León, Guanajuato
After a long flight, you arrive at Bajio International Airport. You see it's a small airport and you have really no problems on your way out, and the rental of a car was a breeze.
You have heard some comments about the Calzada and the Arch, but you don't exactly know where it is. Thank God for Mexican hospitality! Because you have some free WiFi signal but you need the password and, to be honest, many people don't even have one or know they do have one. Some very nice person points you through Madero street and says "when it finishes, it'll turn into the Calzada. Don't worry, you'll know", oh, but you do worry. You've walked all Madero street, haven't you? But no, you started at a different point. So you go back. Say hello to the Expiatorio on your way back, and you see it. How could you not see it before? It's big, not humongous, but big enough to be noticeable. And so beautiful.
El Arco de la Calzada.
You see all the influences this Arch had. And, as you come closer, is it your imagination or this Lion has no balls? (1) Why are you paying attention to those Lion's balls? That could be harassment, (2) no, we had him castrated after we got the complaints of a few pregnant lionesses.
You're having a good time. Still trying to understand Mexican humour... (I did promise the bad jokes would probably not end)
And you're starving. You see an ice cream shop and a bar nearby, but in a little park, you see some street food carts. Should you dare? Oh, but you should! You'll have the Leonese food for excellence: Guacamayas (macaws). Wait. What?! These birds are either extinct or endangered, and you eat them?! Not to worry, we get the same comments from every person who is not from Leon. They are not birds, they are basically a torta of chicharrón (pork's fried skin) and salsa. If you ask for it, they will give you the "salsa de la que no pica", and I can tell you, due to experience, it has no spicy ingredients on it, not chili of any kind, so if you're not too much into spicy food, you're safe. If you are into spicy food, by all means, go for it.
You eat a couple of Guacamayas and keep on walking through the Calzada, enjoying the view, the people around, some bikes, some singers. You're tired but still have to visit the Museum and the Forum before going to bed because you have to get up at silly in the morning tomorrow to go to the FIG (International hot-air balloon festival) You take someone's advice and keep on walking, passing the Love Bridge. They even have some locks, promising eternal love over there at the top.
And then you see it: The Forum. Which is no other than the perfect combination of Library, Museum, Art school, park, and Theatre.
You can see the theatre at the end of the road. It's one of the biggest theatres we have in all the Bajio Zone, which is basically all the centre of Mexico.
There's always some play or presentation to see. And you can see some for free or prices that go as little as 50 pesos! Around 3$ USA dollars.
On your way out, you'll see the entrance to the museum. Saint Sebastian is guarding it. (We added the dinosaur for extra protection. Don't move and it won't see you -seriously, the dinosaur is there because the photographer makes them-)
This museum is free on Sundays, if you're ever short of money, don't ever be short on culture. And there is a very interesting exhibition about Mexico's favourite vegetable: Maize; as well as different temporal exhibitions, and a sculpture one.
You're finally done for the day. I'd say I'll send the dinosaur with you for protection, but we say "ve con Dios", "Dios te acompañe" (something like "may God be with you" but it's meant as a blessing and for you to have protection! so... The dinosaur stays with his creator, I'm sorry)
Arriving at your hotel, you feel shattered, and it's only 8 pm! Well, you'll need a good rest in order to wake up at 4am (what? you didn't believe me when I sad "silly in the morning"?)
Somehow it's easy to wake up and take your ride to the Parque Metropolitano. It's impossible that it's so crowded this early. You could've camped there?! Oh, god... If you'd known before. Well, it wouldn't have been the best night's sleep like you had in your comfy bed.
You're early, and you see a lot of movement and even food trucks selling coffee (thank the Lord!), and you finally see the magic. Those huge fabrics start rising in front of you.
This is the point in which I stop talking, and you just admire the view. The sun is rising with the balloons, it's the most magical thing you've seen so far (and boy! have you seen magic!)
After you've done seen the balloons in all their shapes, there's even a Darth Vader, you want to grab a bit for breakfast. You stay in the food trucks and enjoy the morning in the Metropolitano.
It's sad that you only had a couple of days to enjoy Leon, but hey! Did you visit much!
Next time you're around, we can plan some visits to malls and to different parks and an interactive museum, and maybe, if you come in January, going to the Fair
For now, so long my friend, I hope you enjoyed your visit!
Taking the motorway to Leon is really the begin of your trip. Seems like an easy enough task as you only have to drive in a straight line.
You pass the city of Silao, and it's a bit after that that you start seeing something different, more commercial, more lively, and tons of signs in Japanese. Yes, you've arrived in Leon although, you're only in the outskirts.
Even when you're only in the surroundings, you can already see part of what represents this beautiful city: a Shoe Mall.
That's right. You read correctly. A whole mall just made for you to shop for shoes, boots, trainers, or whatever footwear you might think of. And at low prices!
Don't lie to yourself, you go nuts. You have at least 3 full bags by the time you finally end that part of the trip, and it's taken you a full 3 hours!
Of course, you're starving and in desperate need of some food. You go directly to your hotel and ask for a recommendation for a place to grab a quick bite. Something Mexican, obviously. The receptionist gives you a full list of places just around the hotel, you can go to and have some tacos, tortas, enchiladas, enfrijoladas, quesadillas, etc.
Let's just pray you don't get Quetzalcoatl's curse. Maybe ask for "chile del que no pica" (non-spicy chilly) and remember to never trust a Mexican saying "no pica", it is always spicy, just not for them.
You have some delicious tacos standing up in the street and decide that's enough for an arriving adventure. Tomorrow you'll use some of your new shoes while getting to know the city a bit more.
After a full rest, you're ready the next morning for a good touristy day. Since you're staying in a central area, they recommend you an awesome place for a nice breakfast behind a hotel. You never thought you'd have to get in a queue for breakfast, yet you do. Totally worth it, by the way. And that sweet coffee you had? "Café de Olla", exquisite.
Around noon you're out of there and ready to be a full-on local, so you go to the bus stop you see first. Entrance payed (11 pesos), you try to make sense of the metro-like map, and decide you have to get off at Expiatorio because, as far as you know, that's near the centre, and that's the church they told you was beautiful and looked like a cathedral, but funny enough, wasn't.
You get off the bus at Expiatorio, but you can't see the church anywhere. It's so good that some people see you're lost and try to help you get there.
Finally, you've made it! You're in the centre, walking through the town-looking streets, arriving at the street Madero (the street you got highly recommended for a night out) and see it: El Templo Expiatorio del Sagrado Corazón de Jesús.
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| Photo by: Rosa Luz Aguinaco |
It's just standing there, in all its Cathedral-y majesty. But wait! This is not the Cathedral of the city, enjoy your time at this amazing construction, the colourful glass inside telling you the story of the church. You can even see Saint Peter's Plaza there.
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| Photo by: Pamela Gasca |
You could also walk downstairs into the crypts, which have a "secret entrance" into the well-known city hallways that were used to plot against the government just before our revolution (and during it).
If you're not so much into the creepy feeling, you can go outside and enjoy the view from the Expiatorio's Plaza. You might encounter a ceremony of some sort or a presentation! That's the Plaza certain elderly groups gather every once in a while to dance Danzon. It would be an exciting experience, and it's one of the most amazing places to Instagram in the city.
Once you're done with your tour of the Expiatorio, but before you leave, think about the local legends. This Temple was finished by the time Pople Benedict XVI came to visit Leon, and the local people had sworn that when this temple was finished, it would be the end of the world. We know it's a legend because here we are right now. You, touristing through the city; me, trying to be a more or less acceptable tourist guide.
So, please follow my red pad (sorry about the bad joke, I can't promise it won't happen often) and continue your journey through Madero street.
You finally reach the pedestrian area. You're so close to the Municipal Building, and the Fundadores Plaza. It's not a long walk, and I hope you did remember putting on some sunscreen and to bring your shades because this area is so open and bright, you'll barely see a thing without them. Unless you walk a little in the middle because, as you'll see, it's full with beautiful trees and a Kiosk in the middle. That building across the kiosk's park is the Municipal Building. If you're coming around September, you'll see all sorts of decorations for our independence. If you come here around December, you'll see a beautiful Xmas tree and a life-size Nativity set.
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| Photo by: María Quintas |
Once you're done with your tour of the Expiatorio, but before you leave, think about the local legends. This Temple was finished by the time Pople Benedict XVI came to visit Leon, and the local people had sworn that when this temple was finished, it would be the end of the world. We know it's a legend because here we are right now. You, touristing through the city; me, trying to be a more or less acceptable tourist guide.
So, please follow my red pad (sorry about the bad joke, I can't promise it won't happen often) and continue your journey through Madero street.
 |
| Photo by: Jorge Cordero Elizzararás |
 |
| Photo by: Shari Ortiz |
You have heard some comments about the Calzada and the Arch, but you don't exactly know where it is. Thank God for Mexican hospitality! Because you have some free WiFi signal but you need the password and, to be honest, many people don't even have one or know they do have one. Some very nice person points you through Madero street and says "when it finishes, it'll turn into the Calzada. Don't worry, you'll know", oh, but you do worry. You've walked all Madero street, haven't you? But no, you started at a different point. So you go back. Say hello to the Expiatorio on your way back, and you see it. How could you not see it before? It's big, not humongous, but big enough to be noticeable. And so beautiful.
El Arco de la Calzada.
 |
| Photo by: Mayra Orozco |
You're having a good time. Still trying to understand Mexican humour... (I did promise the bad jokes would probably not end)
And you're starving. You see an ice cream shop and a bar nearby, but in a little park, you see some street food carts. Should you dare? Oh, but you should! You'll have the Leonese food for excellence: Guacamayas (macaws). Wait. What?! These birds are either extinct or endangered, and you eat them?! Not to worry, we get the same comments from every person who is not from Leon. They are not birds, they are basically a torta of chicharrón (pork's fried skin) and salsa. If you ask for it, they will give you the "salsa de la que no pica", and I can tell you, due to experience, it has no spicy ingredients on it, not chili of any kind, so if you're not too much into spicy food, you're safe. If you are into spicy food, by all means, go for it.
You eat a couple of Guacamayas and keep on walking through the Calzada, enjoying the view, the people around, some bikes, some singers. You're tired but still have to visit the Museum and the Forum before going to bed because you have to get up at silly in the morning tomorrow to go to the FIG (International hot-air balloon festival) You take someone's advice and keep on walking, passing the Love Bridge. They even have some locks, promising eternal love over there at the top.
And then you see it: The Forum. Which is no other than the perfect combination of Library, Museum, Art school, park, and Theatre.
 |
| Photo by: Gabriel Cabrera |
You can walk through this area. There sometimes are different expositions, national and international. They even have a nano-museum of the Tolerance up there now. Totally worth the visit.
 |
| Photo by: Luis Gabriel Plascencia |
There's always some play or presentation to see. And you can see some for free or prices that go as little as 50 pesos! Around 3$ USA dollars.
 |
| Photo by: Octavio D'Leon |
On your way out, you'll see the entrance to the museum. Saint Sebastian is guarding it. (We added the dinosaur for extra protection. Don't move and it won't see you -seriously, the dinosaur is there because the photographer makes them-)
This museum is free on Sundays, if you're ever short of money, don't ever be short on culture. And there is a very interesting exhibition about Mexico's favourite vegetable: Maize; as well as different temporal exhibitions, and a sculpture one.
You're finally done for the day. I'd say I'll send the dinosaur with you for protection, but we say "ve con Dios", "Dios te acompañe" (something like "may God be with you" but it's meant as a blessing and for you to have protection! so... The dinosaur stays with his creator, I'm sorry)
Arriving at your hotel, you feel shattered, and it's only 8 pm! Well, you'll need a good rest in order to wake up at 4am (what? you didn't believe me when I sad "silly in the morning"?)
Somehow it's easy to wake up and take your ride to the Parque Metropolitano. It's impossible that it's so crowded this early. You could've camped there?! Oh, god... If you'd known before. Well, it wouldn't have been the best night's sleep like you had in your comfy bed.
You're early, and you see a lot of movement and even food trucks selling coffee (thank the Lord!), and you finally see the magic. Those huge fabrics start rising in front of you.
 |
| Photo by: Jorge Cordero Elizarrarás |
This is the point in which I stop talking, and you just admire the view. The sun is rising with the balloons, it's the most magical thing you've seen so far (and boy! have you seen magic!)
 |
| Photo by: Karla Lomelín |
 |
| Photo by Karla Lomelín |
It's sad that you only had a couple of days to enjoy Leon, but hey! Did you visit much!
Next time you're around, we can plan some visits to malls and to different parks and an interactive museum, and maybe, if you come in January, going to the Fair
For now, so long my friend, I hope you enjoyed your visit!
Special thanks to all the people who contributed with their amazing photos of my city. You're all properly mentioned and, if you sent me your photo and don't see it here but would like to, don't hesitate to reach out to me in the comments and I'll gladly add your art here!
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