Remember that time we went to a town in Jalisco for no particular reason and saw a donkey with coca-cola in its holster.
Image Credit, Daniel Cordero Wikipedia
Hello, Arandas!
Have you every wondered what it feels like to be an outsider?
Have you every felt curious on being a stranger in a strange land?
What about being a red dot in a sea of blue dots?
Photo by Eugene Zhyvchik on Unsplash
In our journey along the Tequila Trail, our travels led to this city of some local notoriety.
For those not familiar, the state of Jalisco in Mexico is a large, diverse state along the mid-western coast of Mexico. The state is perhaps most famous for its exquisite distilled beverage, Tequila with a quaint village of that very name within its lowlands.
Learn more on Tequila, Jalisco here.
The Best Hotel in Tequila, Jalisco
Resort luxury in the heart of Jalisco is a welcome surprise
Back to Arandas, Jalisco
No mistake, Jalisco is a diversely intriguing state deserving of much exploration, investigation, yielding adventure.
First, how to find Arandas?
Our path to Arandas was flying into Guadalajara, rent a car, and drive a very good highway to Arandas. This is a fairly easy, very picturesque two hour (or so) trip.
Arriving in Arandas delivers a pleasant surprise.
The initial imagery of Arandas is the breathe-taking church in the town’s square. As typical in Mexico, the church is the center of community activity and the plazas around the church are perpetually busy with vendors, families, and folks generally strolling around.
Stop! Look Around, Breathe, Relax
In a very American way, it is tempting to immediately jump in look around for the nearest entertainment, clubs, diversions.
Stop!
In contrast to the pace of the United States, one finds the pace of this lovely town to inch by day by day.
To best understand the life and workings of Arandas, take an entire afternoon to sit on a bench in the part. Look around, notice who is walking through the square.
Large bell, standing in front of the St, Joseph church, Arandas, Jalisco
Groups of school children scamper past, in school uniforms.
Abuelos pushing strollers, holding hands with their precious little grandchildren meander by with sweet, proud smiles.
Vendors with fresher-than-fresh fruit for a few coins, fruit which was on the vine or tree just hours ago.
Photo by Jakub Kapusnak on Unsplash
What’s Missing?
Arandas is as idyllic as it sounds. Yet, what is missing?
The missing piece, and the reason for our appearing to be displaced persons, was the lack of gringos. (it’s ok, gringo is not a racial slur)
When I say there is a lack of gringos, let me be clear. Its not that we were a minority. We were the only.
It was often comical. In fact, as we strolled around the perimeter of the square it was not uncommon for cars and trucks, loaded with workers on their way to or from their day’s labors, to slow down and stare at the pale-faced visitors.
To be clear, the locals were kind to the gringos, but they were cautious with a wary manner.
Lessons Learned
Personally, I believe if one does not learn from each and every situation, everyday, I am on a slow path to dying. Ergo, I enjoy reflection on what lessons there are to be learned to further shape growth, education.
Family life is universal: As we observed the caring, loving manner of parents and grandparents, we the familiarity of the love and devotion we all share within our families,
Outsiders Draw Attention, Suspicions: For those representing the ‘others’ or ‘them’ it is human nature to be wary. Instinctively, humans, as all of the animal world, sense those who are not familiar to us. This is likely a survival instinct. However, this instinct can also be tempered with an acknowledgement of the absence of malicious intent.
Learning is Lifelong Adventure: Despite the adage, ‘curiosity killed the cat,’ the habit of being curious is the front-runner of learning. As adults, we often pride ourselves on having all the answers and not needing to ask many questions. Sadly, this does not serve us well as we learn in the act of not knowing.
Traditional Mexican wedding picture
Americans tend to flock to the typical meccas of Cancun and Puerto Vallarta.
While these are lovely destinations, places we think of often when we envision the Mexican culture. However, Mexico has a depth and breadth of culture often overlooked.
Go explore!
Go experience!