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There’s something special about Tapalpa. Meandering through its narrow, picturesque streets is a pleasure all its own and what better way to end a day of wandering than in an armchair in front of a roaring fireplace, sipping a potent Ponche de Granada?

Louise Freeman and Jenny Smith brought us the news from Ajijic: “Andrei Zúniga has found a new Foco Tonal on the premises of La Vastaguera Restaurant." Naturally we were eager to check it out—and, of course, enjoy another tasty meal there—so the following Saturday, accompanied by a few friends, we headed for La Vastaguera, which is located on the northeast shore of Lake Chapala, five kilometers south of Ocotlán and 70 kilometers southeast of Guadalajara.

What happened to my brother-in-law Pepe is usually referred to as “the old mustard scam” in The Guadalajara Reporter. That’s what I called it too, until last week when Pepe fell for it hook, line and sinker.

For two nights at the end of August, Casa-Cem’s modest “conversation salon” was filled beyond capacity by Tapatios anxious to see photos and videos of the dramatic discovery of the oldest human skeleton ever found on the American continent.

This hike takes you through beautiful landscapes and fascinating rock formations located less than an hour from Guadalajara. It’s one of those walks even small children can do and the site, unlike so many places I’ve described, can be reached by any sort of vehicle. Can you ask for anything more?

For years I’ve been searching for the perfect mirador from which to view the city of Guadalajara. To my great vergüenza (shame), it never occurred to me to check out the most obvious choice, the highest point in the city, which happens to be Cerro del Cuatro, an extinct scoria volcano 1,870 meters above sea level, located in the municipality of Tlaquepaque. Somehow, I had always imagined this hill smothered with small houses and alleyways: not exactly the great outdoors. Then along came Franky Alvarez.