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I want to share with everyone the special place we went to a couple of days ago. All thats posted about Mexico in the US papers gives the wrong impression about Mexico - this is what Mexico is really about -
Linda did not have to stay and give us a tour - the people did not have to build this. I am not religious but this moved me.
Hope you enjoy.

Carol,
I was catching up on your blog when I got your email and wow - how great that you found the way there. And wouldn't it be neat if you two could contribute in some way - even if you helped with one of the stained glass windows. Something to think about, eh?

What a nice experience you had! I attending a meeting and conference in Guadalajara 13 years ago and had a wonderful time. Have you been there or to Tlaquepaque? It is a very pleasant area where artists live and work. I bought three beautiful brief cases (the type that open on the top, not hard-sided) for myself and my sons--mine will last me the rest of my lifetime and is so soft and supple. I felt very safe there walking the residential area looking for one particular artists shop, although my friends at home still think I was nuts.

I found the Mexican people out of the tourist areas very courteous and helpful. Maybe someday I will be able to go back to this city that invented Mariache. Great opera and dance in this city, also.

JudyJB

Oh Carol, I'm way behind on your blog too, but that one was great. I love your pictures and the way you tell the story. Thanks for taking the time from your adventures to share them with us.

Beautiful Carol, so awe inspring. I added this to my favorites and am going to figure out how to get it to my pastor as I know he would love to see this. Thanks for posting.

Always enjoy your blog, wonderful pcitures and narrative. Thanks!

Judy - yes every year we spend some time in and around Guadalajara after we leave Mazatlan. Here is last years post http://www.movingon1.com/deltajorv.php
Really like the area - especially the huge central market. Each area of Mexico has it's own special charm.

Thank you Carol for showing and telling the other side of Mexico and all it's beautiful buildings. The people sound so caring and friendly I'm glad you are writing about that, it's good to hear positive, I think our news gets so twisted we are never sure what to believe. The church is beautiful and what a magnificent dream to see being fulfilled.

Judy, it's sad the stories and news that make people think Mexico isn't safe to travel. It is. Just like our big cities, there are areas to avoid - mainly near the border. Some border towns are better to cross at than others, and then you just drive till you get past that area. At least in MX, we know what and where to avoid - most of us have no idea the bad areas of towns we don't live in.

You are right, Beth. Carol, part of my visit 13 years ago was to Lake Chapala where we stayed at the Lake Chapala Hotel for the weekend. It was a joint conference with the AUtonomous Univerity of Guadalaja, and there were about 35 Americans in our group. We were all a little nervous about staying there, and I had a first floor room with a flimsy screen covering the door to the patio.

We were pretty scared when we heard what we thought were gunshots. Turned out it was the Bam, bam, you mentioned. Turns out they set off fireworks every night to scare the blackbirds from out of the trees and fields. I was born and grew up in Detroit, and many people would not drive through the city, either, but I don't hesitate at all.

If you ever end up in Tlaquepaque, make sure you don't miss the Restaurant With No Name--Restaurante sin Nombre, I think. Food is excellent--no menu, but a very pleasant courtyard. Entertainment is provided by the peacock, peahen, and chicks. (They let them eat off the uncleared tables, or at least the peahen stole food when she could and fed it to her baby.) Also, tiny bantum hen and brood of incredibly tiny chicks wandered around our feet.

Detroit Institute of Arts has a famous room-size painting of the automobile industry by Diego Rivera, by the way. Lots of similar art in Guadalajara. i ended up spending 7 days there that trip, part of the time in Lake Chapala and part in Guadalajara. Wonderful trip and fond memories.

JudyJB

When I was in Puerto Vallarta I went on a tour. We stopped at a church in a very poor part of town. There was a huge crucifix almost like the one you saw. They told us it was made out of one piece of wood. It was quite incredible. I walked all over town by myself and never had a bad experience. I was told by one of the shop keepers to avoid town when the cruise ships were in as it was always too crowded. But I did come into town just to see all the excitement. It was fun.

Carol,

Every year you find something new and different to share with us....I so enjoy every minute of it.....thanks for sharing....

We visited with the Priest the other night and The Driver is all hepped up about working on the stained glass windows. Even has drawn up patterns for them.....says we would have to live here a couple of years to finish them........What do you mean "we" Kimosabe?
Says we could bring the big motorhome home down here and live in it while working - Working? Job? Any way - the Priest is a wonderful man and has many more ideas for the church. He is getting no money from the government to build it. He said the Cathedrals get matched peso for peso of donations by the government and any church in a "tourist zone" also gets money but his church is not in a "tourist zone" it is in a poor neighborhood so he gets no money. What a shame.

asirimarco wrote:We visited with the Priest the other night and The Driver is all hepped up about working on the stained glass windows. Even has drawn up patterns for them.....says we would have to live here a couple of years to finish them........What do you mean "we" Kimosabe?
Says we could bring the big motorhome home down here and live in it while working - Working? Job? Any way - the Priest is a wonderful man and has many more ideas for the church. He is getting no money from the government to build it. He said the Cathedrals get matched peso for peso of donations by the government and any church in a "tourist zone" also gets money but his church is not in a "tourist zone" it is in a poor neighborhood so he gets no money. What a shame.

I'm sitting here chuckling over the "What do you mean "we" Kimosabe?" You could have your warm winters and HOT summers