Flashing Back to Mexico

I recently (this morning) camping at a local waterfall, reading about Nicaragua (my next destination) and I realized that most of Nicaragua's natural attractions are volcanoes...some active...some extinct.
This got me thinking about one of the more surreal sights of my travels.
Vulcan Paricutin, in Michocan Mexico.
This was a very recent development...it started as a bubbling cyst in a farmers field in1943...the farmer tried in vain to put the volcano out by shovelling dirt on it. In a single year it rose to 1100 feet and started spewing lava on all the little villagers (fortunately the lava flow was slow, so most were able to run away). It's molten fury creeped over the little town at its base, burying and burning everything in it's path, except the spire of the cathedral.
This omission by the destructive forces of nature presents one of the must see/photograph wonders of Inland Mexico (or indeed anywhere). Its best photographed from a distance, as local boys with too much time on their hands have somewhat defaced it with spray-painted declarations of love etc. The distance shots also get in more lava...making it look less like a ruined church, and more like a ruined church submerged in lava...which it is.
I've made the trip out to Paracutin three times...and each time I've been rewarded with few visitors and a pleasant walk. Do not attempt approaching the church in sandals, as this slow cooling lava flow is razor sharp and cuts the feet. Dogs paws are also aggravated by the rocks, and dogs generally lack vigour in the heat.
Some people actually trek up the cone, but who needs that kind of physical torment on a hot day. Not only is it hot, but you start out at a pretty high elevation, so your stamina is already waning. Renting horses is an option...but I never really got around to it...perhaps next time.
Paracutin is closest to Uruapan...a largely ignored travel destination...but one of my favourite Mexican cities. Another good day trip from Uruapan is the guitar/catholic ketch making town of Paracho...this is where I get all my Virgin of Guadalupe paintings.