A panoramic view of Guanajuato, Mexico, rewards visitors with an overlook. The city is located in a narrow valley, so the town's streets are winding and narrow with sherbet-hued buildings rising up the hillsides. In colonial times, Guanajuato was home to one of the world's largest and most prolific silver mines. Melanie Stetson Freeman/Staff
A street musician plays his guitar by one of the many cobbled streets in the historic center of town. Melanie Stetson Freeman/Staff
A little girl gets a heart-shaped balloon from her mother. Melanie Stetson Freeman/Staff
Pedestrians walk through the Plaza de la Paz, Peace Plaza, with the Basilica de Nuestra Señora de Guanajuato in the background. The Pope is visiting Guanajuato in late March. Melanie Stetson Freeman/Staff
Diners enjoy an outdoor cafe. Most roads in the city center are pedestrian friendly since the main thoroughfares are underground. Melanie Stetson Freeman/Staff
Two friends take a photo of themselves high on a hill overlooking the city. Melanie Stetson Freeman/Staff
A man in a traditional straw cowboy hat reads the latest news while enjoying Plazuela de San Fernando. Melanie Stetson Freeman/Staff
A cactus stands out against a brightly-colored building. Melanie Stetson Freeman/Staff
Locals walk through or sit and enjoy a tree-covered park. Melanie Stetson Freeman/Staff
Two men paint over grafitti in a narrow pedestrian alleyway. Melanie Stetson Freeman/Staff
Catholics line up to receive the sign of the cross from Father Juan Rodriguez Alba on Ash Wednesday in the Basilica de Nuestra Señora de Guanajuato. Melanie Stetson Freeman/Staff
Worshippers pray in the town's main basilica. The majority of residents in Guanajauto are known for being devout Catholics. Melanie Stetson Freeman/Staff
The Basilica de Nuestra Señora de Guanajuato was the city's first parish church. The historic center of town is filled with colonial mansions, civic buildings and churches. Melanie Stetson Freeman/Staff
A former riverbed was converted to an underground system of tunneled roads. Melanie Stetson Freeman/Staff
Colorful masks are displayed for sale in a tourist shop. Melanie Stetson Freeman/Staff
Schoolboys enjoy and sample each other's ice cream. Melanie Stetson Freeman/Staff
A couple sits on the stairs leading to the University of Guanajuato. The school serves 30,000 students from high school to graduate level. Melanie Stetson Freeman/Staff
Art students sit in a line and draw the town's main basilica. The city is a place of students, intellectuals and the arts. Melanie Stetson Freeman/Staff
A vendor checks her stock as she sets up to sell food on a sidewalk in the city center. Melanie Stetson Freeman/Staff
Statues depicting the muses of Greek mythology line the top of the Teatro Juarez. The theater is part Moorish, part Greek and part Roman and is considered one of the most beautiful in the country. Melanie Stetson Freeman/Staff
Members of a mariachi band walk through the city. There is a citywide passion for the arts and performance. Melanie Stetson Freeman/Staff
A man holds a little girl's hand as they walk down a steep stairway. Melanie Stetson Freeman/Staff
A young couple enjoy time together in one of the city parks. Melanie Stetson Freeman/Staff
Our correspondent recalls the good, the bad, and the surprising from her nearly seven years covering the region.
Editor's note: The Monitor's Sara Miller Llana finds that a farewell letter is the best tribute to the one constant in her years of reporting from Mexico.
/Photo-Galleries/In-Pictures/From-Field-to-Fork-The-foreign-and-domestic-food-chain
/Photo-Galleries/Photos-of-the-Day/2013/Photos-of-the-day-07-17
/Photo-Galleries/In-Pictures/Around-the-world-with-John-Kerry
/Photo-Galleries/In-Pictures/Where-Our-Clothes-Come-From
/Photo-Galleries/In-Pictures/Wildfires-2013
/Photo-Galleries/In-Pictures/Facebook-fans-caption-Monitor-photos
/Photo-Galleries/Photos-of-the-Day/2013/Photos-of-the-day-07-16
/Photo-Galleries/In-Pictures/The-kings-and-queens-of-modern-monarchies
/Photo-Galleries/Photos-of-the-Day/2013/Photos-of-the-day-07-15
/Photo-Galleries/In-Pictures/Confronting-doping-in-sports
/Photo-Galleries/In-Pictures/Which-side-of-the-fence-are-you-on-The-US-immigration-debate
/Photo-Galleries/Photos-of-the-Day/2013/Photos-of-the-Day-07-14