We are on our last night here in Guadalajara. It seems like ages since our last blog and a lot of things have happened.

We travelled back to Vancouver on Dec 21 arriving late to stay with Nicky & Phil in Steveston. We got a call on Friday lunch time from the hospital to tell us there were complications with the Leanne's Dads heart valve procedure. The whole family was at St Paul’s for the next two days while the ICU staff did everything they could for Graham. Unfortunately, he passed away at 6:20 pm on Christmas Eve. It was a sad time. People have said that it must have seemed worse because of the timing, but in fact, it was a blessing because almost everyone was there, which is unusual. 

Christmas Day was great, and we toasted Poppa with Phil’s homemade eggnog and had some real laughs after dinner playing games and generally releasing the tension.

Shirley was incredibly strong throughout and the following week she insisted we carry on with our plans to go to Guadalajara to buy furniture for the new house.

As you can see from the photos below, we were pretty busy. We got fixed up with most of the larger items, couch, outside furniture, dining table/chairs, bar stools (very important!). We had a great guide (Raul #2) who showed us all the places to go and also gave us a guided tour of the city centre on the last day. We stayed at a really nice hotel - The Quinta Don Jose in Tlaquepaque - a genuinely friendly, small, family run place with great food, close to everything.

We will send the next blog from La Paz. Happy New Year to all.

Christmas morning with Nicky's latest baking creation

The Nog Master

Perfect glasses for the job

Christmas sweaters with dinosaurs (Monty looks slightly embarrassed)

First night in Guadalajara - we went to an English-style pub!

This is where our 'equipales' furniture will be made.

They literally do everything here - including the leather!

Marco is the 'jeffe' in charge

It's a family operation, Grandma (left) keeps her eye on the operation.

Raul #2

This will be great for our entrance hall!

There are smiling pigs everywhere (each sponsored like the orcas around Vancouver)

Church service in the Centro

Listening to the mariachis at El Parian

"Lighting Warehouse" Guadalajara style...

Leanne wouldn't let me buy this.

Independencia Street

We could have taken photos at every pig (but we didn't!)

Great food, washed down with local craft beer

Incredibly powerful murals by Jose Clemente Orozco, (who was nearly blind and only had one arm!) 

Punter shot...

More Orozco murals

Selfie looking towards the opera house

We were slightly apprehensive when Raul #2 took us to this place

It turned out to be César's studio...

we are going to ask him to do some art for the new house

Lunch at El Patio - everyone has to have a flag

The all-girl mariachi band plays "Brazil" 

Yes Ruth, Sheldon and Hoto - the bass player has a six string!

Not pigs this time - Catrinas

This is where we bought a lot of our furniture.