A trip to Telaquepaque for shopping and dinner with our friends Jim and Shelli Rizzo and Hildagardt. We had a wonderful afternoon.

Crazy cement bench inside of an art gallery, it was at an angle, you won't sit here long.

All female mariachi band at El Patio restaurant. What a treat.

Jim and Shelli dancing to the mariachi's.

Lunch her is always good., and the entertainment is an extra treat.

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A margarita gives everyone happy feet.

There are a lot of up scale art gallery's and curio shops in Tlaquepaque..

Just a couple of old hippies taking a rest next to a dead guy.

This is at a Charro event that we attended in the town of Tlachamilco near Guadalajara. Charro is the same as a rodeo. Before the event started a Christian Mass was held complete with music by mariachi ladies.

The statue is of the Virgin of Zapopan, I believe.

The start of this event was a parade lap by these Charras in their beautiful dresses and well trained horses.

The start of the event. In a measured course the horse must skid on his back hoofs with a minimum of touch of the front feet. The horses really know what to do.

A really nice venue, and we had good seats.

Got to practice some Spanish with the folks seated around us. Amazing how much better the Spanish gets with a little Tequila. The vendors would sell you a bottle, complete with Ice, Squirt and Mineral Water and glasses. Mexicans really know how to have a good time.

This guy was the ring leader. He kept things moving along really well.

The Charras gave quite a show with their precision horsemanship.

Bull riding was very exciting. 

Aparently the horns on this bull were very sharp, they were covered with some kind of leather horn condom.

Bronc riding in Mexico is a little different. They use two hands and stay on as long as they can stand it.

This horse won the  battle.

The men's event with skidding horses. Points are given according to the skid marks.

This kid looked to be only about 12. The horse turns around 5 or 6 times in each direction and must keep it's feet between the lines. Then the rider and horse exit the arena walking backward. These horses were amazing. It must take many hours of training.

Need a saddle, helmet for bull riding. They had em.

Beautiful saddles, that is real silver.

How about a chair for the porch of your hacienda.

Maybe a rope, or a sign for your mailbox.

This guy was making real Charro sombreros. They are made of wool.

If they did not have it, you don't need it.

Nice selection of sombreros. How much do you want to spend?

Hacienda Vieja Tequila was quite smooth.

After the event we stopped at Gordon Well's home. This is Maureen's daughter Jennifer with Belinda.

Parrots spotted in our neighborhood. Juan Pablo our neighbor was able to capture these pictures of these beautiful yet noisy Parrots. He told me there were about 8 in the flock. We heard them at our house but did not see them. They were in the trees very near the School behind El Parque.

This is the name that I think they are     http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red-crowned_Amazon
Red Crowned Amazon Parrots are endangered and are native to Mexico.

El Parque is not just a playground for adults. This is Emiliano our neighbor.

Emiliano starts early, he has girlfriends.

Nice sunset from our mirrador.

Emiliano passing by, the hill in front of the house is a good place for a nice ride downhill.

Juan Pablo (Johnny Appleseed) our neighbor got hold of some more seeds. Very pretty pepper plant. Now they are turning red and orange. Everyone knows , don't give Juan Pablo seeds, he will grow something.

This group performed at an event billed as a romantic evening. It was very nicely done. It was for the Catholic church in Chapala.

The event was well attended, but not very many Gringos.

The event was held at the Evento, Encantada rite on the lakeshore.

We sat at a table with all Spanish speaking people. Really got to practice our Spanish and had a real nice time.

Then the next day we went with Kathleen, Juan Pablo, Bernie and Terry Coogle, Diane and Glenda to the Membrillo Festival (Quincy pears). Lots of music, (not to good) (rap in Spanish etc.) but had a nice time. This metal Membrillo was cool. Made up of a lot of junk and welded together.

The best part was the kids all dressed up and doing their folkloric dancing.

The costumes were beautiful.

Hula dancers too.

Then on Sunday, there was a big band concert at the auditorium in La Floresta. This was a real treat. The band was made up of mostly students from the University of  Guadalajara. They were exceptionally good.

A mixture of big band sounds and an exceptional singer.

All of this for $100 pesos, what a treat.

Glenn Miller likely could have not done it better.