By Sebastian Perez
Traveling to the state of Jalisco was an eye-opening experience to say the least. Our team first arrived in the thriving city of Guadalajara. My initial reaction was disbelief. I was in awe at the captivating land and the beauty of its people and culture. As we drove from the airport to the hotel, I caught myself questioning whether we were in Beverly Hills or Mexico. The bustling nightlife and high rises outside our hotel windows distinguished Guadalajara as one of Mexico’s most prominent cities.
On the last day of our trip, we visited the city of Tequila. In this town, we had the chance to tequila tasting and explore the area on our own. My first impression was that the town was very proud of its role in the alcohol industry. I remember seeing the names of different tequila companies painted on walls as well as quotes from magnates in the industry. I was impressed that Tequila managed to maintain its cultural identity while still being a large tourist destination.
Tequila differed drastically from Guadalajara in both size and culture. Tequila is a small tourist town whose main attraction is the production of tequila and agave. In contrast, Guadalajara is a booming metropolis attracting industries from across the globe. Either way, both cities exhibit the heart and soul of Mexico that can be found in any city regardless of size.