January 1, 2019 - Airport Excitement and Guadalajara

My dear friend Kyle Kincaid works for United airlines.  One of the perks of the job is having a pass that he can give away to a friend which allows low-cost, standby travel anywhere in the world that United/United Express fly.  He generously gave me the pass for 2019 and I want to make sure I take full advantage of it.

Flying standby out of Orlando is rough.  Flights are generally full all year because if it isn't a holiday, we make one up.  Spring break used to be a week.  Now, thanks to Disney's band and cheerleading competitions, it lasts for a couple of months.  February isn't just for snowbirds, we also have Bike Week (half a million people come every year) and Speed Weeks in Daytona.  I talked to an Orlando-based United flight attendant yesterday and she said she generally can't fly out on United metal but takes American flights to Charlotte, then flies to a United hub from there.  Because of pass rules, I don't have that option.

My theory was that a 7:22 a.m. flight out of Orlando to Houston on New Year's morning was a good option.  All those people who had great intentions of getting up that early might just oversleep.  When I left home at 4:30 a.m., the flight had 11 seats available and I was number 15 on the standby list.  The next flight looked a bit better but not by much and flights the remainder of the day were full.

I was correct - over 20 people didn't show up for the flight and I get an exit row seat.  Even better, the woman in the window seat asked if I'd take that so she could sit in the middle, next to her husband.  But the 20 minutes of watching the boarding process and praying the gate agent would call my name were a bit stressful.  Kyle, I really tried not to be too loud as I did my victory dance up to the gate.

In Houston, I confidently walked up to gate agent because I knew the flight to Guadalajara was only about 2/3 full.  Felipe, my new friend in Houston, quickly handed me a boarding pass for a first class seat, even though boarding wasn't for another 45 minutes.

Two easy flights for a cost of $53 (taxes and fees).  Had I paid the regular price, it would have been over $500.  To make it even better, immigration was the easiest I've ever experienced.  I was #3 off the plane and in line.  I only had a carry-on bag (another limitation of flying standby) so didn't have to wait for baggage claim.  Just sauntered up to the customs official and answered his few questions.  Two things about customs here.  One, most countries, if you have nothing to declare, you don't talk to anyone, you just walk out the door.  And after I spoke to the custom's guy he had me press a large red button, which lit up a green light.  Was it connected to anything?  Some high tech apparatus to test my veracity through my finger?  I think not.

Next stop was the Cajero Automatico (ATM) to get some local currency.  Then the kiosk to reserve/pay for a taxi.  The half hour ride was about $15.   45 minutes after touching down I was at my hotel.

Hotel Morales is one of the oldest hotels in the Centro.  Rated 4.6 on Tripadvisor and Expedia it is only $43 a night.  It is beautiful.  Attention to detail, spotlessly clean and beautifully decorated.  My only complaint was that I had to wait almost 3 hours to check-in.  But to compensate for that, they gave me a free voucher for breakfast this morning.

My first day in Guadalajara was spent wandering around the historic downtown area and then a quiet evening in my room, with a great dinner delivered by Uber Eats.  Less than $10 and 45 minute delivery for fresh hot Mexican food.

I slept very well and now am ready for a day of exploring.  Here are some photos from day one.

United employees went all out decorating the gates in Orlando. 

Christmas trees as snowmen in Orlando.

A surprise in Houston.  I think it was Kyle's mom letting me know she was with me.

The approach into Guadalajara.  Lots of farming, a huge canyon and sadly, lots of smog.

Candy Munk, I think I'll be able to find some tin handicrafts.  This Christmas tree was in the hotel lobby.

A taqueria across the street from my hotel.  Yay!

Christmas decorations in Centro Guadalajara.

Guadalajara doesn't get a lot of American tourists.  I don't know who this guy is but I know which team he likes.

There are a LOT of hotels in the Centro.

One of the reasons I chose Guadalajara is the food.  This restaurant is just up the street.

Most places were closed for New Year's Day, including this restaurant.  2 blocks from my hotel and supposed to be the best in the city. 

I love the hop on/hop off busses as a way to get acquainted with a new city.

Christmas tree in the lobby of Hotel Morales.  The next group of photos are of the hotel interior.

Back out on the street - this HUGE pile of poop was next to a crowded bus stop.  Not sure who/what left it but they must be feeling better.

Who doesn't love a city with taquerias on every corner?

A crowded street food stand next to my hotel.  $13 for a taco is $.65.  Bite me, Taco Bell.  Lonches are like submarine sandwiches, btw.

Note the bikes?  Have the app, pay and ride.  Oh, and there's lots of pizza here.

I need some formal attire for the world cruise.  What do you think?

The Cathedral is the largest and oldest of many in the city.  All around the city are renovation projects.

Want to shop?  No problem!  Most stores were closed because of the holiday but clearly there's no lack of places to spend money.

What is it about loud music that so many find appealing?

This was my second choice for hotels.  Slightly better location but $20 more a night and nice but no history.

More Christmas decorations.

I grew up in southern Arizona and have been to Mexico more times than I can count.  But the first time I ventured beyond Baja and Sonora was a trip to Mexico City when I was in college.  I was with my college roommate and her family - her dad worked in Mexico City for the US government.  One of the first stops we made was to Sanborns to have Enchiladas Suizas.  That was back in 1969.  Sanborns is a department store, with a restaurant and still has Enchiladas Suizas on the menu.

Sanborns also sells fresh pastries.  And giant flat screen tvs.

And they sell chocolates.  And clothing.

Another restaurant I may have to try when it is open.

It seemed to be a pedestrian only street - and then came a car.

Lunch for two - $2.80.  The pizza looked awful, though, to be honest.

All you can eat Chinese buffet for $4.00.  The next few photos are some of the dishes on offer.  It was doing a booming business.

Heaven forbid there be one place in the world without Subway.  

In the middle of the pedestrian mall an area was marked off with tape.  It looks like part of an archeological dig that has been glassed over.

There was a church service going on in this templo.  And outside, about a dozen shoe shine stands like this one.

It was standing room only at mass.

The city has beautiful statues and many homeless people, from what I've seen so far.