Cock Fight = Awesome

You have never REALLY been to Mexico until you attend a cock fight hosted in a cleared out parking garage. Gov and I tapped into this uncharted goldmine of amazingness 2 nights ago. We heard about it from a local mexican guy and when we wandered in there (6 pack in hand) and had no idea it was going to be this good.

Picture if you will. As we entered the garage we noticed it was completely lined with cardboard cock boxes especially designed to carry fighting cocks (breathing holes included), dead cocks laying in the blood soaked corners of the garage, and a 50 peso entrance fee at the gate. We gladly paid.

As we hesitantly saunter in, it becomes immediately apparent that we are the only weto's (white boys) in the place, which just ups our street cred even more.

We take our place atop the bleachers, which consists of a few metal supports and some 2/4's, crack a modelo especial, and are ready to watch the action unfold. I did not realize it, but you know how everyone in mexico has a machete right... well, so do all the cocks. The trainers keep the cocks' machetes in a small machete cock box just next to ringside. They then tie the cock's machete to the back of the cock's leg and this little saber helps the cock kill the other cock. Or just wound it to the point that it can no longer keep its head up, thus a victor is declared.

Did we bet on such festivities...? YES. Did I loose 100 pesos by betting on a cock that had a good 3 lbs on its opponent, yet managed to get its entrails spewed across the already blood soaked dirt arena floor..? YES. Was it worth every centavo...? YES.

We entered the cock fight arena as boys, and left feeling like kings of our time.

Now we are off to my cousins' B&B for Thanksgiving after which we are traveling to mexico city, then oaxaca, then huatulco.

stay tuned...

The madness is over...for now!

This last week was a whirlwind. All my friends came in. We drank, and ate and explored and laughed and had merry times.

Some of the highlights were closing down the bar on Wednesday night, BBQin on Thursday with just my dad and my crew, exploring Guadalajara on Friday, playing tennis with the old folks on Saturday, and having a party at the house on Saturday night.

There is a slide show below that captures the moments.

I have to say that it was amazing for all my friends to come out here. Not just because it was a blast having all of us hanging out together in one spot, which only happens a few times a year (if that), but because I was able to share a part of my life with them which they had not previously been exposed to. I love coming down to Mexico and it was a real treat for me to play tour guide. I think they all genuinely had a good time.

Plus I know it meant a lot to my dad. He has not had this full of a house since passover of this year when my mom was still alive. There was a ton of energy and life passing through this house this last week and I know he was basking in it with smiles all the way.

Alas much of the madness is over and playing tour guide for a week can be exhausting, so I am happy to have some quiet time right now. Gov, my dad & I are relaxing and unwinding from all the debauchery. I am looking into some art classes out here and am getting ready to leave for my cousin's b&b for Thanksgiving on the 27th. By bro and sister in law are coming out and we have a blast out there. After which, Gov and I will be cruizin Mexico City with my old roommates from Australia. I haven't seen them since and they are gearing up to show us a great time. Here we go again!

Till then I plan to work on my man tan, hike and explore the mountains in the area, catch up on some reading, and maybe even take a nap or two. Rough life.

Click on the slide show to enlarge it!

My friends are now trickling in. Kevin arrived at 6:30 on Monday morning. I was obligated to drink a couple of beers with him and play a few games of pool when he got here. all before 8am. and when i say obligated, i mean privileged. and when i say privileged i mean, i made him.

There are 6 of us here now and i pray that by the time this is all over, my dad's reputation will remain intact. I don't think this town has ever hosted 11 gringo 27 yr olds at 1 time. I am being serious.

This morning, in order to shake off some of the dust from the night before, we went for a hike up the mountain behind my dads house. There is a small chapel up there where every Easter, the locals have a procession and carry the cross to chapel. It is a pretty cool hike. Not to mention there are markers along the hike that tell the story of the different stages of the procession of Jesus before he died on the cross. So we got a small biblical Spanish lesson as we sweat out tequila. How's that for clash.

There is a beautiful view from the chapel that overlooks Lake Chapala, Ajijic (my dad's town), and a few good looking 27 yr old guys.

I plan to take my friends above and beyond this chapel within the next few days to a corn field at the top of the ridge. Pretty cool spot.

Interesting Dinner

Just got back from dinner tonight at my dad's friends house and let me just say that this town is full of interesting people. The friend happens to be the chief scientist for prop 7, the renewable energy bill, in California. I'll just say that there was plenty of good dinner conversation.

Not to mention one of their friends gave me an art lesson while I was stuffing my face with cheese and bean dip.

Not to mention my wine glass was never less than half full.

Last night I went to the theatre and saw The Hollow performed by some local actors.

Never a dull moment in this town. Even if it is chalk full of 50 + yr olds. I will say though. the good thing about hanging around all these old folk is they have definitely lived full lives and can relate to plenty of experiences. I am not bored.

Tomorrow I consult a local realtor in the morning about marketing his website online, then I'm off to an art show in the afternoon.

Does this all sound just a little bit pretentious? Cuz it does to me. But I guess that is just how I am rollin right now. Even if it is with a mohawk and handlebar mexi mustache.

I MADE IT!

I literally thought this day would never come, and now that it is here, it feels surreal. That is the only way for me to describe it. But my Mexican mustacheo reminds me of just how real it is.

I got in last night at 8:30 and immediately went to an Obama victory party, cracked a beer with my dad, and watched as one elderly woman made it her personal mission to pop every balloon in the entire place. I wanted to shoot her.

But alas, there is no room for such negativity.
I slept till 11:30 this morning, woke up in time to go out to lunch with my dad and his friends, the ROMEOS (Retired Old Men Eating Out) where we proceeded to discuss the state of everyone’s prostate and the results of their latest colonoscopy. But they are good guys and like to have a good time. So after the 2nd beer, I was game for any/all conversation.

Tonight my dad and I will celebrate my postponed birthday. Remember Remember the 5th of November.

And so begins my adventure.