Cecille's Creativity

Twenty-nine miles fousth of San Luis Potosi is the neat little town of Santa Maria del Rio on the banks of the peaceful Rio Santa Maria. This community is known throughout Mexico as the place where for generations the women have been weaving beautiful silken “Santa Maria rebozos” – highly prized by the ladies of Mexico. Recently the Mexican government became concerned that the art of weaving Santa Maria rebozos might die out as the older women of the town passed away, so a special school was established to teach young girls the art. Tourists are invited to visit the school, on the main plaza, rebozos and other handicraft made by the children may be purchased.

A few miles beyond Santa Maria del Rio is the Rancho Santo Domingo, where for three generations the Labastida family gas bred fighting bulls. These beautiful big black animals of Rancho Santo Domingo are in great demand by the largest bull rings of Mexico. Tourists are invited to visit the old hacienda and the rancho’s own little chapel. Senor Javier Labastida, the American-educated grandson of the founder, is sometimes on hand to act as guide.

Farther down the highway is the junction with Highway 110 to Dolores Hidalgo and Guanajuato. Near Dolores Hidalgo, Highway 49 branches south to San Miguel de Allende.