Reaching For The Sun

Pyramid of the Sun, Pyramids Of Teotihuacan, Mexico

(Photo courtesy of About.com.Mexico Travel, Teotihuacan Tour, By Suzanne Barbezat, About.com Guide) 

The Pyramids of Teotihuacan, "Where Men Become Gods", is one of Mexico's oldest and most impressive archaeological sites. Teotihuacan, at it's peak of development, is believed to have been the sixth largest city of  Mesoamerica. The ruins are massive stone structures, that have remained rich in detail. The two main pyramids at this site are known as Pyramid of the Sun and Pyramid of the Moon. Pyramid of the Sun, stands majestically at approximately 246 feet, making it the third tallest pyramid in the world! The grounds are impeccably maintained and the pyramids are open to those who wish to climb. Oh how I want to reach for the sun......

I have a fear of heights. Actually, I like to say I have a 50% fear of heights. Odd, right? But you see, I can climb upwards with very little fear, it is coming down, that can paralyze my mobility or have me scratching my way on all fours. Maybe what I have is a fear of falling? Whatever it may be, it is real and has held be back from witnessing some pretty amazing views. I have gotten better over the last few years. I have come to realize that opportunity has its' limits. I will not always be in good physical shape or be able to trust the capability of my legs, balance, or eyesight. Now is the time. So, as I stand among the Pyramids of Teotihuacan I find myself brave in words, but weak in determination. I really want to climb the Pyramid of the Sun.  El Senor offers me words of encouragement. "Set the pace, I will be right behind you."

Here We Go!

The View From The Top

(Behind, Pyramid Of The Moon)

There is power within your being, when you break through a fear factor. In that moment, you are the"King or Queen of the World". You also know, should opportunity arise again, you won't be on the sideline nervously wringing your hands, you will be first in line!

La Senora

Happy Holidays

El Senor & La Senora

On this day, December 21, 2012, the Mayan Calendar came to end and thus begins a "New Era".

Living in the Yucatan, placed us at the epicenter for the End of the Mayan Calendar. There has been a lot of anticipation, speculation and anxiety placed upon this day. The big question on everyone's mind, was whether or not we would be here today........

My day began yesterday at 11:55 p.m. I wanted to be awake for the arrival of the new day! At 12:00 a.m., I watched the moon from my kitchen window disappear into the clouds. For that moment all was at peace. I could rest easy.

Happy Holidays! May the New Era / New Year bring peace to our troubled world.

La Senora

December 12th Miracle

This story is in honor of my Nana (Grandmother), who passed away 12 years ago and for my sister, Rosemary, who brightened Nana's hospital room with a winter rose from her own garden.

The most popular religious icon in Mexico is Our Lady of Guadalupe (The Virgin Mary). While visiting Mexico City, we toured The Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe. I would like to share with you the story on how the Basilica came to be built.

The Antique Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe

On The Hill of Tepeyac 

                                                       

On the morning of December 9, 1531 the Indian peasant Juan Diego walked from his village to Mexico City. On the slope of  The Hill of Tepeyac, Juan Diego saw a vision of a woman surrounded by light; which he recognized to be The Virgin Mary. The Lady instructed Juan Diego to tell the Archbishop to have a church built on this site. Juan Diego went to the Archbishop, Fray Juan de Zumarraga, and told him of his vision and the request of The Lady for a church to be built on The Hill of Tepeyac. The Archbishop would not build a church on just the word of Juan Diego. He told Juan Diego that before he would build a church, he would need a miraculous sign to prove this lady's identity. Juan Diego returned to The Hill of Tepeyac to deliver the message of the Archbishop. The Lady asked Juan Diego to come back  the next day to gather flowers for his proof. Juan Diego left confused, it was winter, the land was barren, what flowers are in bloom? Returning to The Hill of Tepeyac, on December 12, 1531, Juan Diego found it filled with roses. Using Juan Diego's cloak, The Lady arranged the roses to be carried back and presented to the Archbishop. When Juan Diego opened his cloak before the Archbishop, the roses fell to the floor, and in their place was the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe, miraculously imprinted on the fabric of the cloak. This year, Juan Diego's cloak is 481 years old. Scientists do not know what was used to make the imprint of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

Enshrined Cloak of Juan Diego

Housed Within The New Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe

The New Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe

Upon hearing this story, I was overwhelmed with emotion and filled with memories of my dear Nana. Nana passed away on November 30, 2000. A few weeks prior, my sister noticed a fully bloomed rose had pushed it's way up through her snow covered garden. A surprise bloom made even more special by it's peach coloring. Peach colored roses were Nana's favorite flower! No proof was necessary for what we already knew and believed, Nana was an angel on earth.........

My thanks to our tour guide Sergio Solis and Wikipedia for the story of The Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

La Senora

The Blue House

Traveling to Mexico City, and visiting the home and  art studios of the famous Mexican Artists Frida Kahlo and her husband Diego Rivera, allowed me to check off an entry on my Bucket List!

Since I saw the movie "Frida", starring Selma Hayek, I have been fascinated with Frida and Diego. Yes, I am on a first name basis with them. I even have a framed photograph of the couple mixed in among our family photos! For a long time, I have wanted to see The Blue House (Frida's house) and to walk the catwalk that connects their respective art studios. I was not disappointed. The house is as colorful as the couple that lived in it. On the walls of the house are Frida quotes. Reading the quotes as I moved through the rooms left me feeling like I had had a conversation with a friend. I really enjoyed how this personalized my visit.

"Never in life I will forget your presence. You found me torn apart and you took me back full and complete."

One of my favorite Frida quotes is preserved in writing only, "I drank to drown the pain, then the pain learned how to swim". Everything Frida did, she did with great passion.

As a child, Frida was hit by a bus. From that day forward, her life was one of pain. Frida underwent numerous surgeries in hope of fixing her broken body and relieving pain. It was her father, who inspired Frida to paint during her long periods of  bed rest. As Frida matured, she feared that if she spoke of her pain, which was constant, she would not have any friends. So instead she vividly expressed her pain in her artwork.........

The Kitchen

Diego's Room

Frida's Room, A Reminder Of Loss

Shared Side By Side In-House Art Studio

Diego's Side

The Blue House Gardens

Frida and Diego's separate art studios connected by a catwalk. The studio on the left is Diego's, with Frida's on the right.

La Senora