Danielle's Mexican Adventure: September 2005

GUADALAJARA

The bus ride to Guadalajara was beautiful. There were mountains, crops, tequila plant fields, little towns, and almost a million possible accidents that we somehow avoided. The value of a bus horn has risen!

The picture is a bit fuzzy, but these are the plants used to make the Tequila in Mexico. They grow in fields along the hills.

The hills outside of Guadalajara.

Driving through the Volcano

We drove through a volcano as we headed toward Guadalajara. You can see the rock piles left over on the sides of the roads.

...more rocks from the volcano.

We stayed in a Mexican hotel in Guadalajara with all the Mexican architecture and decor. It felt like something out of a movie.

Me outside our hotel room.

A view of the fountain below.

Kim and I before heading out to a Mexican pub for an evening of live Banda music.

Saturday morning. Here I am with my lovely doctor who made a special house call for me. Getting a virus from the food here is no fun. This is my best attempt at a smile! P.S needles hurt!

TONALA

Here are Kim and Andrea in one of the tiendas in Tonala. It is a little area in Guadalajara where all the vendors from the beaches come to buy what they sell for really cheap. There is everything here from amazing handmade furniture to mexican toys, to..well...you name it! It is my favorite place in Mexico yet. A worthwhile visit for anyone who wants to see the real Mexico.

Here is another typical tienda we saw in Tonala. The street was so long it would take an entire day to cover everything that there was to see. Here are a few examples of tiendas that we peaked into.

....a cute pottery store. (This one screamed your name Kathy!!!)

....and more...

More...

If Kim looks scared, it's because she is! They have these security guards outside of most of the stores...I'm pretty sure their aren't too many shop lifters in Mexico!

Pictures of the city of Guadalajara from the bus.

Mexican me! Ready to celebrate Mexican Independence day on Sept.16th. It was a day filled with costumes, poems, dances, plays, tacos, tacos and then oh...more tacos! Even the teachers bought sombreros and wore the mexican colors. I had no idea what was in store. It turned out to be an amazing day! Enjoy the following pictures of my adorable students.

Ready for the big day! All dressed up...and to school they go!

For those who know the story....the one with the hat on is my little Preston this year! Gotta love 'em.

Awwwwe...need I say more! These are my lil guys!

Here is my class all dressed up in their Mexican outfits ready to celebrate Mexican Independence day. The Mexicans really go all the way with this celebration. I guess it would be like our July 1st. A truly amazing experience!

Hard at work before heading down to the Independence Day ceremonies.

Here is my grade 1's from the afternoon class as they recite their spanish Independence day poem. They were so adorable. I couldn't believe how well they did!

My grade 1 class from the morning. So cute!

Group dances that were part of the Independence Day festivities. Really neat to watch. All of the children wore cute little cultural outfits! I loved every minute of it!