On Homeliness and Gratitude (Entry 9/7/2010)

I know i should be posting more often and sharing more pictures or what not, but I am trying to make topics and really let you in on my experience. Not just travel experience, but people experiences. People experiences are the best! (if that makes sense)??

I really enjoy meeting people from different places and sparking random conversations. The other day on our way back to the hotel from Museo de Antropologia ( Museum of Anthropology) in Mexico City, I asked a young couple (who were speaking Spanish) where they were going- bc we did not!

They helped us out and sure enough we talked the whole way to the hotel. Both were travelers from Spain.. the most interesting part they were a traveling duo just like Hector and I! Like us, they were not dating and we both shared that we got some high brows when other people asked. Turns out we met later and had a great time!!

went to a posh (hollywood-like) cafe/bar.. not our thing!!!

went looking for places to hang out and ended up in a gay scene.. guys felt uncomfortable and asked for a drink to go.. As result................. *drumroll please.** we ended up in the back of mexican cop car... SCARY! --what do ya know?? having a drink in hand in public in Mexico is illegal too! How ironic because..

Fortunately... rumors are true .. cops are corrupt here.. my friend paid $40 for our freedom.. phewww!!
We later learned we got ripped off- Oh well.. I guess there really isn't a price to freedom. I could just picture the look on my parents' face when I told them I spent the night in a Mexico jail!!

Anyway.. the purpose of my entry is related to homeliness. "Home is where the heart is" or the famous "mi casa es su casa".

my heart seems to be all over Mexico. I feel at home with the people we've stayed with (mostly Hector's relatives, so far). All these strong women!

I had the honor to meet both of his grandmas and the opportunity to learn about how things were "back in the day". It pushes me to be a better "woman". (lol)

We are currently staying in Mexico City with a wonderful family <3

they have received us as their own children and that is such a blessing. Even thousands of miles away from my own family I am bonding with wonderful people and wish them nothing but the best. If these wonderful people share their roof and table with me .. then they have paved their way into my heart and if they have done that .. I am very grateful!

Even if it seems like they don't have much to give, they give their all and that is truly powerful.

I hope I can do the same and share my home and my love with others one day. <3

The most confusing part and frustrating is that I wish i had something to give in return but all I can do is Thank them and bless them :)

It is now that I truly understand the gift of gratitude

** ABOVE is Doña Mary.. She welcomed us into her house in DF with open arms and a lovely smile. She was so happy to have company :D

10 days since departure...

Phewwwww!!!!!!

its been 10 days since departure.. it feels like 10 years...

Aside from missing my family and really wanting to run away as fast as I could from the mosquitos in Elota, Sinaloa and the heat of Mazatlan I really like it here.

In Mazatlan we hiked up "El Faro" (The Lighthouse) in the scorching noon heat and humidity.. I was trying not to be a princess about it ...BUT it was kind of hard.

the view up there was amazing and at the end of the hike I felt PROUD. Proud of myself for going up the hill in the heat and not complaining and proud of Hector for making me do it.

It's interesting how the neighborhoods are divided and named after a famous landmark or store.. The neighborhood we stayed at in Mazatlan is called "La Ley Vieja"- "La Ley" is actually a Wal-Mart-like store and to get to Hector's grandma's house we just had to say: "take us to the "Old La Ley" and they knew exactly where!

We walked the "Malecon" (Boardwalk) at night and saw people working out and sweating because they were literally in a beachside sauna... eek

After three days of "city" we went to the outskirts in a town called Elota.. "El Rancho" .. where life is laid back and people live day by day surrounded by nature and animals that greet the sun everyday as it peaks in the sky :)

so, that basically means we were up at 4 am everyday bc the roosters were crowing!

We ate food cooked under firewood .. yummy! and the last day we ate ceviche made with fresh shrimp from the river :)

. Lucky for us.. we have great stomachs.

now .. we are Guadalajara.. a big city and we are staying at a pretty little "posada" with vaulted ceilings in the historic district...

We made it!- Day 3

We left L.A Thursday and all of a sudden its Saturday!!

Colonet (our first stop) was awesome: Small town and Hector's aunt wasn't home, so we went to a beach house about 6 miles from Colonet- San Antonio Del Mar. No electricity and water but the sky at night was beautiful!!!!

It was nice to be away from all the tourists (no offense) lol

We were the only people within (I'm guessing) a 10 mile distance along the coast... it was so silent and it was timeless.

We met 2 of Hector's family members who were great guides and very kind (: -

They gave us a ride into town where we bought some drinks and snacks.

For "dinner" we had leftover black bean sandwiches my mom made for the road, we took a walk in the beautiful sand dunes and looked @ the beautiful landscape before dark. Then we had a bonfire- the special guests were the moon and the stars!

Day 2:

I slept OK- It was chilly and my sleeping bag was not at all cozy. But I slept well on the 20 hour bus ride to La Paz.

On Day 2 (Friday) we finally were able to catch a bus to La Paz and we hitched our first ride!! :)-- BUT i hurt my tailbone real bad :/

Anywhoo... here are some pics and vids

FIRST STOP- SUNRISE

In less than 48 hours I will be departing :)

My parents are great and will be dropping us off @ our first destination: Colonet, Baja California, MExico.

I hear it is traditional Baja town: fish, surfing and quiet ( in no particular order)

Can't wait!!

lets work together

“If you have come here to help me, then you are wasting your time. But if you have come here because your liberation is bound up with mine, then let us work together.” Lilla Watson Aboriginal Activist

I always had an issue or an uncomfortable feeling when people tell me I am "helping" others because after being a part of NUevos Horizontes ( the NGO in GUatemala)-- where I volunteered for 8 weeks last summer, I didn't feel like a "helper". I felt connected to the women and did not see them with eyes of pity. Instead, I was a part of their cause- at least I want/ wanted to be. Lilla Watson really throws it down in this statement, I agree with her!

eek!

10 more days!!! :D

Build UP

Emotions are building up!

1) WE semi- mapped our trip, and it it's all becoming real ....

2) Made a "Couch-Surfing" account..

3) My #1 MExico destination thus far are the ruins of Tulum (it's going to be a religious experience for me)- there's something about Ruins by the Ocean that is so captivating for me.. and timeless

World Tour by Hitchhiking - Reforma Mexico

awesome!

French guy traveling the world!

2:43 (***)

Hitchhiking in Northern Mexico in the Copper Canyon 2

Hitchhiking around the world!

Whoa!

Props to Jeremy Marie :)

http://www.tour-du-monde-autostop.fr/qui_suis_je_en.php

Tranquility

Can't to be there again...

Peace, quiet, and the beautifully created Lago Atitlan

Almost Time

Why?

Are you Crazy?

Y .. porque?

hayyy.. ten cuidado? Estas loca?

No te da miedo? ... Aren't you scared?

How Long?

Who are you going with?

Wow! You are brave.

These are all the questions and comments I am bombarded with when I share that I will be backpacking across Mexico to reach my destination point: Guatemala.

Why? I don't know. Exactly.

But I do tell you one thing, as a child my dad and I would visit the local Goodwill Store .. HE would search for tools and what not. I, however, discovered the most amazing magazine at 8 years old: National Geographic. It was then, that a seed was planted in me. I saw so many cool places and different people in those beautiful, colorful pictures. For only 10 cents a copy I was entertained and wowed for hours.

To this day, I am interested in seeing those places and meeting those people. I feel that embarking on this trip I will be able to understand people and where they come from. So... Perfect timing, out of college and with a BA in International Studies.. the world is calling me!

Mexico is our neighbor yet, many of us are scared to set foot there. I can't say that not an ounce in me is scared, because that is a lie but I look at this trip with a sense of adventure and I am willing to face the little fear that is in me.

Yes.. I will be hitchhiking.. Not alone though. My childhood friend () and I will be traveling together and meeting great people along the way.

We are estimating making it to Guatemala in 3 weeks and stopping at landmarks in Mexico.

Keep us in your prayers..

I will keep you posted on my travels

ONE MONTH TO GO!!!