Stopped by the Tlaquepaque Office of Tourism on Morelos, upstairs over the Casa de Artesano. Within ten minutes, an English speaking guide was called and arrived to take us on a tour. Jonathan covered the historical highlights with visits to the Basilica "Santurario de Nuestra Senora de la Soledad". At one time, this was the church of the rich. Within 100 yards of the front door is another church "Parroquia de San Pedro"....built for the poor, regular citizens of the town. In "Soledad" our guide took us to a small chapel where the was a tunnel that went to the local cemetery and also a tunnel that went all the way to Guadalajara. This was an escape route during the days of the revolution.
We walked through the Jardin de Hidalgo....named for the hero of the revolution against Spain. We viewed the murals inside the Presidencia Municipal (City Hall). The murals represent Tlaquepaque of the past, present, and future. In front of this building there was a medical staff providing H1N1 innocculations for the public. We observed this a few days ago, also. Good to see this service provided.
Brief walk through the Parian....a former market place...now home to nine reastaurants. (I thought that there were more.) Mariachis perform here on Wednesdays ans Sundays at 3:30 pm and 9:00 pm.
We visited a well known potter, Padilla, and went through his studio and saw the works in progress. Also visited a glass blower...but he was not working today.
Museo Pantaleon Panduro was closed (Monday). That was okay as we had already been there. This museum is part of Centro Cultural El Refugio. This was once a hospital...and now offers classes and exhibits of the arts. Jonathan took us through the building and up to the rooftop. Being a clear day, we could see as far as Guadalajara in one direction.....Tonala in another...and so on. He even showed us two places where there are tunnels to Guadalajara.
Our tour concluded back at the "Historic House" on Independencia where the papers were signed giving Mexico their freedom from Spain.
The tour was free...but we tipped Jonathan generously for his time.
Shopped at the central market for vegetables. They sell packages of fresh chopped vegetables ready for the soup pot. When I arrived home, I boiled the chicken bones left from Sue's roasted chicken, added the chopped vegetables, some small pieces of chicken, and tiny bow tie macaroni. This will be a dinner treat for Ann when she arrives tomorrow night.
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