Guadalajara's Got Grit (and a Lot of Tacos)

okay, so like, i’m pretty sure i’m running on fumes and questionable street corn right now. 3521628 and 1484668149 - don’t ask. it’s a thing. i just checked and it's...there right now, hope you like that kind of thing. honestly, i’m not even sure where i am anymore. guadalajara. it’s…loud. in a good way, mostly. a chaotic, mariachi-infused, street-food-fueled kind of loud.

I landed here on a whim, really. a cheap flight, a desperate need for something that wasn’t spreadsheets, and a vague memory of someone saying ‘guadalajara’ sounded cool. and it does. it really does. the architecture is insane - crumbling colonial buildings next to these super modern, almost brutalist structures. it’s like the city’s actively trying to confuse you.

I’ve been wandering around the centro, mostly. it’s a total sensory overload. vendors yelling, music blasting, the smell of tacos…oh god, the tacos. i’ve eaten like, a dozen already. someone told me that the tacos al pastor at El Huequito are legendary, and they weren’t kidding. seriously, life-changing. i found a little paladar tucked away down a side street - it was called ‘La Esquina Secreta’ - and the owner, Ricardo, was a total character. he kept offering me shots of tequila and telling me stories about his grandmother.

Speaking of characters, the neighbors are…interesting. if you get bored, puebla is just a short drive away. there’s this old woman who sits on her porch every morning selling flowers, and she just stares at you with this incredibly judgmental expression. i think she’s judging my entire life choices. and then there’s the guy who plays the trumpet on the corner - he’s amazing, but also completely deaf. it’s a beautiful, bizarre combination.

I’m staying in this Airbnb - it’s basically a converted garage in the bohemian district. it’s tiny, but it’s got a balcony and a killer view of the rooftops. i’m using my Fujifilm X-T4 and a 35mm lens - it’s perfect for capturing the gritty beauty of the city. i’ve been trying to get some shots of the street art, too. there’s this whole scene happening down in the barrio zamora.

Someone told me that the best time to visit Guadalajara is during the Día de Muertos celebrations, but honestly, it’s pretty amazing any time of year. Just be prepared for the heat - it gets intense. And don’t be afraid to get lost. That’s where you’ll find the real gems.

I checked Yelp and TripAdvisor - apparently, the Frognal is a good spot for craft cocktails. i’m not a huge drinker, but i’m willing to try anything once. i also found this cool little blog about local markets: https://www.guadalajaramarketguide.com/.

I overheard a group of college students talking about how they were planning to spend the weekend exploring the surrounding mountains. they were talking about hiking and waterfalls and…well, it sounded exhausting. but also kind of awesome. i’m thinking of checking out the botanical garden tomorrow - it’s supposed to be beautiful.

I heard that the Mercado Libertad is a must-visit for souvenirs, but be prepared to haggle. Seriously, haggle like your life depends on it. It’s part of the experience.

I’m trying to keep my phone charged, but it’s a constant battle. and my feet are killing me. i need to find a decent pair of sandals. i’m also desperately craving a proper cup of coffee. i found this place called ‘Café El Charro’ - it’s supposed to have some of the best coffee in the city. i’ll report back.

Seriously, if you’re looking for a city that’s a little bit rough around the edges, a little bit chaotic, and a whole lot of delicious, guadalajara is your place. just bring comfortable shoes and a willingness to embrace the madness. and maybe a few extra tacos.

Pro-tip: learn a few basic spanish phrases. it’ll go a long way. and don’t be afraid to say “si, por favor!” - it’s basically the universal sign of agreement.

Oh, and check out this local art collective: https://www.artguadalajara.com/. They’re doing some really cool stuff.

And one last thing: don’t trust everything you hear. Seriously.

Okay, I’m going to go find another taco.

Tags: travel, guadalajara, mexico, city, human, vibe, messy

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