And we wanted to go to Costco, almost in a tourist way. However, Louise and I felt that we should also do some ruins (Ixtepete). No such things as traveling to Guadalajara just for shopping. It looked close and after careful planning(?) we are on our way to Costco. We leave late, about 10:30, but it is only an hour drive.
This is a beautiful day and the road crosses volcano chains and small villages, all a pleasure to the eyes. Louise is trying to make a collection of 'truck load' pictures, as we met very 'overburdened' trucks (and donkeys, too). One day, we will set up a tripod along a busy road and wait for these colorful trucks. In some ways, it was a short jump from the donkeys to the pickup trucks... save for the donkeys complaining and the trucks do not!
I noted earlier that it is hard to figure out the actual size of Guadalajara. I guess that the city proper is about one and half million, much spread out. Then we have the suburbs, like Zapotan, where Costco is located, running in the millions. The estimate is about 4.3 millions in 2008. The second largest city after Mexico City, DF.
To ease the traffic load, which is very heavy, they built a number of tunnels, that crosses the city and give fast and easy access to major areas, if you know your way. Let me explain. First the intersections or exits are well marked with the usual green panels... except many are hidden behind trees. Then, the one you catch are usually telling things like Universidad por Vallarta... just before the exit; of course, by the time we make it, that this the exit to Avenida Vallarta, via Avenida Universidad, we are under the tunnel... and exit a few kilometers later, lost.
We finally make it, thanks to Microsoft Streets and Trips, with GPS (highly recommended!), and reach Costco after a tight retorno and a narrow parking entrance. We are welcomed with a huge dark smoke coming out of a diesel generator. Nothing to worry about, it seems. We are slowly learning that when there is smoke, it is a sign of activity, not fire. Mexicans seem to like smoke as they burn fields, tires, oil, whatever make the most smoke.
First thing first, we have lunch in the Costco cafeteria, which is outside. Louise enjoys a copious chicken salad, à l'américaine and I do a quick pass to a hot dog. Next to us are gringos, and a number of wealthy Mexicans. The parking is quite full, and we expect the store to be a bit overcrowded, with the usual Saturday family shopping.
Not so. It is busy, but no crying children, every one seem to enjoy the shopping. So are we, as we fill our cart quickly with various groceries. They have wine and we try to stick to less than MEX$100, or about CAN$9.00 wines. Not so easy here, as Costco keeps a large inventory of expensive wines.
Beer is OK, and for our Ontario friends, getting Corona's is about 50 cents canadians a bottle. The cheap beer, which is still very good, is even less.
The fruits and vegetables are disapointing and so is the meat and fish section. No lamb, mainly chicken and pork and some beef. All very expensive. Salmon is same price than Canada, as good too!
Overall, Costco seems priced for the very upper echelon of Mexicans and Expats. No bargains here, as the paper towels are over CAN$2.50 a roll... I guess we may go back, but it is not as attractive as it is in the US or Canada, for sure. The book and DVD sections are very tiny, and the clothes are nice, but pricey.
Across the parking lot, there is a Mega general store, not unlike a Loblaw's SuperStore. Of course, same ownership... La Comer, which is currently bankrupt, with over US$2 billion of unsecured debts. We finish our shopping there. The buy of the day is the city street guide for Guadalajara... proper, no suburbs. The Mexican way, I thought! It is time to head back home... No ruins today, as we are simply exhausted.
The return to Roca Azul is smooth. Eh! we know our way NOW! Our neighbours gather around us, asking how it went, and, quite seriously, Ross said: "I should have told you about the tunnels..."! Thanks, Ross, at least we learned ourselves.
Sonya proposes that we go to Jocotepec tonight for the fiesta. We will leave at 9:30 pm or so. Louise and I feel and are exhausted. But we will go and see the Castillo, which is monumental. Pictures are worth many words here.
The Mexican Castillo...before...
Being lit!
The church plaza is dark with the crowd and there must be thousands of people here, with very young children, in arms or running around and enjoying themselves. A truly happy bunch. Very enjoyable and it feels very secure.
We are back home by 11:00 pm and fall in beds like logs...
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