Arthur Bryan II
West Virginia University College of Law, Rising 3L
May 20, 2008
A City Beneath a City

As you glance up toward the sky you can see various dwellings and building structures. As it was described Guanajuato, Mexico is a city beneath a City. As you walk through the streets you can see how one part of the city is above the other. Having the chance to visit an underground convent, it was amazing to see how well preserved the convent was. It was so well preserved because of the flooding that took place in the city many years ago.

Hues of greens, oranges, yellows, reds, and blues, line the streets as you walk through the narrow streets. This city definitely rivals those of certain European cities such as Rome or England. Having the opportunity to go on a walking tour of the city enhanced my cultural experience of the city in just a short time. I believe that Diego Rivera had a lot to do with the overall appearance of the city, because I’d like to believe that he took out his paint brush and made the city his canvas.

Sitting in another country and in another law school has been a very liberating experience. I had the chance to study abroad in Brazil and this is just another great opportunity to expand my horizon, to see how the law in Mexico works and to compare their system with the U.S. legal model. Being from Texas and interacting with those of the Mexican and Hispanic population and learning about some Mexican history, I was not surprised by the many similarities that exist between the two countries in regards to the legal and political structures.

What I did find fascinating was the fact that here in Mexico there is a true “separation of church and state.” Meaning no clergy or persons of a religious order can ever participate in the political process as a public representative. Unlike the United States, there is a separation of church and state, but not to the degree in Mexico.

Breath taking and enchanting, Guanajuato, Mexico a place that I am looking forward to spending the next 14 days!