Deceived in the Land of Mexican Drug Lords
I realized I had been deceived when I arrived in the land of Mexican drug lords.
Yes, completely deceived. Everyone who heard I was going to Mexico 🇲🇽 expressed concern and confusion, even my friends in the U.S. warned me about the dangers.
However, my first stop after entering from Los Angeles was Guadalajara, Mexico's second-largest city, notoriously known as a drug hub. To make matters worse, I arrived in the middle of the night, stacking up the danger factors. Yet, from the airport to the hotel, the streets were brightly lit, the taxi driver was polite, and there were no suspicious individuals lingering around. It actually felt safer than downtown Los Angeles.
The next day, I had only half a day to explore, so I took a leisurely stroll around the city center instead of rushing to tourist spots. The locals were warm and helpful. The country exudes a rich Spanish 🇪🇸 charm mixed with rugged indigenous elements, making it uniquely recognizable.
Mexico has been unfairly maligned. Even though it was just my first day, I already felt it was a travel destination worth visiting. Of course, no place is 100% safe, so it's always wise to stay vigilant and avoid risky situations when traveling.
Guadalajara, despite being the second-largest city, can be explored in just one day.
🎫 Attractions:
【Templo de Nuestra Señora de Aranzazú】 The most beautiful church in Guadalajara, featuring three lavishly decorated Spanish Baroque golden altars in the New Spanish Baroque style. The word "arantzazu" translates to "thorn," symbolizing the abundance of thorny bushes in the area.
【Temple de San Francisco】 Located nearby, also in the New Spanish Baroque style.
【Universidad de Guadalajara】 The university's theater (Paraninfo) boasts large murals painted by José Clemente Orozco on the stage backdrop and dome. Behind the theater is the Museum of Arts (Museo de las Artes) (10:00–18:00, Tuesday to Friday, free entry).
【Hospicio Cabañas】 The name "Cabañas" comes from Spanish Bishop Cabañas, whose statue now stands in the plaza inside the hospice. In 1796, the bishop arrived in Mexico with the mission to build a refuge for orphans, the elderly, the infirm, and the homeless. The neoclassical building was completed in 1810 and officially opened as a charitable institution. In 1997, it was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
👀 Must-see highlights: Orozco murals. The main hall features 57 murals by José Clemente Orozco, one of Mexico's "Big Three" muralists. The artwork is striking, with themes revolving around Mexican history, colonial conquest, human struggles, and resistance against fascism. The dome's masterpiece, "The Man of Fire," is considered one of the pinnacles of Mexican art. Free entry on Tuesdays!
⏰ Opening hours: 10:00–18:00, closed on Mondays.