ADVENTURES OF A RETIRED NOMAD: 25 - 12 Guadalajara & Christmas in Oaxaca

I start my first morning off with breakfast at the hotel buffet. Most of the morning was spent walking around the Plaza Armes, Cathedral and the center of Guadalajara.

Subway I think. Went down to find ticket kiosk but didn't buy ticket to enter and contiue down. NO route maps or direction signs, but do not think it goes far.

What are you doing with that candle? Oh Lord.

DO YOU HEAR WHAT I HEAR?

Play again Sam...er Samantha

Husband and Wife..Mom and Pop business.

The hotel France that I'm living in is close to 375 years old. I noticed when I arrived that the air conditioners in open areas had tubes running out of them into 5 gallon buckets to hold the drainage. I assume that's because they were installed long after the plumbing. The open floorboards seem to be eaten by termites or mold has rotted them out

in different parts of the hotel.

Hotel, France is a national monument. Having been designated so by the governor the state of Jalisco. It was remodeled by the 4 owner-brothers back in 1981 and shortly thereafter, there was a movie filmed here in 1983. Charles Bronson was The Star, and the name of the movie was The Evil that Men Do.

In the early days, all the trade routes led to Mexico City

and the vital route from the Northwest passed through Guadalajara. Middlemen of Mexico City sought to get the best choice of these goods at reduced prices by meeting their suppliers before they reach the primary market at Mexico City.

No 2 rooms or suites are alike at Hotel Frances and are especially charming. Not so much now.

Old elevator now out of service.

Charles Bronson with entourage.

Older but classier elevator from days gone by. Neither are in service, but this one will be soon.

Nice chandelier.

The hot tub must have been added in 1981. When they remodeled. The room is large and pretty dark with lighting at real low wattage, to save electricity. The light in the lobby comes from the glass ceiling. 3 stories up.

I went out for dinner last night at Sandy's restaurant and had a wonderful tuna steak and salad. Then, I walked around the open area and took pictures of the Christmas decorations at night. Including ice skaters on a skating rink.

Back to Sandy's for Eggs Benidict breakfast then on to nearby Art Gallery. Hospicio Cabanas..

Governor's Palace after a riot?

Artist has obsession with antennas and parts of them.

Do you remember when napalm was popular. Shame USA 60 years ago and still of interest. A reminder, as if we need one.

My new hearing aides

Happy Hour on rooftop

Today a walk around the area and Museum .

Walk in, left or right. Similar choices?

Lots of Wedding Shops

Terrible Thai....all food so far, is Salty, Sugary, Burnt, or Undercooked.

Dominos...Rabbit-Mouse Checkers and Chess with stones

EGG METER

President Porfirio Diaz's carriage.

Dinner of Chicken Cordon Azur over looking the Plaza...a Zocalo is a Plaza with a Fountain.

Overcooked and Dry

I took a tour bus today of the city of Guadalajara. The capital of Jalisco. It proved very interesting when we got to the modern part of the city. The homes were like something you see in Beverly Hills! Nice restaurants and enormous, beautiful Spanish-style mansions. The tour narration was done over speakers by a recording all in Spanish.

I took out my Google translator and I could listen to it on my hearing AIDS from my phone. It worked fantastic.

I'll take more tours now.

Sandy's for lunch.

Not many or very good, photos of tour.

Breakfast at cafe San Pedro this morning, avocado toast with eggs pretty good. I walked to the macro bus station where I took the bus to the zoo.

There was the express bus, and when we got toward the end, I wasn't sure where to get off, but a woman told me the one after the zoo. Then, you have to turn around and get back on the bus, going back to the zoo exit, which we just passed.

I got on the express bus by mistake and ended up going all the way back to where I started. Fortunately, I didn't have to pay. I just turned around and got back on the express bus that took me back to the station that I just left.

Then, I asked somebody which bus I get on that exits at the zoo. And they told me and I took that bus and got off at the zoo.

I spent the day walking around the zoo and bought a pass. So I could get on the train and take a little panoramic tour of the zoo, if I got tired. I did the train and after that, I couldn't walk anymore.

It was hot and I had overdressed, so I went back to the buses and took the express all the way back to the beginning where I got on. I walked back to the hotel and got out of some of my clothes and return to cafe San. Pedro to have lunch. I had the chicken enchiladas, and they were very good.

Sunday morning and I'm off to cafe San Pedro for breakfast?

I take a bus at 11:30 to Lake Chapala to see what the gringos are doing. Weather is same as Oaxaca in Guadalajara but pollution is 4.5 times the recommended level. Oaxaca's is .9 times the level. Population is 1.5 mil aprox...8th largest city. 3rd largest Metropoliton at 5.6 mil aprox. Oaxaca is 250,000 aprox.

We left at 11:45. 1st stop at 1:00, was the estate of a deceased Tequila Baron.

He died 3 yrs ago. They stuffed or made a Wax statue in a glass box so you can have your photo taken with him at his gravesite.

Our wonderful guide, Silvia.

Also pics at his western wear clothing and Tequila store where his estate continues to make millions.

1:40 we arrived at Ajijic, a gringo town on Lake Chapala.

Upscale classy Ajijic residents on Sunday stroll.

Lake view, no boats and can not see opposite shore.

Santa sneaking out for a wee nip, maybe.

Old timers dancing to the park DJ. Man to left on his toes.

Want a lap dance young man. In my day...

On to Chapala, a few miles down the shoreline

Saw this 'Grand Hotel' with small entrance that no person was going in or coming out. Chapala inspired me to seek a 'dive' bar for beer, pickled pig's feet, and local chat.

It was a hotel converted into City Hall. Pics are above.

Skate park

First and oldest restaurant in Chapala

Few "sit at the bar" places in Mexico. They attract groups that sit at tables to eat or drink and dance to loud music. Few singles that might like to sit at a bar, like me. Chapala reminded me of Oceanside California on a Lake.

We left at 5pm and I got off at 7pm and had a pizza at Cafe San Pedro.

And a great Monday breakfast.

I walked around a bit that afternoon and evening and stopped at the rooftop of the hotel for a glass of wine to take to my room, after I had a nice salmon dinner at the art cafe next door to the hotel.

A little time Travel in the old elevator that was now working and saved me climbing 3 flights of stairs.

This morning, I had another breakfast at the cafe San Pedro the same as yesterday.

Yes, those are police cars with a policeman in one, no room for two.

There's the lady kaliopy player who comes out every morning, around 10 AM sets up her kaliope, and turns the music with her right arm round and round and round for 6 hours. Today she appeared a little bit differently. Can you tell? I never see anyone donate money.

I can not find a nice coffee Cafe but when in Oaxaca there are so many. No sidewalk Cafes either. Not many of those in Oaxaca but more than here. Both cities have the year round climate for it? No neighborhood bars. A few Cantinas. Lots of overweight people eating Ice Cream and drinking sodas.

Christmas Eve Dinner...Bagel with Salmon

Homeless person combing his hair in Reflection while I eat.

Spent Christmas Eve passing out money to the blind, homeless, disabled,and poor. Had a McDonald's Quarter Pounder and a glass of Wine while chatting up with Damian as she was closing down and going to meet her partner and visit her family. She treated me to one of her delicious homemade Brownies. She was the highlight of my stay at Hotel Frances.

Christmas I was up at 5:45 with my Screaming Meanie, my Phone alarm and a call from the front desk. In the awaiting taxi at 6:15 and at Guadalajara airport gate 37 by 6:57 waiting for my 9:02 flight to Oaxaca with nothing open yet for coffee or snack and 2 hours to kill.

Off on time and home again. Eric left after his wallet was lost while shopping at the Tlacolula Mercado Sunday. I took inventory for shopping then left for my Christmas Dinner next door at LHEA Bistro.

Mona and Fred visiting from San Francisco

Nice Purslane Salad, Seafood Tostadas, and Nice dessert, all accompanied by a nice Cabernet Mexican Wine from the Baja.

Day after...my sorely needed massage. Eliz's son made a Yule Log I took home for dessert. I tried to stock in some Tamales but after waiting in line on the street for about 15 minutes...the Queen of Tamales told be to return tomorrow...sold out. I had dinner at EDO. Seafood Yakatori and Fried Shrimp with Rice.

Saturday I returned to LHEA as most places were packed. I had Roast Pork wrapped in Bacon on Mashed Potatoes with a Salad then returned home to finish this blog. I will send it out now before New Years. Oaxaca is packed with tourist like I've never seen it. My friend Lynn arrived from Oregon and we ran into each other while I was shopping this morning. I'm looking forward to seeing other winter visitors I know. Have a Great New Year!