Homebound heart

By Ashton Salazar

As world issues rise in tension and conflict, Gabriel Ibarra speaks about his experiences living in Jalisco, Mexico and how it influenced his views and way of seeing the world. 

From childhood, Ibarra realized he preferred Jalisco over America because of the less digitally based world. Compared to the fast paced lifestyle of Americans, he described Jalisco as the “default setting” for himself.

“i aint gon lie, I feel more connected to the ranch and Jalisco–because–I don't know. I think it's just a lifestyle difference, because over there you are a lot more disconnected from digital stuff and things are a lot more in person and in the presence. Since a young age I felt like that was a default setting for me”

Although he seems to enjoy Jalisco over America, there's a fascination with him when it comes to present day Mexico. His earliest memory could be considered traumatic to most, but for Ibarra, it sparked an interest. Questioning the state of Mexico, and later on, the state of the world. What conflicted his home country and made it an uncomfortable place to live in for most?

“A lot of things are more associated with combat and war, Drones flying through the sky I've seen troops and machine guns and that's kind of the nature of growing up in present day Mexico”

He recalls a moment from childhood that really set his view apart from the average child when intaking such experiences . Perhaps for the usual child, being surrounded by so much weaponry and war related things can mess with your mind, Ibarra took it differently.

“ I remember back when I was around 5 more or less, me and my mom were walking through town square in a town in jalisco during that time it was when the drug war heating up, a bunch of soldiers posted on every corner of the area and they had rifles and I just remember tapping on one of the rifles passing by and just saying to my mom “you think i could get one?” the same way a kid looks at a dump truck “

Returning to Azlan was an out of body experience for Ibarra as he had to adjust to another place. But it soon became no problem for him. He enjoyed the difference and adjusting to the life of Azlan. 

“Azlan is like a word Mexicans use to refer to this entire region of what Americans call the southwest. Returning here after going down to central Mexico was a jarring change at first. Different  language, different style of city design, different lifestyle, I'd say adjusting to it was a bit more-a bit of a challenge but with time you get used to it.”

Although the interests of the rising issues in Mexico he is politically intact with his views and morals. And he tries to be more outspoken with what he believes in or how he views the world. 

“What do I advocate for? I-I mean i just say uh cut taxes, nationalize the oil industry, and maybe cement too. Let the government make its money just to keep the government out of the lives of people essentially” Ibarra states.

Whatever the future may hold for Ibara he does in fact want to return to Jalisco to see the state of the city and the place he grew up in. What's new and what hasn't changed? October of 2025 Ibarra plans on going back to answer those questions.