Paul Gillingham: recommendation

Transcript context

…Yes, but it should be fun and interesting too, right? I would send them across the border in California, in Tijuana. I would then tell them to fly to, I think, probably Zacatecas, because the Baroque splendor of Mexico, it’s not captured anywhere with the same intensity. This was the center of the wealth-producing world. It had the biggest mine in the world under the colony. That translated into this absolutely—it’s beyond words. Architecture, it’s stunning. You get buildings. There’s a style called the Churrigueresque, where every inch is carved with extraordinary detail. I think Tijuana, Zacatecas. From Zacatecas, I’d go to a town called Aguas Calientes. I would make sure to go there during the annual feria, which is notable for two things, apart from the fact that it’s a great week-long party. One is you get some of the best bull fights in Mexico. Two is this is one of the very few times when gambling is legal temporarily there. When you combine that, again, it’s a pretty colonial town. I’d make sure and go and see that symphony orchestra, which is superb, Argentine conductor. From Aguas Calientes, I think I’d take a plane and go to—I’m trying to do maths now—three days in each place. Nine days, two more cities. I would go to Xalapa in Veracruz precisely because it’s particularly untouristed for its quality as a city and the surroundings are beautiful temperate climate. Then the final one is really cramming things in. I’d hope to have a private jet on this or else a driver. I would go to San Cristóbal de las Casas, the colonial capital of Chiapas. Great trip. Last two questions. First, what’s the best Mexican restaurant in or near Chicago?…

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