Date: 08/12/2012 à 09/12/2012

Path: The main roads are carretera “In Las Palmas” (80km) and Mascota-Ameca/Mexico 90 (120km).

After more than 20 days on the Mexican coast, arrived the day we left to meet the continent, where we had contact with history and culture more typical, with much less influence than his upstairs neighbor. Our destination was Guadalajara, the second largest city in Mexico with a population of more than 4 milhões inhabitants. Despite currently having its economy strongly linked to the technology industry, Guadalajara is the cultural center of Mexico, being named as the American capital of culture in 2005. Although not consensual, Guadalajara entitle many as the home of Mariachi, estilo musical tipicamente mexicano.

But before we get really in Guadalajara, had some "Adventures" with Mexican police. Puerto Vallarta Saímos volta das 2:00 Afternoon toward Guadalajara, already a little late compared to what we had planned. In an attempt to get out of town fast, we were stopped by a police officer, that gave us a fine for being above the speed limit. Not justifying, but were more a car among many who followed the highway above 60km / h allowed. To give fine, received the proposal to try to resolve the situation "otherwise", mas we decided to pay the fine. The payment process involved the return to town, the DMV, for immediate payment of the fine. Meanwhile, the police would be waiting for us in the same place that gave us the fine with the postman driver who drove. In half an hour we managed to pay the fine and went against the police barricade, already outside the city, combined under. But to our surprise, two police cars had just left, at the time we got there. Accelerated so that they could see us, and we had to "fit" them to recover the driver's license. Arriving in police car, A silence came over and looked like they had been surprised at our return and were embarrassed. It was a matter of seconds we are not without this portfolio. And it would have been worse if we had left the car plate, como eles haviam solicitado incialmente e que só depois de muito custo os convencemos de que a placa não deveria ser retirada.

Pay fine, wallet recovered, rumo continue to Guadalajara, where we arrived at around 19:00 hours, when night had already fallen. With directions from a hostel in GPS (Magdalene affectionately nicknamed due to the voice being Portuguese from Portugal), were entering the city, following the guidelines of Magdalene, until they entered a street that was against. The worst thing is that besides being against, the route was blocked by the special operations battalion of police, probably due to some transport operation of money that was being made in banks located in that street. In a few seconds, the number of men "Mexican Bop" were around the Tanajura, with rifles and pistols pointed the car. We were all pale when, and the cries, received the order out of the car with hands up. They searched two of us, still bare, and soon saw that it was a mistake to great. Although we could hear the laughter of the battalion chief, before being released to move on. Ufa!!!

Indication of the men's room at a rest stop for coffee on the road

Past scares, and no place to stay, since the hostel was packed planned, we were running at night for a long time to find a hotel fairly economical for the night. While looking for, take the opportunity to stroll into town and the first impression was super good: remembered the center of SP, both by people, atmosphere, old buildings, but with larger and more imposing buildings!

First impressions of the city

Meeting to decide where we would eat

Christmas atmosphere spread throughout the city

We dined in a restaurant very typical, differentiated service, very cozy and the differential having the kitchen open, so that we could see the food preparation! We tried the suggestion of the head, a “Birria de chivo ", a succulent goat meat cooked over 24 hours, servido with hot picante levemente, além de diversas especiarias.

“The Nine corners” seen fora

Shipping with the team “The Nine Corners”

Bode being boned

Expedition in hopes of “Apology”

The next day, later agreed, and went out to lunch at a place quite traditional too, while tanajura was washed! We walked a bit through the center, visited the palace of the government that has a free museum, bem interesting, interactive, with various maps both walls as floor! Tínhamos soon, but it quite worth a visit!

Walking through the square of arms

Multidão atravessando a rua no centro da cidade.

Walk through downtown Guadalajara

Among numerous explanations about the history and thriving city, one of them was linked to its location, More into the continent, but which was not recovered later. Por time de 1.530, with the Spanish occupation of the region "New Galicia" which included what today are the states of Jalisco, Colima, a portion of Zacatecas among other, Nuño de Guzmán ruler chose to install the foundations of government in coastal, order to open trade routes. But, with the discovery of mines in Guanajuato and Zacatecas, Besides being an excellent starting point for colonizing expeditions to the northwest and an effective provider of food, Guadalajara was gradually becoming more prosperous. In little more than 30 years old, Guadalajara has housed some important religious centers, until Nuño de Guzmán to become the HEART "Nueva Galícia”.

Government Palace

Map used for navigation during the discovery of the Americas

Map of America

Mural inside the government palace

Leaving the square of arms, where is the government palace, went to Guadalajara plaza, Where is the source and the basilica, enormous, with an imposing architecture, beautiful inside and outside! After exploring a bit of the history of the capital of Jalisco returned to the parking, onde demos “gift” for the girls washed the car, Brazilian currencies!

Fountain Square and Basilica together in Guadalajara

Interior of the Basilica

A historical event that occurred in the city of Guadalajara was the third championship of the Brazilian. The Jalisco stadium, bearing the name of state cuja capital is Guadalara was the main stage of the cup 70 for selecting Pele, Jairzinho, Tostão, Rivelino, Gershon, Carlos Alberto Torres and others. All games were played for the Brazilian team there, with the exception of the infamous final match against Italy, won by Brazil for 4×1 estádio not Asteca, in Mexico City. Seen just outside, but by what we hear and read, the Jalisco stadium, although retired – the city hosted the Pan American 2011 – still retains the same characteristics - the same three rings, the coverage and capacity of public grandstand. In honor of the feat selection canary, they won every game of the playoffs as both world cup, the square in front of the stadium was named square Brazil. Among the many similarities that we observed in Mexico and that made us feel closer to the lifestyle in Brazil, o futebol é sem dúvida uma delas.

Gabriel na Praça Brazil, com o estádio Jalisco de fundo.

For more photos on this adventure, click here.

The post Architecture, History and Football appeared first on 4x1.

Date: 05/12/2012 à 07/12/2012

Path: We crossed the Sea of ​​Cortez by ferry. After a night in Mazatlan, we take Mazatlan-Tepic highway até a saída para Puerto Vallarta.

Mazatlan and Puerto Vallarta - Um passeio a colonial epoch

Our passage to the other side of Mexico could not get better. Towns more than welcoming with historical centers that still have remnants of the colonial period. Mazatlán and Puerto Vallarta are jewels of Mexican Pacific coast, you just hear talk in Canada on the glamour de cidades como Cancun e Los Cabos.

Mazatlan - Uma late in the nineteenth century

Despite a coastline 20 km long, clipped by a variety of beaches and resorts, which draws attention in Mazatlán is its historic center. Renovations made in the decade of 80, tornaram a ‘Mazatlán Antiga’ um lugar realmente único.

A bela Mazatlán

The first stop was the Cathedral City, dating from the nineteenth century. His yellow brick towers guarding an interior decorated in all details. A igreja se encontra em meio a um centro omercial com diversas lojas e barraquinhas de rua.

Cathedral City

We went for the traditional Carnival street corner with Constitución, where is charming Plazuela Machado. The square is surrounded by art galleries, e cafés restaurantes. The showy trees and aligned to give a touch more to the place. A trip to the Machado House, a museum that preserves colonial furniture and also has a bit of history of the city, that has emerged as an important trading post with its harbor. From the second floor of the house has a beautiful panoramic view of Plazuela Machado.

Restaurants in Plazuela Machado welcoming

View of Casa Machado

House Interior ax

Tranquility in the charming old Mazatlan

The tour ended with a drive from the edge of Playa Olas Altas, now toward Zona Dorada, where are the beach resorts. O caminho proporciona belas vistas das construções antigas à beira-mar.

A cropped hem Antiga Mazatlan

Puerto Vallarta - Live in Virgem de Guadalupe

Chegamos em Puerto Vallarta na certain date. It was time for feasts of the Virgin of Guadalupe. The city was full and very busy streets. Near the jetty, a stage was set for musical performances. In the streets, the various parishes of the city were procession to the Cathedral of Guadalupe, immediately opposite the Main Square. The processions brought music and dance typical, as well as some festive attire. A energia da cidade nos contagiou com essa ótima primeira impressão.

We arrived full of Guadalupe celebrations

Procession to the Cathedral

Typical dances and costumes enlivened the party

You have no right age to participate

A few hours on the streets of Vallarta and already see why it is the capital gay Mexico. Homosexual couples are in every corner of the city. Several bars and restaurants carried the flag of gay pride as a way to show friendly (gay-friendly); others took up this written expression. We wondered if people thought we were part of the team, after all were a bunch of men walking together forever. But anyway, não temos problema nenhum e até nos divertíamos com isso.

A bela Catedral

Charming part of the city

The next day seize the center again. We had lunch at a stall of fish tacos (Marisma Fish Tacos), our favorite food of Mexico, before following the walk. We spent time in front of the arches opposite the Plaza Principal Catedralda, letting time pass and walk through the charming jetty. Strolled Isla Río Cuale also by, where the ancient inhabitants of the city construíram their first homes. Hoje o lugar abriga um museu e várias lojinhas de artesanato local.

Walk on the beach to distract

A orla de Vallarta

Isla Rio Cuale na Artesanato

They could not miss the Aztec calendars

Temptation at the local candy store

For dinner, we recommend the super El Mole de Jovita on Badillo Street. The restaurant has the famous mole specialty poblana. Despite being a more traditional dish of the region of Puebla, the sympathetic restaurant owner sold his plate as the best in Mexico. He, his mother was there in a small town on the mainland and sent it to all fresh. We could not deny, the dish was a delight, e foia melhor mole que comemos no México. For those unaware, the mole is a sauce based cocoa and other thirty-odd spices, very traditional in Mexico. Worth a try!

A famous mole poblana

Dinner at Restaurant of Mole Jovita

The day ended in party at one of the bars jetty. As in Cabo San Lucas, the bars had gringo guy and really was what you saw out there. Foi uma noite divertida.

The passage of these two beautiful cities was like a trip to the colonial era, with a hint of modernity, especially in the nightlife options! An interesting side of Mexico continental, que estávamos começando a conhecer.

For more photos of Mazatlan and Puerto Vallarta, click here!

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