…this is the question Phi always asks me (even though he knows the answer) whether we are on a new adventure or repeating an old memorable one. Today I ask…..Who Would Have Thought……. I would spend my 79th Birthday on March 7th in the City of Guadalajara, Mexico?

On Wednesday, March 6 we traveled 5.5 hours on the over-the-road bus through the beautiful Sierra Madre Mountains to reach Guadalajara. We traveled with one of our three Canadian couple friends. These good friends have been acquired over the years we have spent wintering in Puerto Vallarta.  Bob and Sue from London, Ontario had never been in Guadalajara, the second largest city in Mexico following Mexico City, which is the largest. Guadalajara is a very interesting, historical, cultural city of 1,460,148 people and is the most densely populated city in Mexico. Few people speak any English, but that never seems to matter.

We spent 3 nights at the San Francisco Plaza Hotel with hard beds and at least 14 foot ceilings. Each morning at the hotel we enjoyed a really good breakfast of scrambled eggs with ham, fresh fruit, granola and yogurt, fresh squeezed juices, and toast along with a couple of other mixtures of some sort that I did not venture into.

In our first night in Guadalajara, we went to dinner at a restaurant Phil and I had eaten at in past visits. The name is La Chata and the cooks are at the front of the restaurant doing their wonderful culinary work. They wear white head covers and the cutest little white caps I have ever seen. There is not a single hair showing.  And the wait staff is responsive and courteous…wonderful. I have not mentioned the food, but it is amazingly good. If you are ever in Guadalajara, don’t pass up La Chata.

Guadalajara’s economy is based on services and industry, especially information technology, with a large number of international firms having regional offices and manufacturing facilities in the Guadalajara Metropolitan Area. Several domestic IT companies are headquartered in the city. Other, more traditional industries, such as shoes, textiles and food processing are also important contributing factors to the City’s economy. In 2005, it was named the American Capital of Culture and in 2011, the Pan American Games were held there.

The first day we took the City Bus Tour to see what an amazing cultural and business city Guadalajara is. We bused to  Tlaquepaque  –  known for its “shopping” adventure and “good deals.”  Another day we took a bus to Tonala – also known for its shopping experience.  We learned Thursdays are the day to be in Tonala and this was Friday so we were late. That said, we were not in a position to bring items home with us.  We did find a ceramics workshop where they mix up the bisque and pour it into molds of all different sizes and shapes until hardened, then painted with beautiful designs.  This  was of interest for me as painting ceramics at FireWorks here in PV is one of my favorite things to do.  The bus to Tonala bus took us for a second look at Tiaquepaque and we spent some time there eating and exploring. We had fun interactions with vendors. Sue and I were amazed at all of the interesting art and some of it wsa very creative and amazing.

In Guadalajara, the blooming trees were absolutely beautiful…..colors of lavender and yellow both on the trees and on the ground under them where the spent blossoms had already fallen.

Another photo here is Phil doing what he loves to do…..eat. This sandwich was made with a Portuguese bread (we think) stuffed with shredded beef and ham with melted cheese inside….all toasted to a crunchy good taste.

This will be our last year in Mexico.  There are many changes happening in Puerto Vallarta and we have chosen to remember it with all of its flavor and charm. It is still a great vacation place, but our decision is final. We are sad to say goodbye to good friends, but next winter will see us in a U.S. place.

There are many changes happening in the U.S. as well…..and I believe all of us need to be taking a good hard look at what is really happening at our Southern border, in our schools and in our politics before it is too late…..as it will change our country forever. 

Anne