GQ South Africa — May 2017

DESTINATION

o country in the world (not

even Kazakhstan – see p84) is

more misunderstood than the

land across the Rio Grande.

For whatever reason, gringos always seem

to visit only the absolute worst places:

all-inclusive tourist hellscapes where you

need a wristband to order a watery margarita

and the quesadillas come with a side of

ketchup. But Mexico has quietly become

a world-class travel destination, without

sacriicing its character and history – its soul.

It’s insane to think that while we’ve been

backpacking in hailand and foodie-

pilgrimaging through Europe, Mexico has

been right there all along, getting better

(more stable, more progressive, more

sophisticated) all the time.

In the past few years, the country’s

interior has become as compelling as its

shoreline; parts of its landscape feel like a

diferent planet. Extravagance abounds if

that’s your thing, but the country’s cheap thrills (like the tasty

carnitas) ofer at least as much primal pleasure. his is, after all,

the culture that gave the world chocolate, guacamole, mezcal

and Salma Hayek. It deinitely knows how to have a good time.

32 GQ.CO.ZA MAY 2017

LAS POZAS

Surreal jungle garden

Until a freak frost in 1962

killed his beloved f lowers,

Surrealist art patron and

certified eccentric Edward

James had been living on

a former coffee plantation

in the village of Xilitla

among 18 000 orchids.

Deciding he’d make a more

permanent paradise, James

spent the next two decades

constructing 36 WTF-ish

concrete structures in the

middle of the rain forest.

Called Las Pozas for its

many spring-fed ponds, it’s

an outsider-art masterwork.

xilitla.org

Escape

to Mexico

Ignore that stupid wall,

go for the awesome

outdoor landscapes