The 7 things I've learned about Guadalajara/Mexico so far

The people here are artisans. This chess set I bought is made entirely of old machine parts. 

1)    Being a vegetarian would be impossible. Even the coffee comes with a side of beef. 

2)    Coca-Cola is as much a part of this culture as tacos. The soft-drink, its memorabilia, and the brand are everywhere. (It probably didn’t hurt that this country’s former president, Vicente Fox, had been the president of Coca-Cola Mexico.)

3)    In no scenario do pedestrians have the right of way.

4)    The craftsman here can make gold out of garbage. See the above chess set made of old machine parts that I purchased in Tlaquepaque, a little town on the edge of the city.

5)    Everyone actually really loves mariachi music. It’s not just a tolerated tourist-pleasing tradition being performed at restaurants.

6)    The coffee we drink in Canada has actually tasted like motor oil all along.

7)    In Toronto, neon-painted bikes chained up outside are part of city-wide public art project. Here, they are used to mark the spot where a cyclist was killed. Seems to me a Tapatío (the term used to describe people from Guadalajara) visiting Toronto would think our city is a very dangerous place for cyclists. 

 

Comments

[T Mulholland]

When you here fire cracker's in Toronto you think it's gun fire.
When you here gun fire in Guadalajara you think it's fire cracker's

[Paul]

I lived in Guadalajara for four months close to downtown and I can tell you there were 4+ vegetarian restaurants within a 15 minute walking distance. I do not remember the names (apart from "Carrot") on American Ave, but they were all fantastic.

[John Garvin]

Please writte more about your experience in Mexico. I am a Canadian living in San Miguel de Allende and formerly Ajijic not far from Guadalajara. Newspapers print so many negatives about Mexico. I would love to know your perspective. When in Guadalajara, a short drive is to Ajijic and Lake Chapala. There you will find an large contingent of Canadians. You may be pleasantly surprised.

John

[BW]

Stop drinking T.H. and go to the independent coffee places all over the city and you can get great coffee. If the person behind the counter grinds, tamps and pulls your espresso shot, instead of just pressing a button, you're probably going to enjoy the end result.

[Mr. X]

6) The coffee we drink in Canada has actually tasted like motor oil all along.
******
If you drink Tim Horton's.

[Oscar]

If you have the chance, go an visit Guadalajara's Zoo, you'll be pleasantly surprised, the aquarium is beautiful, and the sightseeing from the edge of the "Barranca of Huentitan" is breathtaking!

Also, it would be interesting to read your notes about the Historic Buildings in the downtown core, the Degollado Theater, The Cabanas Cultural Centre and its Murals by Mexican artist Siqueiros, The Government Palace and the Cathedral.

In contrast, it would be nice to read about your impressions of those upscale neighborhoods, Colinas de San Javier, Puerta de Hierro y Andares Shopping Mall.. Enjoy Guadalajara, and go to Taqueiros for good tacos.