Glass blowing in Tlaquepaque, Mexico

A craftsman blows glass through a long metal tube. He is rolling the glass on a thick sheet of metal. Tlaquepaque is a small town outside of Guadalajara. Traditionally, it was the rural retreat of the wealthy. Today, it is an artist community that is popular among tourists looking for traditional Mexican crafts. The town hosts many antique shops and art galleries, as well as numerous restaurants and cafes. Guadalajara was founded soon after the conquest of Mexico in the sixteenth century and has grown to be one of Mexico's primary cities. It is the second largest city in Mexico, behind Mexico City, and is the industrial capital of the country. The city is famous for its manufacture of hardware and software for Mexico's technology industry. It is also a popular tourist destination for its blend of colonial sites and modern conveniences.