Another Side of Guanajuato: Los Callejones

Los callejones (alleyways) are what make Guanajuato famous, and the city is full of them. The majority of the people who live in the city live in this vast network of callejones. This living situation negates any hope of privacy because the houses are crammed together and practically piled on top of each other. Not to mention some of the callejones are so narrow, you can practically step out of your house right into your neighbor's door. They are also incredibly steep and winding. Carrying anything up or down is a test of endurance. Some callejones are nice, with brightly colored houses and newly paved roads. Others are older and you have to watch your step so you don't trip on the cracked and uneven sidewalk.

I took the following photos on an exploratory adventure up one of the callejones. Once I left the main road, I felt like I was in a different world. The streets were much quieter and there was an obvious sense of the domestic side of Guanajuato.