Insensitive?

I write this post as I watch the Univision coverage of the Mexico earthquake. I was at work when I first heard the news and every half hour I would refresh the Internet to see what the latest updates of the earthquake. As the hours went by, the death toll increased. As I saw the images a knot in my throat grew bigger. When I got out of work I tuned the dial to the Spanish radio stations to hear more updates. 

The images and stories of this earthquake are so heart breaking that it makes me feel helpless, scared, useless and grateful. I live in sunny Southern California, where we do have earthquakes and I've experienced these earthquakes however I have never been directly affected by them. When I see the devastation I feel grateful. However, at the same time I feel guilty for feeling grateful. Guilt because I think to myself that I am so fortunate to be blessed and never experienced such a scary and horrific experience. 

I check my social media platforms and the Internet and notice that people are still living their lives like nothing happened. I think to myself how are people acting like nothing happened when I feel like I might burst into tears at any moment. I feel like people are so insensitive,  can they stop for one day and not post a selfie, an outfit of the day picture, or update me on what they're eating? Instead maybe use the time to see how you can help, how you can make an emergency plan for your family or how you can prepare yourself for any sort of emergency. Or you know what, maybe just spend time with loved ones that can be gone at any moment. I know it's not my place to tell anyone what to do or what to post, this is simply how I feel.  I know the world keeps on moving no matter what happens but sometimes we just gotta stop and take things in.  Also, prayer post! Don't just pray when there is a tragedy pray everyday! Its not necessary to post a "#Prayfor___ " post, praying is so personal and it's not necessary to let people know you are praying. Pray and keep it between you and God.

Perhaps I'm being too sensitive?
Too dramatic?
Maybe I'll regret this post tomorrow, I don't know, but this my blog and my opinions.

As my evening continued I finally reached home, and a song played on the radio that I felt so appropriate yet inappropriate at the same time. Inappropriate because its a happy cheerful song.  Its a song that I've always liked  but don't hear as often.  As I started singing, I finally let those tears out that I was holding in all day.

Oye, abre tus ojos, mira hacia arriba
Disfruta las cosas buenas que tiene la vida
Abre tus ojos, mira hacia arriba
Disfruta las cosas buenas que tiene la vida

Un descanso en el camino, una botella de vino
Un suspiro, una mirada, una alegre carcajada
Una cara en el espejo, un amigo un buen consejo
Un viaje en barco o velero, aunque no llegues primero
Un caballito herrero, que no corra por dinero
Un palmar, un riachuelo, un pedacito de cielo

Mira bien alrededor, y veras las cosas buenas
Que la vida es un amor, olvídate de tus penas

Oye, Abre tus ojos, mira hacia arriba, disfruta las cosas buenas
Que tiene la vida, abre tus ojos, mira hacia arriba
Disfruta las cosas buenas que tiene la vida

Una playa, un cumpleaños
Un buen recuerdo de antaño
Un olor a hierbabuena, una conversación amena
Un romance que a nacido, que te roba los sentidos
Un parque lleno de niños, un bellísimo cariño
Una lagrima, un momento, pese a todo sentimiento
Una música muy bella, un perfume, una estrella

Mira bien alrededor, y veras las cosas buenas
Que la vida es un amor, olvídate de tus penas

Oye, abre tus ojos, mira hacia arriba
Disfruta las cosas buenas que tiene la vida
Abre tus ojos, mira hacia arriba
Disfruta las cosas buenas que tiene la vida

Song: Oye, written by Rene Touzet, performed by La Zonora Dinamita.

Tecate, Pueblo Magico

I promise this post is not about a hike or nature. There will be however some pictures of flowers and I should warn you, this post is picture heavy. 

I digress. 

Last weekend my sister, mom and some of my dads family took a 3 day trip to Tecate, Baja California. My dad was not born in Tecate but his grand parents and parents moved there when he was a baby and they raised  him there until his early 20s. If anyone ever asked where he was from, he would always say "Tecate!" My grandmother kept the home her parents built when they first arrived in Tecate, and till this day this house is still part of our family. It's our family vacation home. My dad and grandmother would love to spend any time they had in Tecate. 

The last time I was in Tecate, was about 10 years ago. I clearly remember the trip because it was so cold, I was willing to ditch my family and take a taxi back to LA. This was obviously before Uber. After 10 years, I finally returned! I wish my return was with my dad and grandma and this will always be one of the many regrets I live with. 

Anyways, we planned this trip probably two months ago and I've been excited ever since. The week leading up to this trip I started to realize this would be the first time I would go without my dad and how excited he would be about this trip if he was still alive. 

Okay, enough of the sad sappy stuff. Our trip started on Friday morning, after nearly three hours of driving we were almost there.  We exited the highway and entered a winding path into Tecate, in which you drive through small towns known as Jamul and Dulzura. 

Before we knew it we were 2 miles away from Tecate. 

Once we crossed the border and dropped off our bags at my grandma's house, we went straight for the tacos. 

Three to start. 

One more for good measure.

After we devoured the tacos, we went to the market to stock up on some goodies for the weekend. 

I bought a can of this sauce because of the packaging, but now that I read it, I think I should have bought more than one. I'll let you guys know how it is once I try it.

Did I mention my grandma's house is literally right in front of the border? That's the border patrol jeep at the top.

A puppy contemplating life. 

Once the sun was starting to slowly set, we walked down to the town. To our surprise, there was some sort of function happening. We are not exactly sure what the reason of the event was but we did conclude that it was some how related to Beauty and the Beast, there were Belles everywhere. As we walked the park, we came across a few musicians ready to play for us. 

Once night had fallen, we made our way back home. To our surprise, a street vendor was there to greet us. When we first laid eyes on him we weren't sure what he was selling nor what he was pushing. But judging by the fire coming out of his cart, we were very much interested! Once he stopped he opened up a drawer in his cart and showed us the goods. Sweet potato, pumpkin and bananas smoked and cooked. He gave us our pick of a combination of all or a bowl of just one type. Once decided he served it in a bowl and drizzled it with syrup and condensed milk. Oh my this was so delicious! I went with pumpkin and banana. 

I forgot to mention his cart made noise like a train, it was the coolest thing ever!

Okay, the next morning we got ready and went out for breakfast. I wish I would have taken photos of the breakfast because it was delicious. After breakfast we went to look for flower pots. The prices on the pots are so cheap we all went a little crazy. I spent $14 and bought 5. We filled up two cars of pots and headed back to the house. 

Grapes from my grandmothers house. 

Afternoon snack? Yes please. Raspados this time. 

On Sunday morning, we woke up at 5:30 a.m. and crossed the border with our cars. We parked in a nearby parking lot and walked back into Tecate. We did this to save time. You see, if you try to cross the border later in the day you will spend at least 2 hours waiting in line. Because my grandmothers house is so near, we were able to just walk back. The morning walk felt so refreshing.  The sun was slowly rising and there was a cool breeze in the air. The streets were empty and it felt like the entire town was asleep except for us. 

Before our departure we went back down to the town and ate fish tacos. These are my mothers tacos. We walked the town again in search of Mexican style dress my mom wanted which lead us near the park once again. 

With our bellies full of tacos and ice cream, and our bags filled with chips and tortillas we walked back once again to grandmas house. We packed up everything that was not initially packed in the cars and walked back to the border. We crossed the border with ease and made our way back home.  

It was a super hot weekend that revolved around family and food. We stayed up talking till midnight on the porch escaping the heat of the house. We ate an ice cream every day that we were there. We ate tacos everyday that we were there. We remembered our lost ones. We laughed about memories. I'm excited for more trips like this and keeping the memory of our loved ones alive. 

I honestly can't complain of this perfect mini getaway... Wait a minute I forgot one tiny fact! Mosquitoes!! OMG if you ever find yourself in Tecate take a heavy duty bug repellent. My legs were mauled by mosquitoes. Okay maybe that's an exaggeration but I had so many bites, I'm just  now slowly recovering. I may not be able to wear shorts for the remainder of the summer.