March 19, 2009

Up before 5 am, as I know that the days in Tlaquepaque are winding down. Quiet at that hour. Buses do not run often, dogs are still asleep, no music in the air, just a peaceful silence. My jardin is cool and I need to wear a shirt over my pajamas. The sky overhead is still black with a sprinkling of stars. The air in Tlaquepaque is clear and clean. I go back inside to read until six when the church bells ring in the hour and the chirping of birds welcomes in the new day.

During our first class, Monica suggested that we go for a walk through the Jardin and along Independencia. There were many white tents and a stage set up in the Jardin. Posters informed us that there was an ecological event about protecting the water in Tlaquepaque.

As we walked along Independencia we heard and saw a parade of youngsters...starting with the first graders through eighth marching and chanting "Cuido Agua"..... (take care of water). The smallest of the children were in the costumes of critters of nature.......bees, animals, butterflies, etc. I stood at the side and took photos. One little tot ran over to me and gave me a picture that he had drawn of a boy holding two pots of water. Now, that is a picture that I will save as a momento of this trip. Their march ended at the Jardin where the children took part in a puppet show educating them about the conservation and protection of water.

Ellie had suggested that we stop to see Antigua Galleria. This is a mansion built in 1850 by a rich Guadalajara family as their weekend home. The front rooms today act as a show room for fine furniture and accessories. We were able to walk through these rooms to the interior courtyard and jardin. The gardens are large and the property and house spread out to the next block. We stood and admired the beauty of the garden and residence.

Monica led us through the public market stopping to explain how different fruits and vegetables were prepared.

Straight home at 2:00. Lunch and computer.

I actually fell asleep after lunch while trying to read. It was either that I was trying out a Mexican siesta.....or the fact that I was up before 5 am.

Mis Amigas - Kate, Karin, Connie, Barbara and Malia arrived around 7 pm. With Jo, we sat on the patio overlooking my garden for a while before walking to el Nahual for dinner. They were full of news of the places that they visited during the past week. They covered over 700 miles in their rented car visiting cities and villages and the sea side. Their experiences were all positive. They never paid more than =$12 per night per person for lodging. They raved about some of the hostels. I would love to travel with these gals as they seek budget accommodations and places to eat. They follow one of my favorite phrases of wisdom: 'The Difference between Adventure and Adversity is Attitude."

They fly back to the states tomorrow. Perhaps we will get together in August, at Barbara's house.