A Travel Mishap Turns Into an Unexpected Adventure
My trip back to Guadalajara didn’t go as planned. When I arrived at the airport for my evening flight, I learned I couldn’t board—and a Chicago snowstorm was rapidly approaching. All I wanted was to get back to the warmth of Mexico, so I asked the Volaris agent if there was any destination in Mexico they could fly me to that night.
After a few tears and a lot of waiting, they said they could send me to León at 1 a.m. It was my only chance to escape the storm, so I said yes without hesitation.
Once I told Joe the plan, he immediately suggested turning this detour into an adventure. He threw a bag of warm-weather clothes together, hopped on a bus, and met me in León. Luckily, my flight took off on time, and I escaped just before the city was blanketed in snow.
I landed at 5 a.m., exhausted, but Joe already had a hotel room ready so I could sleep before we made our way to Guanajuato, a city we’ve been wanting to explore.
First Impressions of Guanajuato
We checked into La Casa Azul, a charming, small hotel filled with beautiful décor, rich colors, and a lovely terraza. The tilework alone in the bathroom made me swoon.
Guanajuato is instantly captivating—vibrant buildings stacked on hillsides, winding alleyways, colorful plazas, and music floating through the air. It’s easy to get lost and fun to explore.
Eating Our Way Through Guanajuato
We had several memorable meals during our stay:
La Vie en Rose – A lovely French café overlooking a beautiful plaza, where I had an incredible Croque Madame.
Oajillo – A tapas-style spot with a fantastic terrace. Great views, great food.
Bento-Ya OMI – A rare treat: truly authentic Japanese food in Mexico. Absolutely delicious.
Tamales Luzma – Maybe the best tamales of my life: pollo verde with cheese. Heaven.
Plazas, Artists & Everyday Beauty
One of our favorite things to do was simply sit in the plazas, listening to mariachi bands drift by and watching people go about their day. Guanajuato has an endless supply of charming corners.
We also found lots of local artists selling macramé jewelry. I picked out a necklace that I absolutely love.
My favorite small moment? Turning a corner and stumbling into a children’s birthday party right in the street—piñata and all. The joy was contagious.
A Visit to the Alhóndiga de Granaditas Regional Museum
We spent some time touring the Alhóndiga de Granaditas, home to over 9,000 culturally significant artifacts and three incredible murals by José Chávez Morado. The building itself is an important site from the Mexican War of Independence, giving the space both historical weight and artistic beauty.
The Famous—and Disturbing—Mummy Museum
One of our most unique experiences was visiting the Museo de las Momias de Guanajuato. The mummies were unintentionally created after bodies were naturally preserved in the region’s soil and later exhumed due to a burial tax in the 1800s. The museum displays dozens of these naturally mummified bodies—men, women, children, even infants.
It was far more unsettling than I expected. An important cultural and historical site, yes—but one I will visit only once.
Oddly, the walk to the museum was one of the most delightful parts, thanks to the beautifully painted staircase leading up the hill.
Planning Our Return
We didn’t get to ride the funicular to the lookout point or explore the famous underground tunnels on this trip—two things we’re saving for next time.
What started as a stressful mess of flight issues turned into a beautiful, spontaneous travel memory—and a reminder that some of the best adventures begin with the unexpected.
