Shopping in Tonala

The sidewalks were so crowded that I could hardly walk on them. The booths are in front of the shops. There are several blocks like the photo above. Exhausting.

There is a glass blowing factory in the heart of Tonala.





I saw many food stalls but I was hungry for an omelet for breakfast. I found the above restaurant. I thought the price was right, 35 pesos. But as I put in my order they charged me ten pesos for each thing extra, like vegetables and cheese inside the omelet. Turned out not to be so cheap.




























The three photos above are on a side street. The man, another green eyed Mexican, runs the taco stand. We had a conversation because he speaks English.











I was going to spend the night in Tonala but the photo of the hotel did not match the reality. I would never have recognized it from the photo. It was grim so I came home on the Red Cross bus instead. The Red Cross trips are a lot of fun and only cost about fifteen dollars. I didn't want to spend any more time in Tonala.

Tonala Parking Area

Buses come in and park for the day in a giant parking lot and there are also many stalls there. It is like an enormous flea market. If you are resting in a bus, people come by to try to sell you stuff. My friend bought a guitar from the man in the above photo after he played it for her. It is exhausting. Just too much happening at once. I was so tired that I quit two hours before the bus was scheduled to leave. I just sat on the bus step and rested. It was too hot to sit inside the bus. But there was still plenty of action around the step. No place is quiet in Tonala.

Trip to Tonala

This morning I am taking a trip to Tonala with the Red Cross bus. I may spend the night. I will take lots of pictures. In a few days I will have them on the blog. I am looking forward to my trip. A little vacation from my vacation....... Life doesn't get much better than this.

Afternoon Walk into Ajijic

Poinsettias in bloom at the Lake Chapala Society.
Devil dog. I don't believe it for a minute. Look at that happy face.

A tired woman outside of the Lake Chapala Society. Looks like she was selling Christmas decorations, before she fell asleep.

Kids out of school, socializing on the plaza.


I met Enrico on the plaza. He was selling washing machine covers and hoses but since I have no washing machine and no yard, I wasn't buying. He has beautiful green eyes. He said his grandparents were Spanish from Spain and they were blue eyed and blond haired but his parents both have brown eyes. He lives on the other side of the lake and comes over here on market day to sell his wares.



There are many stands around the plaza. They have been there for the holiday but no one was buying today. I think they were all at the Wednesday market.


I asked this man if I could take his photo and he said yes but he wanted to comb his hair first. Then he got kind of shy. That is sweet.


Another handsome young man. I love it that the Mexicans make good use of the sidewalks.







I walked home through the market and people were taking down their stalls. What a lot of work.

Back Home Again, Market Day

Me on market day. I am happy to be back home.




I took a photo of one handsome young man and they all wanted to be photographed. They work in the market. Another reason it is fun to shop!


I took this photo on the run. It wasn't my plate. It is four tacos. I guess the person who bought it was very hungry.

Grilled shrimp and fresh pineapple chunks.



I enjoyed my house sitting job. I loved the two dogs but it is always nice to be home again. I think of this as my home now.