I have to admit that up until recently, I didn’t know too much about Mexico. I mean I knew about the climate, the resorts and had an idea about the food and its history.
Also kept hearing about it on the news. Both Canadian and American news outlets kept broadcasting mostly depressing news about dangerous and illegal activity. Mainly fear based, politically driven, biased reports of this and that.
It’s funny that despite all the negativity, flocks of people still head there, stay on exclusive and all-inclusive resorts, drink and party like crazy and come back with the same old stories about how they had the time of their lives and you didn’t. Almost throwing it in your face. Actually, it’s exactly like throwing it in your face!
I’m tired of those stories and I’m tired of those people telling those stories. Blame it on age.
I wanted something more than the typical, the predictable. I wanted my first time in Mexico to be the opposite of drinking, partying and coming back with the same old stories. My idea of a Mexican adventure meant going into the heart of the country. Meeting some heart of the country people and enjoying heart of the country food. Real Mexico meant roadside taco stands, spiritual mountain top villages and surrounding myself with people I couldn’t understand.
I started that journey in Guadalajara. In the State of Jalisco. Birthplace of tequila.
The first thing I noticed when I landed in Mexico’s second largest city was the license place. Something about looking at a license plate to confirm that I’m officially in another state or country. But this plate was different. It had a figure of Athena on it.
“Oh that’s Minerva”, says a local.
As a history guy I couldn’t help but be amazed. As a guy with a Greek background, I couldn’t help but astounded. Shaking my head and smiling, I responded by explaining that her real name is Athena, patron Goddess of Athens; Goddess of wisdom, strength and I am woman, watch me kick ass. That is of course before the Romans took almost every name and pulled the old switcheroo (except Apollo, that they kept the same). But seeing Mexico is a Latin country, Minerva is the obvious name to use. After all, when in Mexico, do as Mexicans do.
“Si Signor, Minerva”.
Moving on. Guadalajara itself is a stunning city. Architecture is Greek, Roman and Spanish inspired, the people are friendly and I have to say that for a city of millions it’s extremely well kept and clean. Residents truly take pride and respect their surroundings, maintaining its beauty, charm and class.
And as much as I absolutely hate taking tour buses and as hard as I fought it, I got on that bright red, double-decker bus, put on the ridiculous retro headphones and listened to pre-recorded “Gringo” in a Texas accent, botch the translation of each important monument along the 2 hour route. And of course it wasn’t synchronized with what I was looking at around the city so I was lost throughout. But the bus ride itself was fantastic, well-organized, clean and efficient. Highly recommended for anyone looking for a broad yet detailed scope of Guadalajara’s sights and sounds.
Jim Bamboulis has held several posts over the past 12 years, including National Sportscaster, Food Host and Writer, Talk Show Host, Olympic Researcher and Travel Film-maker.
Born and raised in Toronto, Jim learned early on that the combination of travel and food meant ultimate living. Combining his insatiable creative spirit and desire to document his travels, Jim took his unshakable travel bug and set off to explore. Add the fact that Jim also grew up in a Greek household and he learned that not only does Mom always make the best meals, but as importantly learned the importance of understanding and appreciating the countless beautiful cultures and the integral role food plays in every corner of the World.
In August 2009, Jim founded Travel Mammal, a site that brings together his travels and experiences (both good and terrifying) with the hope that others are inspired to share their own. We are all storytellers, especially when it comes to travel and food. He urges everyone to be inspired, explore and love the world and the people that share it with us. Or in other words, Live to Travel and travel to live!
