Saved by the Beauty of the World

One of my favorite ways of experiencing travel is via my mouth. Eating is essential, and it is social. Much like an accent, the foods you enjoy and share identify you with those you feel close to. I like to try some of the unique things on offer when I visit a new place. Not necessarily what's at the top of the menu, but it can be fun (or at least memorable) to give something unknown a shot.  The first night we stayed in Oaxaca City, of course I had to try crickets. "Chapulinas" around here. I felt a little dangerous as I asked to add some to the salsa I was ordering. Then I discovered that the tamales they had given me were chock full of 'em! The whole family tried them, and thanks to Rosie's reticence I got a free tamale out of the deal. Myles didn't bat an eye, and I'm pretty sure he'd eat them at any meal. And Allyson, seasoned adventurer that she is, seemed impressed but unfazed by the crunchy buggers. I enjoyed them quite a lot - they're like...

It has been an amazing few days with the boys here. They came directly to Patricia's home and she served an amazing meal at nearly midnight.  In the morning, we woke up to tamales con mole. Long preplanned and paid for, we moved to our hotel. It is a fine place and we were fortunate to weather the storm here. We have had several funny calamities. A boiler went out, screaming loudly on and off in the night. A broken toilet. Cold water showers.  We ended up moving rooms a few times, but given the extraordinary weather, we felt lucky to be dry and safe. If you're going to be retreating from a storm, this place is a beautiful hide- away. I will say without question- without school, without Patricia, being here felt a little jarring at first. Thankfully, Mason and Myles are wonderful  companions. They became our world and, as a family, we set in motion a whole new adventure.  Tomorrow we say goodbye to Oaxaca. I'm at an age where this may or ma...

Today at our homestay, our hostess Patricia provided a cooking class for Rosie. It was a wonderful gift of time, material, and talent. This was not planned before this morning. Patricia created this experience to comfort and support Rosie, who has been terrified by the news in Texas.  Patricia, aware of what took place, also knew that Rosie likes to cook and that Rosie often cooks for our family when I work. In fact, Patricia had already offered to help Rosie In the kitchen via What's App -any time if she needed help. So when Patricia saw Rosie was heartsick and homesick before we left for our language school, she suggested they cook together after school. They cooked all evening. Patricia was a little strict and directive. Rosie was focused and open.  Afterward, Patricia told Rosie these recipes were her secret and that Rosie could make and sell them back in the USA. Then Rosie could have a business and provide for herself. Then Patricia ha...

Our fellow roommate speaks Zulu, 4 other African  languages, Dutch and English. And now Spanish. She has an MBA and writes about finance and meditation. So super interesting. Totally lovely person.  Says she understands Dutch but barely speaks it. She told me that the businessmen from The Netherlands come to S Africa to some business to outsource skilled labor, but they want to talk to her, but they don't listen, so she never learned to speak Dutch. She said she went to Uni in the USA and would never choose to live there again.  She was explaining how Sri Lanka just declared bankruptcy and she was so worried for the people there.  6 B dollars of debt destroying a whole nation. She was so upset. It wasn't even in my news feed. I had to Google it.  What I see and don't see in the world of information is significant. What else don't I know? Heart, Mind & Money: Using Emotional Intelligence for Financial Success https://www.amazon.com/dp/1920292241/r...

We are in our homestay. Breakfast is included. For lunch we bought a little piece of rotisserie chicken. For my dinner- queso, jalapeño and tortilla. For Rosie- queso y bolillo y helado. Como nos gustan.

 Rosie hit a wall. Tomorrow's next change- another school, our first homestay, a general sense of a loss of control--it all came up. At first it looked like irrational and angry behavior. Then tears. And then talk. And then more tears. She self soothed by flipping though Google photos. There was a lot to see. A lot of challenging times and exciting times. A lot has happened in her short life.  Rosie has been a fierce soul since the day she came into the world.  The hostess of the hostel just came and turned out the lights in the common spaces. . 11pm. Quiet hours. 3 dorms filled with young adults. Speaking so many languages. Hooking up, swapping tales, eating delicious foods. And someone ever so gently tucks them in with the flick of a light. I am glad there are hostels like this in the world. Little comforts in a world so far from home May Rosie find comfort tomorrow. I hope there are great kids and she has great fun. But even if it sucks, i hope she manages it all ok. I...

boat billed herons eating baby boa constrictors

I have been to some incredible places in my life. Our birding eco-tour was mind-boggling. It was so remote and gorgeous, and we were the only ones on it. Unfortunately, I didnt get nearly the videos and pictures I thought I had. The jumping fish were unbelievable. 100s of fish would do backflips. We also saw several kinds of pelicans, cormorants, herons, egrets, ibis, spoonbills, stork, ducks, osprey, kestrels, chachalaca, dove, parakeets, kingfishers, terns, hummingbirds, and vultures.   We saw some herons eating baby boa constrictors, and we were on the lookout for crocodiles, as the lagoon was a mix of fresh and salt waters. We saw wild horses, wild lilies and massive mango groves. We were alone in vast, rugged beauty. Even the turtles we visited were down a lonely dirt road. It was just us and Mateo, the guard of the eggs. Honestly, Rosie's estimation of 1 hour was closer to 4.5 hours. It was truly unique. Lalo and his team love the natural world, and they are a fountain o...