Jan. 18th

Guadalajara is a lovely city. I think I could live here. The weather is grand, the city has much to see and do, there is a great university, the people are friendly and I think I even could find some organic food! Alica pointed out a restaurant today that she knows serves organic. Yay!

Today we did the Guadalajara tour on a bus. Well first we waited for the bus and listened to the reggueton and the Black Eyed Peas blasting from a truck stereo while appreciating Minerva in all her glory. You know you are in a good place where they have female statues…and not mystical half dressed artistic statues (they have those too) but one of a female warrior. Power to women yay!

We sat on the top level in the bright sunshine and listened to a recording tell us about various monuments and buildings within the city. On the Spanish recording was your average northern Mexican voice. On the English recording?? I swear he was a Texan. Especially when he started going off about the military hospital and training grounds. There was a Mexican solider there…he seemed like he was supposed to be ‘standing guard’ by a tree but he looked too relaxed.

We went to Tlaquepaque today on the tour bus. We saw everything from beautiful churches and houses to shoes hanging over the telephone wires. Alica says that’s what they do when their shoes are too old to wear anymore.

The city has recently had many artists participate in a cow exhibit. Each artist has painted a cow, much like Calgary has done but these cows are better. ;P For example: Leonardo de Vaca. Can you guess? You know the symbol with the man in a circle with his arms and legs in two different positions? Now you see a cow doing the same thing. Brilliant eh? The one I loved the most was the anti-free trade one. I will post my pictures.

Right now I am sitting on the couch in Alica’s grandma’s apartment. I am red but Karyn is redder so I don’t feel too bad. Plus the sun makes me feel so healthy. J No lecturing.

In Tlaquepaque we looked at many lovely things. It is an Artisan town and the one street is full of ‘house’ galleries. They are in the style of Mexican houses – a garden in the open centre and the rooms around and they were full of the most beautiful furniture and paintings. If only I had many houses all over Mexico to fill with all the beautiful furniture and artwork. But alas, I am a poor student and not too sad about that at all.

I believe that was the day I experienced my first paleta. Fantastic interpretation of icecream on a stick – I had a coconut one and it has been the best kind so far.