Sightseeing in Guadalajara

Took a public bus #275 to Guadalajara Centro. Bus driver and passengers told us where to get off. I guess that it was obvious that we are tourists and wanted to see the Cathedral and museums. It was a glorious day with clear blue sky and filled with sunshine. Guadalajara was at its best. The many parks were nicely landscaped and had bubbling fountains and plenty of benches where pedestrians could sit and marvel at the beauty of the city's colonial architecture. We walked and walked turning left and right as the spirit took us. We found a street dedicated to wedding dresses and ball gowns. Many of the gowns could have been worn at royal weddings or to a fairy tale ball. This street could fulfill a little girl's fantasy.

Can you you imagine a store the size of a department store with three floors selling only jewelry?
Case after case filled with sparkling jewels. The entrance was guarded by a military looking man with a large assault rifle. Cannot imagine the value of the gold inside this building.

We entered the public market. First there was the shoe section...rows upon rows of shoes of every design. Then the brightly colored clothing for folk dancing. Clothing...household goods. leather goods, CDs, DVDs, and anything that you might need for your horse. No, I did not mean house....but your horse. Beautiful saddles and other decorative trim lined another whole section.

There were endless small restaurants competing with each other for business. Most sold local favorites such as tacos, enchiladas, ahogadas, rice and beans, and hamburgers. It smelled wonderful walking therough this area, but we resisted. We later had tacos and a Pepsi at an open front restaurant on a pedestrian walkway.

Bt 2:30, our feet were tired and it was time to return to Tlaquepaque. I am so pround of how we have gotten around the area via public transportation. If local people were not so helpful, this would not have been possible.

Dinner at El Patio. There were only two other tables occupied at this garden restaurant. Once again, we received outstanding service from staff at restaurant. Such a pleasant setting with a light, warm breeze, and soft music from the '50s. Do you suppose that they determine the age of their customers and play a CD of the corresponding era? We shared the Chicken Mole and Chiles en Nogada. Excellent.

It was around 9 pm as we walked home. Once again, we enjoyed the atmosphere around the Jardin and the Parian. Families and singles of all ages out in the streets enjoying each other's company.