Madcap in Guadalajara

'm not particularly fond of driving in Guadalajara by myself; it's far away and busy, busy, busy. But this morning I needed computer parts from MiPC, so off I went. Arrived 11:15 to find a sign on the gates saying, in Spanish of course: "Closed for Inventory until 11:40 hoy (today). But by Noon they were still closed. Frustrating. Customers waiting back home for RAM and wireless cards. So I pondered: turn around and go home (although that is not easy, because I was on a HUGE one-way boulevard, and needed to consult the map to figure out maybe how to get back), or go on to the Galerias Mall where I could exchange my headphones for a better pair. No problemo: old pair were already in the car, so off I went. Even got parking for free!
But on the way back, the highway to Chapala was blocked off, and I had to follow a snaking detour (against the traffic on Lazaro Cardenas - see map), along with thousands and thousands of other drivers, along major highways to get back to the right highway. Took an extra 3/4 hour. Ah, well: Mexico. No damage done. Had plenty of time to think on the way: "Why don't I stop in at that new burrito place and try them out for lunch?" Which I did. Then after: "Why don't I stop at that birria place and get dinner for everyone?" Which I did! I will see if I can dig up pics from last year: birria is a soupy stew, usually made with chivo, or goat's meat. And it is Yummy. Steve, you would love it. I stood amidst the goat's head soup (Mick Jagger wasn't kidding with that album title), watching the cooks chop bones and meat and legs and meat, and pour gallons of salsa and liquids and hotsauce and beans with melted cheese, and left with an absolutely HUGE (there's that word again) bag of food.

And that was the last incident on the way home... except to note that with the holidays here, the highways and our small towns are bursting at the seams with tourists. Ah, well: Mexico.

Johanna Visits; Flat Tire Results

Johanna came to take care of the dogs while we were at Blue Bay Beach. She is the gal from Cape Cod who sold Chris the house here in Mejico. The dogs reaaaaaaaaaaaally liked her.

On a completely unrelated note, here are the Flat Tire Results: Today, Mom called me from Soriana in Chapala on a pay phone. Seems her tire, already flattening, had blown completely. So I dropped my cupasoup and flew out the door. Fortunately she had rolled to a stop very near to a Firestone dealer, who put in a new tire in 10 minutes flat. Now where in Canada can ya get service like that, I ask? I ask again... ?

Christmas at Cecilia's

Not bad for a Mexican Christmas, eh? Eh?!