When Kiki and Koko got off the plane they were welcomed with a mariachi band. Kiki was delighted when the bass player smiled at her with his shining gold tooth reflecting the sun.
This was the first time they had ever been to Mexico. In fact it was the first time they had ever been across the Pacific ocean from their home on Kangaroo Island. They were too excited to notice the serious jet lag catching up on them.
Koko looked down at his shadow and then pointed up to the sky,
“Look guys. That direction is South. Remember we are in the Northern hemisphere."
Papa Koala just smiled,
“That’s right Koko. Now that you are so good at directions, why don’t you guide us to the car rental booth so we can get a car and get to our hotel?”
Papa, Kiki and Koko had two days in Guadalajara before continuing their search for Zancudo. Papa planned an educational and exciting visit, but first they had to get to their hotel.
Papa rented a very ordinary looking Hyundai Santa Fe SUV. Their hotel was right across the street from the Cathedral of Guadalajara. This was the ideal place to catch the life of Guadalajara, but first they had better catch some rest and get ready for the big day tomorrow.
Both Kiki and Koko loved the Hotel Mendoza where they stayed. They woke up to a big breakfast of Huevos Rancheros and felt like they were in a new world. For most of the morning they hung out at the hotel swimming pool until they were bored playing Marco Polo.
Kiki said she wanted to visit the artist villages Tonala and Tlaquepaque. But Koko wanted to visit Jose Cuervo’s Tequilla magic town.
Koko said,
“You know I love magic!”
Papa answered,
“We don’t want any wahala in Guadalajara. We will visit the art villages after lunch and go back safely to the hotel tonight so we can be on our way to Zancundo.”
It took about an hour and Papa parked outside what he thought was the north gate of the market in Tlaquepaque. Kiki was excited and exclaimed,
“I’d love to get a picture of Frida Khalo!”
Papa said,
“We will look around and I will let you each buy one thing you like.”
They looked around the market for about an hour and Kiki found the painting she liked and Koko got a cool Mexican headband. They were all hungry and got some tortas with tomatoes, chili sauce and avocados.
After dinner it was getting dark so they followed the sign to the North Gate. They walked back to where the car should have been, but strangely they couldn’t find the Sante Fe. They saw other cars but not the car they had rented. The Santa Fe was gone.
They had no way to get back to the hotel. Papa called the rental place and they sent a car to him and even placed a police report for the missing car. Papa was glad he agreed to the little insurance rider on the rental policy.
Kiki and Koko were looking forward to jumping in the swimming pool at the hotel. They raced up to their rooms to change into their swim gear. When they got to the lobby they asked where the pool was and the Maitre d said,
“Lo siento, la piscina está cerrada.”
“The swimming pool is closed!”
...squealed Koko.
They waddled back to their rooms in despair just to see Papa even more downtroded.
"what's wrong Papa?"
They asked.
"Well, I just got a call from the car rental."
...said Papa.
"Did they find the banditos that caused this wahala in Guadalajara?"
...asked Koko.
"That's just the thing. It wasn't the banditos that stole the car."
"Then who was it?
...they inquired.
"Remember how we parked the sun on the Northern side of the market where the sun was shinning."
"Oh no, Papa!!"
Kiki and Koko said out loud.
Then it all clicked. They were so used to seeing the afternoon sun in the north and were so tired from jet lag that they thought they had parked the car in the north lot towards the sun. In the evening when the followed the signs to the North lot they couldn't see their car anymore because they had parked in the south lot.
What a bunch of wahala.
Now they knew why Papa said "No" to Jose Cuervo’s Tequilla magic town.
The cover picture for today's story (March 14th) was painted by Mineopoly on Fresh Paint. I hope you enjoyed the mariachi spirit.
Happy Pie Day
