Xilitla, S.L.P, Mexico

Hightop view of a portion of Xilitla.

      Xilitla is a closed-off municipality and town in the state of San Luis Potosi. Mountains, natural springs, and caves scatter all across the land, and with the amount of precipitation the town receives annually, Xilitla is considered one of the most humid parts of Mexico. Most of the residents speak spanish, but interestingly enough, influences of Nahual and Huastec cultures thrive as well.

Stairs leading to closed off platforms, part of Edward Jame's garden.

      What makes this place so special, you might ask? Well, Xilitla is especially known for its coffee and Las Pozas, or "the pools". Created around 1947, Las Pozas served as a garden of surrealistic art provided by a British poet and artist, Edward James. Initially, James owned a coffee plantation in the area. For several years, he used Las Pozas as a sanctuary for orchids and exotic animals. When a frost destroyed his flowers, James decided to create the beautiful garden that is exhibited today. This vast subtropical jungle holds sculptures with staircases that lead to nowhere, and shapes that are supposed to portray plant-life. Photos of his sculptures remind me of some kind of sci-fi movie. If anyone were to visit this place, Las Pozas would definitely be a hotspot to check-out. 

     Parties such as Dia de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) and Procesion de Silencio (Parade of Silence) have been known to be greatly celebrated in Xilitla, giving the town a religious character.