We are just in time, Mexican time if we can find this place soon.  We are let out of our cabs by the address I have been given, the Galeria in the Avenida Chapultapec, one of the main boulevards in Guadalajara.  I am looking for a building in which I assume I will find the gallery where an art exhibition is being held in combination with the ceremony for Cafe Pacifico and La Perla bars to receive recognition from the Mexican government.

After asking around nervously at the grocery store and the cafe in my best Spanish I realize that the ceremony is actually on a little thin 'island' in the middle of this boulevard some close meters away.  The large photo exhibition there of the agave plants [the raw material from which tequila is made] gives it away.
The original idea had been to have this event in tequila town with the participation of the owner of casa Cuervo, Juan Beckman, the governor of the state of Jalisco, [95% or more of total tequila production comes from Jalisco] and ... the president of the republic of Mexico, Mr. Fox, one of my heroes.  This proved not to work, as Mr. Fox could not free up his agenda, I was told.  I was let down.

This recognition was given by the C.R.T., the tequila regulatory council in the form of what they call the distinctivo t award. The tequila council has set this program up to reward establishments, which have proven that they uphold the rising standards being set by to protect tequila for the consuming public. In order to receive this distinction, Pacifico and la Perla had to satisfy certain procedural requirements, undergo a training program and pass an examination to show its staff had the proper preparation to represent tequila correctly. 
This is the first award of the distinctivo t given to an establishment in England. Cafe Pacifico, Sydney is the first recipient in the southern hemisphere to be honored with this award. Representatives from casa Cuervo, Herradura, Arrete, Cava de Don Augustin, Sauza and Los Abuelos tequila houses were present to help celebrate.

There were canapés passed around and an impressive long table laden with an amazing array of fine tequilas from which to choose. This is the first governmental function that I remember seeing tequila cocktails being offered as well. There was a 12 piece mariachi band playing and reporters from television and radio from Mexico and the U.S. present.
All in all this made up to a large degree the disappointment I had at missing finally meeting Mr. fox.  At one point, Eamonn, the head chef of Pacifico asked, ''where are the loos?''  In the center of the boulevard, in this 'galeria 'of pavement and sidewalks there were none.  Ah, viva Mexico, viva tequila!