In Guadalajara

Yesterday was long. I set my alarm for 8:00am, but my clock was set PM instead of AM so setting my alarm did no good. I woke up around 8:30, checked out by 9, but didn't get out of Saltillo til about 10 because I got lost. I filled up my car for the first time in Mexico in a small town somewhere off of Highway 54. Pemex is the nationalized gas station in Mexico, and I was told to be cautious about being charged too much, but it went fine. I stopped outside of Villa de Cos to eat at a taco stand off the highway - see pictures. The day before I was waved through two military checkpoints, but yesterday I was stopped by some very unfriendly soldiers. Still, it took just a few minutes and they weren't intrusive. They just checked my belongings. I think having Leo in the backseat helped. The trip to Guadalajara took longer than I expected. Highway 54 is a "libre" highway, so no tolls, but it took longer since I was traveling through towns and villages and through the mountains. However, the drive was interesting, varied and pretty, and I am glad I didn't take the toll roads. I feel like I really got to see Mexico. Speed limits are crazy. It will go from 110 km/hr to 80 km/hr to 60 km/hr to 40 km/hr with no warning. And the TOPES.... (speedbumps)... are everywhere. On the highway, in towns, in every conceivable place you can put a speedbump. I am glad I'm driving the Explorer since it is tall and four wheel drive, otherwise, I might have lost a bumper or exhaust pipe yesterday. Now when I arrived in Guadlajara, I got very close to where I was supposed to be, but my directions failed to tell me which exit to take, so I ended up very far from the house at which I am staying and I had to be "retrieved" and brought to the house. I didn't get there til after 8pm. Driving in this city is nerve wracking and confusing. I hope I get the hang of it because I really want to explore Guadalajara.

Today I went to Wal-Mart (!!!) which if you know me you know I hate, but it is very close to the house I am staying at and Fernando's mother was doing me a favor by showing me around (and I've already been difficult, telling her I don't eat red meat and that I want 2% milk, whole grain bread, etc etc) so I didn't say "I don't like Wal-Mart" while I was at it. Again, I hope I get the hang of this, because I really want to make my own meals and I think I can afford to eat pretty much whatever I want. However, I've started simply. I bought turkey hot dogs, cereal and milk, and I'll catch dinner at a taco stand or something until I am acclimated to everything here. Now, I'm at a Starbucks because I knew it would have internet. The catch is, in Mexico, you actually have to buy something to use the internet (the code is on the receipt). I'm going to hold on to the code and use it as long as I can, then I'll probably move on to an internet cafe which would likely be much cheaper than buying a frappuccino mocha whatever.

The two women ran the taco stand and the gentleman was a customer. When I asked to take a photo, he grabbed his machete to show it off. It had an inscription on it, but I don't know what it said.


This is a typical taco (or in this case, gordita) stand off the highway. This is where I had lunch.