Mariachis and Charreria

Well, here we are in Hotel Portobelo in downtown Guadalajara, Mexico's second largest municipality after Mexico City. Very comfortable Primera Plus bus ride from Queretaro took about 4 1/2 hours yesterday and, for our snack, they gave us the Mexican equivalent of a ham & cheese croissant - with chipotle paste. It worked :) When our taxi driver, who looked about 13, finally found our hotel, after phoning at least one friend, we checked in to our really spacious room overlooking a large park and then went exploring.

The Cathedral was built in the 16th Century of local stone, basalt maybe, which has black streaks through it, It and the Temple to the side are very colonial in style, as is the Plaza opposite with its Portales lining three sides. We took a Tranvia (small tram like open sided vehicle)for a 90 minute ride around some of the city - a good way to orientate. You'll see in the next photo the huge Tequila Bottle next to the tram. There's a town about an hour away, also in Jalisco state, called Tequila and it's outside there the Jose Cuervo distillery is situated. You can take a special train out there with degustation, food and music, tour of the premises, a Show and a meal for about £90 a head, which we thought a tad expensive. So we'll settle for tastings in several bars over the weekend. Found an old Restaurant in the centre yesterday, late afternoon, Happy Hour just started: 2 Margaritas for £3.50: stayed at a table overlooking the street, had some food and people watched listening to the Pianist on the patio. Oh, and it's about 20c here too. On the way through on the bus yesterday there were acres and acres of Blue Agave planted, beautiful colours, for Tequila making. As well as Maize, Sorghum, cabbages (?), Strawberries (around Irapuato) huge plastic tunnels of capsicums and salady stuff I guess, going by the signage. Very fertile area from Queretaro to here - La Sierra Gorda.

Jalisco is famous for Tequila, Charreria; horsemanship, akin to rodeo; and Mariachis. Los Charros were horsemen who worked in the Haciendas, think Bonanza. I saw Charros and Charras ride in the September 16th Parade in Mexico City - very well dressed, on beautiful horses. Loads of shops here specialising in cowboy hats, clothes and boots. Found a gorgeous pair of baby blue crocodile skin boots last night, on sale for only £25!, but thought they might look a bit silly in Norn Ireland :( Haven't seen any Mariachis yet - passed the area where you can hire them yesterday on the tram, but it's on the wrong side of the tracks, literally, so perhaps we'll give it a miss. That's all for now - going exploring again as soon as I can get D out of bed! x