Mexico, in love with the people and places

I’ve just arrived back from my trip to Chemuyil, Mexico, which is a small town just north of Tulum. I know not everyone gets to travel, so I I love sharing with you all the vibrant color of the trip, to brighten your day here in cold, snowy Fort Collins. Sometimes we can travel from home just by looking at all the beauty. The markets are full of tropical produce, and the flowers are bursting with color.

I got the opportunity to go with some women who had been there before, which gave me a deeper appreciation for local life. It was a great way for me to discover new places. I loved being in a small village and getting to go to the little local restaurants, frequent the markets and get to know the people. Because I went with people who already knew the location, I got to have more personal contact and be shown all the cool spots, which was priceless. It was a short trip, but having so many intimate contacts and talking to the locals was so interesting and valuable. There are so many painted murals in Tulum, and friendly dogs in the streets and iguanas all over. We visited the breathtaking cenotes - which are clear blue, fresh water pools all around the area. So beautiful, so perfect to cool off from the sun or after a day at the beach. 

I got a little feel for the ancient Mayan cultural influence by visiting some ruins. I was so glad to get to interact with the native people on a human level, going to the mom and pop type places, where the kids sell their artwork. It felt good to buy that way and to truly support locals in a more direct and personal level. The architecture, flora and fauna are so vibrant and inspiring.

Speaking of in love: thank you to everyone who purchased from my site to benefit the earthquake relief in Turkey. I am so grateful to be able to help in any way I can. Valentine’s Day was yesterday, which can be a tricky holiday. Some people are lonely. Sometimes I feel like there’s too much focus on either romantic love or self-love. I think some of us need to focus on loving other people more than just ourselves. I know some of us need more self-care and it’s a complicated world out there, but more is required than just self-love. Please make sure to turn your self-love out into the world, because our world really needs it. Traveling is a good way to remind us of this.