House-Sit #2: Guanajuato, Guanajuato, Mexico

House-Sit #2: We’ve been traveling Mexico for six months now; it’s been an incredible experience, and every new part of the country we see brings new and interesting experiences. Our ten-day house-sit in Guanajuato was so peaceful, and we both agree that it’s one of our new favorite cities.

The home we were watching is situated overlooking a big, beautiful terraced garden, which seems to be home to its own little ecosystem with birds, butterflies, bees, and other beneficial critters. The owners built the whole garden from scratch, and continue to work closely with professionals to help maintain the ecosystem. Beyond the garden is a breathtaking view of the city. I’m not a morning person, but I couldn’t help but get up at sunrise a number of times, just to watch the city come to life.

Their flock of five friendly chickens was such a joy! The hens have free access to the whole garden, but they have their own little chicken routine that takes them to certain areas at specific times of day. I won’t bore y’all with the details, but this was my favorite part: Every morning, they would be waiting for me to open the coop door at 7:30 am. They know I’m going to lower their food dispenser for breakfast, but instead, they all run out the door. Why…? They’re racing out to eat the handful of bite-size cactus fruits that fell to the ground overnight, on one of the lower terraces! Only after they’ve vacuumed up all the fruit, they return to the coop to eat breakfast, before they lay their eggs around 9. Such orderly ladies

Guanajuato is a very hilly city, with many stairs, narrow windy roads, and the coolest network of underground tunnels through the mountains I’ve ever seen. The easiest access to the city below is the public stairways: about 400 stair steps from top to bottom! Incredibly, many homes and businesses are built on these hillsides, and yes, their only access is by the stairs.

If you ever plan to visit Guanajuato: our house-sit hosts have beautiful, clean, affordable rentals in the same building as their home, and they all share this garden and view. I highly recommend Terra Vista!

Bonus photo: chicken teeth ⌄