“August / August of last year / Before the leaves disappeared / Told me you were not the one.” — Rilo Kiley, August
A few weeks ago, the power went out in my office. I had to go to the computer lab in order to get some work. For some reason, I began to check the travel websites. I entered León, Guanajuato as my destination and Los Angeles as my starting point. I didn’t designate a date, but just put before October. The resulting prices from my search seemed pretty affordable and in a few minutes I was on the phone with my mom asking her if she wanted to go to Guanajuato some time in September.
She didn’t. Or rather, she couldn’t. Neither could my sister or brothers. They have school. Most of my best friends have work, or school. Going alone was an option, but I just let the desire pass and decided to save my pennies for December when I will go with the parents and the little brother to our neighbor’s quinceañera in Zacatecas and then spend Christmas in Guanajuato.
I really do miss Guanajuato. Right now, I miss the crazy thunderstorms. I really would like to go back to August of last year. I’d like to fly again in Mazatlán and just relax in the really warm waters. I’d like to eat chilaquiles that don’t cost $17 dollars. I’d like to explore more of DF. I want to play with the little cousins who called me Cindylandia.
In some ways, going back to Mexico for a few weeks would just be escapist. I’ve been going through some tough times lately. I’ve realized not everyone likes me and I’ve found myself struggling with some relationships. I’m about to start the intense year of engagement in my program and I’d just like a vacation. I need the time to clear my head, but also keep me grounded.
Those 23 days renewed me. Perhaps I just miss that feeling.
I just got back from two weeks in Salamanca. Two weeks of not doing anything other than the ocassional daytime shopping trip or evebing drinking trip to Leon,Guanajuato, Irapuato, or San Miguel did wonders for my soul. Regardless of whether I am truly accepted as “de aqui o de alla”, I am always at “home” in Salamanca.
Cindy,
take a vacation, now while you can. I am sure you can get the money together for December but you need a re-charging. And it doesn’t have to be in Mexico (though that is nice) you can visit Ohio, Illinois, Colorado, Tex-as, Ore-gon, Massachusetts, DC, etc.
Gah! $17 Chilaquiles! I just made some on Sunday for breakfast. About $2.
You make me want to go to Guanajuato!
You should go to Mexico for el dia de la independencia. Go to a grito and have a swell time. Listen to EM, it is good to get some fresh air before you plunge into an intense academic year.
BTW – you need to learn how to make your own chilaquiles. Those are always the best!
I agree with Elenamary, take a quick trip somewhere in the US while you can.
You could always take a trip to San Diego.
Thanks for letting me know about Luis Rodriguez’s blog. I was meaning to look him up on line, but just had not gotten around to it. So I did not know about it yet.
I really like the way he writes.
Oye, ya fuiste al concierto te Cafe Tacvba y Ely Guerra?
Well, if you decide to travel to Mexico, visit the Blex in Cancun.
I think I am heading back in December. Anybody want to meet up in Puerta Vallarta? Arriba Jalisco!!
Well, I wasn’t nostalgic for Guanajuato until now. I’m not such a fan of chilaquiles, but damn, I could really go for a cup of cafe de olla and molletes from Truco 7.
i’ve discovered REAL mexican food in brooklyn! and it’s only a 15 minute walk from my apartment. i ordered the chicken chilaquiles ($6.25), forgetting how spicy hot they can be and i swear it cleared my sinuses for the evening. i don’t believe in paying a lot of money for any type of food…good food is good food and a hefty price tag doesn’t often equate to good eats.