Back in GDL

Recent weather reports caused me to question an immediate return to Colorado, so instead I opted for a return bus trip to Guadalajara, along with Ella. Nevada had also wanted to visit GDL, so we decided to meet here and tour GDL for a few days. We met up with our Spanish teacher, Paulina, and our friend, Oscar, giving Nevada a chance to hang with the locals as we have done! Nevada left this morning to begin his journey back to the U.S. on his motorcycle, but Ella and I will stay here for a few more days.

One night, Nevada and I visited Bariachi, a local restaurant that offers traditional entertainment, like Jarabe Tapatio (traditional Mexican dance), and a mariachi band. Very fun!

Feliz Navidad

Feliz Navidad from Nuevo Vallarta!

Trent's brother, Nevada, rode his motorcycle down here from Denver and arrived last night. The kids opened their presents on the beach this morning, where a palapa was a perfect substitute for a Christmas tree!

Nuevo Vallarta

On Sunday, we took a four-hour bus trip from Guadalajara to Nuevo Vallarta, which is about 40 minutes north of Puerto Vallarta. The bus is definitely a convenient way to travel around Mexico, as it was very comfortable and allowed us to see the Mexican countryside along the way. I might add that they even fed us sandwiches on the bus, which is more food than I have gotten on any four-hour flight in recent memory!

We are staying at a resort here called Marival, and it is very nice. Our suite is quite large, with one big master bedroom, living room, kitchenette, and two bathrooms. This is certainly a better value than what we have experienced in the Riviera Maya, although I think I prefer that area to this one. Then again, maybe we won't appreciate any resort as much as we would have before experiencing Guadalajara like we did. It sure doesn't feel like it's December, and I'm thrilled to be spending Christmas on the beach!

GDL Sculpture

The city of Guadalajara is filled with art, particularly many sculptures, which are located throughout the city: in parks, roundabouts, plazas -- everywhere. Many times I was reminded of the big controversy in Loveland this year about "Triangle", as no one here is very concerned about how politically correct the art is. It is what it is, and people accept it. (For those of you who are not from Colorado, Triangle is a sculpture that was placed in a roundabout in Loveland, and there was an outcry by a few vocal individuals questioning the appropriateness of this piece of art. The sculpture depicts three nude figures — a man and a woman holding up another woman, and it is meant to symbolize unity and how we must stay together to survive in society. The sculpture was eventually moved to another, more discreet, location.) In the Plaza in downtown GDL, there is a sculpture of four nude boys, and I thought about how those same people in Loveland would likely call such a sculpture pornographic, even though it is far from that!
The sculpture of the tree with the two lions is the symbol for Guadalajara, and you see this depicted throughout the city.
A small sampling of other sculptures we've seen:

Nos Vemos Guadalajara

As I write this, we are preparing to leave to catch the bus to Puerto Vallarta, but we are not saying adios to Guadalajara, but rather nos vemos (see you). We have fallen in love with this city and its people and have every intention to return at our first opportunity. Keep checking in with us, though, because I have several entries on our adventures here in GDL yet to post.

Iztépete

On Sunday, we visited a site containing several ancient pyramids that very few visitors to Guadalara realize even exists, Iztépete. It lies near the city's periferico, so none of the archaeological sites near Guadalajara is more accessible than Iztépete. A pre-Columbian stone construction, ceramics found at Iztépete suggest that occupation here stretches back at least to the fifth century A.D., but it is unknown who built these pyramids.

Breakfast at the Mercado

On Sunday, our friend Oscar invited us to visit the market where he buys produce for his cafe. When I picture a produce market, I see just that: produce. And while there were fruit and vegetable stands as far as the eye could see, there were also little mini-restaurants throughout the mercado. We have gotten very brave about eating at random places here in GDL, so we ate breakfast here, and it was fantastic. I realize that people hear about the food and water not being safe here in Mexico, but everyone uses purified water (the Mexicans don't drink tap water, either), and we haven't had any problems with the food. I think about how much great food we would have missed out on during our time here if we had allowed ourselves to be afraid of eating at all the little taco stands and such. My advice to anyone traveling in Mexico is to throw caution to the wind and enjoy it in its entirety -- within reason of course: if the mere sight of a place grosses you out, then don't eat there, but we haven't had that experience anywhere. My favorite thing that morning had to be the juice stand, where you could order any kind of fresh-squeezed juice you can imagine. They squeezed the juice right there in front of you: it was so fresh it wasn't even cold! And the price couldn't be beat -- a huge cup for 10 pesos (about $1).