Our little adventures in the San Juan Mercado and in Tlaquepaque

Hola mi amigos!
    So today was an off day from school, but it still included homework, but also a little field trip in the evening.First, we started our day in the San Juan Mercado where we were to go on a scavenger hunt to find certain items that pertained to our culture class. This included finding alternative medicines that people use when they are ill, as well as "magical" purposes. We first learned about dulces (sweets) in Mexico, and the vendor was very nice in letting us try different types! We then traveled inside the mercado (market) where it was like an indoor swamp meet. It is very different from the one in the U.S because the vendors are so close to together as well as cramped with lots of people. This is also where we saw many of the indigenous people work. We also saw a spiritual items which included Christianity as well as black magic items. When we found the alternative medicines, there was one for insomnia, kidney issues, and lots more.
    When the adventure was done, we walked around some more in the mall nearby to look around and shop. We then returned to our homes, to get something to eat along the way. Afterwards we settled down and awaited for our la maestra (advisor), Pam, to arrive from the airport. Once she arrived, we went to get dinner at the same torta restaurant, Las Visas, to have her try one of the delicacies in Guadalajara! We then went to Tlaquepaque, an artist town with a romantic feel to it. There, many pieces of art are shown, and you can see many lovers displaying their affection for one another. We walked down the plaza where we saw the church, several statues, and went inside a beautiful restaurant to observe many pieces that they also sell to the patrons.
    It was an awesome day, and I have more pictures to show! You will find though my camera apparently hates night time, because the pictures become blurry, so, I apologize the pictures are not very clear. Gracias tambien my amigos, y hasta manana!
Paula

 Some musicians in a shopping area prior to going to the mercado!

 We saw several entertainers in the streets of downtown Guadalajara! This was posing for us after we had given him a small tip!

 I saw them playing and I loved listening to their music! I am starting to become accustomed as well as a fan of Mexican music.

 I am not sure what this building is called, but I thought I heard you can find Marachi bands here.

 One of several churches in Central Guadalajara!

 Some pictures of iguanas that were for sale.

 The food area of the mercado (market).

 As we finished with our hunt, we saw another entertainer "going to the bathroom". I was pretending he smelled bad.

 Later in the night, we saw the bridge that lights up at night on our way to Tlaquepaque.

 A close-up.

 Some of the art for Dia de Los Muertes. This is also one of my favorite kinds of art!

 A church in Tlaquepaque. Unfortunately I didn't catch the name.

 A beautiful fountain found near the church we were at.

 A more clear picture of the church.

 A sculpture of a lottery ticket (la loteria) in the plaza near he churches.

 Our adviser and I with a famous mascot/cartoon person in Tlaquepaque. His name is El Gordo de Tlaquepaque.

 Michele and I with a statue.

 A musician playing in the street. It appears he is blind, and if he is, he was an amazing for playing the guitar without sight!

 This and the bottom pictures depict statues of the independence of Mexico.

 Our professor in front of the Tlaquepaque sign.

 A fountain in the restaurant where we got sodas.

 Up on the roof of this restaurant are several pieces of artwork that you could buy if you wished. They had hearts and rain drops that were made from glass. The pictures following this are also of the same thing with the exception of the plant with lights. This restaurant had a romantic feel to it, which felt very nice!