Paracho...a guitarist's wet dream

This is when you know you're in Paracho
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Woke up late...again...and jumped on a bus to Paracho after a quick Burger King (don't take the mick, tis the first time we've had fast food since being away!).  Got off on the outskirts of town and soon came upon a guitar shop...wow, a genuine Mexican guitar shop.  Little did we know this would be the first of about 50 luthier/instrument shops in the town!  They almost outnumber the houses!

Thought I might buy a Guitarron so I shopped about for prices and tried out a few...with a bit of haggling we got some of the better ones down to about $1500 with case, but I decided against buying one in the end.  This was partly due to happening upon certain luthier by the name of Jesus Fuerte and his workshop.  Pride of place in the middle of the shop was a stunning acoustic bass guitar...Awethome...a flamenco style bass with motherof pearl inlays, bone detail, rosewood lining at the back of the body and neck and an AMAZING sound.  unfortunately there was a mix up with the price - thought he said $800, but later found out it was $8000: NOOOOOOO!!!  Got chatting to him and he's been featured in the LA Times, and he let us see a guitar he's made for Carlos Santana which was muy bonito.  Got a photie with him, and a card, so maybe one day I can afford to buy one of his basses.

Paracho was a great town- it's a guitarist's paradise!

Jodie and Sr Jesus Fuerte
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Had some nosh at a wee taco place (most of which was fed to a local dog).  Also came across a guy who makes tiny wee acoustic guitars out of every single wood and finish imaginable, and even has wee hard cases for them all!  Nichola thought it would be good to get one for my ma, but they were a wee bit out of our price rance!

Overall I thought Paracho was a great town - it's a guitarist's paradise, and all of the luthiers were really friendly and enthusiastic to chat to us about their work.  Nichola also found a wool shop and after much deliberation bought a crochet hook and some dapper red and grey wool; think she might make some warm, wooly pants for Winter in New Zealand.

Some FUD! FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUD hahahahahahahahaha! Fud, Fud everywhere!
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We also saw a local funeral taking place; the street was FULL of mourners marching slowly behind the hearse.  Felt a bit out of place being there so we ducked down a side street and Nichola refused the urge to take photos of it.  As the mob wandered past we hoped they weren't actually hunting honkies!