|
Visiting Tlaquepaque, Jalisco, Mexico
March 1, 2009
One of the most interesting small towns within a city you can visit in Mexico
is Tlaquepaque. Shopping, eating, and walking around are some of the
typical activities. The town is less than 30 min. drive from downtown
Guadalajara and it is worth the sdetrip. It has two shopping
streets that run parallel and are actually pretty good, although not
cheap at all: Morelos and Juarez. You will see all kinds of nice stuff
there. If you have a chance, take a look at the glass blowers.
For a taste of Mexico stop at El Parian for a tequila. Make sure it is
100% agave and don't you dare drink it all at once; sip it. A chaser of
sangrita - a spicy tomato and orange juice - is also customary. If you
are not fond of the amber liquor, beer is excellent. Negra Modelo,
Bohemia, or Indio are some of my favorite. "Estrella" is the local beer
which I personally can't distinguish from Corona. ¡Salud! For the
kids or the non-drinking adults try horchata - an extremely sweet rice
beverage, or jamaica - lighter and a bit sour soft drink. Munch on some
quesadillas, caldo de camarón (shrimp broth), esquites (corn
off-the cob), a torta ahogada, charales (mini fried fish) or the like.
While you're sipping, look at your surroundings: the family walking
down the street with a couple of grocery bags from the "mercado", the
kid wearing a soccer jersey (Chivas, of course since Atlas is for the
well-to-do) selling all sorts of candies, the mariachi musicians
(you'll be hard pressed not to see them), the old man shoe-shinning,
the "globero" (a guy selling helium filled balloons), "algodonero" (a
man selling cotton candy), El "dulcero" selling "alegrias" (amaranth
candy), and so on. That will give you a closer experience of the town.
But you'll have to look for it.
Accross the street from El Parian you'll find El Mercado Juarez. A
typical Mexican market where you'll can buy all sorts of things,
including inexpensive handcrafts. As you probably know, Mexican markets
are quite an experience and Mercado Juarez is no exception.
 For
dinner, actually a late lunch in Mexico (3-4PM) I like El Abajeno
(Juarez 231 Phone: 36-35-90-15). It is quite good not too expensive
(not cheap either) and offers a good variety of dishes. You may find
Mariachis there too. After all, Jalisco is the birthplace of the genre.
I don't think I've experienced life after 9PM in Tlaquepaque and I'm
not even sure it exists. Go back to Guadalajara for a night cap
may be worth your while. Enjoy and have an "Herradura Antiguo" -
perhaps one of the best tequilas ever made - on my behalf.
|
|
