All I have to say is that I started the new year just like I wanted, traveling!!!

I could’ve not been happier than celebrating the new year traveling in Mexico with my family. I had an amazing time both in Mexico City and Veracruz, and most importantly I enjoyed every second, bonding with my cousins.

I didn’t know how much I missed the city. I love the hustle and bustle, the architecture, that mix of the pre-hispanic past and modern day Mexico…something you rarely see in a city like San Diego.

My family and I spent 10 days between Mexico City and Huatusco, a small city in central Mexico, known for its coffee. Needless to say it was exciting, yet very intense.

Did I mention we almost died twice during this trip?

So here are my top three most memorable moments of my adventure through the jungle that is Mexico City.

1. Foggy bus ride back to el DF

Fog Ahead!

So we rode the bus on our way back to Mexico City from Veracruz. But get this, Huatusco is at an elevation of about 3800 feet above sea level. There’s a section of the highway where the road gets really curvy with some very dangerous s-shape curves. Add a whole lot of fog to that. And you get a recipe for disaster.

Luckily, our driver (I’m assuming) has driven this road hundreds of times and can drive with his eyes closed. Because literally, my sister woke me up from a nap to tell me the fog was so thick, It was nearly impossible the driver was able to see the road or anything ahead of him. Yikes.

2. Metro adventures

So we made it back to the bus station alive. Then it was time to decide whether we wanted to take a taxi, a pecero, or the metro. It occured to us that taking the metro would be a faster way to get to my aunt’s home. Only problem, there were five of us with 4 suitcases!!! It was rush hour, and the day before el día de los reyes. All I can say is that the Virgin of Guadalupe was looking after us.

So we are trying to get in the metro, and the door closes. We start counting and making sure that everyone is in. There’s 4 of us, one is missing. I see my sister outside with a tear in her eye waving us goodbye. Luckily the metro hasn’t taken off, then the door opens again. I grab my sister by her sweatshirt, and pulled her in while other fellow passengers hold the door open.

Phew. She’s in! Wait a minute…her bag is in between the doors. It brakes. The door opens again and we pulled her stuff in. Now all of us are in the cabin with a hundred of our closest friends, on top of each other like sardines. It’s like 80 degrees inside, and I need some air to breathe. We look around, we’re alive, then we realized there’s like 30 people in front of us, separating us from the exit door.

“Excuse me” that magic word..is not going to work here. People push, elbow, and kick each other just to get out on their exits. They just don’t care. Everyone is trying to get home after a long day at work. Can’t really blame them. Luckily for us, the tall guy behind my cousin Ely is getting off on the same exit, and offers to help her with her luggage. So he pushes her to the front, and helped us all out. It was definitely a thrill.

It was like the running of the bulls in Pamplona, except we were running away from an stampede of people.

Mexico City’s metro

3. City tour on a double-decker bus

So we did a tour of the city on a double-decker bus. I definitely recommend this if you ever go to el DF. You’ll get a unique perspective of Mexico, you won’t get anywhere else. There’s about 6 different tours, tickets are between 15 and 16 bucks, and you can hop-on and hop-off at several designated stops. We did the tour that makes a circuit from the historic center, down the Paseo de la Reforma to Chapultepec Park, and into trendy neighborhoods like Condesa, Roma and Polanco.

It took us about three hours to do it without getting off the bus.

Click to view slideshow.

Feliz 2013! No puedo creer que Enero ya esta por terminar….Pero estoy feliz por que empecé el año como me gusta, viajando!!!

Como siempre no la pasamos de lujo en en el DF y en Huatusco. En total fueron 10 días al extremo!

Extraño la ciudad, y me encantaria regresar a vivir al DF.

Ya veremos que nos tiene el destino en puerta.

My job stint in Austin (or as someone pointed out, my internship, ha.) only lasted about 4 months. And even if it wasn’t the dream job I was looking for, It was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had. It was also the hardest.

I’ve never thought being away from home was going to be so difficult. I literally cried every month. See, I’ve never had that going away college experience. So this was the first time I was apart from my parents and my doggie.

Looking back, plenty of times I just felt lonely. And that feeling completely freaked me out.

And Yes, I could’ve called home which I did, believe me, everyday. And I came to San Diego three times in 4 months. But having your family around regardless of whether you want to kill them sometimes…is priceless.

 I’ll definitely miss Austin, and all the great people I met there (you know who you are) but being back in San Diego just feels right.

This was definitely an experience that made me stronger, and made appreciate the little things in life that are worthwhile.

¡Estoy de vuelta en San Diego!

A pesar de que solo estuve en Austin por 4 meses, estoy feliz de estar de regreso.

Extrañe mucho a mi familia, a mi novio y a mi perrita. A pesar de que no dure mucho en Austin. Me encanto la oportunidad de haber vivido en esa ciudad. Austin es un lugar que tiene mucho que ofrecer, pero el clima de San Diego no se compara con ninguna otra ciudad, es único.

Fue una experiencia de aprendizaje. Definitivamente me di cuenta que estar cerca de la familia no tiene precio. Aunque a veces nos queremos ahorcar, ese apoyo incondional es indescriptible.

Si llore mucho por estar lejos y por primera vez sentir la soledad tal cual, pero fue una experiencia que me hizo mas fuerte y me alegra haberla vivido.

Take a look.

¡Ayer cumplí una semana de que llegue a Austin!  Y aunque no había tenido la oportunidad de salir por que no conozco el área todavía, convencí a mi roommate para que me llevara al castillo (en realidad es una casa en forma de castillo) en el área de Clarksville. Precisamente vi un reportaje en las noticias locales sobre este lugar y no resistí ir a buscarlo. Y vaya sorpresa que me lleve, ¡Es una galería de arte al aire libre!

Disfrútenlo.

The crazy part is that I moved here without ever visiting the city, let alone the state of Texas. The only other time I can think I did something as spontaneous was when my family and I decided to move to San Diego from Mexico City. One day we packed our bags, jumped on a plane and moved.

I spent 14 years in sunny San Diego. It is hard to say goodbye to great weather, beautiful beaches, and above all my family, my boyfriend & my dog, but sometimes you just have to take a risk and follow your dreams, or in this case a dream job?…well I can update you on that one once I start working.

Will I become an Austinite, or will I forever be a San Diegan?

Even though I don’t like running or hiking, I found out that the trail system in the city of Poway is one of the finest in Southern California.

Multi-use trails allow bicyclists, hikers, walkers, and horseback riders to mingle along the 6.5 mile trip to the Iron Mountain Peak Trail. The 2,696 -foot peak allows hikers to touch the sky, and I feel like I’m on top of the world! 

Once at the summit, breathtaking panoramic views of San Diego County make the trip well worth it!

Vochol

He has a mind of his own and is capable of driving himself. Who can forget the red, white and blue stripes, and the number 53 on its front trunk.

This iconic racing beetle became famous in the 1968 film “Love Bug”. Now Herbie’s long lost cousin, Vochol is catching up to him!

Vochol is a 1990 Volkswagen Beetle covered in 2,277,000 colorful plastic beads. And it has made his first international stop right here in San Diego!

You can catch a glimpse of Vochol at the San Diego Museum of Art until March 11. That’s before he takes off to other highly respected art institutions such as the Smithsonian Museum of American Indian in Washington, D.C., and the Musée de Quai Branly in Paris.

Vochol comes from the popular term for Beetles in Mexico, “Volcho” and “Huichol” the common name for the Wixáritari indigenous group of Western Central Mexico.

It was no easy task for the eight Huichol artisans that worked on this project. They clocked in 4,760 hours and took about seven months to finish it. The project was sponsored by the Asociación de Amigos del Museo de Arte Popular (AAMAP) along with different public and private agencies.

Besides beadwork, the Huichol crafts include embroidery, weaving, hats, and pray arrows.

The Huichol are very spiritual people and their work is often an extension of their faith. For example, images of two snakes above the clouds can be seen on the hood representing rain, the sides show the gods of the sun and fire. The roof has a big sun and four eagles representing the union of man and the gods.

But wait…here’s the best part! Vochol can be yours if you are interested in buying it as it will be auctioned off in Mexico City. Time to break off the the piggy bank!

I know I would love driving this bug around town!

Picture taken by Victor Rojas/El Universal Newspaper

On the eve of Three Kings Day, or el Día de los Reyes Magos, children in Mexico attached a letter to a balloon that will fly away with dreams, hopes and wishes to be fulfilled.

In this letter, children ask Los Reyes Magos to bring them gifts that will be delivered on January 6.

Three Kings Day marks the 12 days of Christmas and the wrap up of the holiday season. According to an old legend based on a Bible story, the Three Kings (Caspar, Melchior & Balthazar) saw a bright star the night that Jesus was born. They followed it to Bethlehem, bearing with them gold, frankincense and myrrh for the newborn.

This was of course one of my favorite traditions growing up. I clearly remember having a passionate argument with my cousins after I received a pink Barbie van from Los Reyes Magos. I remember my cousins had learned that the Three Kings didn’t exist and parents are the ones buying the gifts. In my head, such a thought couldn’t be possible. I mean, how could my parents afford such an expensive gift. Once again, in my head the pink Barbie van was huge and super expensive. “No way”, I said. “The Three Kings do exist.” I can relive the excitement, that feeling of butterflies in your stomach, just thinking about that morning waking up to find my presents under the tree or hidden somewhere around the house.

Here’s another picture by a fellow Instagram user who snapped this beautiful shot of dozens of balloons possibly heading to a school in Mexico.

Picture taken by #rocio_vera

An important part of this celebration is gathering with the family to share the traditional Rosca de Reyes, a bread/cake filled with nuts, cherries and figs. Several plastic dolls representing Jesus are placed in the bread and whoever gets a piece of rosca wit the doll inside will have to make tamales on February 2, the fiesta de la Candelaria.

¡Feliz Día de los Reyes Magos!

Rosca de Reyes

.) 

I have fond memories of joining her for her weekly food shopping trip on Sundays.

Perhaps that’s the reason I like farmers markets so much when traveling abroad. They reflect the area’s culture and economy.

I enjoy everything in between, from the little stalls with bright and bold vegetables, to the meat stands, to the booths of bulk spices that fill city blocks.

It seems these days Americans are craving food grown locally and farmers markets in the US have sprung all over the country. According to a recent article I read on National Public Radio, there are over 6,000 farmers markets across the US. That’s a 250 percent increase since 1994.

Produce at farmers markets is known to be super fresh and locally grown. Markets benefit farmers, helping them stay in business and supporting the local economy. Farmers markets preserve natural resources as food has less packaging and it travels fewer miles, and they also help consumers as well by providing them with a variety of healthy and fresh products.

These are a few shots of farmers markets during my travels in St. Tropez, Marseille, Veracruz, Venice and of course here in San Diego.

15th-16th Century Bohemian Map

Have you ever fantasized about traveling back in time? Picking an era you would’ve liked to lived in…I do!

I would’ve loved to live in the 1800s in a beautiful castle in the “Vieux Continent.”

When I visited the palace of Versailles, I was like a kid in a candy store. Everything was so grandiose and ostentatious, I didn’t think any other castle would surpass my likeness. But then again, I was proved wrong.

The Czech Republic, formerly known as Bohemia, is a Castle dream come true. According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the Czech Republic houses more castles per square mile than any other country in the world!

So here’s a list of the castles I visited during my trip to the Czech Republic last year.

As a side note, I really want to thank my friend Jana, a native of Prague, for showing me around. Can’t wait to visit her again!

My Top 5 Castles

1. Český Krumlov 

This charming castle is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. With 300 buildings, Český Krumlov, is the largest castle complex in the Czech Republic.  According to its official website, the town was most prosperous during 1302-1602, and during this period the town laid across Czech, Bavarian, Austrian and Northern Italian lands. You can see evidence of these cultures all around the complex.

The building that caught my eyes right away was the castle’s tower with its colorful pastel brush strokes, evidence of its Renaissance influence.

I truly enjoyed walking down the town’s cobblestone streets and taking in all the sights and sounds.

The tower has six floors, four bells, and it is 179-feet tall. It is open to the public and offers great views of the town.

Tower

Town

Town

2. Karlštejn Castle

According to Wikipedia, this magnificent Gothic castle is one of the most famous and most visited castles in the Czech Republic. It stands over the glittery river of Berounka. During its heyday, all the crown jewels and royal treasures were kept here. To top it off, this is where my friend Jana got married! Indeed, a very special place.

Karlštejn Castle

Berounka River

Karlštejn Castle

A must stop on your way to the castle, Czech’s own version of the Grand Canyon, Velká Amerika (Big America). Velká Amerika is a partly flooded, abandoned limestone quarry near the village of Mořina. It is nearly 2,635 feet long, and 656 feet wide, with a 59-feet deep lake on the bottom. 

Take a Peek!

Velká Amerika

There are other quarries near-by, including Malá Amerika (Small America).  They are all connected with each other by long tunnels.

3. Červená Lhota

This beautiful bright red castle (hence its name, meaning red village) is located on the south and stands in the middle of a lake in a rocky island. The two-story castle occupies four wings and there’s a small courtyard in the center. A stone bridge, built-in 1662 links the castle with the banks of the pond. 

This castle has mainly been a summer residence, a place for parties, and relaxation, and even survived a fire in 1774.

Červená Lhota

Gardens

Hallway Frescoes

4. Konopiště

This four-winged, three-story castle is located about 30 miles southeast of Prague. Here’s a tidbit for all the film lovers out there. Part of the 2006 film “The Illusionist”, starring Edward Norton and Jessica Biel, was filmed here!

The castle is known for being the last home of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria whose assassination triggered World War I. He was an avid hunter and there are many hunting trophies in the interiors of the castle. The gardens provide visitors with an exquisite opportunity to relax.

Don’t forget to pay a visit to the castle’s pet Bear, Kazimír.

Konopiště

Kazimír the Bear

Castle Creatures

5. Pražký Hrad (Prague Castle)

According to the Guinness Book of Records, Prague Castle is the largest ancient castle in the world, covering an area of 18 acres. The castle dates back to the 9th century and its buildings are an example of almost every architectural style of the last millennium. The buildings include St. Vitus Cathedral, the Basilica of St. George, a monastery, several palaces , gardens and defense towers.

Prague Castle

St. Vitus Cathedral

I sat for hours on a bench just contemplating this magnificent example of Gothic architecture.

St. Vitus Cathedral

A super interesting fact, the crown jewels are safely kept in a tight, inaccessible chamber in this cathedral. There are seven locks to the chamber’s door, and there are seven different key holders as well, including the President and the Prime Minister. But it is the President himself who has absolute power to decide on the display of the jewels which are rarely seen in public.

The jewels include St. Wenceslas Crown, the Royal Apple, Royal Sceptre, and the Coronation Cloak.

It’s been nearly two weeks since the relative of someone dear to my heart passed away. It was exactly during Yom Kippur, the holiest and most solemn day for the Jews. The purpose of Yom Kippur is to bring about reconciliation between people, individuals and God. According to Jewish tradition, it is also the day God decided the fate of each human being.

It was a Sunday afternoon, the sun shined high over our heads.We said our final goodbyes during a touching and lovely Jewish service. The Rabbi performed a series of prayers  and afterwards the family read a few of the deceased favorite poems. One of them was a beautiful poem by Maya Angelou.

Touched by an Angel

After the service, we went off on a boat on the San Diego Bay to place the remains in the calm waters of the Pacific Ocean. A truly beautiful celebration of life.