The Big City

Every once in awhile one gets desire for the big city. Not a tourist town like Puerto Vallerta where the big ships dumps off thousand of site seers from the US. Where they flock to the Wal Mart and Sam's to buy the somberos and glass ash trays with the name of the town etched across it for the folks back in (fill in the blank). Where the resorts are packed with people who love the "all inclusive" package where they never have to leave the property or perhaps even see a Mexican. Great for some people, most really. It is not in the comfort zone of most gringos to go outside the box even for a moment let alone a day. I find this so odd, but it has never been the way I liked to live. Perhaps that is why we find ourselves here in Mexico living to begin with.
The big city for us is Guadalarja, the second largest city in Mexico. We have yet to explore Mexico City (the largest), but we will someday soon. For now we just make our three hour journey to one of the most colorful cities in this country.
I am not sure what I like most about this city. I guess I could tell you about the shopping but for my gringa friends it would be hard to imagine. Street after street after street lined with colors, textures, glass, metal, ceramic. Every street brings more things to look at and hold. Not the tourist stuff or peddlers pulling you into their stores. This is the real deal. This is where things are made and shipped all over the world. The merchants are friendley and willing to help you find what you need. Or in my case what I don't need. If they don't have it they can make it or send you to another store that has the color, or the fabric or the weave you are looking for. Small store fronts open up to shops and the shops open up to homes with courtyards and families. It is a city woven together with men, women, and children. They are all so amazing to watch. So many of them, like us making a living in their craft.
Then there is the food. It is on every corner and every block. The smells are amazing. It is hard to stroll the streets without hearing the laughter of people having a meal with family or friends. Music everywhere, and not the boom car low rider music. Marachis and guitars, singers and seranaders . The culture is so rich with of music and dancing. It is nothing to see people dancing close to their partner and you too long for the slow, dancing with your own love.
I have had two of my best meals in this city. The kind of meal that when you take a bite you just hold it in your mouth wanting to savor every spice, every flavor and they way they all dance together. From the soup to the main course to the dessert, it is a pleasure to dine for several hours and savor every moment of the evening.
I guess the thing I love the most is all of it together.
The squares filled with venders and colors and textures and smells. The way everyone is busy and coming and going and working and playing. How you become part of this street scene and part of the cog that helps turn the city. If you can not find what you want in this town then it is not to be had in this country.
We spent three days lost in the color of this city, and although I am always happy to make our way back to our home on the ocean, I do love a trip to the City.