I have posted pictures of this cathedral before but these are different - much more beautiful. This is the biggest and most visited cathedral in Morelia. It is located right by the town square. Travelers come from all over the world to see it. 
I took these pictures standing beneath the cathedral. A person feels sort of engulfed in it's majesty. This is only one small section.
A unique view...
I loved having the opportunity to walk through the streets of Morelia when it was all lit up. 
Snapping pictures from every angle that I can. I feel like I am in London. No, this must be better.
Morelia's post office! Would someone explain this?
I am unsure of this building but took the picture because the building says "Morelia".
These arches extend throughout the city. Lanes of traffic travel through them.
There are several cathedrals in Morelia. We have been able to visit three of them. This Sunday our friend Raramiri walked us in the middle of a mass service. We joined the people down front, and of course, with being Americans, all eyes were on us. Our public display was worth it though since I was able to thoroughly take in the beauty of the cathedral from inside. (This one picture here). Wow! It was amazing, being decoratively painted in real gold.
A few butterflys flying above us. 
This is at the top of the trail right before we reached our destination. Isn't this beautiful. Jake snapped this picture. That is the beauty of having more than one camera. Each person takes their own kind of pictures and sees things from a different perspective. I am usually surprised at my kids' ability to foresee a good photo.
On the way up the trail. The teens seem to doing fine with the elevation issue....
These tree limbs are hanging because they are heavy laden with millions of butterflys. Since it is close to sunset, they have nestled in for the evening. Unfortunately, our group reached the top at too late of an hour to watch them fly around.
During our most recent trip Morelia our friends, Enoch and Raramure took us to the easternmost part of the state of Michoacan to the Monarch Butterfly Reserve. This is the home of millions of Monarch Butterflies who travel from as far North as Canada and all over the United States to hibernate for the winter here in the Mexican highlands. They travel an amazing 3,000 miles at a rate of 7 mph at an elevation of 500 feet above the ground. Most arrive in October or November. March begins their breeding season. Males die shortly after breeding and females are left to make the treck back to the U.S. Interesting enough, the females will fly north but not reach their orignal destination. Their offspring will continue the journey northward. It may take up to five generations to make the complete mirgration from Canada back to Mexico.
o see the butterflies. Within the first minute of hiking, Tammy and I felt like we were going to pass out. We had to stop several times and take a moment to do deep breathing exercises. We then learned that the elevation of this mountain was equivalent to Mount Hood (11,000 feet). After reaching the top and enjoying the mass quantity of butterflys, we thought it worth the climb.
This is 3 views of a house down the street from ours. The kids pass it everyday walking to school. This is the home of one of the young men that visit us. There are many homes like this in Mexico, many of which do not have any brick used in their construction. (Notice the box spring mattress).
This is the front view of the house. Because of the gate and the sign, you can tell that the owners are also selling out of their home. This is how most people make their money.
Raramiri is a teacher at the secondary school that Mike and the kids are attending. He is Enock's nephew and one of the four that will be traveling to America for the new teacher exchange program. Our family has spent a lot of time with him. We look forward to showing the hospitality to him in Oregon that he has shown us in Mexico.
Raramiri and Maddy have been very good friends. Madeline helps him with his English. They have a special and unique friendship. Raramiri, a single, 31 yr old teacher, has told us that when he grows up, he'd like to have a daughter just like Maddy. He appreciates her energy and enthusiasm for life. One day, Maddy was having a tough day and was down cast. Raramiri went out of his way to cheer her up. He couldn't stand to have seen the positive energy gone even for one day.
Raramiri owns three houses, two in La Huacana and one in Morelia (the city I love!). We went with him to Morelia this last weekend and slept in his house for two nights. He has made it clear that "mi casa es su casa". Funny thing, he really means it! We can stay in Morelia at his house anytime now or in the future. I have begun to speak of the house in those terms. When I stepped off the porch to take these pictures, I announced that I wanted pictures of "mi casa" in Morelia. Raramiri in turn says, "let's return to Tammy's house". 
After posting about our trip to Morelia weeks back, my mom got as excited about the city as I did. (See Mexico's Best Kept Secret, & The Soul of the City). Looks like dad better start saving his nickles because after viewing the pictures, she is insisting on a trip to Mexico. This month they had their 42nd Wedding Anniversary so maybe for their 50th...
We had fully enjoyed our few hours in Morelia; I totally fell head over heels in love with this city. Who needs Mexico City when there is Morelia?
This post is for you architect lovers. There is some very unique and gorgeous architecture in Mexico.
A very typical house in La Huacana. My comparison, it is middle-class, not as poor as some you have seen posted on this blog but not as nice as a few classier homes. Common is the unfinished upstairs. A family of ten was raised in this house, all adults who now have family of their own. The two very old ma and pa live alone now.
This beautiful house is the one we have had the priveledge of renting during our stay in La Huacana.
