Mexico – November 2018
I already told the story of arriving in Mexico after a long flight from Canada, and the first day at Spanish school in Guanajuato, in a previous post. Today I focus on the beautiful university city and the 3 weeks I spent there. On my second day, Hiroshi, whom I share the student accommodation with, shows me the way to the school along the main road. I realize, that the route through the hilly road lined by colourful houses and stray dogs may not have been the safest one. Since my Spanish isn’t very good yet and it’s our only common language, Hiroshi and I walk in silence for now. During the time I spend at Don Quijote Spanish School, we improve little by little and use the 20-minute walk to practice:
“What did you do last night?”, “Do you like Mexican Bread?”, “Which is your favorite fruit?”, “Have you used a laundry service here?”. Our conversations are inspired by the many small shops we pass while walking through the cobblestone streets every day. At the intersection close to the baseball stadium, we turn right and when we’re lucky, an old lady is selling Tamales outside the school. So, of course, we buy a delicious breakfast before class. The interior design of the school building is just as colorful as the rest of Guanajuato. With the teacher’s warm approach and extracurricular activities, learning Spanish is a piece of cake.
During my first week here, after an afternoon lesson, Paola invites Hiroshi and me to visit the “Monumento Al Pipila”. Fortunately, there is a funicular that takes visitors up to the viewpoint. Otherwise, the steep ascend would be hard on the legs. We swiftly make it to the top and are greeted by a stunning view of the city center with the cathedral, university building and surrounding mountains. We soak up the scenery and while we wait for the sun to set, I notice the DIY colored lights: tinted foils placed on top of beams will sooner or later light up the statue in red, orange and yellow.
Once we make it back down to the historic center, we say goodbye to Paola and spontaneously decide to head to the cinema to see the recently released movie “Bohemian Rapsody”. The nachos we buy at the entrance are more expensive than the movie tickets, and with the English subtitles, the evening program is a success for me. Other evenings I spend walking through the small alleys of the old town leading to the main square with the grand theater. The area is great for people-watching, with tourists and locals alike enjoying the warm late autumn air.
On several occasions, the Spanish teachers take us out to their favourite bars, where we not only learn more informal expressions, but also enjoy the country’s culinary delights. Since Guanajuato is a popular university town, there are plenty of budget-friendly options to have a drink or two. We indulge in Corona, Micheladas, Tequila and Mezcal. And whenever we feel the need for fresh air, the taco stand on the main street is a trusted address for a midnight snack.
But Guanajuato’s gastronomic offers aren’t limited to the nighttime: due to the significant amount of Japanese people studying or working in this area of Mexico, one can for example find delicious Ramen and Sapporo beer at Delica Mitsu Campanera. There are also countless cafés serving all types of coffee, chocolate milkshakes and sweet baked goods. My personal favourite is Café Tal with shops in the historic center and along the street to Presa de la Olla.
One afternoon, Yoko and I head there after a small hike up to the Cerro de La Buffa. The small peak on the southern outskirts of the town is a popular recreational area and easily accessible from where we live. However, it’s also well-known among locals for the numerous cases of robberies, which had clueless hikers return without their phones, wallets and in some cases even clothes. Fortunately, we are lucky and return to town with all our belongings and able to buy delicious chocolate milkshakes.
Another memorable day is the celebration of the Mexican Revolution with the “desfile del 20 noviembre”, which coincides with my last week in the city. The winding streets are decorated with colorful garlands for the parade. The about 1500 participants from educational institutions, sports clubs and other associations gather in groups and represent important figures of the revolution. The total route is around 2.2 kilometers long and reaches from Jardín Embajadoras all the way to Jardín El Cantador. Passing most of the Plazas and the Callejón del Beso, it provides the perfect tour to conclude my stay in the historic town.
Read about Yoko and I’s visit to Mexico City here:
thattravelstory 
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