Mexico Countryside

Day 7: Today, we drove from Morelia to Guadalajara through the countryside.

Grilled Corn

At a rest stop in the countryside, this man was selling grilled corn.

Strawberries

These luscious strawberries were also for sale at the rest stop. We were in farm country.

Farm Country

We passed many farms, especially of corn and blue agave, from which tequila is made from.

Houses Built by Government

We passed by a number of housing developments being built by the Mexican government. All the houses are the same with some little more than shells and others with amenities. Once bought, the owner can add to them and also paint them different colors. The mortgage payments are taken out of a worker’s paycheck.

Houses Built by Government

Close–up of one of the government housing developments.

Guadalajara

Coming into Guadalajara. Guadalajara is the capital of the Mexican state of Jalisco.

Lunchtime

We had lunch in Guadalajara at this fancy restaurant. Our tour director, Lilianna, lives in Guadalajara and we had a treat of having her husband join us for lunch.

Hotel de Morales

We next checked into our hotel, the beautiful Hotel de Morales. This evening, we had an optional informative lecture on Mexico by Liliana’s husband.

Guadalajara’s Historic Center

Day 8: This morning we had a walking tour of Guadalajara’s Historic Center, the center of which is the Plaza de Armas built in the 19th century.

Metropolitan Cathedral

The Metropolitan Cathedral borders the Plaza de Armas. It is the second oldest cathedral in Mexico, begun in 1561 and completed 50 years later.

Metropolitan Cathedral

Inside the Metropolitan Cathedral.

Government Palace

We visited the Government Palace which was built in 1774. It housed the Mexican parliament in the 19th century.

Orozco Murals

On both sides and in front of the staircase at the Government Palace are murals by the famous Mexican artist Jose Clemente Orozco. The main mural is of Miguel Hidalgo, the Roman Catholic priest whose Cry of Dolores led to the Mexican War of Independence against Spain.

Chamber of Deputies

The Chamber of Deputies in the Government Palace is where Miguel Hidalgo issued his decree to abolish slavery in Mexico in 1810.

Orozco Mural

Orozco mural in the Chamber of Deputies of Hidalgo signing the word “Libertad” (“Freedom”).

Government Palace

A view of the Government Palace from the top level with a view of the domes and spires of the Metropolitan Cathedral.

I have put my photos of the Guadalajara Historic Center on a slideshow. Go to http://www.peggysphotos.com/guadalajara–historic–center/ (Slide Shows, Central America, Mexico, Colonial Mexico Tour, “Guadalajara”).

Tlaquepaque

On the way to Talquepaque from Guadalajara.

Tlaquepaque

Tlaquepaque is a municipality outside Guadalajara with an arts, shopping, and restaurant street. There is also an area named Tlaquepaque in Sedona, Arizona. The one in Sedona was modeled after the one in Mexico, so, hence, the same name.

Tlaquepaque

One of the colorful buildings in Tlaquepaque.

“El Grito”

There are many sculptures along the street, with this very impressive one named “El Grito” (the “Cry of Dolores”), the battle cry of the Mexican War of Independence. Miguel Hidalgo is on the right front.

Tlaquepaque Street

The colorful shopping, restaurants, and galleries street.

Sergio Bustamane Sculpture

One of a number of sculptures along the street. This one is by Sergio Bustamane.

Souvenir Store

There are also a number of souvenir stores along the street.

Sidewalk Vendor

There are also many sidewalk vendors along the street, some of them selling indigenous handicrafts.

I have put my photos of Tlaquepaque on a slideshow. Go to http://www.peggysphotos.com/tlaquepaque/ (Slide Shows, Central America, Mexico, Colonial Mexico Tour, “Tlaquepaque”).

Farewell Dinner

Tonight, we had our farewell dinner at a restaurant with many Fernando Botero, a Colombian artist, paintings on its walls.

Day 9: Going home. Today, I flew direct from Guadalajara to Los Angeles, an easy flight. I really liked this Colonial Mexico tour. I would like to go back to some of the places that we visited and spend more time in them. I also enjoyed learning more about the history of Mexico, important since, in Southern California, Mexico is our closest neighbor.