Leon and Our New Family

Today we had the honor of meeting the family that makes our handmade leather jackets (chamarras) and leather bags (bolsas).  Carmen and Alex Munoz Aldana from Regina Leathers took us on a tour of their factory, introduced us to their friends and family, and also offered to take us on a tour of downtown Leon.  They welcomed us into their home as if we were members of their family.  What a life changing, beautiful experience, one we will take back to the United States and share with every person that visits our shop.

A huge thank you to the Munoz-Aldana family and we look forward to visiting Leon again soon.
Saludos,
Cat and Mike 
p.s. want to purchase some of the lovely items we are gathering?  Visit www.catalinaleather.com.

Alex's and Carmen's family making the leather goods.

Francisco, another family friend.

Alex's Auntie and Son making purses.

Another photo of the family.

Celebrating our first leather order!  The man next to Mike is Mauro, our driver that we have grown to be a part of our Mexico family as well.  Alex has the glasses and black shirt on in the back row.

Blurry picture but the woman to your right is Carmen, Alex's wife and the boy to the far left is Alex's other son.

Alex, standing on the factory balcony overlooking his Leon neighborhood.

Another of Alex, Owner and friend from Regina Leather.

Sewing the pieces for the purses.

New leather in stock!  Stay tuned for jackets and bags made out of this beautiful, rich, cow hide.

Look at how thick and strong this beautiful leather is.  It is amazingly soft!

Another view of the new leather.

I couldn't help but capture this tiny handprint, made by one of Alex and Carmen's sons when they were little.  A reminder of what they are working for.

street view of the factory.

Another view of Regina Leather's factory entrance.

The simplicity and design of this building make it a perfect work shop.  

Carmen waiting for our trip back to the store in Leon Central.

Notice the lack of railings on the balcony.  View of the work from the street.  

A sincere thank you for the kindness, humble nature and extreme generosity of this beautiful family.  We felt like a part of their family.

Dinner in Leon at El Braserio

This little place is in the same plaza as our hotel and they have been begging us to come in and try their meals.  We decided to give them a shot tonight and were not disappointed.

Mike had to give his name at Starbucks (yes,,,we went there) and this is how they spelled it :)

Custom-made salsa at your table!

Our accompaniments, and Maik's (Mike's) tequila set up in the back.  They serve tequila with lime juice and clamato.

My Perro Salado (Salty Dog), my new favorite!

Salsa served in a molcajete

Beef empanada appetizer, holy cow, these were good!

Chamorro Pibil (shaved pork) in tomato and creme sauce.

Mike's steak and cheese empanadas.

Delicious flan made right at the restaurant.  

I have to say that the Mexicans really know how to prepare meat.  I have never had such tender, flavorful meat before and I will truly miss it when we return to Arizona.

Leon Leather District

Mike and I have found where the middle class went.  It is thriving here in Leon, Mexico.  These folks are hard working, intelligent people and it was quite an eye-opener for me to see how wonderful the industry is.  

Dinner last night was at Los Arcos (right outside our hotel).  They serve fish, and um fish.

This dish was recommended by the staff and I was not disappointed.  Some kind of roasted fish.  It reminded me a bit of trout. 

Mike had Shrimp Diablo which reminded me of the tomato based dishes from Holbox, Mexico.  Muy Delicioso.

What a brilliant idea, deliver any restaurant food on a dirt bike.  I think someone in Flagstaff needs to capitalize on this idea!

Some views on our way to the leather district (Plaza de Piel)

 

You can now purchase some of our lovely handmade items at www.catalinaleather.com!

Last meal in Guanajuato

Mike and I had our last breakfast in Guanajuato at a little restaurant near el Union de Jardin and wanted to share some more of the incredible food we have had here and a few pics of the beautiful Plaza de Paz.

Chilequiles (mi favorito)

Kind of a Mexico version of eggs benedict

Every meal comes with this type of tray of assortments

Adios Guanajuato y Hola Leon

Mike and I have decided to spend our last week in Leon, Mexico to visit the leather district and truthfully, experience a little more modern accommodations.  While we have enjoyed hauling water and taking 2 minutes showers (hee hee), we are ready to see the larger city.

We spent our last day visiting El Mercado Hidalgo and picking up a few mementos from our visit.

Yes folks, cow legs...

View from la segundo piso

Look at the vegetable selection, amazing.

"Hey!  I can see my house from here!"

I will post more from Leon tomorrow.  Buenos noches Guanajuato y mis amigos.  

Saludo,

Cat