Tlajomulco de Zúñiga and the amazing vomiting cats!

One of the fastest growing population areas in the city Tlajomulco is one of the furthest parts of the city and lies out its outer limits by the international airport.  This was yet another town that when speaking to people about visiting advised me against it.  They told me "its a horrible place", "its really industrial and nasty" and other such stuff.

Receently experiencing a building boom and as it was one of the most affordable parts of the city - it was pushed as a good place for families to live cost effectively.  Years down the road the bubble has burst. Families missed seeing their parents as the commuting times to other parts of the city took hours and as usual for this city (Guadalajara) no one had thought of any decent public transport from this area to the others.

The town itself when we visited couldn't have been more pretty and welcoming.  Its pretty churches and its small town market vibe was chaotic but charming and actually relaxing in comparison with other places we have visited.  The town centre had a nice open and free feeling.  We found a great food court upstairs in the market with various taco stands serving many Mexican classics.

My favourite thing about this town was the awesome fountains in the town center.  They have the eagle from the Mexican coat of arms in the middle and then surrounding it was various cats which look like they were vomiting all over it!

Vomiting Cat! 

AMAZING!  Not every town has vomiting cat statues and that is a good thing and a reason to visit Tlajomulco!

A strange thing about Mexico is that drinking is completely illegal in public places and the restrictions are often enforced.  You always see teenagers having their beers tipped over the floor when drinking outside in squares by police.  But in small towns and beaches these laws are very very relaxed.  In the middle of the streets they often have street sellers making micheladas (beer cocktails with tomato juice, spicy sauce and sometimes fizzy water) and other cocktails with tequila!  They key?  They put it in a special cup (a large white polystyrene one) and then it is all ok, even though if you are drinking from that thing it is often alcohol!  hahahah!

Alex is unsure about some of these mugs.