Tuesday, September 9, 2014

Beautiful Guadalajara

Leaving The Mayan Riviera wasn't easy, but our next stop  is definitely a must since is considered the heart of Mexican culture like Mariachi, tequila and charreadas.

Guadalajara is located in the western state of Jalisco and is the 2nd most populous city in Mexico after Mexico City.
What I like about this city is that is big and has all you need but it still remains that province sense that you can't feel in Mexico City anymore.

This time we could stay with my relatives in a beautiful neighborhood called Providencia.
I love this neighborhood, It is full of nice bars, cafes and restaurants.
Torta ahogada. A typical dish.

Chilaquiles, Typical Mexican desayuno.

First thing we did was trying different dishes that are typical of the region and Mexico as a whole.
When in Guadalajara, don't miss the chance to try the famous "tortas ahogadas", a sunken sandwich in spicy tomato sauce. Or if you want to have some authentic Mexican breakfast, you should definitely try "chilaquiles", pan fried corn chips with cheese and bean paste. totally finger licking!!

And what to do while in Guadalajara apart from eating?? The city is big and has lots to offer, but sadly most tourist come here and stay 1 or 2 days as an extra stop from the usual trips to the colonial towns of Mexico.
Sadly as well for us, we didn't have much time, so here is what we did in Guadalajara that is totally worth mentioning:

El Centro
El centro is how Mexicans call downtown in all Mexican cities. Guadalajara's centro is definitely its prime landmark.
Here you can find a majestic cathedral, a pedestrian park full of nice shops and restaurants and different monuments

Starting your walk from the front of the cathedral on the right you will have the roundabout monument to the intellectual elite of Jalisco.
Rotonda de los Ilustres.

Continuing behind the cathedral, you will find the City Theater and other monuments.
Also, when strolling around downtown, don't miss the chance to visit San Juan de Dios Market. It is an interesting place for tourists who want to experience some very Mexican market sense.
Here you can find almost everything you could imagine such as electronics, clothes, jewelry, hand made crafts, fruits, etc....
I took my friend there and got a big poncho for herself, she was looking for hammocks too, but she wasn't convinced by any of them.

Guadalajara City Theater

2-Andares Shopping Mall
If time allows, I would also recommend to go to Andares. It is an outdoors shopping mall located in a new development area called "Puerta de Hierro" (Spanish for Iron Gate).
You can find a wide range of restaurants and shops and can spend the evening walking around doing some window shopping.
 Andares Shopping Mall

Andares Shopping Mall

3-LIMONADA CON CHIA!!
Lastly, when you are in Mexico, you should look for "Michoacana". It is an ice cream shop,  but they also sell typical Mexican soft drinks like lemonade with chia seed.
Chia seed is a very healthy seed native of Mexico and when combined with lemonade it makes a very refreshing choice during those hot months of Mexican summer.
It is called Michoacana because the style of making the ice cream comes from the western state called Michoacan. You can find these shops all over Mexico.
Just go and ask for limonada con chia!!


 Happy with limonada con Chia.

Guadalajara's City Centre

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