Is Guadalajara Safe Right Now? What The Media Doesn't Show

After hearing so many narratives about what life here is supposed to be like, I wanted to share my actual experience exploring Guadalajara, Jalisco. From quiet moments in nature to the simple beauty of daily life, this is what my reality here truly looks like. This isn’t to dismiss real issues but to add balance. Because there’s so much more to Mexico than the headlines. My reality in Mexico is slower, softer, and more grounded than I expected and I’m so grateful to be here. ⏱ Timestamps 00:00 Intro 04:36 Dinner Time Below are all the recipe details for dinner featured in this video 💛 Lentil Sloppy Joes + Crispy Fries + Fresh Apple Salad Ingredients Lentil Sloppy Joes 1 cup dried lentils (green or brown), rinsed 2 cups water 1 tbsp olive oil ½ onion, diced 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 cup tomato sauce 2 tbsp ketchup 1 tbsp mustard 2 tbsp maple syrup 1 tsp smoked paprika 1 tsp garlic powder 1 tsp turmeric Salt + pepper to taste buns (or lettuce wraps) Homemade Fries 3–4 large potatoes 1–2 tbsp olive oil Salt & pepper Optional: paprika, garlic powder Salad Lettuce (chopped) 1 tomato (chopped) ½ cucumber (sliced) 1 apple (chopped) Handful of craisins Simple Dressing: 1 tbsp olive oil Juice from 1 lemon Salt & pepper Instructions Cook the Lentils Add lentils + water to a pot Bring to a boil, then simmer for 20–25 minutes until tender Drain any excess water Make the Sloppy Joe Filling Heat olive oil in a pan Sauté onion and garlic until soft Add cooked lentils + all sauces/spices Stir and simmer 10–15 minutes until thick and saucy Taste and adjust seasoning Bake the Fries Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C) Cut potatoes into thin fries Soak the cut potatoes in ice water for 20–30 minutes (this removes excess starch and helps them crisp up) Drain and pat completely dry Toss with oil + seasonings Spread evenly on a baking sheet Bake: 25–35 minutes Flip halfway Cook until golden + crispy Make the Salad Toss lettuce, tomato, cucumber, apple, and craisins Drizzle dressing and mix right before serving Assemble Toast buns Add a generous scoop of lentil mixture Serve with fries + salad on the side #mexicotravel #solotravel #movingabroad