The Guru Herself                                                                        

My name is Ilisa and I was born and raised in the D.C metro area. After graduating from high- school, I started my college experience at the University of Colorado and after two years transferred to The New School University in New York City. Still very unsure of what I wanted to be doing with my life, after a year in New York, I decided to take a Spanish class which led to a wanting to have a full on Spanish speaking experience.

My mission: to travel for the first time and learn Spanish. Although there were countless study abroad programs to choose from, an intense month or two where I could earn college credit seemed perfect.

January 6, 2008 the adventure began. The countless reviews from other students I had e-mailed about Guanajuato all came back with overwhelming feedback about their amazing experience in the magical city. I had to see for myself. I would have never imagined such a life changing experience was about to occur.

I arrived at my host family’s house and was warmly welcomed by the ENTIRE family. Still in aww of the breath-taking  scenery I had briefly been exposed to, I was immediately encountered with my first Spanish conversation, the only problem: I had accidently left all previous Spanish learned at the airport….

After two weeks of classes and really trying to soak in as much as possible, it was time to put myself out there. I wanted to put my energy into making native friends and absorb the language and the culture as they live and speak it. The people are so warm and friendly that with one conversation, I was immediately opened and invited into a world of new friends and authentic experiences. My heart was taken.

Although I had only planned to spend two intense months in the city, I knew after returning to the states that I had unfinished business left in Guanajuato. Without hesitation, I returned to the city and the journey of meeting new people and learning a new culture continued.

In 2011, after over a year of working in the center of Guanajuato with local artisans, selling their art and acting as a translator both for the designer and the tourist, I noticed a lack of resources accessible to the English- speaking travelers and I decided to offer my services on a more catered level to the tourist. It was then that the  “The Guanajuato Guru” was born. After 3 and a half years of living in the city, handfuls of tours, countless relationships made, I am dedicated to share my experience with other travelers. This website and the “Guru”, are here to help YOU have the most unforgettable experience in the enchanting city of Guanajuato.

Please Contact me with any questions: guanajuatoguru@gmail.com