November 25, 2023 Adventuring in Guadalajara

November 25, 2023 Adventuring in Guadalajara

Saturday was busy. We started out at a restaurant named “Chai.” We were greeted by fellow patrons who encouraged us to join them in a morning delight of tequila and coffee. Here’s our fellow diners. They were later on joined by some other women.

We decided to go to the Artisan Market. We asked Google to get us there but Google left us on a corner of nothing. We wandered back and forth, here and there. We finally asked someone for directions. We were sent back and forth, here and there. We asked again. We were sent back and….. OK, OK. We never got to the Artisan Market. We think it must be next to the “pet cemetery” and Google was up to its tricks. We did find a flea market though.

Oops, no pics.

We decided to go to a neighborhood called Colonia Americana. Here’s a recap…

We went to a church with a beautiful garden, a stunning interior and a wedding in progress.

We went to a museum exhibiting posters related to old classical movies. Somewhat interesting. The really best part of this stop was the troop of Boy (and Girl) Scouts who were in town for some kind of scout thing.

We saw lots of wonderful murals…

In this next one, you can see Michele talking to the man planting irises.

Yes, Michele came upon this man who was planting tiny irises in the dirt around a tree. He engaged Michele in conversation and showed her a 1923 silver dollar. Really! I came up then and took a look. It was in fabulous shape. Solid silver. We don’t know where he got it but he suggested that we buy it for about 400 times its face value. Hmmm.

For lunch, we opted for a genuine Ramen restaurant with little tatami rooms for one’s dining pleasure. We opted for the table and chairs. The service was great with friendly young men and women bustling around. The food was excellent.

After lunch, on our way back to the hotel, we came upon a street juggler. This man put his step ladder under a street light when it turned red. He juggled for the people in the cars waiting at the light. At exactly the right moment, he got down from the ladder, moved it to the curb and quickly went from car to car to receive his “compensation.” When the light turned green, he rushed back to his step ladder to wait until the light turned red again…and he started his routine all over again. Everyone works.

When we were almost home, we came upon what we called “the library of men.” We called it this because there were only men inside. They were sitting at tables, drinking coffee and reading books. Michele asked if the cafe & library was only for men. One man, a native English speaker, said, “No, courageous women can come, too.” Michele went back twice after I left but it was a different group of men. She thinks it’s a men’s club. Maybe a secret men’s club. Hmmm

That evening, we were on our way to a movie, when lo and behold, one of the streets was blocked off with a stage and some chairs. Three musicians were playing French and Italian music. What a nice serendipitous surprise. So much for the movie.

On our way back to the hotel, we came across the same church that we’d been to earlier in the day. Although we had walked and walked and walked to the church in the morning, it turned out to be quite close to our hotel. We decided that, of course, it (the church) had moved. Or we could blame it on Google. The square in front of the church was quite busy with a small amusement ride and food stalls and people just being outside in the warm weather. There was even another wedding going on in the church.

This church at night was stunning…

One table was laden with the most delicious cakes and desserts. It was a work of art. I wanted a piece of “pastel de tres leches” but didn't get any.

Families were enjoying just being out and about.

This day turned out to be great.