This large long plaza is situated along
Avenida Hidalgo. It is only one of four plazas stretching east, west,
south, and north. The cathedral (see
Attractions) is
at the center of these four plazas. Plaza Tapatia is seven blocks long
and anchors the Teatro Degollado at the west end to the Cabanas Cultural
Institute at the east end. Many different shops and stores surround this
plaza on all sides in between.
This plaza is a great area for people watching. The plaza always seems
to be crowded no matter what the time. Depending on the part of the
plaza you are at you will see vendors selling trinkets, artwork, and
other collectibles.
One interesting item that I saw for sale that I had never seen before in
my travels were inflatable aluminum balloons. These balloons were in the
shape of a crayon and varied in size from 3 feet long to 30 feet long.
The vendors were inflating them full of air and then hitting the bottom
of the balloon with their hands, and then the balloon would soar into
the air oftentimes, a hundred feet high or more. These balloons created
quite a spectacle and on most nights you would find many children
gathered around hitting the balloons high into the night sky.
There are several fountains and many benches scattered around the plaza.
These afford a comfortable place to sit and watch people go by or to sit
and read a book. Near the west end of the plaza, near the theater, you
will find a tourist office. This office had a very friendly staff and
offered free maps, information, and guides. They also sold local art
work inside the office at reasonable prices.
One thing I will never forget, happened to me while I was strolling
along the plaza one evening. It was several days before Christmas and I
happened to be walking by some carolers who were singing outside of a
tin door. I sat and watched them over my strawberry smoothie and when
they were done singing the door opened and they were pulled inside. The
door closed and then opened again, and an old man inside beckoned to me
to come on in. He was a wizened old fellow, his features chiseled deeply
into his face, showing the wear and tear of his years. Once I entered I
went from the darkness of the Plaza to the brightness and cheeriness of
an office party. This was an office party in appreciation of the work
that had been accomplished in the store over the year. This store sold
washing and drying machines as well as other general merchandise.
Apparently the entire family worked in the store as there were several
generations present as well as other workers.
This gracious family stuffed me with their local cuisine and gave me
small presents. I talked to them in my Spanish, and they tested their
English on me. I was impressed with there hospitality and willingness to
take a complete stranger into their home/store.
At the east end of the Plaza Tapatia near the Cultural Cabanas is a
large enclosed mall. This mall is three stories high and can be very
crowded depending on the time of year, and day you visit. Christmas
season can be madness inside this mall. Vendors sell everything from
T-shirts, to wallets, to pig intestines. The mall is separated by what
product is being sold. For example, all the food vendors are situated in
one corner of this mall.
During the month of October Guadalajara holds an event that is known as
the Fiestas de Octubre. This is a month long event that attracts many
artists and vendors to the plaza. Cultural events, festivals, and music
is also offered at various locations along the plaza. Hotel and
restaurant reservations are highly recommended for this month, if you
are going to be staying anywhere around the plaza.
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