Back in the Routine.

WHERE ARE WE? Numero Uno RV Park, La Penita, Mexico

On our walk this morning we came across a whale tusk.  It was in fairly good shape and it must have come from a fairly large whale.  I wonder if the whale died or just had it broke off.  I was going to take it home but thought maybe someone would pick it up and make a piano from it so I just left it alone. 

I didn't do much this morning or early afternoon except a wee siesta.  When I came around I was hungry and we had nothing in the house to eat, so I went down to El Toro for their lunch special.  For 95 pesos I got a full fish filet with rice, tortillas, salad and some horchata.  What a great lunch it was.

Then I took a peek downtown.  The town is like a ghost town.  The streets are completely empty because the police have it all blocked off for the fiesta.  Tonight is the official opening of the fiesta I think.  There will be a lot of people in town for the next 5 days.

I decided to head home and relax until tonight when I would come back again to see what is happening.  The later part of my relaxing involved another pretty sunset.  We have about 40 more before we have to leave this awesome place.

So after it got dark I headed downtown again.  What a transformation since the empty streets this afternoon.  The stage was rocking and people were everywhere.  It is crazy just to watch it all happen right there in front of you.  The people here, young and old, sure know how to party.

Around the corner is the plaza and it is the eating and fun zone.  Lots of rides and games of chance.

And the main reason I went down town was to check on Kenia and her new Cafecito.  She was having some trouble with her lights so we got that fixed.  She is really busy so doing anything more than that in the Cafecito while it is busy.  She will busy till midnight I bet.

I wasn't going to stay up until midnight so I headed for home.  I forgot to mention that the Season 48 of Survivor aired on Wednesday while we were away so we haven't watched it yet.  Tonight was the night and we think it will be a good season.  That was it for today!!!

Oh and by the way, whales don't have tusks!!!  Did I get you???  It was a stick.  Good Nite!!

Today's weather

Passing clouds. 28 / 20 °C
Humidity: 87%. Wind: 5 mph ↑ from West

Tonala Market and Home Again

WHERE ARE WE? Numero Uno RV Park, La Penita, Mexico

Last day in Guadalajara and we want to attend the local market.  We were up and at it nice and early and John ordered a couple Expresso's to get him going.  He thought he ordered cappuccino's so he will be moving well today!!

The market starts about a block from our hotel and runs for a few blocks before breaking out into a big parking lot full of everything imaginable.  Sue and I have been to this one a couple years ago when we were staying in Chapala on the way home.  Here are a few pictures I took as I strolled along.

We came across a stand that had bagfuls of all kinds of edible bugs, if you believe they are edible. They are a delicacy to lots of people down here.  There were all kinds of weird looking bugs to choose from.

We stopped for lunch at a local food stand and had stuffed Gorditas!  First time for us.  It is a tasty little pastry cut open and stuffed with beans and pork potatoes and onion and then fried so it is just a little crispy.  Ever so good.  Apparently it is a local food so I'm glad we had some.

Love how they save on washing dishes

We were done with the market and all ready to pack up by about 1:30.  It is quite the experience driving through the center of Guadalajara.  Just like most cities, you pick a lane and try to stay in it.  Only difference is that some of the drivers will almost nudge your fender to do a lane change, and a red light is sort of a jockey for position opportunity.  You have watch that someone hasn't poked their nose in front of you when you start up.  And don't put your elbow out the window because a motorcycle will tear it off.

We planned a short stop in the town of Tequila to look around. None of us had ever been there before so we just wanted a taste of it.  That is it in the valley just up ahead.

We knew we were in the right place when we saw the tequila barrel busses.  There were a few of them driving around town.

Everything is centered around tequila and we tried a bit of their wares.  They are certainly not stingy with the samples.  Good thing I was driving.  We bought a little coconut tequila for sipping.  Very nice and sweet like I like it.  I also bought some Agave honey.  It is really good.  By the way, tequila is made from Agave.

A couple more hours of driving and we made it home.  We have missed the ocean and the sunsets the last few days, so it was great to get our feet in the sand again.  Archie loved having us back and going for unleashed walks on the beach.  Ron and Lilly have been dog sitting and do a wonderful job, but they are timid about letting Archie roam free on the beach.  I don't blame them a bit and he loves his walks even on a leash.

While we were walking we witnessed a great sunset.  The difference about this one is that it is the first night the sun has rolled off the hill and landed in the ocean.  Oh my goodness time has flown.

Just at the same time our friends Kerry and Lisa popped around the corner so I got a shot with them in it.

Kerry and Lisa

After a quick supper, I headed downtown to see what is happening.  The Festival is in town and they are doing it up big this year.  They have a big stage right on the Avenida and it will stay there for the 5 days it is on.  The main street is totally blocked off to vehicles so it is a big party area.  Music is loud but very professional.  This is not a small town production.  Tonight is the crowning of Miss La Penita so there are lots of people around.  Lots of beer in big tubs so the party will run late.

Lots of people

Dancers

A queen candidate

This is Kenia's big night as well because this is her reopening night in La Penita with Cafecito II.  I have to add more lights but it looks quite pretty the way it is.  It's nice to have her back where she belongs.  She will try to run both Cafecitos if she can find someone to help her.  Guayabitos is not as busy as La Penita but still sells a fair bit so she plans to keep it there if she can.

That was enough for me so I headed home.  On my way I walked by a familiar building where just a week ago, Irwin and Wanda were staying.  They have since headed home to shovel snow, but we do miss them.  Next year we hope they will be back.  Good Nite!!

Today's weather

Sunny. 27 / 18 °C
Humidity: 79%. Wind: 6 mph ↑ from Southwest

An Afternoon and Evening in Tlaquepaque Historic Centro

WHERE ARE WE? Numero Uno RV Park, La Penita, Mexico

We have never used Uber before so Rhonda got me interested in downloading the app and I summoned my first Uber.  It was amazing because I didn't have to struggle with telling anyone where to pick us up, I just pinned our location.  Next thing I knew a message showed that our driver would be there in 5 minutes.  There was even a little map that you could follow him on so you knew exactly when he would arrive. Amazing.  The downside was that I pinned our destination as Tlaquepaque and he only had us going as far as the train station, so he had to charge more to get to the historic center plaza.  No problem because it was me that screwed up.

We were on a visit to the famous Tlaquepaque today.  This is another pueblo within the city of Guadalajara.  It is actually a Magico Pueblo which is a designation given to touristy towns and cities in Mexico.  Tlaquepaque is known for its warehousing and distribution of tourist knick knacks all over Mexico and probably the world.  As you drive along, there are many warehouses with lots of trucks backed in to the doors.  It also has a lot of fine artistry items as well and boasts many prominent artists and galleries. 

Let me out please!!

One of the fun galleries was the chubby Mexican gallery. The place was full of chubby little men doing a lot of things.  These ones were all riding bicycles.

A museum devoted to chubby Mexicans in a good way.

The girls found a fun little picture spot for kids, and being the big kids they are, they had to have one.

The whole street was devoted to restaurants and galleries of all sorts with neat things in them.  Lots of eye candy!!

This was made for a Cathedral

Hmmm what do you think??

When we first arrived here in the square the tourist place told us there was a free walking tour if we met the guide at 3 pm sharp.  At 3 pm sharp (which is crazy for Mexico) our guide appeared and we began our tour.  He chose to take a young lady named Sophia, with him to help out and we found out later that this was her first day.  She was very knowledgeable and personable. Both of them spoke very good English which made the tour interesting for us Canexicans.

We started with the Tlaquepaque sign and the coat of arms for the town.  Leo explained all the history and what each symbol stood for.

Missed the T

With the T

I won't bore with the details, but we saw a lot of stuff and visited numerous museums along the way.  We didn't walk that far, but saw a lot of things.

Always taking a break

Giving an Amigo a ride!

This was called Old Man resting

One of the reasons we started our tour late today was because we wanted to see the lights of Tlaquepaque.  While we were waiting we stopped for a little bit of supper.  Nice little place and a great meal with good friends.

Then a little bit of ice cream to top it off.  This ice cream is made right there and was delicious.

Anyway we were here for the lights and a camera does not do them justice.  It was a great day and we learned a lot on our tour.  We wanted to hear the famous Mariachi Bands that Tlaquepaque is known for but guess what.  They don't perform on Wednesdays.  Just our luck.

It was kinda neat cause I got out the Uber app and all I had to do was go to the receipt of this afternoons trip and I could just tell it I wanted to go home.  3 minutes it said and bingo!!  There he was.  I am loving the Uber App.

Where we are in Tonola is high up on a hill.  When we were driving home we got to look down on Guadalajara.  What a big and beautiful city.  Gonna miss it.  Straight to bed tonight!  Good Nite!!!

Today's weather

Sunny. 30 / 10 °C
Humidity: 40%. Wind: 5 mph ↑ from West