Hola!
Many of the people who know me know that I am a sucker for traveling. Since a young age, I had been fascinated by the prospect of seeing the world and experiencing different cultures. It's cliche, I know, but to this day that fascination follows me. Even after so long I cannot fathom what it is that intrigues me so much about traveling.
Lately, I have been scrolling through my camera roll and re-reading some diary entries when it hit me that while I have been to many places, I have barely shared the experience with people. Sure, there are the Instagram stories with the geotag and gifs but the imagery is only one part of the experience. Photos merely scrape the surface of what had actually happened. Travel is dynamic while photos are two-dimensional.
I thought I'd start to share some of my thoughts, encounters, and stories while traveling here in addition to the photos as a way of documenting more holistically. I hope in doing so, I can reveal more of the things that make me say I love to travel.
Early last year I had been lucky enough to go on an educational tour in six cities in North America with a select few tertiary students like myself. One of the cities we visited was Mexico City. Today's post is dedicated to this city that somehow stole my heart on Day One.
A seemingly rare choice of destination to tour, Mexico City is authentic in its being. It was not intentionally catered for its tourists, but it did not disappoint those who pay it a visit. My favorite thing about the city was how much life it seemed to have. When I say life, I don't mean it in a literal sense - I mean something more spiritual (if you will). It has a sense of liveliness and hustle that is warming; that reminds you of the very basics of living. There is something beautiful in that.
While Mexico is still a developing country, Mexico City is one of the better-developed cities in Mexico. From experience, we hadn't faced any of the rumored crimes-faced-when-traveling-in-a-dangerous-foreign-country in our short visit to Mexico. Call me ignorant but I felt completely safe exploring the streets on my own there. Sadly, it's probably a different story for those who live there long-term.
During our brief visit, we were fortunate enough to get in touch with prominent organizations there that were fighting for their country's justice system, including law firms, the Chamber of Commerce (MCCI), not-for-profits that did intensive research on corruption, fought for human rights, and so on. It had been incredibly eye-opening and simultaneously heart-breaking to speak with these organizations about some of the issues faced in their community, and the work that they do to help.
It has left me grounded to this day, feeling so grateful for the life that I lead. It has also made me more aware of the world we live in, and that's one of the key takeaways I've had.
To finish off this post, I'd like to share an excerpt from my diary entry from when I was in Mexico, followed by some photos.
[30 January 2019]
" I’ve only been to and seen the tiniest part of Mexico but from what I’ve seen, heard, and experienced, Mexico is such a beautiful country with a rich history and culture. You can definitely feel the culture out and about anywhere. But like most things beautiful, there’s more than meets the eye. It disheartens me to be able to tour in this vibrant country while simultaneously being informed and educated on all the problems it is currently, and had been, facing. Mexico is a ‘magnified’ example if you will, but it’s not far off the truth for many more countries. In fact, it is the truth for many around the world. We are lucky to live in a country that suffers less from these issues but have no fear, there definitely are prominent concerns wherever you are in the world. I can’t tell you what they are. I most likely don’t even know about them myself. But what I can and will say is, tune in. Educate yourself and be aware. Just because you can’t see it doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist and just because it’s not happening to you doesn’t mean it’s not a problem (for you), or that there’s nothing you can do about it. "
I hope you enjoyed this journey with me.
Until next time,
xx Clueless
Many of the people who know me know that I am a sucker for traveling. Since a young age, I had been fascinated by the prospect of seeing the world and experiencing different cultures. It's cliche, I know, but to this day that fascination follows me. Even after so long I cannot fathom what it is that intrigues me so much about traveling.
Lately, I have been scrolling through my camera roll and re-reading some diary entries when it hit me that while I have been to many places, I have barely shared the experience with people. Sure, there are the Instagram stories with the geotag and gifs but the imagery is only one part of the experience. Photos merely scrape the surface of what had actually happened. Travel is dynamic while photos are two-dimensional.
I thought I'd start to share some of my thoughts, encounters, and stories while traveling here in addition to the photos as a way of documenting more holistically. I hope in doing so, I can reveal more of the things that make me say I love to travel.
Early last year I had been lucky enough to go on an educational tour in six cities in North America with a select few tertiary students like myself. One of the cities we visited was Mexico City. Today's post is dedicated to this city that somehow stole my heart on Day One.
A seemingly rare choice of destination to tour, Mexico City is authentic in its being. It was not intentionally catered for its tourists, but it did not disappoint those who pay it a visit. My favorite thing about the city was how much life it seemed to have. When I say life, I don't mean it in a literal sense - I mean something more spiritual (if you will). It has a sense of liveliness and hustle that is warming; that reminds you of the very basics of living. There is something beautiful in that.
While Mexico is still a developing country, Mexico City is one of the better-developed cities in Mexico. From experience, we hadn't faced any of the rumored crimes-faced-when-traveling-in-a-dangerous-foreign-country in our short visit to Mexico. Call me ignorant but I felt completely safe exploring the streets on my own there. Sadly, it's probably a different story for those who live there long-term.
During our brief visit, we were fortunate enough to get in touch with prominent organizations there that were fighting for their country's justice system, including law firms, the Chamber of Commerce (MCCI), not-for-profits that did intensive research on corruption, fought for human rights, and so on. It had been incredibly eye-opening and simultaneously heart-breaking to speak with these organizations about some of the issues faced in their community, and the work that they do to help.
It has left me grounded to this day, feeling so grateful for the life that I lead. It has also made me more aware of the world we live in, and that's one of the key takeaways I've had.
To finish off this post, I'd like to share an excerpt from my diary entry from when I was in Mexico, followed by some photos.
[30 January 2019]
" I’ve only been to and seen the tiniest part of Mexico but from what I’ve seen, heard, and experienced, Mexico is such a beautiful country with a rich history and culture. You can definitely feel the culture out and about anywhere. But like most things beautiful, there’s more than meets the eye. It disheartens me to be able to tour in this vibrant country while simultaneously being informed and educated on all the problems it is currently, and had been, facing. Mexico is a ‘magnified’ example if you will, but it’s not far off the truth for many more countries. In fact, it is the truth for many around the world. We are lucky to live in a country that suffers less from these issues but have no fear, there definitely are prominent concerns wherever you are in the world. I can’t tell you what they are. I most likely don’t even know about them myself. But what I can and will say is, tune in. Educate yourself and be aware. Just because you can’t see it doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist and just because it’s not happening to you doesn’t mean it’s not a problem (for you), or that there’s nothing you can do about it. "
The Floating Gardens
Exhibit at Frida Kahlo's House
Teotihuacán Pyramids
I hope you enjoyed this journey with me.
Until next time,
xx Clueless
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