La Piedad is a city with approximately 70,000 residents, but has an atmosphere and feel of a smaller city or large town. The urban area is divided into two large towns, in the states of Michoacan and Guanajuato, by a meandering river that leads down to a beautiful waterfall two miles away that we like to call �Little Niagra�. The city lies at the base of a dormant volcano that makes for an adventurous hike for the willing and able. The panoramic �vista� view from the base of the LP Valley offers the observer an abundance of dormant volcanos, mountains, and hillsides.
Within the city of La Piedad is the Cabadas Bridge, built in the XVIII century and declared a national monument. You can also visit the Las Quintas, El Recuerdo and Cuatro Milpas Spas. Local artisans in La Piedad make shawls which are famous throughout the country. Other attractions include Senor de La Piedad, The Benito Juarez Garden, and The Antique Chapel of San Sebastian, built in 1700 and where you can see some valuable oil paintings.
There are various other points of interest within the city. If you are sports-minded, there is a new miniature golf and rock climbing adventure park. There is a soccer stadium, which play host to the Division 1A Champion Rebacerros. The city has a movie theater, which is next door to the bus station showing all of the newly released blockbusters.
If you head 15 miles West, you will find a water park, with picnic areas, concessions, water slides, bathing pools, all of which are very warm and heated by natural hot springs.
THE ESSENTIALS
The essential goods and services are easily accessible along with the countless others that will make your experience here smooth and enjoyable. There are two, large grocery stores located in the city; Ley, which is located two blocks away from the school, and Bodega, which is located near the Centro de Autobuses on the main boulevard. Both stores offer a large variety of items, something similar to a small Wal Mart.
Like almost every other city in Mexico, has its central plaza. It is the gathering place for people every evening, and on the days of all the fiestas that take place here. There are many shops, stores, boutiques, and small restaurants around the center. The post office is also located in the center plaza. There is a package delivery company, which links with FedEx, and is located in La News Plaza on the boulevard, close to downtown. There is another delivery service on the opposite end of town.
If you like to contact your acquaintences day and night, and need computer time, there are hundreds of little internet cafes scattered throughout the city. The average cost to use the internet for an hour is approximately ten pesos.
The bus and taxi services here are excellent. Buses are plentiful, cheap, and operate all throughout the city. The bus fare is approximately 4 pesos. The buses begin operating early in the morning and continue to around 9:00pm. Therefore, if you spend some nights out after 9:30, then your other alternative is taking a taxi. They operate all day and night. The taxi fair ranges from 20 pesos to 25 pesos, depending on where in the city you want to go.
We have three car dealerships, three colleges and universities, two local televisions stations, radio stations, a local Lions Club chapter, many small hospitals, cinemas, and a secure police force. If you find the need for something different, there is a Domino�s pizza, a Pizza Hut and a Kentucky Fried Chicken on the boulevard, up from the bus station. There is a small traders� market right up the street from the school. It is held every Saturday from 9am to 4pm. You can find lots of nifty things there, if you have the inquisitive spirit. There is also a market in the center, open everyday.
There is a minimum of five different banks, all with branches scattered throughout the city. They all contain ATM�s, and all accept PLUS, CIRRUS, etc. type cards... as well as credit cards. There are several currency exchange stores throughout the city, particularly downtown, but it is recommended to head to the bank. They have better exchange rates than the stores.
You will have a great time in a diverse city, which offers you the perfect mix of tradition and modern convenience.
