Guadalajara

Guadalajara, Mexico is quickly becoming my favorite trip (actually, I have a good idea that it has been my favorite for a while, but now I'm actually learning why). Another day in Guadalajara but this time Mom was able to join me! It's always so much more fun and enriching when someone is there with you.










Cityscape





























This is the main square of Tlaquepaque: Guadalajara's art/crafts/market area. The huge tent was set up by a group from north of the city selling hand-made jewelry and trinkets.


















Me and my mom!


















Lunch spread: Guacamole with chips, chicken with mole sauce, and a torta ahogada (sandwich smothered in a tomato sauce) for me!









Alleyway leading to the local art museum

























There was an entire walk-thru exhibition of pottery there. It showed the process of making different clays in different regions, and had pottery from all over Mexico exemplifying the different textures, techniques, and processes. It was really interesting to see how much hard labor goes into it (much more than a pottery class here...)










Pineapple!












This piece if from the Michoacan area. Every piece is individually created and attached onto the base. And it was about 3ft tall.

















Later in the day we headed to downtown Guadalajara for a local Friday-night dinner. In the center of the city is the beautiful Guadalajara Cathedral.

Mexico x2

My first longer layovers in Mexico in quite a while! Always a great time!

First a relaxing day in Mexico City.









Bench on Reforma Avenue











The Museum of Fine Arts had an art collection on display out front. Each piece was carved from a single piece of wood!














































Then a busy day in Guadalajara! The 2 pilots and another crewmember didn't do international trips very often so they were all up for exploring! We started the morning in Tonalá. It's a large market area but much more local than touristy! I was nervous that they wouldn't enjoy it (or just the extent of how authentic it is there!), but everyone had a great time! Yay!










Local chapel in Tonalá



















Statue for Day of the Dead, she was at least 9ft tall!





















And her boyfriend!





















Lunch!













We found a restaurant that served local flare where we all had a variation of Molcajete. It's basically just a light stew of chicken, beef, or shrimp complete with tomatoes, avocados, peppers, nopal (cactus fruit), and cheese! It's cooked in a molcajete bowl made from volcanic rock - it heats quickly in the oven and stays hot during the entire meal! Divine. The molcajete bowls are a lot like iron skillets or pizza stones: never washed with harsh soap and they absorb flavors each time they're used so it's just keeps getting better!
We then returned to the downtown area where the the other girl and I went around the metro-shopping area to stock up on coffee, agave syrup, tequila, and pharmacy items (cheaper in Mexico!). Then, an even BIGger treat for dinner!














The four us met back up and went to Santo Coyote. This place is definitely one of the coolest restaurants I've ever been to. It's sprawling. There's the main (huge) outdoor patio, some inside seating under a thatched roof, the bar, an upper balcony that circles the patio below, a garden area, and cave (?!?), a night club, and who knows what else! Not to mention the food is delicious with the most fantastic presentation! Unfortunately, it's too dark on the patio for good pictures.. There was a classic mariachi band wandering through the restaurant, guacamole and salsa made fresh and customized at your table!, and so much food we were uncomfortably full! :) What a treat.

Equatorial Ramblings

Quito, Ecuador!

A day in Quito: croissant breakfast at the local bakery, shopping around the markets, stand on the Equator, empanadas and yuca bread for lunch, hang out in the park, nap & fly (all night..) home!










local church






























Triumphal Arch










The Tower at La Mitad del Mundo
























Equatorial Line





















In 2 Hemispheres!















@Latitude 0-0'-0"