Last Week In Tlaquepaque and Surrounds

The first week we were here we went down to Lake Chapala, Mexico's biggest lake. It has a perfect climate and for many years has been populated with North American ex pats. On the street we met a couple from Detroit, who had pulled up stakes in America and moved here permently. We visited for a time and most enjoyed them, so last week we made arrangments to meet them again, in Chapala. The trip is about an hour from here and pretty easy. This time we got much more time to enjoy them, visited there new home in Chapala and got a bit of tour around the very small town.

This is the upper patio of their home of which they are very proud and they are so happy to live here. He is a techie, does most of his work here but has to go back a few times a year for work reasons.
They had purchased the lot beside their house and Paula has if filled with plants. There is also a shop and a garden shed and a place to park their car.

Back in Tlaquepaque, Olivia, our landlady, and her husband also have a horse and carriage in which they give rides around Tlaqupaque.

Christmas day was not only a day for presents and family gatherings but was also first communion for many young people in Tlaquepaque. Oliva's young son and daughter were receiving their first communion and Juan Carlos (Olivia's husband) was taking the kids to the cathedral in horse and buggy. His horse was not doing what it was suppose to be doing and he was struggling to get it going in the right direction and also using some words that more than likely young first communicants should not have been hearing. It was all quite funny but finally he got going in the right direction and on their way to the church.

And here are the first communicants. They are 11 and 12 years old which I think is a bit older than children in North America when they make their first communion

And after the service there was a big party in the restaurant part of Olivia's holdings. We were invited but declined as it would have been so difficult to talk. But there were many, many of the extended family and this photo is just a few.

Guadaljara is to Mariachi music as New Orleans is to Jazz. It is everywhere and here in Tlaquepaque is one of the most famous venues for Mariachi music and dance. It is called the Parian. It is a fortress like building, one block square with many restaurants forming the outside perimeter. In the inside is stage and on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, starting at 3:30PM there is 30 mnutes of Folk dancing and then 1 hour of very good Mariachi music, all for free.

This photo is of three dancers, watching other dancers and waiting for their turn.

And a very beautiful singer who is being accompanied by the Maiachi band. We like here a lot and have listened to her often. Her name is Maria Madero and has a deep and very powerful voice.

And here is Juan Pablo Garcia, very young, very handsome, with a smile every dentist would be proud of. He is our favorite of the male singers. If you make the picture large you can see a gun and holster he wears on his right hand side.

And one more Mariachi singer. They call her Dulce Maria (Sweet Maria).

That day there was more than one party for the first communicants and this one we happened upon while walking up the street in the evening. A small hall had been rented for a dance with a juke box and besides pop for the younsters, alcohol for the parents. Great fun was had by all.

When we were in Chapala visiting with Paula and Dave, they told us to try and get there on the weekend as the population of the town multiplied many times with visiters from the city. So yesterday (Sunday) we went out again.

This photo is the manger scene in front of the church in Chapala, made also with corn husks and straw.

And finally to the lake and the boardwalk and yes it was true that the population increased significantly. There were 1000's and more coming all the time. The lake is not good for swimming but the weather was beautiful, it was Christmas time and families were out for picnics and street food.

This particular street food is called cameron diablo (the devils shrimp). And many were enjoying it.

And this is the devils brew that makes it hot and spicy.

Christmas is over and the New Year is coming and who knows what new adventures that will bring but hopefully next week we can let you know.