Riding with the HOGS - Harley Owners Group

Well, lets start at the beginning and work our way through the day until our two hours with the HOGS.

Last night, we checked the posted schedule for the Tapatio Bus Tours to Guadalajara and Zapopan. Sign said - "First bus at 12:30." At 11:40 this morning, we pass the sign and it says that the first bus was at 11:30 am....we had just missed it. It was not difficult to spend the time until the next bus. We sat down in a cafe and ordered coffee and hot chocolate. After five minutes, the waiter came back and appologized since the coffee machine "was cold". Not a problem as I did not feel guilty asking to use the restroom. My mission was accomplished....I really did not want a drink.

We met two American tourists...men in their 50's from Missouri....Jim and Bob. They are in Tlaquepaque on a cultural exchange. They are part of a "Rock and Roll" trio. They invited us to come hear them play at a local cafe tonight and in the Jardin, tomorrow night. Jim and Bob accompanied us on our first two bus rides, first to Guadalajara and then to Zapopan. Once we arrived in Guatalajara, there were ninty minutes to kill until the Zapopan bus tour. Ann and I took a walk in the central part of Guadalajara stopping first at the Teatro Degollado. Beautiful theater with the design of an European Opera House. We were able to walk right into the theater. I asked the ticket seller about tickets to the Sunday morning performance of the Ballet Folklorico. He said that they do not perform until April???? All of the books say that it is every Sunday at 10:30 am....year round. Was something missed in translation??

Ann and I ate lunch in what was once a lovely mansion. Our quesedillas were adequate...but the ambiance was lovely.

Back to the boarding area for the Zapopan bus. We learn that this tour narration would only be in Spanish. This was also the case for the Tlaquepaque bus. We sat with Bob and Jim on the top level of the bus. This open space was great for viewing, but brutally hot. After a while, we moved to the back of bus under cover. Traffic moved slowly, bumper to bumper. It was not a very interesting ride. We finally reached the area of Zapopan where there was a cathedral and museums. It may have been interesting, but we did not have time to get off the bus and explore as it would be two and a half hours until we could board another bus to return to Guadalajara. What we did observe was that Zapopan is an very pleasant residential area.

We were back in central Guadalajara with about fifteen minutes to spare before the Guadalajara tour bus would leave. Ahead of us in line for the bus was a large group of young Mexicans mostly men in their 20's and 30's, wearing yellow, orange and black regalia of the HOGs. These "youngsters" allowed Ann and me to board ahead of them. We went directly to the upper level, back of bus. We were joined by this friendly group of bikers. For the next two hours, we rode the steets of Guadalahara as honorary HOGs. I did not say that we rode on their bikes..... we rode with them on the top of bus. We conversed with several of them. They had a large cooler packed with cold beer which they offered to share with us. Ann accepted their hospitality and I passed on the opportunity. When the bus made a five minute stop, one of the young men called out "Grandmothers, can we take photos with you?" Of course, we agreed. This was such a fun experience that it did not matter that the tour was not very interesting.

Fortunately, the Tlaquepaque bus was waiting when we arrived back at the central bus stop. Temperatures had cooled and we had a lovely ride back to our town. Past 6:30 when we got home. As seniors we paid 50 pesos (about $4.25) each for six hours of bus rides...plus the company of many interesting people.

Dinner at the Quinta San Jose's restaurant "Tlaquepaque Pasta". I ate here last week with Sue. It was our favorite restaurant. It really is a beautiful place with dim lights, beautiful paintings on the wall and a wonderful classical guitarist/singer. I repeated my meal of last week as it would be hard to beat. At the next table sat a family that we had met in Tonala, yesterday. Visited with them for a while.

Walked back along Juarez. In front of the Parian, a nicely dressed Mexican man greeted us and Ann remembered him as the gentleman who had located a seat for her on our bus ride to Tonala. Every day in Tlaquepaque is a wonderful experience.