Guadalajara

G u a d a l a j a r a

In order to finance my many inevitable future travels, I decided to complement my newly acquired BA with a TEFL certificate (Teaching English as a Foreign Language). The only question was where to do it? After doing some extensive research, I chose the International Teacher Training Organization (ITTO) in Guadalajara, Mexico. Their website can be found at: http://www.teflcertificatecourses.com

Left: March 2004 TEFL graduates from the International Teachers Training Organization, before completing their final exam.
Top row l-r: Miguel, Jennifer, Brady, Eric (trainer), Rosario, Joel, Alicia.
Bottom row: Jim, Glenn, Alicia.

Located some 500km west of Mexico City, Guadalajara lies is the capital of the Western Central Highlands state Jalisco. Guadalajara is officially Mexico’s second largest city. This label can be a little misleading however as Mexico City’s population is about ten times larger than Guadalajara’s meager 2 million. But while Mexico City is without a doubt Mexico’s largest city and administrative capital, Guadalajara prides itself as Mexico’s “cultural capital”. Guadalajara is also often considered “Mexico’s most Mexican city”, for it has spawned off some of Mexico’s most distinctive exports. Mariachi music, Tequila, Sombrero hats and charreadas (a sort of Mexican rodeo) are all products of Guadalajara, and its surrounding Jalisco environ.

Right:March 2004 TEFL graduates from the International Teachers Training Organization, after completing their final exam, at the Mutaualista with friends.

For a hundred bucks a week, I booked a Mexican home stay for the four weeks I was in Guadalajara. Although ITTO’s program was intensive, I was still able to get in plenty of sightseeing, activities and of course, partying in. The latter is seemingly inescapable as Guadalajara is bustling with life twenty-four hours a day. Being the birthplace of so many things distinctively Mexican, Guadalajara is an exciting city and there’s almost always something happening there – be it dancing, a film festival, a market, a soccer match, etc.

Left:Just a couple of hours away from Guadalajara is the sleepy, dusty town of Tequila. I wonder what they make with those Agave plants?

I was sure to make the pilgrimage to Tequila, as well as catch a football match – Guadalajara Chivas vs. Irapuato. Guadalajara is one of those great cities where there is always some sort of festival going on and I was able to get a great taste of Mexican music and culture. Amidst all the fun and games, I was also able to stick to the task and finish the ITTO program with flying colors. After four fantastic weeks in Guadalajara, I left for Guanajuato with a some plenty of enjoyable memories, a bunch of new friends and most importantly I guess, TEFL certificate!

Above:Guadalajara often prides itself as the "cultural capital" of Mexico. Not only is it a vibrant place but it is also the birthplace of several of Mexico's finest exports: tequila, sombrero hats and mariachi music. I caught these performers in the somewhat overly touristy suberb of Tlaquepaque. The aptly named "Plaza de los Mariachis" is another good place to see mariachis.

Above: Guadalajara's gothic - yellow domed Central Cathedral is located in the heart of the city. The nearby plazas are a great place to capture the cities vibriant atmosphere.

Right:La Minerva roundabout was located close to my homestay.

Questions or comments, email me @ glennaldo_sf@hotmail.com
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