What’s up with this Mexico thing?
It was a year ago that I was on my solo trip to Oaxaca, followed by a great trip with Michele Petersen to her condo in Puerto Escondido and then traipsing through cemeteries around Patzcuaro for Day of the Dead.
And then in February of this year, Kevin and I went back to Puerto Escondido for two weeks, followed by another two weeks in Todos Santos. In March 2012 I was also visiting the Baja.
In previous years, Kevin and I drove our VW van around and through and back and forth over most of Mexico for a combined total of a few months.
I am making this Mexican grocery list of visits to remind myself that we should be done with Mexico, like seriously, enough with the Mexico thing already…
The latest info I can find tells me that there are 196 countries in the world. I’ve visited 50-something of these countries. I have a policy (albeit a rather loose one) to not repeat visits to the same countries. This doesn’t always work because a) we love walking in the U.K. & Wales b) we love France c) we’re flakes.
But still, the loose plan is to focus on all the amazing places left to discover.
And yet…there’s good ol’ Mexico right there. Full of vibrant colours, great food, happy people and sunshine.
I wish I could get this crazy mariachi music out of my head.
Colleen, I too love to travel the world, but there is something special about Mexico, especially Baja. This winter I and two friends are riding the entire length of it by mule. Very few people have met Los Californios on their own turf. If you find you have a little bit of time after all, we could find a mule for you for a few days. 🙂
Leslie, I love the sound of your mule trip down the Baja. That’s crazy-cool. I’m guessing that a trip like that might take a little while…I might have to take a pass this time. But if you write about it anywhere, please send me a link. I’d love to follow along…
Hey Colleen, I’m beginning to understand what you mean. We’ve been in the Baja for about a week right now and after 10 days of solid driving from Seattle we are finally settled in at La Paz and are in love. The whole drive down the Baja has been amazing…such beautiful diversity in scenery and in the various towns! We’ve been through desert and mountains and lush tropical oasis of palm trees, have stayed in simple little motels, quaint B&B’s and camped on the beach under a palapa and have eaten pounds of tacos, fresh fish and coconuts. And we’re only two weeks in! Can’t wait to see what the rest of Mexico holds for us. I’m not yet a writer on your level but if you’re interested in following my trail let me know and I’ll send you the link to my travel diary.
Sarah, I was just wondering where you were and voila! you show up here 🙂 I’m so happy to hear how much you’re enjoying your Baja trip. Isn’t La Paz fabulous? Be sure to go to the Bismarck and have the chokolata clams. I also recommend Buffalo BBQ for the grilled octopus over the mesquite-fire stove.TDF.
I would love to follow your trip. Send the link!
I hear you, Colleen! I’m finding I want to revisit favorite places, too, see them in different seasons, enjoy changes, see how they’re getting on, rather than maintain a ‘travel as competitive sport’ numbers chart of countries and continents I’ve touched down on. Mexico is so vast and so alluring, so dense in layers of history, it would take many lifetimes to experience it all. I don’t think it’s possible to ever be ‘done’ with Mexico.
Lesley, that’s the big conundrum for me. It feels like it’s a three-fold ‘problem’.
1) go back and visit the places I already know & love.
2) seek out new experiences – which I know I’ll love too.
3) stay home and get into the groove of being home – which I also love!
I know too, that if these are my ‘problems’ – I’m a very lucky woman.
I too was recently thinking of our travels to Patzcuaro…what an amazing place to experience ( the taxi full of earwigs was wild!). You’re welcome to join me in Oaxaca City for Day of the Dead or visit Iggy at the condo. There are still a few weeks open in Dec. when the fishermen take the Virgin from the Cathedral in a boat procession for the Blessing of the Fishes – a rare event. As Anita Brenner wrote in the 1920s “Once the dust of Mexico settles on your heart …”
Ha! Oh my Michele, I’d completely forgotten about those earwiggish bugs that were crawling up the inside of that way-too-long cab ride 🙂
You, my dear, are a temptress. I’ve made one too many commitments and it looks like I actually will be staying home for the next little bit…sigh. Enjoy the ceremonies and please light a candle for me.