Monterrey

From the moment I arrived in Mexico I was greeted with freindly people and smiling faces. From the customs agent who told me to enjoy my vacation, to my wonderful pickup-crew of two, friends of friends, and tour guides, everyone has been extremely nice and helpful.

People keep asking me who I'm staying with while I'm here, and I explain: a family friend, well, her brother's friend's friend welcomed me to her home. So yeah, awesome people and actively asking for help have helped me kick off this trip of a lifetime! I'm super proud of myself for having asked for support. Because it's really hard for me to do (hey other first-born daughters out there, I see you). But, I'm learning. And when it works out, it feels so wonderful and I am SO extremely grateful!! So, without further ado, a huge THANK YOU goes out to Rosi, Juan, Luli, Letty, Pato, Fer, and Marleny for being awesome hosts/ guides/ connectors, and helping me enjoy a wonderful first week in Mexico!

What have I been doing since I've been here? Well, I've been taking it easy, not fully packing my days (like I usually do at home...). No, I'm completely content if I do one new/ interesting/ fun thing each day. No matter how simple it may be, like going to get groceries by myself. The rest of the time I'm researching things to do on the next leg of the trip, or doing more family history research.

Family History Update

My great-grandmother's family was from Monterrey, which was why I wanted to come here. Thanks to Ancestry.com I've found some very interesting information about our family, like birth and death locations, names of cemeteries, churches where people were baptized or got married, etc. Ever since my divorce I've been focusing more on who I am and what makes me me. And with that come many questions about my ancestors, my family, and our history. It's a special feeling to be in the church where my great-grand-aunt was baptized, or to drive through the neighborhood where my great-great-grandfather lived. It's gives me this warm, tingly sensation and makes me feel connected to the people that came before me.

Unfortunately, Monterrey has a history of...well... erasing history. So, there aren't very many things around that are 100+ years old. Which is also why I can't seem to find any of our family graves - too much time has passed. But there is still hope to find a little more info on my Great-grandmother's side. There is a small town south of Monterrey where her father grew up. I hope to go investigate there a bit. And if I can't find the tombstone I'm looking for, at least I know I've been to the town where they lived. Just walking the streets that they once walked feels important and special to me.

What else?

Well, you know me. I'm up for all the fun!

• Of course, one of the first things I did was take a bike tour of the city center. Not as much cycling as I would have wished for, but lots of info on the history of Monterrey! AND the guide spoke spanish the entire time and I understood pretty much all of it - yay!

• I was invited to go on a hike at Chipinque park. Unfortunately, we had to cut the hike short since it started storming. Despite getting soaked, we had a blast and ended up going to a cute little restaurant for dinner. Second hike-attempt is schedueld for this week :)

• One evening I tagged along to walk the doggo (Roxie), and visit with a friend. Fun fact: at bars here, when you order cocktails, you don't get a measly little glass. No. You get a freakin' liter! So yeah, mixed drinks here are called "litros".

• Caves and thermal baths were on the list of things to do as well. Unfortunately, the caves were closed, but the thermal baths were soooo relaxing! Relaxation followed by a tasty asada (BBQ) in the countryside - you can't beat that! Fun fact: when silver is exposed to sulfer (like the kind in hot springs), it turns this cool blue/purple color. So, I got a free souvenir out of the deal! (At least until I clean my jewlery.)

• Oh yeah, on the way to the baths we also attempted to find a super remote Geocache that hadn't been found in 12 years. No success there, but it was an adventurous little scramble in the middle of nowhere :)

• The final stop this week was a beautiful waterfall and the magical town of Santiago - absolutely gorgeous! What always gets me is the colors - I love it so much!

Anyway, that's all for now!

Hasta pronto :)

Bike tour - downtown Monterrey

Chipinque Park

Remote Geocaching Adventures

Cola de Caballo

Santiago

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