LOCATION: Tlaquepaque, Mexico – a historic section of Guadalajara

WEATHER: Sunny and high 87

We had a two-hour flight from Seattle to Salt Lake City. The mountains look almost unreal outside the airport.

Then a 4-hour flight from Salt Lake City to Guadalajara. The airline was Aeromexico. We felt like we were in Mexico already, with flight attendants speaking Spanish, and tequila about our only drink selection!

Immigration and customs were easy-peezy….It only took about 5 minutes. We found the taxi stand, ATM, and off we went.

Tlaquepaque had been recommended to us by our homeowner here in Mexico as well as by another couple we had met who have a home in Lake Chapala. It is an historic section, with cobblestone streets, lots of cute shops, and traditional architecture.

We found a restaurant – Casa Luna – about a block from our hotel. It was very elegant.

It is touristy, but most of the tourists seem Mexican. I didn’t hear any English. We had marlin sopes – sopes are a kind of small taco. And, a molcajete (the traditional Mexican mortar and pestle) full of melted cheese and chorizo, served with tortillas. Mexico has changed since the last time we were here – George asked for a dark beer, and the waiter offered a craft beer made here in Guadalajara.

Our hotel is called the Hotel Rosa Morada – Pink Purple Hotel. It is very quaint.

Our room is very nice, with a canopy bed, beautiful bathroom, and courtyard. We will explore Tlaquepaque tomorrow, then head early to our housesitting assignment on Wednesday.