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Puerto Escondido...a Oaxacan escape

A quick hour flight from Mexico City and you find yourself in a cute surf town where there are more beaches than people (joking). Puerto Escondido is less known for touristy resorts and partying like Cabo or Vallarta, (though they do have a beachfront strip). Instead, it's definitely a chill, surf town and definitely a stark contrast to the hustle and bustle of the city.

I recommend this "hidden port", where you get mesmerized by the power of the ocean and its endless beauty. Reportedly, the name, "Puerto Escondido" had roots in the legend of a woman who escaped her captors and hid here. 

Gitanavida Pro Tips:

1) There’s no Uber in this small quaint town, and it's not very walkable due to the blaring sun, humidity and intensive hiking of the town and beaches. So I HIGHLY recommend renting a car, or better a “Y Tu Mama Tambien” type road bike. There are taxis but it can add up and inconvienent. Reserve those for when you drink and party on the mini-strip.

2) Whether you stay at a resort, AirBnB, hotel, get a POOL. While there are so many beaches you'll go to, you'll also want to chill pool side.

3) Release the Turtles. A truly unforgettable experience. Don't name them though; you'll regret that.

4) If you can find the moonshine Mexcal from the pinata store...bring me back a bottle!

If you wake up early enough, you'll see the surfers head out at dawn to catch the morning waves and return late evening to welcome the sunset. I imagine it's not a bad nor sad life. On the contrary, it's probably quite glorious to spend your days on the water, riding powerful ocean waves.

Take advantage of every opportunity to snorkel and explore the vibrant life under the sea and all its mysteries. Also, don't forget that on land you can walk around and explore the vibrant colors and mysteries around. This town has an amazing artisan and crafts market and you can find the most unique gifts here.

The Nahuatl word for this area was Zicatela, meaning “place of large thorns".[2] Today, it refers to the area's most famous beach.

A quick google search and I discover this RAD song by two Italians in the 1980s talking about a radioactive beach.

You're welcome....y "Vamos a La Playa"!

#puertoescondido #beachtravel #surftown #oaxaca

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Say "Teotihuacan" 10x fast

For many reasons it's important to preserve, honor and acknowledge the original stewards of existing lands. Admittedly, I struggled with new syllables and practiced several times [TEO-TI-WA'KAN], [TEO-TI-WA'KAN], [TEO-TI-WA'KAN]. Now, here's what no one struggles with...feeling in AWE! Like jaw dropping, ancient, archeological type awe.

According to Wikipedia (I know), "Teotihuacan is known today as the site of many architecturally significant Mesoamerican pyramids, namely the Pyramid of the Sun and the Pyramid of the Moon. It is considered as the first advanced civilization on the North American continent, with a population estimated at 125,000, making it at least the sixth-largest city in the world during its epoch."

"The city covered 8 square miles and up to 90 percent of the total population of the valley resided there. Teotihuacan is thought to have been established around 100 BCE (Before Common Era), and may have lasted until the 8th century CE, but its major monuments were systematically burned around 550 CE."

If visiting, here are my Gitanavida Pro tips:

Watch out for the Jaguar whistle. Sounds wayyy too real.

Watch out for those steps. Wayyy too steep.

Watch out for that sun. Wayyy too hot. Water, sunblock and hats are a must.

Photo buddy optional but handy. Shout out to my Bolivian homie!

Mezcal tour…wayyy worth it.

While visiting, I also noticed a tree that was all around. Turns out it's the infamous tree, as in the famous song (clip below), "Lena de Pirul". I then learned that "Pirúl (Schinus molle) is also known as Árbol Del Perú, Peruvian Peppertree, and in Nahuatl, it is Pelonquáhuitl and is native to the Peruvian Andes. The indigenous put a high value on the pirúl because of its many uses."

#teotihuacan #mexico #travels #history #explore

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All around the city, statues and memorials abound. Many are in honor of historical figures, warriors indigenous to Mexico, women, messages of wisdom and access to sheer beautiful visuals as you pass by.

Mexico City reveres Gandhi and named a park after him. "Non-violence has reached men and will remain. she is the herald of world peace" and "Our fight has the purpose of friendship with the entire world".

I'll feature Chapultepec Park in another blog but basically a forest in the city. Taking a walk here is like a surreal escape from the hustle and bustle of the city, a mere minutes away. Featured above are two statues nestled in the park with two lovers embracing each other. How about that? Images of love captured in a beautiful permanent moment? I also learned (from google) that the green appearance of the copper, bronze, brass, and other metal used may not look the same color 5, 10, 20, or even 50 years from now as they do today. So, what is it called when metal changes color? The patina effect -- a color change in red metals caused by oxidation." You're welcome, now you know :)

El mismito (the very) Salvador Dali visited Mexico City and wrote, "There is no way I’m going back to Mexico. I can’t stand to be in a country that is more surrealist than my paintings”. Here's a clip from 2017 featuring 20 of Dali's sculputes on exhibit at the Soumaya Museum.

#mexicocitystatues #public art #dali #gandhi