This is Cabanas, founded in 1791 by the Bishop of Guadalajara Juan Ruiz de Cabanas, as a workhouse, hospital, orphanage, and old folks home. Manuel Tolsa of Mexico City designed the structure based on similar institutes in France and Spain. The historic building now houses historic collections and serves as a venue for parties, fashion shows, and live music. Nearby Guadalajara: the Chapala Rivera Lake Chapala in the rain. A water snake. Lake Chapala. An abandoned row boat. The Chapala Cathedral and Braniff Mansion. A view from the boardwalk in Chapala. A mural inside the Chapala municipal building. A chandelier inside the Chapala municipal building. A chapel in Ajijic. A local jewelry maker with beautiful handmade items for sale. A little church in Ajijic. The church yard. A bird of paradise at the chapel entrance. Inside the chapel. Chandelier inside the chapel. Nearby Guadalajara: a healing shamanic sweat lodge Teresa, the medicine woman, and her associates live on the land half way between Guadalajara and Lake Chapala. The dance instructor, Rosalio, explains the significance of corn. Teresa's daughter is seen in the foreground. Teresa explained that corporate forces are trying to bring in GMO corn, which does not produce seeds. They warned that this would be extremely harmful to their culture. Here, Teresa explains what to expect in the ceremony. To her left is her compadre, Julio, a Consecrated Maracame Huichol shaman. Next they mixed the sacred mud, herbs, and oil, which we spread all over ourselves and each other. The mud bath is called luum. They had us lie down on the grass and pray to feel connected to Mother Earth. After that we split into two groups and went into the inipis for the Temazcal ceremony, where we prayed for the earth and for our relations. Here's a discussion about this trip on Chris Gray's blog: Chris Around the World: A Travel Journalist's Tales from Around the World. Also see Tracy Barnette's blog for her Esperanza project. This is me receiving a shamanic healing from Julio. Photo by Tracy Barnett (tracybarnettonline). Mundo Cuervo, Jalisco, home of Jose Cuervo tequila A courtyard in front of the bar. Mundo Cuervo includes a visitors center, distillery tours, a giftshop, bar, and restaurant. The also host parties and tours with transportation from Guadalajara. Cuervo means crow. They had a bronze statue of a crow out front, and also a large crow named Pepe inside a huge iron cage in one of the courtyards. Also on display: an antique car collection. The grounds seemed to go on for acres. The light was low, but you can get an idea of what it was like. The Jose Cuervo property includes this beautiful chapel. Videos Guadalajara Police Band Temazcal Ceremony I Rosalio demonstrates chants and explains their meaning while Julio looks on. Temazcal Ceremony II Teresa demonstrates a chant. Her daughter is seen to the left. People carrying fuel to the fire are seen walking around. Lake Chapala I Lake Chapala II Lake Chapala III Lake Chapala IV