever find yourself in the beautiful city of Aguascalientes.
1. Cerro del Picacho - Also known as "El cerro del muerto," this is the place to visit if you are into hiking! Rated by the National Geographic as one of the top 10 places to watch a sunset, this place is a true gem. You can see it from many parts of the city where it appears as the silhouette of a man laying on his back. As you can see, my husband Miguel is quite the adventurous photographer! The above picture was taken when we hiked to the feet (one end of the vast hill). If you walk more toward the middle you can find a waterfall certain times of the year.
2. Birria del Mercado Juarez - Goat meat is quite the delicacy in Aguascalientes, and this place is where the locals go to get the best of it! Located downtown, this mercado has the best birria that I have tasted in the 10 different Mexican states where Miguel and I have ventured!
3. Jardin de San Marcos - This a staple in the city, a very typical place to take a stroll with family, and ideal if you are with your significant other. During the "Feria de San Marcos," one the largest festivals in the country, this garden is decorated with the theme of the year. My husband's fondest memory is when he was 7 years old, young women would go around the plaza and young men would court them by wrapping them in "Serpentinas" or give them a rose if they wanted to ask for a date. His role in all of this was to stand behind bushes and throw eggs at the young couples...
4. Restaurante La Saturnina - one of the oldest restaurant in the city of Aguascalientes, where Miguel and I had our wedding day brunch, and where my father in law had his first job; La Saturnina is a special place for our family. Besides my personal reasons, this place has delicious food, a lunch buffet and is located on a street with a lot of great shops and museums.
5. Museo de la Muerte - In Mexican culture (and several other Latin American countries), death is perceived quite differently than in the United States. Death is inevitable and this museum takes you through the different ways this reality is displayed in Mexican culture. It was neat to learn about the origins of the traditions and see local artwork that tells stories of Mexicans and their encounters with La Calaca. This museum is free, fun and across the street from El Parian.
6. Parque Ecologico Heroes Mexicanos - This is a place that you should plan to visit for a few hours. A popular location for field trips, El Parque Heroes has a lot to offer. From the beautiful gardens, paddle boating, tandem bike riding, La Casa de Juan Chavez, and the mini city of Aguascalientes, this park is very fun! A great activity for those with children but also for us big kids :)
7. El Ocote - A municipality just outside of the city, El Ocote is a place of wonders. The beautiful lagoon and the Pinturas Rupestres (pre-historic prints) draw people to come and explore in the stories left by our ancestors.
8. Expoplaza - For those that know me, you know I like to party! So this is the place that Miguel and I visit most Friday and Saturday nights when I'm in Aguascalientes. During the day there are shops, restaurants and a movie theatre that you could check out. At night there are bars, and clubs all along the strip. During La Feria de San Marcos, this place is packed all day and night with special concerts, tamboras, and hundreds of Mexican artifacts. Another neat thing about the Plaza is that you can see the Torero pop out of the clock on the hour every hour!
9. Isla de San Marcos - A place to visit only during the time of La Feria de San Marcos. They have livestock, restaurants, music, and even a little zip line! A very fun place visit during the day and some evenings when there are concerts.
10. Yolihuani Temazcales - A temazcal is a type of sweat lodge which originated with pre-Hispanic Indigenous populations. The word temazcal comes from the Nahuatl word temazcalli which means house of heat, and in Aguascalientes the Yolihuani Temazcales spa is definitely a place to visit! Affordable, away from the loud and busy city- this is where you go if you need to relax. Their mud baths are the best!
