What kind of freak climate collision brought 68 degree lows to Texas in mid-August? Who cares, I’m going CAMPING!
I recognized about mid-week that the upcoming cooling trend was a rare gift in the midst of Texas summer heat, offering a small window of opportunity to get my long overdue outdoor “fix.” Continue reading
Excited to be on a field trip to Canon del Sumidero!
After having spent several chilly, gray rainy days in succession in San Cristobal, I was overly excited at the promise that a lower altitude destination might hold. Just the prospect of having shorts and sandals on was enough to thrill me like a school kid on a field trip! The trip to Sumidero Canyon National Park delivered all that and MORE! Continue reading
“If everybody acted in a simple and human way, we’d all be saints.”
— Don Sergio Castro
What a full-on “gut check” it was to arrive at the “Museo de Trajes Regionales” at 5:00pm on a rainy night, expecting to tour a museum of indigenous clothing…which eventually happened. But not without a reality check first of how the 45 year old costume collection came to be…. Continue reading
When I came back from my tour to the indigenous village of San Juan Chamula just 20 minutes outside of San Cristobal, my teeth were buzzing with excitement as I blurted out to Don all I had seen that day. He said, “You had better write all this down before you forget it,” and he was right. Continue reading
(pronounced or-KEE-DEE-us MOSH-va-keel ) Or “OM” for short…ooommmmm….as it certainly feels like a sacred paradise!
I was slowly but surely working on reversing a bad ending to my vacation with Don after my meltdown over having to cut our time at the beach short. I had made my apologies, however, still “chasing my space,” I was not yet ready to join him where he was staying at his dear friend Cisco’s B&B. But after having heard such wonderful stories of such an interesting character, I was eager to meet the infamous Cisco, at long last. Where better to make my introduction than in the midst of his passion, Orquideas Moxviquil? Continue reading
Is it possible to find sunshine and warmth on a cold, rainy day in San Cristobal de las Casas?
Yes, by walking through Bela’s front door!
After having a serious “disagreement” with my brother Don over whether or not to evacuate the then “Tropical Storm Carlotta,” I arrived in San Cristobal all alone on a very gray day. Continue reading
Imagine, if you will, lying on the most idyllic, secluded beach. Crescent in a shape reminiscent of the thumbnail of a new moon. Flanked on both sides by lush, verdant green cliffs.
Beach bed swing at Bahia de la Luna
You have an exclusive on the beach “swing bed,” a full size mattress covered in crisp clean white sheets and surrounded on all four sides by billowy white sheer curtains fluttering in the salty sea air. Continue reading
Just a few miles outside of the city of Oaxaca are two archaeological sites recommended as “don’t miss” side trips: Both reported to be fine examples of pre-Columbian, Mesoamerican architecture, the ruins of the Zapotec city of Monte Alban and Mitla can all be seen in one full day. However, since we were on a “whirlwind tour,” trying to make as much fit into my corporate-structured-two-week-time-off-for-good-behavior as possible, I didn’t have a full day to spare. I had to make a choice between one or the other. It was a tough decision, but I went with Monte Alban. Continue reading
I absolutely fell in love with Oaxaca ( pronounced “wuh-HAH’-kuh” for those not familiar,) though I feel like I say that about every Mexican city that I visit. I found it so warm and welcoming, with the nicest people and such a festive atmosphere in the evenings. Continue reading
Adios on the first class ADO!
We had decided to leave on the first available bus early Saturday morning in order to maximize my two weeks of vacation. The taxi would pick us up at 6:15am for the 7:00am bus bound for Oaxaca. Continue reading