A Letter To 2010 & 2011

Dear 2010 & 2011,

You rocked me hard. You shook me violently like a ragdoll for months and showed no sign of letting up. You pushed me to my physical, emotional and spiritual limits. It was to the point that I was numb to any emotion and there wasn't any other place to go. I visited multiple counselors, doctors, family, friends, priests, nuns and churches. My job wasn't even a safe zone. I walked in everyday with hate and fear and walked out with self doubt and tears. I felt betrayed and beaten down. I was sick. It was an emotional sickness that cut so deep it made my whole world ill.

I was scared to leave a job in a bad economy because it was required of me to bring my husband in from Mexico. But my happiness was on the line.

Then I got all Eat, Pray, Love up on myself. I decided to get the hell out and dedicated all my time to looking for a new job.....and then, I was laid off. No surprise there. The hatred was written all over my face. Usually losing a job means spiraling down into a deeper hole but this was a blessing from God. I then went to a retreat for 3 days and it was my chance to heal. My wounds slowly callused over and the bleeding slowed down. A month later I was offered 4 different jobs. I picked the best one and it's amazing how different it is. I'm treated like a human. A human with a soul and a mind.

I am thankful for my new job and the retreat. I can only hope that 2013 is way better.

Sincerely,
Christy

I am also thankful for these following happy moments that happened in the past year:

Traveled to Mexico City and stayed with a wonderful family.

Added two new ruins to my "been there done that" list.

Saw my first bull fight in Leon, Gto. Mexico

Became a Godmother at my first Mexican Baptism.

Took a stab at a dream and started a photography business called PhotoBox Studios with my sister. 

Took a girls trip to Belize with a good friend after I was laid off.

Ran right into this guy - Gene Simmons on the island of Ambergris Caye, Belize.

Let my sister experience the hipster vibe of Playa del Carmen and the beauty of the Riviera Maya.

Discovered how much I'm in love with cenotes and underground caves!

Took an express trip to Chicago with my mom and sister.

Had a fun anniversary road trip to Kansas City for an art fair. 

Took my dog Rico Suave to his first Woofstock. Then we made him do a dog race and he lost bad.

Visiting Our Lady of Guadelupe

Monday, December 12, was the feast day of Our Lady of Guadelupe and last January I had the honor of visiting her site in Mexico City. To me, it was on the top of my "Mexico City To Do" list. I always enjoy a pilgrimage here and there and this was the biggest yet.

The day started out early on a Wednesday morning. We stopped at a local restaurant for some delicious quesadillas. The morning air that once chilled our skin was warmed with a cup of Mexican hot chocolate. After our appetite was settled, we were off. I was a little nervous. I knew this was a big deal and I expected chaos. I knew how much Our Lady of Guadelupe meant to the Mexican people.

What I saw and felt was much different. There was some chaos but it was in the form of a respected low hum. You heard whispered prayers flowing out of all the chapels and into the courtyard. You saw lines streaming in and out from each building. Birds fluttering here and there. You felt the strong desire of the people to be there with Our Lady. Families in their traditional Mexican clothing gathered on the footsteps of the Cathedral as if just being in the company of this miracle was all that was needed.

To make a long story short:
Spanish missionaries came to Mexico to convert the Aztec Indians and stop their mass killing and offerings on their temples to other gods. One Roman Catholic convert, Juan Diego had visions of a lady on his walks from his village to Mexico City for daily mass. She told him to build a church on the site. So he told the Bishop and of course he was asked to show proof. On one of his last visions, the lady filled his cloak with roses (not in season) for him to take back. When he presented the roses, it was what was imprinted on his cloak that shocked the viewers more than the roses. It was an image of the Virgin in Aztec clothing, pregnant, standing on the moon and in front of the sun, gods that the Aztec worshiped. Our Lady was showing she was higher than those gods. The image then converted millions of indigenous people in what had been the Aztec Empire.

There are many churches on the site but I will only talk about the three main ones. The first one is a small chapel on the hill with a picturesque view of the city. It's walls covered in paintings depicting Juan Diego's story. It was then outgrown and a new one was built below. But because Mexico City is built on a large lake, it has started to slowly sink. As you walk up to the building, it's clearly visible that the ground slopes in ways that can't be healthy to a building. So a new larger Basilica was built right next door, this time supported with underground beams so that it wouldn't sink into the soft ground. It's round shape allows viewers to see the Virgin from no matter where you sit.  All around the back, confessionals line the walls. The most I've seen in one church.

Back behind the altar you step down into a small chamber with four moving conveyor belts. They pass from right to left allowing the lines to never stop as the faithful keep their eyes on what's above. Now you can jump on whichever conveyor belt as many times as you like but just don't stop! The security will be right on you telling you to get a move on. It's forever a crowded room.

Besides the original miracle in 1921, Juan Diego's cloak has never even shown signs of wearing down! This cheap textile is only known to last a couple years at best! It has even survived a bombing in 1921. A brass crucifix (pictured above) that was placed in front of it was bent over backwards in the blast while the cloak was kept in perfect shape.

There is no doubt that Juan Diego helped make Mexico the second largest nation of Catholics after Brazil. Pope John Paul II has even visited 5 times and made Diego a saint! He's visited so much, they built him his own platform to speak from on the front of the Basilica. And all around the grounds there were signs of his visits. There is no doubt he too believed there was something special about Our Lady of Guadelupe.

The Mummies of Guanajuato

Their families were poor, not around or just plain dead. They couldn't pay the grave tax that was required for their loved ones in the ground. The punishment for not paying the tax? Taking the body out of the ground and putting it into a museum for the whole world to see......

Fortunately for the grave diggers, some of the bodies were naturally mummified. The soil conditions and the dry climate of the mountainous areas were perfect for the bodies to dry out and not decompose.

On one of my visits to Guanajuato, Mexico, I thought it was due time to check out these "mummies" every tourist in town had been talking about. What I saw, I was not expecting. There were all kinds of mummies only about 146 years old! Some had all their clothes on while others just their socks. And all the babies! There were case after case of tiny dead babies. Yes, insert dead baby joke here.

Speaking of dead babies, there was even a mother and child mummy. The baby had died during a caesarean section. The mothers stomach was nothing but folded skin and the baby is known as one of the smallest mummies. One other one is said to have been buried alive! Her arms were covering her face and there were scratches on her forehead. Oh and don't forget stab wounds. Gross huh? So gross I took pictures!

But is taking photos and touring a building filled with dried up people that died not that long ago right? And only because their families couldn't afford to pay the grave tax? Don't know. How many years have to pass till it's "okay"? All I know is that this tourist spot has earned a great deal of money for the city and shows it's history and how it's mountains not only produce gold, but VERY interesting mummies. They have stories, lives, even relatives in the case with them. I learned so much more about these people than I would have if they were ancient aztecs.

If you would like to tip toe through the halls of this mummy museum, you can find it in Guanajuato, Gto. Mexico (NW of Mexico City). The closest airport is in Leon and it's about an hour car ride to the town. The city bus also does frequent passes. Happy Halloweeny!

Hotel Review - Riviera Caribe Maya

Hotel Riviera Caribe Maya, a home away from home. Also a hotel with a very long name. But this hotel surprised me with excellent customer service. From our first steps out of the taxi and into the lobby we were greeted with a smile and an employee that knew exactly who we were. "Are you looking for Javier?" Why yes I was! I was meeting my husband, who had arrived that morning, and our greeter knew we were the two gringas he had been waiting for. Finally, someone that cares about their guests and speaks English! Our room was small but large enough for 3 beds. It was on the first floor and one step away from the refreshing pool. Perfect. No walking necessary. It was like it was our own personal swimming oasis and great for a pool, patio, cerveca sequence on repeat.

This hotel may look small but it packs a good 21 rooms and the ability to make you think you might just be staying at a boutique like hotel. It's beautiful spiral staircase curls around a circular seating area with all the most hipster and gossip magazine for your reading pleasure. Would you expect anything else from Playa? Every room has a working air conditioner, fridge and mini bar. Their suites come with a classy rooftop pool overlooking the city. Now that's a way to chill in style! Internet is free and available at all hours and there is a café right next door for your complimentary breakfast. Keep in mind, it only includes toast and coffee. Not to worry, the menu lists an array of Mexican dishes that range from $5-$8. Very budget friendly and filling.

Location wise, it's one block from 5th Avenue and about a 5 minute walk from the beach. If you are one to complain about noise pollution, Playa may not be the place for you. From early in the morning to late at night we heard music, sport games, traffic and Mariachi bands singing to their hearts content. For us, it added to the atmosphere.

When it came time for us to leave, we had to some how arrange for a trustworthy taxi at 4 a.m. The reliable hotel staff was willing to wake us and have our taxi waiting. That was one less thing to worry about on a hectic travel day. I had a wonderful stay and would be honored to stay again. Maybe this time with the rooftop pool.

Hotel Riviera Caribe Maya
Hotel Riviera Caribe Maya Facebook

Holbox Island - The Day I Almost Swam With Whale Sharks

Right there on the top of my Mexico Bucket List is - swim with whale sharks. And wouldn't you know it, we were down there right when the whale shark season was starting (June-September). I couldn't pass that up. So all three of us jumped into our rental car early in the morning and headed North from Playa del Carmen to an island on the tip of the peninsula called Holbox (pronounced Holbosh) where it was said to be the hot spot. It was a good 4 hour drive because of all the tiny towns with massive speed bumps, carts, children and dogs in the street not allowing for any movement faster than 20 mph.

When we arrived around 1:00 pm. We jumped onto the ferry and started talking to all the locals to get the scoop. Well, the scoop was we were too late for any tours. Apparently the tours head out at 7 am and by now the water was too choppy. That's just wrong. That and they said the BEST BEST time to be there would be in July. WHAT? Ugh someone needs to tell all those tour groups in Cancun they need to get some facts straight. They also added salt to the cut by saying "oh yes, you can see swarms of whale sharks, dolphins, manatee, flying stingray and flamingos." I'm telling you, I pictured a crazy aquatic zoo with tiny humans swimming in their mist. Looks like I'm heading back for a short weekend trip someday.

Disappointed and determined to make the best of our long journey we rented what I call a "go cart" and hoofed it around the island to check out as much as we could. The beaches were empty and the hotel zone was absolutely quiet. Perfect place to disconnect from the world completely. Once Andrea saw the stretch of endless beach she had to jump off the cart and touch the water. The sand was like pudding between your toes. We then parked and walked across the stretch of water to a sand bar in the middle of the ocean (where all the flamingo rest).

Tired and needing fuel we went to a recommended restaurant that specialized in sea food and ceviche. Javier's meal was so good! He had a tall class of shrimp soup, a side of crackers and afterwards a plate of ceviche tacos. Mmmm.

Before catching the ferry back to the main land, we bought home made ice cream and parked our cart on the beach to watch the sun set. Beside us, local fishermen got high while gutting their day's catch. Oh island life.

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Edit: To see my second attempt to swim with whale sharks, see this post! 

Rio Secreto Tour. A River With A Secret.

One of the many things I wanted to do on my recent trip to Mexico was to swim in fresh water caves and cenotes. I knew of one company, Rio Secreto, that was known for their awesome tours of an underwater river. It was something new and something that probably wouldn't even be allowed to run in the United States. So I had to do it.

The tour started out with a 20 min bumpy and deathly hot van ride into the jungle. Once at the destination, you had to shower to rinse off any chemicals and oils that may damage the delicate cave once inside. Then we were suited up with water shoes, wetsuite, life vest, helmet and head lamp. Before the tour had started they asked if anyone was claustrophobic. I didn't realize what that meant exactly till I was fully in my wetsuite, life jacket and helmet and walking for 10 minutes through the hot jungle sweating my balls off and not able to take a deep breath for the life of me. My boobs and butt weren't even able to breathe! Now if you know me, I'm a creature of comfort to the 10th degree! This whole situation so far spelt trouble......and that I could never be a scuba diver.

Halfway through the jungle walk we stopped to get a blessing from a Mayan priest. It's Mayan tradition to ask permission before entering the cave, a cave that holds a portion of Mexico's drinking water. Imagine the importance of not upsetting mother earth. He chanted his prayers at the alter and then drifted the holy smoke on all of us with a feather. We were free to go in. I hate to use the word surreal but I think the word is fitting for what I'm about to experience.

Finally the entrance to the cave was in sight and all I wanted was in and to not think about my tight body hugging suite. The one big rule for all those on the tour was to NOT touch a single thing. But what they didn't tell you was how impossible that was. The floors were uneven and the only light you had was a tiny lamp on your helmet to see. So of course, on entering the cave we all touched the walls in order to not kill ourselves. And then inside I had one of those "I'm falling and I can't get up" moments and my legs got all kinds of limestone scratched. But it was just a scratch and I took it as a nice little souvenir to take home.

Besides the extremely funny gay guy in our group that thought his wet suite made him look fat, the best part of the whole tour was swimming in the clear blue freezing water and just bobbing up and down like ducks in life vests in it's depths. The cave was beautiful and we were miles underground swimming in it. The whole southern peninsula of Mexico is one giant layer of limestone and when it rains, the thin soil soaks it up and then lets it trickle into the caves below making for a symphony underground of water droplets. After years of this, stalactites and stalagmites are created and the water drops look like diamonds on the surface. When we were there it hadn't rained for a while so the water was lower and it was much quieter. We all sat in a semi circle, turned off our headlamps and sat in the most defining silence I've ever heard.

And of course, a tour in Mexico wouldn't be a tour in Mexico without a shot of tequila to warm us all up at the end. The tour lived up to it's name. Do I dare say surreal? Yes, I think I can.

(Photos 2 & 3 from Rio Secreto Facebook)

Discovering a Secret Garden in Morelia, Mexico

Perched atop a mountain overlooking the city of Morelia sits the Villa Montaña Hotel. Greenery cascades over the walls of the hotel, down into the city. Inside, purple flower petals are sprinkled over the grounds, and green vines reach for the sky. Statues of fish, angels, saints, and lions rest on every corner keeping you company on your walk through the garden, while monarch butterflies the size of your hand brush your face. A piano player on the restaurant balcony above keys his way through familiar Mexican melodies, keeping your walking tempo at an energetic pace. Finally, at the end of the path, the trees part and a brightly colored refreshing blue pool awaits you. Welcome to Morelia's secret garden.


Via my article on Trazzler.

Featured In The Knot Magazine

 

The summer issue of The Knot is out and I have a feature article in it! I had forgotten all about it till I walked past the magazine rack at Borders. I opened it, quickly flipped through the pages and there it was! My travel photography and our interview was lookin good. The editors probably could have picked a better profile shot but who's complaining right? Only two other groups were interviewed (California & New Zealand) and then there is us - México. It includes a summary of one of our trip and then some extra travel tips for those thinking about heading South. Anyways, woohoo! Onto the next magazine!

CFCA: Little Fernando

I had the opportunity to work a few tables at a Christian Foundation for Children & Aging sponsorship event. And guess what? By the end, I was sponsoring a little boy from México. I knew I wouldn't be able to bear working the table and seeing all the many folders of unsponsored children. So, we are now the new Godparents of this little 2 year old boy: Fernando Daniel CobarruviasEstrada from the village of Nezahualcoyotl. There is no doubt in my mind that we will be meeting this little guy soon.

The event ended up a great success. We were able to get 116 children sponsored all in one morning with the help of Fr. Jerry Beat (the priest who introduced me to missions/travel). I was kinda surprised by the number, it was a good 3 digit number! CFCA has also made it even more personable to sponsor a child. On their WALK2GETHER site you can now see photos of the kids needing sponsored and can specify locations and birth dates, if you so wish. Even if you don't think you have the funds to sponsor a kid for $30 a month, I dare you to just try it and you will naturally get something in return. I have been doing it for almost 10 years now and even when my income was low, I have never regretted it.

Visit their main page here: www.cfcausa.org

Or visit the sub site here: www.walk2gether.org

See other related posts here.

Puerto Vallarta

I recently developed my underwater camera and got some additional photos from Puerto Vallarta, Mx. The sun was out and the family and friends were ready to have some major beach time. There was no need to look dolled up, no appointments to be at and no reservations. Everyone was playing volleyball, swimming and of course drinking all the all inclusive drinks possible. I came to the party too late. Who knew I would have slept in so long? There was no way I could catch up, but I were going to try. I think the best part of the whole day was sitting in our little pow wow under the umbrellas telling stories and laughing hysterically. Oh I miss it. I have some really great friends.

Travel Inspiration #15

“One’s destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things." - Henry Miller. 
A beautiful tree in the courtyard of Morelia's Cathedral