Morelia was the next stop on our list. As we drove into town we saw the typical Mexican fare–small tiendas, brick houses, signage everywhere, etc.  We didn’t expect much, because we’ve never heard people say much about Morelia. When the road suddenly turned upwards, we were taken off guard as we drove into a full-blown, gorgeous colonial city! The Spaniards arrived in this area in the 1500’s, and most buildings...

After hitting up the Panteon (cemetary) again, the morning after Day of the Dead, we drove into Patzcuaro Centro to do some sight-seeing. We’d been to Patzcuaro, Michoacan in 2008, but every trip brings new experiences and new discoveries! This time we hit up the public library (biblioteca), originally built as a Augustinian convent in 1576. It has a beautiful floor to ceiling mural on the back wall, depicting the history of Michoacan...

 I know those sound like two things that have absolutely nothing in common, and you are correct. They have nothing in common. I was excited to see some street side vendors selling bushels of fresh garbanzo beans, which I have always wanted to try. I purchased this for about $4, if I remember correctly. I got home and had to figure out what the heck to do with the bushel. I mean…my first goal was to buy it, but I...

You know those lovely packages of Driscoll´s raspberries that cost a pretty penny? Yeah, those ones. They can fit in the palm of your hand, but cost about $3-$5 dollars to purchase, even in Mexico. Well, these babies are grown right here, in the most Western town on Lake Chapala, Jocotepec.  The town is dotted with raspberry fields covered in white canopies. We can buy a package of those raspberries at the grocery store for the normal...

Chilaquiles and molletes There are a few vegetarian dishes that are Mexican regulars that I’ve found I can safely order in many restaurants! The first is a common Mexican breakfast dish called Chilaquiles. It is made by cutting up old/semi-dried corn tortillas and cooking them in a red sauce with a mild chili (think red enchilada shells only). It is served with many toppings and sides, and I prefer to take mine with some refried beans,...

You have a membership to Costco, right?  Well…lucky us…we have a Costco (several actually) in Guadalajara, too! Just as in the US, the front has a little eatery place with picnic table seating and some basic eats to enjoy after you spend waaaay too much shopping for things you don’t really need. But the graphics on the Mexican signs are a bit different. For example, below you see a picture of a hot dog. One side is lined...