Travel Writing in Mexico 2007: Archives

SILVANA TABARES (journalism student) writes:
When I was in elementary school I traveled with my grandmother every year during summer break to Nuevo Laredo, a small town in Tamaulipas, Mexico approximately two hours from San Antonio, Texas. This place was my mother’s birthplace and home until she emigrated to the U.S. in the late 1970s.

Since then I have traveled through various regions in Mexico, such as Monte Alban in Oaxaca, the silver mines in Taxco, the pyramids of Teotihuacán, Frida Kahlo’s Casa Azul in Coyoacán, sugarcane plantations in Veracruz, and Aguascalientes, where my great-grandparents were born and raised.

I enjoy learning about Mexico’s culture, and that is why I am looking forward to traveling with my fellow colleagues and journalism professor to Guadalajara, Guanajuato, and Puerto Vallarta this summer.

This will be my first time visiting Mexico as a journalist and I am eager to document my traveling experiences in this blog through audio, video, and photos. I have no presumptions regarding Mexico. Mexico is a vibrant country with immense history and traditions.

First and foremost I am looking forward to the warm climate and breathtaking beaches of Puerto Vallarta.

In Guanajuato, I expect to visit the infamous mummy museum. I also anticipate to experience the callejoneada where I would walk with a group of musicians known as estudiantina as they serenade the evening through the colonial streets and alleyways.

During my stay in Guadalajara I imagine listening to the traditional sounds of mariachi music, looking at murals painted by Jose Clemente Orozco, witnessing how pottery is made, savoring authentic Mexican cuisine, as well as trying a tad of tequila in the city of Tequila.

Returning to Mexico takes me back to when I began my journey as a young girl with my grandmother. It reminds me how essential it is to explore other cultures in addition to my Mexican heritage.

SILVANA TABARES (journalism student) writes:
After arriving from a short four-hour flight last night from Chicago to Guadalajara I am ready to begin my quest in Mexico.

Located in a safe and peaceful location, Casa Libertad is a welcoming hostel providing complimentary continental breakfast in the morning, a tour of several art galleries, furniture illustrating Frida Kahlo’s image, an amazing view of the city on the hostel’s rooftop, and eclectic music such as Brazilian singer Bebel Gilberto, ballads composed by Mexican musical artist Juan Gabriel, and plenty of jazz and electronic music.

The U.S. Consulate is one block away; a pharmacy is three blocks, as well as a convenient 24-hour OXXO across the street - equivalent to a 7-Eleven in the U.S.

Having a good pair of comfortable walking shoes, a light jacket, and an umbrella helps brave the rainy season as the weather forecast predicts heavy rain and thunderstorms throughout my three-week stay.

I begin with my number-one destination to Mercado Libertad, or Libertad Market. From the hostel I began walking on Libertad Avenue to Chapultepec and turned right on Vallarta Avenue. Many businesses selling mattresses and electronics were spread out all through Vallarta Avenue and I also noticed quite a few bridal boutiques - Cellini, Raffaella, Bride 890 Retro, and simply admired their bridal collections displayed inside the window.

I arrived at the Cathedral of Guadalajara to visit the patron saints of Mexico. Heading towards the Plaza de la Liberacion I notice artists hand-painting creative designs on spoons and another artist making hand drawings from photographs.

At La Rinconada on Calle Morelos I have lunch and order a not-so-appetizing all-you-can-eat buffet for almost $6. The buffet included guacamole, mushroom soup, white rice, beans, spicy chicken, pasta, and a variety of fruit. I expected a more hearty and authentic buffet, but at least I enjoyed the music played by the talented gentleman inside the restaurant. He played famous tunes on the piano like Imagine by John Lennon and the theme of Fiddler on the Roof.

After lunch I continued my journey to the market and passed through Plaza Tapatia, where I set my eyes on an enormous fountain called Fuente Inmolacion de Quetzalcoatl.

I kept on walking and stood still for a moment to view the market that I desperately walked miles for. It was massive, three-stories, and the size of an almost-two-block radius Mercado, where you need more than just an hour to browse what it has to offer.

On the third floor you will find countless of booths selling reproduced films and music, as well as clothing and electronics. If you are hungry while shopping, on the second floor there are food stands selling authentic Mexican cuisine, seafood, and even Asian food. The first floor was filled with stands selling typical Mexican merchandise like indigenous blouses, colorful shawls, cowboy boots, and handmade leather purses – exactly what I was looking for.

During shopping it started to rain, and on my way back to the hostel I pulled out my umbrella and took the subway. After two stops I quickly got out and walked several blocks on Vallarta Street toward the hostel, only this time I am getting wet from the cars splashing puddles of water left from the rain against the sidewalk. I carried on, and for a second time I admired the beautifully designed bridal gowns displayed on the window inside the bridal boutiques.