Alamos Sonora Mexico

Another day, another adventure begins at 9 Loma de Guadalupe.

Location, location, location… Casa Serena Vista nestled on
a hill, dates back to the 1750’s. From up here, between 1783 and 1803,
one could watch the new Bishop Reyes Cathedral, now known as Parroquiade
La Purísima Concepción, being built. Today, the classically proportioned
cathedral’s three tiered belfry stands out against the eastern backdrop
of Sierra Madre foothills stepping back in time and distance and growing
into mountains.

9 Loma de Guadalupe, which may be as many as 100 steps up Guadalupe Hill
from Church level in the central Plaza de los Armas, is a wonderful place
to listen and watch sun and shadows turn from dawn to dusk and into colorful
lights, stars and smells of night.

Burros have been beasts of burden for centuries in Álamos.

It is another afternoon of blue skies and mountain views in Álamos, Sonora,
México. The burro sculpture is one of many metal artworks by Museo Costumbrista
de Sonora director, artist and art gallery manager Jesus Antonio Estrada
Canúa, better known as Tony Estrada, that stand in several Álamos
Sonora, Mexico homes. Tony plays a major role in art education in Álamos.

Where art and water meet as fish swim and burro drinks.

Two Casa Serena Vista’s walls are murals that merge with the physical surroundings
including two water features. Local artist Austreberto Villareal Torres, art teacher
and musician created the inspirational Cuchujaqui River terrace mural.

There is a sense of purpose as the Casa Serena Vista’s team/family goes
about their diverse roles in a multi-tasking environment. Pictured above
clockwise from upper left are Diane Carpenter, Luis Angel Castillo
Grujeda, Silvia Yocupicio Mendoza, Eloise Espinoza Lopez, Ambrosio
Grajeda Aquilar, Ramona Idalio Valenzuela Sánchez, the cat, and
Rigoberto Grajeda Grajeda. One for all and all for one. The bed and
breakfast side of Casa Serena Vista manage their guests’ requests
with consideration, knowledgeable confidence and relaxing gusto.
Ambrosio and Idalia portraits courtesy of Luis Angel.

The team at work in the main office / library.

The library is abuzz with activities that run from the day to day management
of the bed and breakfast – conference center and a range of projects initiated
by Diane Carpenter, owner and visionary. At this time, Luis was off-loading videos,
stills and audio recordings from Anders’ memory cards to the office hard-drive
while color correcting a photo that was going into a presentation by Diane
on the treatment of indigenous people around the world.

Luis Angel, who manages computers for school systems as his ”day job”,
was proud to show Anders Casa Serena Vistas’ collection of
audio-visual equipment that is used for board meetings, workshops,
conferences, reunions, parties, and other special event support.
Luis proved to be one of many capable, thoughtful and energized
young people in Álamos who will help México move forward.

Here is a scene that one sees from the dining table when they look west.

The sounds of water and a cricket adds to the allure of this back patio mural by
local artist Katherine Callingham. Her background in medical-legal-botanical
illustration can be enjoyed on this wall. She also has a mural inside of Reyna’s
restaurant as well as art displayed throughout Álamos.

It is another good morning in Álamos, Sonora, México.

Birds singing, burros braying, roosters crowing, dogs barking, fresh tortilla
truck honking, car radios across pavement, bicycles over cobblestone,
TVs from open doorways, street sweeping, people walking and talking are
all part of the grand Álamos morning overture that lasts for hours. At
Casa Serena Vista the day unfolds as a simple but detailed tapestry
of multi-cultures and biological habitats.

During Anders’ stay in Álamos two guests at different times were from
Sweden, a man from Connecticut spent a week with his girlfriend who
was attending a friend’s wedding, and a young couple visited with two
daughters. Late one night an elderly couple arrived that had difficulties
with stairs and the gracious professional staff quickly found them
lodging in Álamos.

Inside the walls of the Serena Vista compound the world is alive with color and sound.

“The facility includes a large sala suitable for entertaining, library, screened
gazebo, landscaped terrace with dance floor, a large pool and a smaller heated
pool, a roof garden with expansive views and comfortable patios and terrace.
Meals and special event services are available. Handicap access from the parking
area is excellent and the casa has two handicap baths. Three suites with baths
are available; two have kitchenettes, the third suite has microwave and fridge.
Guests can barbecue and can use the main kitchen when needed. A fourth suite
can be made available for larger groups. Tech assistant and secretary on
staff and office equipment are available for guest use.”
from Casa Serena Vista’s facebook page

Everywhere one looks there is something to behold.

Casa Serena Vista is its own art eclectic gallery for the entertainment and
enlightenment of staff, residents, visitors and guests. To learn more about
Diane visit A Life/Full Circle from Amazing Women of Álamos, ßonora, México.

Food at Casa Serena Vista is cause for conversation and celebration.

In the months that preceded Anders’ arrival for the 2017 Álamos Sonic
Expedition Diane Carpenter championed his efforts. She assured Anders
that she would help as much as possible and offered a car and driver for street
videos and computer support from Luis Angel. She was certain their computer
capabilities would be a match for any of Anders’ needs and they were.

A villa with a view and a staff to serve you.

During the ten days Anders was in Álamos Casa Serena Vista became
a way station between Toluca 6 and any journey to the east.
Anders had several breakfasts at Casa Serena Vista when he finished
his morning shoots or was dropping off data cards to be downloaded
to Casa Serena Vista’s computer.

Videos and photos were also offloaded from Anders’ previous Álamos
media expeditions, beginning in 1983, for the Álamos History
Association to have access to as well as the Museo Costumbrista de Sonora.
Casa Serena Vista played a critical nurturing role in the success
of the 2017 Álamos Sonic Expedition. Everyday is history.

Anders spent his last night in Álamos at Casa Serena Vista and
took advantage of a large table to repack his camera and audio recording
equipment for the road home to San Diego. Anders found Casa Serena Vista
to be a kindred spirit. He mentioned to Diane that he felt he was amongst the
best of what the idealism of the late 60’s – early 70’s had/has to
offer the world and she acknowledged with a nod and a smile. At the moment she
had guests’ needs to fulfill, meetings to attend, events to organize,
and presentations to be fine tuned as she went about her purpose creating
a relaxed utopia in a magical landscape: Casa Serena Vista and
Álamos, Sonora, México. Breathe deep. Exhale. Breathe.

©2017 Anders Tomlinson, all rights reserved.