Thursday, March 14, 2008.
Rio Grande to Tlaquepaque (Guadalajara), Jalisco. 332 miles
I feel I'm making a mistake by NOT going into Zacatecas. But I pass on it, taking the Cuota road bypass. Beautiful day, sky so blue. I just remember how congested it was last I was there (2001?). Would need to spend the night to do it right.
The wind continues to be down right cold. Mexican Highlands. In AguasCalientes, for the first time on this trip I feel overly warm in my riding jacket, but soon the sun goes down and it's frio time again.
I pull in to super crowded heavy traffic Guadalajara at 9-10pm. Tired burnt by the sun I've 'bout had it with this Mexican Central Plateau. I'm plateaued out. The last toll plaza had 12 toll booths. I'll admit I was a bit rattled with all the night time traffic, unmarked hwy lanes, everyone in a hurry. Can't see shit.
I exit Tlaquepaque (that's TLA-kay-PAH-kay) and land at the first Pemex station. Its huge. Four buses are gasing up at the same time on one side. 6 cops fly in on Honda 250's. They are like 'skitters. In fact, there are cops all over the place, some in flak jackets. One hour to unwind, regain my dignity. Study maps on the wall. What to do, where to stay? I'm a crispy critter.
Somehow wind up in centro Tlaquepaque, the real Tlaquepaque, and fall in love with it. Run into a motorcycle "gang" of young kids, 15 bikes. Orlando leads the Black Dragons. They pretty much don't know what to make of me and the 'Hornet. But smile big when I say I came from Rio Grande today. Giant moto rally in Mazatlán next week end. I'll have to miss it.
Many streets closed to car traffic but at this hour, I follow the Black Dragons's lead and enter the pedestrian zone. Great chow at an outdoor restaurant that takes up a whole city block, actually its made up of many different eateries and bars. Gouged with a bill for $19! That's the most I've paid so far.
At 12;30 a.m. I get a room at the very first place I find. For $26 it comes equipped with fancy TV, free porn and one of those sex swings hanging from the ceiling. I kid you not. Plus my own private garage. I don´t care. It's brand new, super clean, and the bike is safe. A respite from the mean ole wind and sun out there on the Central Plateau. I didn't see the sign warning no children or minors allowed until I left this morning. You gotta love it. So much for one of those classic old colonial hotels in the Guadalajara center.
Tlaquepaque is a part of Guadalajara. Funky old town. 6 square blocks of pedestrian only streets.
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