"Each friend represents a world within us, a world possibly not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born."
-Anais Nin, Author and Social Critic
October, 2015 - I hope that today we can look into our past, remembering the hardships and blessings of our lives. Tragedy may strike, it's quite a guarantee, but we mustn't underestimate the power we have to overcome and grow from the disasters we may face within ourselves or in the nations at large.
You can choose your words, your actions, your paths.
Choose well.
You can choose your words, your actions, your paths.
Choose well.
For those of you who haven't heard the news, we have a promotional video for you to see!
Take three minutes and take a quick look!
So much thanks be to YOU!
Love and intercontinental squishings,
T&D
Take three minutes and take a quick look!
So much thanks be to YOU!
Love and intercontinental squishings,
T&D
Considering all countries we’ve thus far visited, Daniel and I agree that the top of our “Must Return” list is our fabulous, fun-filled neighbor-to-the-South: Mexico.
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This country is quite under appreciated…
Where most visitors to the Land of Tacos would beeline to the beach in Cancun or Puerto Vallarta, we quickly paid our dues to coastal sun and then headed inland, spending a few weeks in Cuidad de Mexico, Queretaro, Guanajuato, and Morelia before heading to América del Sur.
There are three things that I generally appreciate about a country: the People, the Land, and the Food.
The People: Everyone in Mexico seems to be a neighbor... You're expected to pick up conversations with people you've never met as though you are old friends. It's quite different from what I'm used to, but equally lovely.
The Land: Mexico is HUGE and diverse... Lush jungles, baking deserts, paradisaical coastlines, rolling hills, high plains, mountain ridges, and so much in between. What's your favorite landscape? Chances are you can find something you'll like here!
The Food: Almost all of the moanfully delicious concoctions you'll find are made of tortillas, cheese, veggies, and meat. But these four basic ingredients interchanged create such a fantastically delightful plethora of belly-filling, palate-pleasing dishes that I. Could. Not. Get. Enough. Of.
Each of these were stellar and incredibly impactful, leaving me with no fear of exaggerating the level of Awesome this place holds.
| Before anything else, I found Mexico to be an unexpected, splendidly diverse cultural menagerie. The many states and communities that divide the country each have unique qualities, distinct architecture, MOUTH-WATERING food, populations who could stop you in your tracks with their congeniality, and public art run rampant. |
Mexico City, Districto Federal's (DF) historic downtown, which flaunts romantic Juliet balconies and street after street of stonework, abuts the modern business district, whose skyscrapers, sculptures, and shimmering glass towers form the impressive Paseo de las Reforma, which is adjacent to the lively party sector, thriving artisanal restaurants and nightclubs that thump into the night. Each portion was so pulsing with its own kind of blood that it felt like spending time with a larger-than-life friend. On top of that, Mexico City holds the title as the 6th largest metropolitan area in the world at an official population of 21,178, 959 as of 2015.
This, truly, is a Great City. One that I plan to explore more fully in the future, should circumstance allow. We sacrificed for years to make this trip possible, and I have no promise that we will see this happen again, without help. We worked hard to make worthwhile our short time here (see our How to Help page and see how even a little goes a long way).
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We were lucky with our city-guide and friend, a perceptive and astute well-informed nomad named David, who enriched the entire experience with his knowledge, good humor, and generosity.
| The state of Queretaro followed Mexico City. This city, for me, quickly earned the Most Beautiful Award on my list. Such immaculately maintained streets and buildings, vibrant in color and attitude. Even Antigua couldn’t compare to this gorgeous balance of livability and historic homage. The sun was buttery yellow, the fountains happily splashing, and trees pruned to the point of perfection. People were cheerful and gay, as though they knew what they had and were all too pleased to revel in it. |
The family we visited proved to follow suit, inhabiting a stylistically intriguing home that reflected our host Jorge’s clear penchant for beauty. We enjoyed volcanes and fondue, and SO MANY laughs. And when work and school called the family away, our canine buddy Ron was ready to lend a hilariously loyal hand to our enjoyment!
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We sped off to Guanajuato, by way of San Miguel Allende, and suddenly found ourselves immersed in a truly stunning city riddled with underground tunnels of what had once been a hidden river.
Where Queretaro was well-mapped to a grid, Guanajuato snaked and turned and twisted around itself.
I can’t really remember a street that remained straight for more than a block.
It created this sense of labyrinthian design, convoluting and curling around ancient buildings and churches in a way that left one happily lost in the narrow, stony streets.
I can’t really remember a street that remained straight for more than a block.
It created this sense of labyrinthian design, convoluting and curling around ancient buildings and churches in a way that left one happily lost in the narrow, stony streets.
| We were lucky once again, and happened to show up during one of the largest and most important Latin festivals in the world: Cervantino. People packed into the lanes and alleyways of the city to see the music, the art, and the cultural gallery that was the festival. For an entire month the city is transformed into a museum of folklore and Latin color. Our fantastic hostess (who lives down a road, through an alley, into a lane, and between two buildings in a fantastic 4-5 story, broken-level apartment) was gracious and willing to share her tickets to a Romanian troupe’s concert performance that literally had the crowd on its feet and dancing like gypsies around a campfire. |   |
Our last stop before departure found us in Morelia, whose gilded, bare-stone city center is set upon the ratios of the Golden Rectangle.
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We skipped on to the smaller towns to watch rural locals painstakingly craft the world-famous La Catrina skeletons and prepare feasts of food for El Dia de los Muertos.
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We walked amongst the graves of long-passed and newly-laid loved ones, whose resting places were adorned with marigold flowers, trails of salt, and hundreds of candles to guide the dead back to Earth for the celebration of family.
Surely one of the greatest highlights of our time in this fantastic country was the opportunity to accept charge for one day at a local middle school.
We were given seven classes to speak about education, dreams, and following your passions towards hopeful happiness.
We were given seven classes to speak about education, dreams, and following your passions towards hopeful happiness.
We were treated like celebrities (truly surreal, being asking to sign notepads, jackets, and sometimes body parts) and given ample occasion to practice our skills as Spanish TED Talkers. I'm not saying I deserved that spotlight, but knowing how honorable the privilege was, I pushed myself hard to make it worthwhile for those young people, in hopes that even one might pursue his/her heart and find fulfillment.
Students dressed for the holiday!
While we were there, the students were preparing their altars for the annual celebration of the aforementioned Day of the Dead (El Dia de los Muertos). This holiday (which takes place early November) offers such a neat perspective on death. Every November, families gather together and cook for their passed friends and relatives.
Children disguised as cavaleritas ("little skeletons") to celebrate their ancestors.
They build altars in cemeteries to guide deceased loved ones back to earth, then throw a party all night to remember them. The graveyards can sometimes be completely packed (above and below ground) with people, food, and live music.
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It almost entirely removes the lugubriousness from the dead, and adds elements of fun, family, and respect to the memories of those who came before.
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Some families spend WEEKS prior to the date preparing for their loved ones' visit. Last minute touches included cooking piles of food (specifically the favorites of the dead) and hauling bales of marigolds into the cemetery.
Now, let us take a minute to pay homage to some of the best cuisine I have tasted up to this point.... (NOTE: Liz Bennett's kitchen aside...)
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But, as usual, the friends we made here also made our trip worthwhile…
We house-hopped amongst an entire family in Morelia. Each member embodied the very essence of generosity and kindness. We were told later that the elders of this family rarely open up to strangers, but in no time we found ourselves being proffered literally more food than we could physically eat, and being shown the countryside and outlying cities by these wonderful and fun-loving people.
Our time with them included side-stretching laughter, and full-bellied meals, heart-felt tears, and soul-warming friendship…
Our Mexican friends, so truly giving, so inspiringly soulful, so passionately loving, were some of the hardest to say good-bye to. It almost physically hurt to raise our arms in farewell waves. I feel so grateful, so unworthy, and so impressed by these incredible and quietly powerful people, who opened my heart with their open arms.
My thanks and sincere awe goes out to you, David, for your tender heart, your beautiful soul, your astute and marvelous mind, and your genuine embraces (both physical and spiritual).
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To you, Jorge, Gabriel, Alex, Felipe, and Hamlet (descanse en paz), for your flexibility and conversation.
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To you, Tania, for your trust and your charm.
To you, Jorge, Laura, Jorge Jr, Andrea (and especially Ron!), for your love of life and infectious energy.
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To you, Mariana, for your wicked dance moves and free-spirited attitude…and time with Soma.
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To you, Mr. Chuck, for your instant companionship and co-teacher status.
 | And to you, La Familia Querida Casilla (plus Alfredo!), for your remarkable charity, your sincere openness, and your life-changing love. You will remain cherished and unforgotten. The treasures you have gifted are to be held close to our hearts, in sacred appreciation, for the rest of our lives. |  |
Explore the world. Make it better.
As mentioned, we have a promotional video for you to see at the fund raising site for our mission! Video made by James Cashman.
Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU!
Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU!
Like the photography?
There is more to see than a mere post has room for!
Take a gander at our gallery and Instagram!
LOVE it? Visit Daniel's store here!
There is more to see than a mere post has room for!
Take a gander at our gallery and Instagram!
LOVE it? Visit Daniel's store here!
So... Where were we????