Mexico Dia Ocho
Guadalajara, WOW! Guadalajara is a very modern and large city. It is the birthplace of mariachi music. and is home to Mexicos most popular soccer team (Chivas). One thing I noticed about it was the wealth of historic and grand buildings.
Waking up in the morning and walking out onto the balcony of our hotel room was amazing. Looking down the street you could see the top of a grand catedral (cathedral). I thought the catedral in Morelia was amazing, but the catedral en Guadalajara is astounding. It is massive and has three golden domes, which glow under the glare of the sun. Looking into the street I saw an old fashioned horse drawn carriage on the same street as a bunch of cars. It turns out that there are a number of them that travel around el centro.
After showering we went and had breakfast in a very nice little resaurant. I got eggs with mushrooms, beans, and rice (an unusual combination:). After breakfast we went to look at the catedral. Then we walked through a square heading for the teatro (theatre). A women came up to us selling these amazing sand paintings. We each bought a varation of the same painting, pablo picasos horse and bull. They were only 33 pesos (3 dollars) each. We then went to the teatro, which was absolutely amazing. It has a massive dome roof and everything is covered in gold. There were balcony seats which lined both sides of the teatro. There was a rehersal going on at the time and sat in the glorious teatro watching it. All around el centro there were many amazing fountains and statues of historic people and animals.
Next we looked at the many stalls that lined the streets, selling beautiful handmade goods. There was jewlery, ignious stones, musical instuments, pottery, handmade leather goods, and many other amazing looking crafts. I wanted to buy so much stuff, but decided to hold off since we would be travelling and I only brought a backpack. I did buy a haki sac from one of the many street vendors for 10 pesos ($1). We then quickly took a walk through a small park near el centro, but it wasn´t too exciting went back to el centro.
We were told by a security guard at the teatro to go to a building which he called "el mas grande edificio en guadalajara". Turns out he was talking about the Palacio de Gobierno and I think he was right. The main entrance to the building is decorated with amazing murals on the walls and the cieling. The massive murals tell the story of the Spanish invasion of Mexico. The main dome is adorned by a mural that depiptcs the eternal stuggle between good and evil. The stark red colors of the mural are amazing. The rest of the building is a museum. There were many interesting works of art, including propaganda posters from around the time of Mexicos revolution, modern abstract paintings, and classical victorian art. We somehow again arrived on the day of a political demonstration (maybe they sabado is the day for political demonstrations). We were thus treated to live music in the square outside the Palacio de Gobierno.
The city was relatively quiet in the day. However, when we went out again in the night the small streets were packed with people. We just wandered around looking through the streets. The catedral was even more amazing at night. There was live music in the square near the catedral and a choir of little children singing.
I bought two Mexican scratchies (lottery tickets). They cost 3 pesos (30 cents) each. I scratched the first one and won 3 pesos, but lost on the second won. I then bought one more and lost again. It was pretty fun though.
Walking back we saw a street vendor grab her suff as three guys came up and managed to snatch some of her stuff. We were´nt sure if she wasn´t supposed to be there or if they were just robbing her, but it was a very crowded street. We were kind off taken aback by and didn´t really know what to think.
We ate in a place called "fat lady" for dinner. I got guacamole with chips and tacos with chille and potato filling. It was pretty good. We then went back to the hotel room, played a couple of games of dominos, studied a little and went to bed.
Waking up in the morning and walking out onto the balcony of our hotel room was amazing. Looking down the street you could see the top of a grand catedral (cathedral). I thought the catedral in Morelia was amazing, but the catedral en Guadalajara is astounding. It is massive and has three golden domes, which glow under the glare of the sun. Looking into the street I saw an old fashioned horse drawn carriage on the same street as a bunch of cars. It turns out that there are a number of them that travel around el centro.
After showering we went and had breakfast in a very nice little resaurant. I got eggs with mushrooms, beans, and rice (an unusual combination:). After breakfast we went to look at the catedral. Then we walked through a square heading for the teatro (theatre). A women came up to us selling these amazing sand paintings. We each bought a varation of the same painting, pablo picasos horse and bull. They were only 33 pesos (3 dollars) each. We then went to the teatro, which was absolutely amazing. It has a massive dome roof and everything is covered in gold. There were balcony seats which lined both sides of the teatro. There was a rehersal going on at the time and sat in the glorious teatro watching it. All around el centro there were many amazing fountains and statues of historic people and animals.
Next we looked at the many stalls that lined the streets, selling beautiful handmade goods. There was jewlery, ignious stones, musical instuments, pottery, handmade leather goods, and many other amazing looking crafts. I wanted to buy so much stuff, but decided to hold off since we would be travelling and I only brought a backpack. I did buy a haki sac from one of the many street vendors for 10 pesos ($1). We then quickly took a walk through a small park near el centro, but it wasn´t too exciting went back to el centro.
We were told by a security guard at the teatro to go to a building which he called "el mas grande edificio en guadalajara". Turns out he was talking about the Palacio de Gobierno and I think he was right. The main entrance to the building is decorated with amazing murals on the walls and the cieling. The massive murals tell the story of the Spanish invasion of Mexico. The main dome is adorned by a mural that depiptcs the eternal stuggle between good and evil. The stark red colors of the mural are amazing. The rest of the building is a museum. There were many interesting works of art, including propaganda posters from around the time of Mexicos revolution, modern abstract paintings, and classical victorian art. We somehow again arrived on the day of a political demonstration (maybe they sabado is the day for political demonstrations). We were thus treated to live music in the square outside the Palacio de Gobierno.
The city was relatively quiet in the day. However, when we went out again in the night the small streets were packed with people. We just wandered around looking through the streets. The catedral was even more amazing at night. There was live music in the square near the catedral and a choir of little children singing.
I bought two Mexican scratchies (lottery tickets). They cost 3 pesos (30 cents) each. I scratched the first one and won 3 pesos, but lost on the second won. I then bought one more and lost again. It was pretty fun though.
Walking back we saw a street vendor grab her suff as three guys came up and managed to snatch some of her stuff. We were´nt sure if she wasn´t supposed to be there or if they were just robbing her, but it was a very crowded street. We were kind off taken aback by and didn´t really know what to think.
We ate in a place called "fat lady" for dinner. I got guacamole with chips and tacos with chille and potato filling. It was pretty good. We then went back to the hotel room, played a couple of games of dominos, studied a little and went to bed.
Hi Brady,
Guadalajara sounds like a great side trip! we have been enjqying your travelogue sounds like your having a fun time if you get a chance send us your address and phone number and a good time to call at your house.
mom and dad
Posted by Anonymous | 9:44 PM