Rural Tourism

EL QUELITE

By : Dr. Marcos Osuna - Photos: Salvador Herrera

The town of El Quelite is representative of alternate tourism, in particular, rural tourism. You can visit an intimate place away from the hubbub of the city and the beaches. The plus is interacting with the natives of the area and exploring some caves or simply contemplating the scenery.

The magic of El Quelite, is the pride of its inhabitants. They continue to create baked clay roof tiles still used in construction. The tradicional architecture of the ranch houses is preserved, with their ample hallways of earthenware floors that are adorned with and caressed by enormous, amazing ferns.

Comfortable armchairs invite the visitors to sit and share stories and legends on how the Laurenos compiled and hid a huge treasure yet to be found.

The temple in El Quelite dates back to the XVIII century, where the Franciscan, delicate, simple image of the Sacred Heart of Jesús and Saint Eduviges lives. The miracles of the Virgin of Guadalupe presented on stained glass windows from France and Italy are exhibited, including that of the native Juan Diego and the Virgen of Fatima and the Virgen Dolorosa, wich was brought from Portugal.

El Quelite is know for their happiness and joy in looking alter their visitors. It is certainly a worth while visit. When speaking of their traditions, we must mention the December 12 celebration and the Toro of the 11. It is called this for the bulls destined for the bull fight fiesta. They free one on the 11th of the month in the afternoon in order to run around the streets amoung the children. In the evening the custom is to light gas lanterns on the cornices of the church and the older buildings. In the early morning, the festival of dawn is celebrated where even cold weather does not impede the celebration of Mss. A band begins to play and many flowers and called are offered.

Surelu, we have all heard the sound a chicken makes, but have we heard the sound of 3000 at the same time. If you visit El Quelite at the right time, you will be able to experience together with the towns folk, an extraordinary, spectacular symphony. At the chicken ranch of don Héctor Encisco, fighting roosters are raised, the fiercest roosters of the region. These roosters are asked to perform at the most famous fairs in México.

All through to the outskirts,  Are my memories.