Chacala Beach Weekend
May 2018 While living in Mexico, I’ve been so fortunate to be surrounded by a group of strong and supportive women. Whether we are sitting around the plastic tables of Res publica for our favorite steak dinner or on the sandy beaches of the Pacific, these friends fill my heart and soul. This weekend, the…
Colombia
Colombia 2018 Nimsi, Thalia and Megan Cartagena Our first day of the trip was just travel from Guadalajara to Cartagena. It was a long day; albeit with smooth travels, from the alarm at 1:36am, then to the airport for migracion and security. We first stopped in Mexico City, as the sun was dawning over the…
Reunion in Ensenada
(Originally posted December 2017) Three years ago we formed our little friends’ circle, Mandy, Ale, Vicki and I. Our friendship grew over evenings of laughter and tears, trips to Chapala and the beach, and several bottles of wine. At the time I was new in Guadalajara, but I knew I found a family away from…
Travels through Cuba
(Originally posted June 2017) Arriving in La Habana Cuba is a complex place. Three years ago I visited Cuba for ten days with an educators delegation with Witness for Peace. This time, I spent two weeks traveling around with friends and a backpack, with fewer government restrictions and more choice in our itinerary and explorations.…
Up and Coming Tecomán?
(Originally posted February 2017) The long weekend is a must for getting out of the busy city: dust, traffic, construction and general responsibilities in exchange for relaxing, reading and the sea breeze. In lieu of the typical beaches of Vallarta or Sayulita, we went to Tecomán, Colima. Our options were limited, probably due to the…
Teacher’s Appreciation Day in Mexico
(Originally posted May 2016) Mexico celebrates big for its Teacher’s Appreciation Day. From school wide to classroom celebrations and even a day off of school, it made for a fun week! On Wednesday, in lieu of our regularly scheduled after school meeting, we had a catered luncheon with the whole staff. Everyone gathered in…
Spring Break
(Originally posted April 2016) Spring Break came early in Guadalajara! The girls from Minnesota came to visit the week before the break officially began. On Sunday, I met Nicole, Jess, Danielle, Olivia and Amanda at the airport. After settling them into their AirBnb, right outside the Templo Expiatorio, we walked down to Avenida Chapultepec to…
Christmas in Mexico
(Originally posted December 2015) The holiday season looks and feels similar to home, with some slight changes for the warmer climate. I’ve been wearing sandals and short sleeves into December. The holiday lights are strung up on palm trees and poinsettias are planted in the ground, rather than sitting indoors in a planter. Blow up…
Sayulita
(Originally posted October 2015) Three-day weekends are the greatest. In general, weekends are awesome and an extra day makes it really awesome. We chose to spend our three-day weekend in Sayulita, Nayarit. A four-hour drive and we’re in a small beach town on the Pacific Coast. After school Friday we load up the car with…
Adventures in Panama
(Originally posted July 2013) Panamá City Our adventure started as we exited the airplane in Panamá City. Debbie and I had flown together from Minneapolis and Olivia arrived separately from Madison. We found her waving excitedly as we exited the walkway. Together we breezed through immigration and customs and onward to Panamá City. Our female…