Amanda's blog

Sweating in the humid, thick air of Puerto Vallarta, Beth and I walked out of the Mercado Municipal Rio Cuale, a colorful flea market filled with authentic Mexican souvenirs, and turned left towards the Malecon.  We quickly tried to find shade from the roasting sun.

I carried a red plastic bag with the two purchases I had made in the mercado and Beth fanned herself with the new straw fan that she also bought in the crowded market.

We passed a vendor stand as we turned the corner.  “Hey girls,” said the young man in English.  “What do you need?  I’ll rip you off for less,” he said seeing our bags and smiling.

We just walked on by and laughed.  What he didn’t know is that we hadn’t been ripped off—we’ve learned the “tricks of the trade” during our few weeks in Mexico and know how to bargain. 

I wanted to pass on some of this wisdom to those of you who may be traveling in the future:

Tips for bargaining:

1)      When you’re in a market and the vendor offers you a price for an item, ask “Cual es el major precio?” or “What is the best price you can give me?”  The price will usually come down a little bit. 

2)      If a vendor isn’t budging with the price just say “No, gracias” and start to walk away—chances are you’ll suddenly hear, “Okay, cincuenta pesos!”

3)      Sometimes a vendor won’t lower the price at all.  If this is the case, you need to decide how much you want or need it.  Consider the circumstances: first, you are probably getting a better deal than you would in the U.S. anyway; second, it could actually be worth the price they are asking for it; and third, you might not be back in Mexico for awhile.  I usually sift through these questions when considering whether or not to buy something from a stubborn vendor.  If I answer “yes” to these questions, I usually end up buying it and walk away glad that I did.

I hope these tips help you make those important purchases the next time you're in another country (since you won't really be able to put them to use in the U.S.)!

As the six of us walked to the food market after breakfast at Café Morgana this morning it happened again: the whistling.  We walked past a construction site and instead of the single well-wetted whistle from a car window which we have all become familiar with, a chorus of whistles “chirped” through the air as all of the workers puckered their lips and smiled as we passed by.

While this happens multiple times a day, I am still not used to it.  It’s not just whistling either.  There are various forms of “chirping” from males: from kissing sounds and grunting, to low whispers murmuring “Hola bonita.”

I recall learning in my Spanish classes that this is a cultural thing and letting women know they are attractive in this way is viewed as a compliment.  Males in the states may not be as verbal as males in Mexico, but it often happens there too.

So, here is an important lesson for males in the states, Mexico, and probably other places all over the world, who just don’t seem to get it: girls like attention and like to feel beautiful.  They do not, however, like to feel like a “piece of meat”.  If you would like our attention or would like to compliment us, it is better to gather up your confidence, approach us and say: “I just wanted to let you know that I think you are really cute/beautiful/pretty.” (You pick the appropriate adjective).  If she’s single you may end up with a date on Friday night; if not, you will most likely make her day. 

An example of this positive “sharing of opinion” happened Monday night when Christy, Jessica and I walked to a taco stand and three men passed us and said, “Buenas noches bonitas caritas.” (Good night pretty faces).  They didn’t “cat-call” us or make us feel vulnerable—we actually felt flattered and special and I think I walked with a little more confidence than usual.                

After toast and coffee for desayuno we began our exploration of Guadalajara on Monday walking down Calle Libertad in comfy walking shoes, sunshine overhead.  We turned right onto Avenida Chapultepec and right again onto Avenida Vallarta, the “Michigan Avenue of  Guadalajara” our profesora Teresa called it.

My excited eyes darted back and forth at all of the new sights: the colorful buildings, the palm trees, and the ornate, beautiful cathedrals.  My pre-conception was correct—Mexico is more colorful than Chicago.  The Windy City, while colorful in its own respect, stands in stark contrast to the bold, vibrant green, red, orange, and blue hues of Guadalajara.

Although I was observing these new sights from the beginning of our walk as we left our hostel, Casa Libertad, my attention was captivated by the interesting sidewalks.  Soon I found myself watching closely for new patterns and colors and taking pictures of these varying sidewalks.

I found octagonal sidewalk tiles that looked as if they had been traced from a “STOP” sign, red and beige checkered patterns, and small blue ceramic squares laid in the corners of larger red-glazed squares.  

These eclectic sidewalks inspire me.  How can there be such a variety of shapes, textures, colors, and materials along just a few city blocks?  The standard beige concrete slabs of the sidewalks at home now seem so exclusive to me.

My Tuesday travels through Guadalajara revealed even more of these “inspirational paths”.  My former hesitation about exploring calles nuevos has waned and I am now eager to investigate more during my next few weeks in Mexico.   

While absorbing the unfamiliar atmosphere and fascinating scenery of a new country all around me, I am going to remember to continue looking down.  Beauty is constantly found in unexpected places and perhaps there is beauty on the path I am treading as well.     

I was told by all of my Spanish teachers from sixth grade through my second year of college that the only way to truly learn the language is to travel to a Spanish-speaking country.  Finally, after taking almost nine years of Spanish, I will be immersed in el lenguaje and the sights, smells, and sounds of Mexico.

It has always been one my dreams to study abroad and after being jealous of my friends’ adventures in London, Rome, Sevilla, Israel and Costa Rica this past year, I now have the opportunity to embark on my own cultural expedition.  I am ecstatic to be able to travel to and spend three weeks of my summer under the warm Mexican sun while gaining first-hand experience writing about travel and leisure.

Naturally I expect to learn about the history and culture of the area, but I also expect to learn valuable tools for travel writing and being a journalist.  I want to hone my writing skills and not just reflect on my experiences, but take readers on a visual journey with my words and pictures.

I have three main pre-conceptions about Mexico: that it is more colorful, less chaotic, and less sanitary than and my northwest suburban hometown.  I imagine the colorful sights will help me to write vividly and I think I will enjoy and learn more on the trip being surrounded by a less chaotic atmosphere.  However, the last of these pre-conceptions leads to my greatest anxiety: getting sick.

My main consumptions during the day are water and fruit.  I always have a bottle of water with me wherever I go, my security blanket in a sense: everything will be okay if I have my bottle of water (and my cell phone).  I have been told not to worry because I can purchase bottled water when I get there, but it still tops my “anxiety list” over getting lost or being away from my family, boyfriend, and friends for 22 days.

My only hope for the trip is that it is like a taco: a variety of tastes and textures all wrapped up in a scrumptious package.  I hope to take a break and swim in the clear, blue water at a beach in Puerto Vallarta.  I hope to listen to the musical talents of a classical Spanish guitarist or a Mariachi band.  I hope to make new friends and contacts.  And, although I plan on packing a handful of Power Bars just in case, I hope I try tasty new foods full of spices and flavors—and hopefully a real, Mexican taco.