The Guadalajara Reporter

In search of butterflies, a woman drives alone in Michoacan

There are rituals of impending spring that draw visitors to the state of Michoacan: vast swarms of birds darkening the sky as they fly north, the smell and smoke of  burning  foliage, rows of planters strewing seeds for the next harvest and the mating of the Monarchs before they begin their long journeys to their northern homes. 

Visiting the Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary at El Rosario in the state of Michoacan is a must-see on the bucket list of many.  Having asked a slew of friends to join the excursion and not finding one willing to make the trip, I set out alone.   North-of-the-border scare tactics just don’t impress me.  Defer all but essential travel to Michoacan, the U.S. State Department says on its website.  My belief is that if I shun conspicuous consumption and stay away from places where drugs are being used and sold, my chances of being harmed are no higher in Mexico than they would be anywhere in the world. Collateral killing happens every day throughout the world.

After studying several guidebooks, I decided to stay in Angangueo because of its proximity to El Rosario. From Ajijic, I entered the toll road (cuota) at Ocotlan and drove to Maravatio before turning south on Route 122 and east on Route 34 to reach Angangueo.  The drive was roughly four and a half hours and cost 385 pesos in tolls. 

Please login or subscribe to view the complete article.