Guadalajara, Take Two - Tuesday, January 8

A brief explanation about the flights.  The very kind gate agent I spoke with after missing the second flight explained that many people come home to visit family for the holidays.  I knew that, which is why I didn't think I'd have a problem getting a flight out on the 8th.  What I didn't know is that the holiday is considered over until after Jan. 6, 3 Kings Day.  Most people are home from Christmas until after 3 Kings Day, making this the busiest travel week of the year in all of Mexico.  I told her about thinking of going to Mexico City and trying to get a flight from there and she said don't bother, those flights are full, too.  

The lesson I learned is to check local customs and travel patterns next time. The good news is that, unlike the others on standby, I have no job to get home to and no timeline.   

After deciding the easiest and least expensive option was just to stay put in Guadalajara for a few days until the holiday load cleared, I booked a room on-line at Hotel NH Collection Centro.  I'd seen the hotel and knew the location was ideal, right in the heart of the historic center of the city.

I got a taxi and headed out for the 35 minute drive into the center of the city.

I saw this guy along the way.  Not sure what he's guarding but he's taking it very seriously.  Crime is a problem in Guadalajara.  Cartel crime is not as bad here as in some places and Americans are not being targeted.  As in most cities, though, pickpocketing and small crimes are an issue.  I carry minimal money, don't wear jewelry, and try to stay aware of my surroundings.  I also don't wander around alone at night.  That's partly for safety and partly because I'm a geezer and like to go to bed early.

I opted for a terrace room and when I checked in said I hoped they might be able to give me a room with a view of the Cathedral rather than the city view.  They did and it took my breath away.

The Cathedral faces the Plaza de Armas, one of the main plaza in the historic district.  

Why yes, I do plan to dine in and have every meal on my terrace.  With a view like that, wouldn't you?

Eduardo, the nice young man who escorted me to my room made sure to point out which goodies were free (coffee/water) and which weren't.  The hotel room, fabulous view included, was less than $70 a night.  The snacks, on the other hand, were outrageous.  That tiny bottle of mediocre red wine that isn't even one glass (I like big glasses) is $15. The bottle of orange juice that I saw this morning at a convenience store for about $.65 is almost $8.   Nope, I'll stick to the free water, thanks.

More expensive goodies in the tiny fridge.

The room is small but with the huge glass doors opening to the terrace, feels much larger.  And I'll be spending most of the time on the terrace.  The bed and bedding is fabulous.

I love the bathroom.  Small but very nicely appointed.  The floors are large tiles with a great texture which makes them not slippery.

I love this shower.  Big, great light and rainfall showerhead.  And non-slip floor.

All necessary amenities, including a blow dryer.

After checking in, I did some walking around the neighborhood.  By the end of the afternoon I was ready to find some food to take back to dine on the terrace.  This place seems to be primarily a coffee shop but the food was great.

To give you an idea of prices, 100 pesos is about $5.

Dinner included (from the top) horchata - a rice and cinnamon drink, a cheese stuffed chile relleno,  a quesadilla made with a corn tortilla and, of course, guacamole.

I always thought a relleno was something that looked like this - a roasted poblano chile stuffed with cheese and topped with a spicy chile sauce.  Here, served with rice, beans and a quesadilla..  I was incorrect.  Years ago I discovered that "relleno" means stuffed.  So a chile relleno is a chile, stuffed with something - typically cheese or meat.  But rellenos can mean a lot of things, including cookies, stuffed with filling.  That's how I found out - I once ordered a dessert, thinking I was ordering this.

The guac was great.  Not quite as much lime or spice as a couple of other places and the onions were not quite as finely diced.  All guacs have been delicious.

This was my third (and best) horchata since I got to Guadalajara.  I don't know if it is house made but it was fabulous.  And I had it sitting next to me for a couple of hours as I sipped on it and the smell was wonderful, too.

My view as I sat as the table eating an early dinner.

The night views are spectacular.