Sometimes, a day or even a series of days turn out to be so fantastic that you look back with much fondness. Last month, I had a series of those wonderful days. I had four in a row, to be exact. Lately, I’ve had a few more. It’s one of those few instances where I know I’m currently live my best life, while I’m living it. What made these days so great?
Walking through cement platforms in the jungle, you can imagine you are Indiana Jones, in search of the next big artifact. Las Pozas in Xilitla, Mexico is unique and I don’t believe there is anything else like it in the world.
On a Wednesday in November, I booked a trip for the upcoming three-day holiday weekend to Xilitla (November 20 is a major holiday in Mexico). My Spanish teacher told me she was taking a road trip and we discussed us joining her. However, I realized her plans (which included one night of camping) would not work for us right now*. Then, she told me about Las Pozas (“The Pools”).
She described Las Pozas as a crazy, surreal garden or jardin surrealista. She also mentioned there were waterfall pools where you can go swimming. Everything about this sounded perfect. Especially the waterfall pools. I should’ve checked the drive time (and weather) before committing. I did not. Thankfully!
On a long weekend in November, we decided to visit Xilitla, San Luis Potosi, Mexico from our home base (please note, it is correctly written as Xilitla, San Luis Potosí). Little did we know that to get to Xilitla, we had to drive through the incredible Sierra Gorda Mountains. Due to a section of the highway that was only a dirt road*, we almost turned around. I’m so glad that we didn’t!
“I don’t know how I’ll ever be able to understand and speak a second language,” I said today to my Spanish teacher. “Learning Spanish is hard.”
“You will. You’re doing great!” she responded. Thankfully, she’s my cheerleader, because I’m realizing just how far away I am from being able to understand Spanish. I can say things. I can ask simple, present tense questions, and order food. But understanding the language and being able to speak in a bit more complex manner is eluding me. Reflexive verbs? K(ill)M(e)N(ow) (not really, please don’t).
I feel like I’m forgetting English now, too. “El codo,” I say, looking at the chart my teacher brought. I look at the picture. “I can’t remember the English word.”
This is about the bathrooms. If you are going to explore off the beaten-tourist-path in Mexico (and I recommend you do), you will need to know a few things about bathrooms here. They aren’t scary (mostly)! They are just bathrooms, like anywhere else. However, as a traveler, here are some things no one will think to tell you in advance.
Mexico has many lovely holidays. Of course, I’ve heard of the Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos). In fact, friends of mine used to host a Day of the Dead party, which was my first foray into trying to gain an understanding. But I didn’t really understand. Now that I’m in Mexico, I will work towards understanding as well as I can. I came to Mexico to fully immerse in a different culture. Being an outsider, I can never be perfect. Even so, I am saying yes to invitations and trying to understand the important cultural and religious holidays. And eat more amazing food.
We have been welcomed into the traditions here, both in school and in peoples’ homes.
When my friend asked if we wanted to visit the Santa Brigida Mine in Mineral de Pozos, Guanajuato, Mexico, I said yes! Two hours later, we were on our way. This day trip, which is only around one and half hours from Queretaro, Mexico, is fun visit to one of Mexico’s Pueblo Mágicos (magical town or village). The town itself is adorable, clean and has lovely cafes and shops. But what about the Santa Brigida? Is it worth visiting?
I’m usually empathetic, so there are things that hurt my soul such as various injustices, animal and child abuse, and so forth. I’m thankful to have come from a place that (mostly) values animals, so stray dogs or abandoned or abused animals can have a safe place to live (like humane societies, if forever homes aren’t quickly found).
There are things about Mexico that have made me have to have a hard heart. While many people here do have well cared for pets and many even have multiple pets, stray dogs are still abundant. And they need help.