• HAHAHAHA! ...Oh, you're being serious?
• Wait, did you mean to say New Mexico?
• How did your immunizations go?
• I’ve been to Belize. That’s in Mexico, right?
• Don’t forget to bring bribe money.
• Don’t drink the water.
• Don’t touch the dogs.
• Don't get mugged.
• Don’t get abducted.
• Don’t get stabbed.
• Don’t get shot.
• Don’t die.
• Can you bring me some tequila?

And now a disclaimer: Just want to clarify that this post is not meant to mock Mexico, the country where I'll be volunteering, or America, the county where I'm from. It's meant to make fun of people's odd remarks, skewed perceptions and inappropriate stereotypes about different countries. I wanted to share this because I thought other ProjectAbroad volunteers would find it funny and relatable. Do you find it relatable? Tell me...

What kind of crazy things did people say to you when you told them that you were going abroad?

Tequila is a word commonly associated with Mexico and the famously alcoholic drink, but it’s also a town in Jalisco where most of the tequila is produced, hence the name for the drink.

Tequila or Tecuila; means “place of tribute” and its located just 40 minutes away from Guadalajara, a beautiful small town, mostly decorated with tequila factories and stores, a tequila tradition that can be breathed all across the streets and the whole municipality and yesterday I had the chance to see this by myself and visit the oldest and most important tequila factory in the world; the Jose Cuervo plant, dating back to the year of 1795 when it first opened its doors and production forces to the world.

It was like having a backstage pass to a concert and witnessing the behind the scenes of the whole magic; they offered us a guided tour through the whole complex and had the chance to taste tequila in its purest form before being processed and fully bottled to be shipped all around the world. It was like the Willie Wonka version of a tequila dream, everything seemed new and exciting and filled with aromas and colors.

I’m still no tequila expert, still a long way to go, but I got to say that at least now I know the difference between the tequila categories, and it’s bit of good info for everyone who considers him/herself a tequila connoisseur. A trip to Tequila is a must for all people who visit Jalisco, being tequila one of our most Mexican traditions, getting to know the whole story behind it just enriches it more; it’s not just a drink, it’s a Mexican heritage to the world.