Guadalajara's Got Grit (and a Seriously Weird Rain)
okay, so like, i’m pretty sure i’m running on fumes and lukewarm coffee right now. i landed in guadalajara yesterday, and honestly, it’s… a thing. a beautiful, chaotic, slightly unsettling thing. the humidity is clinging to everything - my clothes, my hair, my sanity - it’s like a damp hug you didn’t ask for. i just checked and it's...there right now, hope you like that kind of thing. the temperature is hovering around 26.87, feels like 26.87, temp_min 26.87, temp_max 26.87, pressure 1013, humidity 42, sea_level 1013, grnd_level 940. it’s not unpleasant, just… persistent.
my flight landed at the international airport - a surprisingly sleek operation, actually - and i immediately felt the pulse of the city. it’s not the polished, tourist-trap vibe you get in some places. this is raw. this is real. i hopped in a taxi (seriously, the drivers here are legends, they know every shortcut) and headed straight for the centro.
first thing i did? found a tostada stand. seriously, the best tostadas i’ve ever had. crispy tortillas, shredded lettuce, a generous dollop of salsa - it’s a religious experience. i’m talking about the kind of thing you’d find on a backstreet, not some fancy restaurant. i overheard a guy at the stand telling me, "La Abuela’s recipe is the only way to go." someone told me that... the place is called El Rey de las Tostadas. check it out: https://www.yelp.com/biz/el-rey-de-las-tostadas-guadalajara.
wandering around the centro, i stumbled upon this incredible street art scene. it’s not just graffiti; it’s like a living, breathing gallery. huge murals covering entire buildings, intricate stencils, bold colors - it’s insane. i spent a good three hours just wandering, snapping photos, and generally feeling overwhelmed in the best way possible. i saw a few artists working on a massive piece depicting a jaguar - seriously epic. i’m thinking of trying my hand at some of this myself, maybe a little stencil work. i need to find some good spray paint, though.
speaking of finding things, i managed to locate a vintage clothing shop called ‘El Rincón del Tiempo’ - it’s a tiny place crammed with treasures. think embroidered blouses, faded denim jackets, and ridiculously cool hats. i scored a vintage leather jacket for a steal. it’s probably seen more than i have. i heard that... the owner, a woman named Elena, is a total font of knowledge about the city’s history and fashion scene. she’s a bit of a character, but a lovely one. check out their instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elrincondeltiempo_guadalajara/.
my neighbors, the families living in the colonial district, seem to be perpetually arguing about something - probably the best tlayudas in town. if you get bored, guadalajara is just a short drive away to places like tequecali and tala. it’s a weird mix of old and new, traditional and modern. it’s like someone threw a bunch of random elements together and somehow, miraculously, it all works.
and the food! oh my god, the food. i’ve been hitting up every taco stand i can find. tacos al pastor, tacos de carnitas, tacos de barbacoa - i’m pretty sure i’m going to turn into a taco. i found this amazing little place called “La Taquería del Sol” - seriously, the best tacos i’ve had in my life. they use a trompo (a vertical spit) to cook the meat, and it’s just… perfection. i heard that... the owner, Miguel, learned to make tacos from his grandfather. it’s a family tradition. you can find them here: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g2917476-d1234567-Reviews-La_Taquer%C3%ADa_del_Sol-Guadalajara_Jalisco_State.html.
seriously, guadalajara is a trip. a beautiful, messy, slightly overwhelming trip. i’m going to need a lot more coffee. and tacos. and maybe a new pair of shoes.
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