Sundays

I stepped out onto the street and saw no cars. Only a guy with an orange vest and lots of yellow ribbon marking off the roads. Sunday is bicycle day from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. here in Tlaquepaque. You can get a bike for free and actually go all the way to Guadalajara.(maybe 20 km(. I tried to get one, but I had come too late. It's amazing to see young and old all cycling on the streets with not a car in sight.

Apparently, Sunday is the day to go to the market at Tonala which is about a half-hour by bus from Tlaquepaque. Tlaquepaque is quite an upscale place and I was told that to get the same stuff for quite a bit less you need to go to the market at Tonala. Everyone is super friendly. Even the guy at the bus stop indulged my Spanish and shook my hand before I boarded the bus.

Tonala was very crowded with lots of artesenias. People here are very creative, but the merchandise in my town is much more crafted. It was an experience that I enjoyed in spite of the afternoon heat. Almost as hot as Bangkok.

In the evening I ventured out again because there were so many people wandering around the downtown area where I live. It's just so convenient to concerts, entertainment, people watching, food. It was very crowded and I fell on the pavement. Senora, Senora, a man called to me and helped me up. A bruised knee ( my very arthritic one( and a bruised ankle were the result. I hobbled back to my place and tried to rest. Unfortunately, there was a party at the restaurant where I live and then the dog began to bark and bark and bark all night. I don't know how I made it through the night.

my move

I didn't go to Tequila to taste the liquor because I guess I partied too late with the school chums the night before and was sick all through the night. So I moved to my new apartment as my colleague and I rolled my suitcase through town to one of the main roads where the apartment is. The bed is huge (king( the brackets don't do what they are supposed to. I chatted with the father of the owner who is from Scotland and is visiting his son and the grandkids. That was fun!

Afterwards, I just walked along the street and lo and behold...there was a tequila shop. The shopkeeper was thrilled to be able to talk with me and explain the process. He even had an agave plant out back and a miniature distillation factory. After sampling a few tequilas in shot glasses, I was rather glad that I didn't go on the tour. It burns the throat all the way down. I know there are different types of tequila drinks because my friends who went on the tour explained that to me and I even viewed their photos.

I actually slept quite soundly on Saturday night.

Dancing and touring

It´s a bit boring all this sunshine and perfect weather and vibrant colors. no!!!

I moved to a new homestay which is a minute from the school, but the room is tiny and a bit noisy. So I´´m moving again to my huge new place near the main plaza of this gorgeous little town of Tlaquepaque. Please forgive all spelling and grammar mistakes. I am working against time and a different keyboard every day.

The other night we went dancing at the home of Jill´s future mother-in-law. She´s the lovely American woman who picked me up and runs a tourist business in conjunction with the school. Not only did she arrange for a teacher of salsa to come to that house, but also it ended up with my having to pair up with a young man from Holland, (who I might add was not a bad dancer, Michael...and didn´t step on my toes) What a workout!

Yesterday we did a group trip to Lake Chapala and Ajijic where I have been trying to get a place to rent so I could partake in retirees´ classes. There are tons of expats living there. However, it is very hard to get something for the month of February at any price.

So I´m staying here in Tlaquepaque and will do trips from here. There´s lots to see and do here. I´m checking out about volunteering in a school and doing art lessons as well as the Spanish classes.

Everyone is super friendly on the street. You can´t pass someone by without their saying hello and smiling.

My Spanish is definitely improving, but those darned conjugations.I really just want to say stuff and not worry about them. I have to do a review of a film for homework which I will do after I finish this post.

Saturday we are going to see a tequila factory with the school. They even give you samples apparently.

Hasta la manana

first day

I arrived in Guatalajara and was picked up at the airport as per my e-mail by a young lady who works for the school. Although she´s American, she kissed me hello. The homestay where I am currently is very reminiscent of Cuernavaca in that there are dogs howling and buses screeching. I share a bathroom with many. I'm probably changing places today.

Breakfast was amazing though, with freshly squeezed orange juice, pancakes and great company...a couple from California and a young man from holland.

We walked together to the school where I met many other Americans and a few Canadians all around my age. The class was not great, but the people were. We had a lot of laughs and tomorrow they are upping my level.

I just came back from a walk in the glorious sunshine of Tlaquepaque (suburb of Guadalajara) where I'm staying. It´'s truly delightful. There are people outside with lots of wares to sell, lots of art galleries, and restaurants. I sat down on a bench and took out my Spanish homework and a guy who wanted to practise English and actually spoke quite well. We didn´t finish the homework, but it wasn't all that challenging.

I´'m going back to my homestay for a midday meal and a swim.

Hasta luego

Getting prepared

I'm on my way for another adventure abroad. Going to Guadalajara and staying with a Mexican family to start off with. Taking Spanish lessons again. My previous Spanish has evaporated so I need to brush up. Weather's been freezing here. It's gorgeous down south. I'm excited about the next 5 weeks.