So, it turns out Mexico and Beverly Hills have a few things in common.
At the end of July / start of August, I had the opportunity to travel to Mexico along with my mom, dad and sister. We drove from L.A. to Rosarito (via Fallbrook/Temecula and Tijuana) then flew to León, Guanajuato. Our first stop was at my uncle and aunt’s home there, but after that, we went to Aguascalientes and to Guanajato (City).
The trip had a profound effect on me in many ways. I was overwhelmed by the beauty, history and culture I encountered, not to mention seeing family I had not seen in years. And meeting new family members I had never met, including an architect. (We are now Facebook friends.) Obviously, I have a lot to say about the trip, but for now, I will keep this post brief, and let the instagrams speak for themselves.
But, you may still be wondering what do Mexico and Beverly Hills have in common aside from perhaps their live-in (and devious) maids?
Well, the nopales or cactii are the same, naturally.
But so is the architecture in the Churrigueresque style. Apparently, there are other samples of this throughout Southern California such as in Santa Monica and San Diego.
How remarkable is that? It literally blows my mind. And I hope it blows yours just a little bit, too.
I love it when architecture speaks to me that way– in English and Spanish, that is. And when geography does it, too. Artificial borders suddenly seem so, well, artificial.
FALLBROOK, CA
We always stop at these apartments on the way to Rosarito, which is why I’m including this picture. My dad usually picks a box of avocados up directly from a processing plant in Fallbrook, too.
ROSARITO, MX
I’ve grown up going to Rosarito since I was a little girl. Baja California was my first taste of Mexico outside of this relatively northern part of California in the US.
LEÓN, MX (PART 1)
León is a sprawling, modern metropolis. Its historic core is vibrant, charming and well-maintained. I won’t forget the suburban malls, the lush “colonias” and the country club I visited, or my uncle’s cellar (shown below). I was surprised to see Costco, Sams and Home Depot, among other big box chains. Oh and a Blockbuster! The cathedral there, el Expiatorio, was marvelous. The tacos, fruit, fruit juices, and artisanal gelato were unforgettable, too, though I did get sick at one point… Montezuma’s revenge?
LEÓN, MX (PART 2)
AGUASCALIENTES, MX
The highlight of our visit here was seeing family for the annual Gutierrada. That said, the town itself is charming. The most memorable part was visiting “La Plaza de Tres Centurias“, an urban redevelopment project that dates from the 19th to the 21st century in terms of cultural and architectural offerings. I can’t believe how little I know about Mexican history. I guess that lone course I took at UCLA on Latin American History just didn’t cut it.
GUANAJUATO, MX
This old Spanish colonial town is absolutely dreamy. Our time was well-spent here on a romantic “recorrido” where we were led through the historic and quaint, winding streets to “El Callejon del Beso” by musicians, poets and students sharing stories and singing to us in Castellano.
The city has an elaborate system of underground tunnels originally built by the Spanish, but also centuries later, and is known for its “naturally mummified bodies“. Apparently it is due to the minerals in the land.
Aside from that, Guanajuato is home to several museums, including one dedicated to Diego Rivera, as its his home town, and others focused on local history, from the Spanish inquisition and mining industry to late 19th century development.
BEVERLY HILLS, CA
I currently call Beverly Hills home and was surprised to find out recently that its City Hall is considered a type of Spanish Renaissance or Baroque, in the same vein as Churrigueresque church (featured above) in Guanajuato. And finally, the succulents and cactii. The arid geography reminds us all that Mexico and the Southwest of the United States share common ground, literally.
