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Uncle Jack

Jun 11, 2003, 3:46 PM

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Wednesday Tianguis

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Every Wednesday in Ajijic they hold a street market.....it's called the Tianguis (tee an geese). The local merchants use a street that runs parallel to the sports stadium ( not quite comparable to the BOB in Phoenix or Dodger Stadium, but the locals kinda like it.) They start setting up about 8:00 and by 9:00 the shoppers start to arrive.

The Tianguis is more than just a farmers market; it's a way of life and an important weekly social event. People greet each other and stop to talk for a while and catch up on the weeks happenings. There are many booths and tents where food is served and most everyone seems to be eating something. If you haven't had breakfast, the aromas will do you in.

You can buy a lot of different STUFF.......chicken, beef, fresh fish, crabs, shrimp, eggs, more produce than you can imagine, flowers, baskets, pirated CDs, kitchen utensils, bread and sweet rolls, fabric, yarn and finished clothing. Patty bought a cotton print dress for 65 pesos (that's about $6.20 at today's exchange rate) and an embroidered cotton shirt for about $11.00. We also left with onions. peppers, asparagus, cheese, yogart, crema, cilantro, avacados, chiles, and garlic.

On the way home, we stopped at our favorite booze shop and bought some Polish vodka for about $5.00 a bottle........I picked up a new tequila that is a 100% agave Reposado for $12.00 a bottle.........and then we went home, had lunch, and hit the pool.

So much for Wednesday.

uj

(This post was edited by Uncle Jack on Jun 11, 2003, 4:31 PM)

zapata Bob

Jun 11, 2003, 9:49 PM

Post #2 of 27 (2491 views)

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Re: [Uncle Jack] Wednesday Tianguis

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Nothing wrong with that Jack, I'd call that the "good life"!

Frank Burton

Jun 13, 2003, 12:13 AM

Post #3 of 27 (2446 views)

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Re: [Uncle Jack] Wednesday Tianguis; Monday in Chapala

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Thank you, Uncle Jack.

Yes, the Wednesday tianguis in Ajijic is great, and after all, Ajijic is the center for most gringo activity. And . . . the Monday tianguis in Chapala has consistently better prices for fresh produce, especially if one can use 2 kilos or more of any one item. The most recent comparison I've made is 8 pesos per kilo for the large mangos in Ajijic a week ago versus 2 kilos for 5 pesos or 4 kilos for 10 pesos for the same variety and approximately the same quality mangos in several booths in Chapala this past Monday.

People-watching is wonderful at both, with more possibilities for cameraderie in Ajijic for those of us who speak little Spanish. While I haven't measured it, the Chapala tianguis seems noticably larger to me, stretching 5 or 6 blocks. A few vendors go to both tianguis, but most vendors are different. Different strokes for different folks?

Georgia

Jun 13, 2003, 7:53 AM

Post #4 of 27 (2432 views)

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Re: [Uncle Jack] The Mother of all Tianguis

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After you get your feet wet with directions and driving around, you have to try the tianguis in Tonala: awesome! They are on Thursday and Sunday. If you arrive early there are parking lots well located along the main drag. They fill up pretty fast, so we usually go early, park, have breakfast and then wander all day -- you'll never see it all in one day.

dleach

Jun 13, 2003, 10:58 AM

Post #5 of 27 (2418 views)

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Re: [Uncle Jack] Wednesday Tianguis

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Uncle Jack,

Let us know what type and how the tequila is.
I just tried a new inexpensive ($19.99) reposado here in Texas called "Ultimo Agave". It's also 100% agave. It's made in Amititan, and is very good.

Salud,
David

Frank Burton

Jun 14, 2003, 8:19 AM

Post #6 of 27 (2367 views)

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Re: [Georgia] The Mother of all Tianguis

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Right, Georgia, about the tianguis in Tonala, at least for arts and crafts and what somebody (UJ?) called STUFF. Ain't never seen anything like it, anywhere. And we've been there five or six times for several hours on Thursdays and Sundays, and haven't seen anywhere near all of it.

What do you think about the 40-block-long flea market in Guad on Sundays?

Jean

Jun 14, 2003, 12:43 PM

Post #7 of 27 (2344 views)

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Directions To Tonala ?

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Could someone help me with directions to Tonala.

I can get to the Periferico, but after that I am lost. I do have a Guad map. Been here three years but have never been able to find Tonala. I always get lost.

Thanks.
Retirement Communities
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johanson

Jun 14, 2003, 2:43 PM

Post #8 of 27 (2329 views)

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Re: [Tuatha_de_Danann] Directions To Tonala ?

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I didn't think anyone else was as bad as me. I am ashamed to admit, many has been the time, when I needed to bring a map with me to "the table of knowledge" to ask some of the regular breakfast crowd where a location is/was in Guadalajara.

The term "Table of knowledge" is an affectionate term given to a group of retirees who sit at an oversized table each morning for breakfast at Salvador's restaurant in Ajijic

Georgia

Jun 14, 2003, 3:04 PM

Post #9 of 27 (2327 views)

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Re: [Tuatha_de_Danann] Directions To Tonala ?

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These directions may make no sense to you, but perhaps others reading can refine them. We take 23 past the airport and head towards Tlaquepaque. There is a turnoff for Tonala -- I may be wrong, but I think it is Lazaro Cardenas??? Anyway, the signs also indicate that this road goes to Mexico DF. You go east off of 23. As you approach Tonala, there are plenty of signs for the town. When you exit, as you are entering the town you will find a parking lot on your right just before the main intersection after which you see all the booths. If you go straight, through the light and down the boulevard, loop back at the first cross street and on the right there are more parking lots. I hope this is a start for you! And I hope that others join in with more explicit directions!

Bubba

Jun 14, 2003, 3:57 PM

Post #10 of 27 (2320 views)

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Re: [johanson] Directions To Tonala ?

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The "Table of Knowledge" at Salvador's where words of wisdom are freely available over breakfast?!!???

How about the " Table of Tontos" Now I know why the owner of Salvador's started a new place down the street. He could not tolerate even one more minute of their pompous bullshit. Every trailer park from Missouri to North Dakota must be wondering what happened to their boards of directors all of whom seem to have been local John Deere sales managers.

As Roger Rabbit said, "Puhleeze!"

Abq

Jun 14, 2003, 5:40 PM

Post #11 of 27 (2303 views)

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Re: [Uncle Jack] Wednesday Tianguis

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U.J.

Glad you're enjoying Mexico!

Frank Burton

Jun 14, 2003, 5:56 PM

Post #12 of 27 (2302 views)

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Re: [Georgia] Directions To Tonala ?

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I'm going to take a stab at refining the directions that Georgia provided to Tonala.

Going into Guadalajara past the Periferico about 1 KM (roughly 6/10 of a mile), the northbound and southbound lanes of the Chapala highway separate, with northbound traffic curving to the right and going up, then curving to the left and down, a significant hill. As you go downhill, move to the second lane from the right (the right lane will have a lot of trucks and buses most of which are going to exit before you do). The first exit is marked, as I recall C. de Autobuses and perhaps Mexico. Immediately after this, move to the right lane, definitely before the traffic signal. At the traffic signal, I believe the exit is marked for Puerto Vallarta and Mexico and perhaps for Tonala. Exit to the right, and then move into the center or right lane of the 3 lanes, which will take you up onto the Lazaro Cardenas freeway, eastbound. Do not stay in the right lane for even a long block or you'll be forced off onto the frontage road.

The Tonala exit is about 3 KMs (+ 1.9 miles) from where you got up onto the Lazero Cardenas freeway. As Georgia said, it's well marked.

Returning to Lakeside from Tonala, go south on the main drag, Tonaltecos (in the main traffic lanes, not the frontage road). Just past the traffic light at Av. Tonala (which is where the tianguis on Thursdays and Sundays ends southbound), exit onto the ramp which comes up quickly on the right, marked, as I recall, Guadalajara, and perhaps Puerto Vallarta. After about a mile to mile and a half at the most, there will be an exit marked for Chapala and/or the Aeropuerto. Take the first exit which is marked in that manner, although I believe there is a second chance. Stay on the frontage road until there is a ramp up and to the right looping onto the Chapala/Aeropuerto highway. If you get to an exit marked for 8 de Julio or Colon, you've gone too far.

Happy touring!!!

Frank Burton

johanson

Jun 14, 2003, 5:58 PM

Post #13 of 27 (2299 views)

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Re: [Bubba] Directions To Tonala ?

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What can I say, those who came up with the name "Table of Knowledge" were making fun of themselves. Forgive me for not explaining that

Bubba

Jun 15, 2003, 4:32 AM

Post #14 of 27 (2274 views)

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Re: [johanson] Directions To Tonala ?

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Sorry. Just trying to be funny myself - without success. Your sense of humor is better than mine.

Uncle Jack

Jun 15, 2003, 2:18 PM

Post #15 of 27 (2244 views)

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Frank, nice directions.....

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.....how about the same kind of detailed directions to Tlaquepaque?. I'm going to have to take my daughter there in a couple of weeks.

uj

Frank Burton

Jun 16, 2003, 12:22 PM

Post #16 of 27 (2198 views)

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Re: [Uncle Jack] Directions to Tlaquepaque.....

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Thank you, Uncle Jack. Here's a stab at the directions to Tlaquepaque. The town of course covers a large area; I assume you want to go to the Independencia pedestrian mall area with all the shops, museums, plazas, etc.

Continue north on the Guad highway past the Periferico about 6/10 of a mile, where the northbound and southbound lanes separate. As the northbound lanes curve to the right and climb a significant hill, they spread out into some 5 or 6 lanes; I usually stay in the left two lanes climbing the hill and going down the other side because of all the slow truck traffic in the righthand lanes. Most of the trucks and buses will exit to the right on the two exits (#1=Mexico & C. de Autobuses, #2=Puerto Vallarta/Mexico and it may also say Tonala) after the highway flattens out, so move over to the third lane from the right as you approach the traffic signal, then to the very righthand lane soon after the light.

The continuation of the Chapala Hwy is grade-separated from the East-West freeway, Calz. Lazaro Cardenas, and if one goes straight (angling to the left), turns into Calz. Jesus Gonzalez Gallo, which, incidentally, is a good route toward Centro Guadalajara, the Catedral, Plaza Tapatio, Teatro Degollado, Mercado Libertad, and Instituto Cultural Cabanas. But I digress. To get to downtown Tlaquepaque, keep in the far right lane as you cross Lazero Cardenas, exiting to the right onto Calz. Ninos Heroes (believe it's the second right, pretty well marked), which is undivided with two lanes in each direction for most or all of the way from this point to where you'll leave it. After about 7 or 8 tenths of a mile, be sure you're in the right lane. There's a glorieta at about 9/10 of a mile from where you entered Ninos Heroes. I believe it's just barely before you reach the glorieta that you make a very hard right, almost a U-turn, onto a street which deadends after about a half block at the pedestrian mall which is Independencia. We've parked on that street the last few times we've gone to Tlaquepaque; a local "car-watcher" told us that we needn't feed the meter since we have foreign plates--that the town provides free parking for tourists to encourage us to come often. (I tried once without success to find one of the public parking garages near the plaza which is marked on the points-of-interest map.)

My wife reminds me that having a driver and a second person as directions-reader and navigator works best for us when we're finding our way to a new place. . . . Those of you who have fewer Senior Moments may not need the second person.

You probably already know that there are lots of restaurants and interesting shops not only on Independencia but also on the cross streets and parallel streets on either side of Independencia. Some of the shops have a map/brochure which lists many of the points of interest.

Returning to Lakeside, I go around the glorieta and back down Ninos Heroes to where it joins the Chapala highway near Lazaro Cardenas. Watch that topa in the flats where all the people are waiting for the buses.

Happy touring!!! (I'm open to feedback which will help me refine any of the directions I give.)

Frank Burton

(This post was edited by Frank Burton on Jun 16, 2003, 12:27 PM)

esperanza

Jun 16, 2003, 3:40 PM

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Re: [Frank Burton] Directions to Tlaquepaque.....

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Your directions are fine until you get onto González Gallo. There's no need to go as far as Independencia. Shortly after you are on González Gallo, you will see a large green overhead sign for Río Juárez...take a right at that corner (it's a one-way street to the right) and continue until you come to the main shopping street (Juárez) in Tlaquepaque. There's public parking just down Juárez from the Parián (where the restaurants are situated around the mariachi/folklórico plaza. It's the easiest route in.

Independencia is one street to the left of Juárez as you are driving along Juárez.

To get out, you go one street to the right of Juárez and turn right; follow that back to the route to Chapala and turn left.

Remember that the month of June celebrates the Fiestas of San Pedro Tlaquepaque~there is something exciting going on every evening this month until the end. The plena fiesta is the 29th.

http://www.mexicocooks.typepad.com

Georgia

Jun 16, 2003, 5:07 PM

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Re: [Frank Burton] More Tlaquepaque info

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As you are going up Avda. Juarez the parking garage is on your right -- I think it is in the first block. The price is reasonable and there is an attendant. Your car will be safe there.

When you leave, go down Calle Reforma (that's the street one block over from Juarez) to Ninos Heroes and turn left. There is a sign for Chapala - turn right, go one block to the end of that short street, turn left and go to the traffic light (it may be the second light, not sure) but you will see the signs for the airport -- and turn left. That puts you on the road home.

If you go to the website www.allaboutguadalajara.com you will find information on Tlaquepaque that includes a map of the main streets of interest and it marks certain landmarks as well.

For great restaurants there try Rio San Pedro (sopa de mariscos) or Casa Fuerte ( super soups, great fillets).

esperanza

Jun 16, 2003, 9:41 PM

Post #19 of 27 (2143 views)

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Re: [Georgia] More Tlaquepaque info

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The parking garage that I use is half a block south of El Parián on Juárez, on the right-hand side of the street.

I just got back from Tlaquepaque...went to the fair site to buy tickets to hear Marco Antonio Solis on Saturday night, but found out that his show doesn't start until *gasp* midnight, so opted not to go. I'll stay home and listen to a couple of his CDs instead. The feria was hopping and we were sorely tempted to try the bumper cars. How old do you have to be to be too old for those?

You might try the restaurant (and shop) Adobe as well as Georgia's two suggestions. Adobe's food is out of this world. And the street food of an evening in Tlaquepaque is nigh onto divine: elotes in a plastic glass, with cream, cheese, and chile...churros...real french fries with salsa picante instead of catsup...empanadas with a variety of fillings (mmm, the custard), etc etc etc. This is a sort of twist on the 'T' diet: tacos, tamales, and tostadas.

By the way, the restaurant Mis Amores in Ajijic is owned and operated by the same woman who owns Casa Fuerte.

http://www.mexicocooks.typepad.com

Frank Burton

Jun 17, 2003, 3:56 PM

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Re: [esperanza] Directions to Tlaquepaque.....

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Hi, Esperanza,

I'm afraid I confused some people with my digression about using Gonzales Gallo to go to downtown Guad. Try reading it this way, which omits the digression:

"The continuation of the Chapala Hwy is grade-separated from the East-West freeway, Calz. Lazaro Cardenas. Keep in the far right lane as you cross Lazero Cardenas, exiting [shortly thereafter] to the right onto Calz. Ninos Heroes (believe it's the second right, pretty well marked "Ninos Heroes - Tlaquepaque"), which is undivided with two lanes in each direction for most or all of the way from this point to where you'll leave it. After about 7 or 8 tenths of a mile, be sure you're in the right lane. There's a glorieta at about 9/10 of a mile from where you entered Ninos Heroes. I believe it's just barely before you reach the glorieta that you make a very hard right, almost a U-turn, onto a street which deadends after about a half block at the pedestrian mall which is Independencia. . . ."

This reference is not to Calz. Independencia in Guadalajara, the main boulevard which, among other things, connects Parque Agua Azul with the Plaza Tapitia/ Mercado Libertad area. Rather, it is to the Independencia in downtown Tlaquepaque which is the pedestrian mall, which, incidentally, to me is the main shopping street rather than Juarez. I apologize for the confusion caused by my putting in the digression about a way to get to downtown Guad. I've gone this route up Ninos Heroes from the Chapala Highway/Lazaro Cardenas interchange directly to downtown Tlaquepaque several times, and it seems like the most direct route as I look at the map.

One could turn right from Ninos Heroes onto Juarez (it's a couple of blocks sooner than the turn I gave) to get to the public parking to which you and Georgia referred, and could return to Ninos Heroes on the next street south of Juarez and parallel with it (Reforma). The details in Georgia's return route sound right and are certainly more detailed than mine.

I appreciate the information from both you and Georgia about the public parking places on Juarez, and also about the fiestas in Tlaquepaque this month and the restaurants and food--got my mouth watering just reading your description!!!

Frank

(This post was edited by Frank Burton on Jun 17, 2003, 4:07 PM)

esperanza

Jun 17, 2003, 9:08 PM

Post #21 of 27 (2083 views)

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Re: [Frank Burton] Directions to Tlaquepaque.....

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The name of that dead end street that you mentioned is Ejércitos, and that little part of it is called Pila Seca.

It still seems easier to me to turn left onto Río Juárez from González Gallo and just drive on into Tlaquepaque and park in a parking garage. Finding parking on Ejércitos or anywhere near Independencia is usually iffy. And the stores on Juárez, especially on the north side of El Parián, are great...have you been to the place that makes wrought iron furniture, decorated with mosaic?

http://www.mexicocooks.typepad.com

Frank Burton

Jun 18, 2003, 11:28 PM

Post #22 of 27 (2051 views)

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Re: [esperanza] Directions to Tlaquepaque.....and more

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Esperanza asked:

"have you been to the place that makes wrought iron furniture, decorated with mosaic?"

Reply: not yet, though it sounds interesting and I'll try to catch it the next time I go to Tlaquepaque. Where is it exactly on Juarez?

I know there are lots of shops which I haven't seen yet. My favorite place to visit and take visitors so far has been the Museo Regional de la Ceramica, on Independencia just east of Cruz Verde.

Uncle Jack

Jun 23, 2003, 11:48 AM

Post #23 of 27 (2002 views)

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Bargain Tequila

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Today I found a 100% agave Reposado tequila on sale for 235 pesos per 1.75 liter bottle here in Ajijic. It's called El Distilador. I've had it before and it's really pretty decent stuff. At 10.4 pesos to the dollar, that works out to $9.68 per standard 750 ml bottle.

For 100% agave, that ain't bad.

uj

pedrito naco

Jun 26, 2003, 5:08 AM

Post #24 of 27 (1968 views)

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Re: [Uncle Jack] Bargain Tequila

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at that price one could consume copious amounts and still pay the gardener and the house keeper

common sense is not common-voltaire

Uncle Jack

Jun 26, 2003, 7:35 AM

Post #25 of 27 (1954 views)

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You got that right!

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Jeese, Pedro, what ever persuaded you to cough up the $30.00 to join the club here. I thought that you were just happy as a pig in XXXX over at Chapala.com?

uj

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