After a stressful night of trying to book flights and accommodation in Mexico we finally had everything planned and booked. We took the trolley from San Diego down to the border to Mexico. We then walked accross the border (way too easilly!) almost missing the point where we needed our passports stamped. Ended up at the busses and taxis so had to go back to get it. Its amazing how you can go to the other side of a fence and everything be so different. Everyone was trying to get us in a taxi and trying to sell us things. We immediately got a taxi to Tijuana airport as everyone has said not to bother stopping in Tijuana. We flew from Tijuana to Guadalajara, taking around 5 hours. We then got a taxi at the airport straight to our accomodation, Hostal D´Maria. It was a very nice place. So much nicer than many hostels in other countries where they charge so much more. The man behind the reception didn´t speak any english but we got by with our basic spanish and lots of pointing and gesturing.

We got up the next morning ready to see some of Mexico. We walked into the city centre through the Plaza Tapatia, Plaza de la Liberacion and Plaza de Laureles. It was very pretty. There was lots of impressive fountains, sculptures and modern art. Some of the buildings were very old and the architecture was spectacular. The Instituto Cultural de Cabanas in particular was very nice. We decided to take a tour on the tram to see all the local sights. We got to see lots of nice buildings and was a good way to explore Guadalajara. After lunch we took a look in the cathedral. The cathedral is said to be an important part of Guadaljara. Apparently inside is the blood and hair of somebody important. We couldn´t get close to it because of all the crowds. I wasn´t disapointed.

That evening we went out to sample our first real Mexcian food from Mexico. We found a nice little restaurant where all the waiters wore white coats. We literally had to translate the whole of the menu with the help of our trusty guidebook. My fajitas did not leave me dissapointed.

The following day we took it easy. Took a saunter into the centre for some lunch. It was Sunday and the centre was buzzing. It really is such a vibrant place. There was lots of live music everywhere and lots of entertainment. It was a great atmosphere. Later in the day we met up with one of Lauren´s Singapore exchange friends, Maria. She had her friend Louis with her and they drove us out to a place outside the city centre. It was also buzzing with activity. We saw a nice big church then went for some margheritas. For dinner they took us to a nearby neighbourhood which had an amazing taco stall. The tacos were amazing! So good we had to go back for more. Next door was an icecream parlour. The icecream in Mexcio is different from our icecream, its a lot icier. I tried the Majeto flavour which is a type of Mexican caramel. It was really nice. Rhona got some of the tequila icecream which we all tried. It was pretty good too. It was lucky that we had people to show us around otherwise we would never have found those places. Importantly still - now we know how to order our tacos properly!