Christmas time in Tlaquepaque

Feliz Navidad to all. It is the week before Christmas and the city is very active with shoppers and gawkers ,with many new instant stores on the streets in the center, and in the evening are very busy. We are among the gawkers and most enjoy just watching.

We think they ran out of red material for Santa Claus suits. First blue one we have ever seen.

Two very pretty Mariachi girls who were taking a break from their music.

A most beautiful scarf, too pricy for Nancy to buy. It was $80 Canadian.

We often buy empanadas at a small store up the street from where we live and they are yummy but not so good for us so Nancy will not let me buy as many as I would like. This is the daughter of the people who run the store. Her parents are nice looking also.

Last week we took a bus to another suburb of Guadalajara, Zopapan, and this is the manger scene in the plaza in front of the cathedral. It is made entirely of straw and corn husks. Most amazing.

And this is that said cathedral. If you make the picture big you can see clearly the man in front, beginning the long crawl on his knees to the altar. Right after him was a woman with her 8 year old son on her back.

And the inside of the cathedral.

From our balcony viewing area I see many interesting things happening. Their car quit, right in the middle of this very narrow street. They pushed it to the side, then got out the jumper cables, hooked them to the battery, strung them out on the street and waited for a good samaraton to come by and give them a boost. And sure enough, it all worked according to their plan.

Another car in a different part of town. Don't know where he had been or where he had come from but must have been following a herd of cattle somewhere. We wondered if he was as covered as the car.

This is the busiest corner in all of Tlaquepaque and there are no cars. Just people and street sellers and lots of benches for people to sit on.

Last Friday was an exceptional busy night on the streets in Tlaquepaque. There were dancers and mariachi bands, street entertainmnet, and thousands of people out to enjoy. There was also free tequila as one of the distillers was passing it out quite freely and people were taking advantage of their good will. The next 7 photos tell a bit of a story of last Friday night.

Beside great entertainment, there is also great food as the next three photos attest to.

There is corn on the cob or off the cob, served with hot sauce and lime. No butter or salt.

And a donut like treat served with strawberry jam or brown sugar sauce and dipped in sugar. They are yummy if you can get them right out of the boiling grease.

And last but not least are deep fried french fries and weiner pieces. You get a huge bowl for about $2.00 and they are also served with hot sauce and lime. And no salt or ketchup.

There are still 5 days till Christmas and hope all the activity continues. The weather remains perfect except it was a bit chilly the last couple of mornings but once the sun comes out, presto, warmth. And then you need to walk on the shady side of the street.