When I first decided to move away from the United States and settle down in the colorful city of Guadalajara, I never imagined it would be this wonderful. I had images of a bustling city, with a vibrant culture, but I never guessed I’d find friends so quickly. Everywhere I go, there’s always a friendly face, and getting to know the baristas of this city has allowed me to get a glimpse of the “real” Mexico, which is so much more than the tourist ideal.
I work remotely and bring my laptop with me wherever I go. Because coffee shops are my office space and provide me with the most consistent Wi-Fi, I spend most of my time exploring various coffee shops in the area. I’m sure it’s no surprise to anyone that coffee shops help with productivity! Plus, I get to meet all kinds of locals, like the many baristas who make up the welcoming faces at each one.
My first few weeks in Guadalajara were spent bouncing from place to place. As it turns out, there are countless charming coffee shops, each with its own delightful group of baristas. Every day they welcomed me into “their” area, and we would chat while I took care of work. I learned a great deal about the city, and I’m now able to dive into the details that often get lost amid the never-ending chatter of tourists.
Through my interactions with the baristas, I discovered the “hidden” life of the people that make up Guadalajara. There’s a lot of hustle and bustle, with people hustling to get ahead and locals that pride themselves on the genuine quality of their products. I saw the strength of this city in the vibrant colors of the local markets, in the amazing flavors of the food and in the different styles of music that urge you to dance.
Working in the same places each day allowed me to get to know the baristas on a different level. Even though I don’t speak Spanish perfectly yet, that doesn’t stop me from rolling up my sleeves and chatting away in my broken Spanish. I’m learning quickly and find it wonderful that so many people are more than happy to help me out. They are always willing to give me a hand when I’m trying to learn a new grammar lesson.
I’m sure that if I hadn’t moved to Guadalajara, I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to become friends with this group of baristas. They have certainly changed my experience of Mexico and my life. Now that I’m spending more time in the city, everything seems brighter and more vibrant. I would highly recommend anyone interested in experiencing a city to its fullest (especially as an American expat) to check out the friendly neighborhoods and meet the amazing people that bring the place alive.
Puntos Gramáticales: Mejorar Tu Español
- Aprende la diferencia entre los verbos ser y estar.
- Aprende los diferentes artículos españoles (un, una, el, la, los, las).
- Aprende las diferentes formas de los verbos, como habría terminando en -do y -iendo.
- Deja que tus amigos que hablan español te corrijan cuando hablas porque saben más sobre la cultura y el lenguaje.
- Practica, practica, practica!