iloveBrooklyn

Lupe and I have arrived safely in Guadalajara Wednesday afternoon, after a most enjoyable 4 days in New Braunfels, Texas. We have consumed much brisket (especially at one roadside stop that the proprietor insisted on calling "Knucklehead’s"), and many tacos. Lupe’s brother, Pat, and his family have been here for about four months. By my judgement, the area is a spectacular alternative to southern California living. The town originally founded by Germans, has many, seemingly well-funded public services (e.g. park, library, etc.), boasts a cute resort village by the name of Gruene (frustratingly pronounced "Green" by the locals), is extremely well maintained, and even has its own nearby Schluitterbahn waterpark. What a pleasure it was spending time with Lupe’s niece and nephew touring the U.S.S. Lexington in Corpus Christi and picking them up at their new school, as well as time well spent with their mom and dad.

Here in Guadalajara, we are shacking up with realtives just outside the city. We got off to a slow start the day we arrived, as is usually our custom, but yesterday was a turning point when we discovered some of the many famous plazas that bedeck the center of the city. Much of the architecture here is of the colonial sort, creating a romantic mood for the many couples strolling or sitting together on benches. Thankfully, one square was playing host to a symphony in a gazebo located in front of the Presidential Palace.

Tonight, we will be joining realtives for a night on the town listening to Guadalajara’s most famous product, the mariachi, and of course, mas comidas (Food!!!), but not before we head out to the country to vist an uncle who has a farm that is complete with pigs, sheep, horses (yes, I will insist on getting on one), cows, etc.

By the way, I will be following up with other messages in the comments section of this post, so as not to pollute the front page. Until then…

-Derek and Lupe