TLAQUEPAQUE HERE WE COME...........

Ana was right, she's different from most Mexicans, she said she'd arrive at 10:00 a.m. at Casa 50 and sure enough she was ON TIME. Today's adventure was Tlaquepaque, a suburb of Guadalajara, where the shops are supposed to be out-of-this-world.

So after the introductions, Ana, Phil (her fiance from Philly, New York and apparently everywhere in between), Deborah and I set off in her Jeep to Tlaquepaque. It's about a 45 minute drive as this is really just a suburb of GUAD. It didn't seem like any time at all before we arrived, because we seemed to hit it off from the get go. Phil is the quintessential east coaster from New York, I loved his pony tail and his honest, no ******** attitude. Hopefully we can hook up with them if we ever make a return trip, they seem like a couple in love and it showed.

Shop after shop people could hear me say "WOW, this is amazing". Far from the typical Caribbean shops with store after store of the same **** - the variety of things for sale in these pedestrian only streets was incredible. While we certainly couldn't buy much on this trip, there were things that I could see in our new casa someday. From lights, to couches, to tables, the real issue would be deciding on the right piece as there were just so, so many incredible pieces available at reasonable, but yet close to the NOB pricings. We've been told that the next little community Tonala is where all this stuff comes from - but at prices even cheaper than Tlaquepaque (pronounced Te-la-ka-pok-eh) so this may be slated for our return trip whenever.

We stopped around noon for lunch at one of the local restaurants and were treated to a Tamarine Margaritas with the glass rimmed in chili pepper mix. Mine was gone in two seconds and I continued to eye Deborah's until she finished the last drop - amazing. Best margie so far this trip. Deb had a cheese fondue, cooked in the volcanic stone bowl and I had the beef fajitas and tortilla soup (this has been exceptional each and every time I order this down here).
The ride home was again enjoyable, particularly Phil's story about airline rage on a recent trip into GUAD, where he got met on board by the Federali's for questioning - what a guy. We had heard so many positive stories about this Ana Kabande, Everyone spoke so highly of her that she has to be considered the best concierge in the Chapala/Ajijic area and should never be overlooked for those visiting the area. She's even told me that she's bringing me some of the "best tamale's in Ajijic" on Thursday from one of the local stores.....because I just have to try them. What a girl !. Ana - Deb and I would like to wish you and Phil all the best on your upcoming wedding in October - We'll be thinking of you - Make sure you have the Banana's Foster and the beignets in New Orleans.

Deb's off tomorrow for a Girl's day/night out with the gang here in El Dorado and I may be limited to the pool table up at the clubhouse. Stay tuned, I'm sure more stories to come.

Bob