Mi Casa, Su Casa

I must apologize for the lapse in updates. Not only has my inspiration been imperceptible, but I have been out of the country. No, not the U.S. but out of Mexico, mostly in the U.S. Some of you even noticed.

Ok, before you get more confused, let me catch up on things. Happy New Year. I had a wonderful time at a concert with close friends in Washington for NYE. It was exactly the right thing to do. One of my New Year’s resolutions is to be more intentional with the way I live my life. That is to say that I would like to stick with more decisions and do things on purpose. I do not believe that spontaneity will be sacrificed, but I do think that I won’t find myself in Acapulco on a weekend that I planned to read and write. Entiendes?

I also plan on investing more in relationships that are important to me. I will continue to maintain a large support network, but I will not spread myself too thinly. I realized that I would like my friends to do the same thing. Those who want to invest more in our relationship will have to sacrifice for it and commit to it. Along those lines, mi casa, su casa. You all have an open invitation to Mexico City. It is a fantastic city with much culture, great food, and lots to avoid. As such, you will need a skilled and accustomed guide such as myself. And this is your only chance.

Su casa. Last weekend I went with some of my roommates to Cuernavaca. It sounds like more of an exciting place than it is. Cuerna primarily serves as a getaway for Mexico City’s inhabitants. The climate is slightly warmer and most people have pools. People hang out and go out, not a whole lotta culture. It was fantastically fun and a great way to get me readjusted to Mexican life. I reunited with my good friend Niko and Loya as well as their friends from college. Late night swimming and clubbing ensued, just the way I remembered it.

At the club, I learned of a new Mexican custom. The waiter, my man Antonio, brought out shot glasses and a bowl half filled with coffee and half with sugar. Apparently, when drinking vodka you can dilute the intense flavor when you put coffee and sugar in your mouth afterwards. This seemed quite silly and, it was. Gotta try everything once, when in Rome. But there is a first and last time for everything.

Rosca de Reyes. This celebration is uniquely Mexican. According to Mexican tradition the day of the Kings is celebrated on January 6th. It revolves around the adoration of the baby Jesus by a group of wise men. This symbolized the recognition of the pagan world that Jesus Christ is the savior of all the humanity. According to the Catholic Church we know that are three wise kings that came from East: Melchor, Gaspar and Baltazar and that brought gifts of incense, gold and myrrh.

In Mexico, it is celebrated with a large, long oval piece of bread with sugar and candied fruit on it. Each person cuts a piece of it to eat. Inside the bread there are two small, boy dolls. If your piece has one of these dolls, you have to make breakfast for everyone else on February 2nd. I am not really sure why. But I got one of these dolls in my piece, and it sucks.

Mi casa, su casa. If you come visit me, we will probably go to my friends’ houses in Acapulco, Valle de Bravo, Cuernavaca, Veracruz, or elsewhere. Mi casa, su casa is a philosophy of life. What is mine, is yours. I get this feeling very much in Mexico. Everyone is very generous, including my roommates who don’t have a lot to be generous with. There is an undeniable power here that I can’t explain. Whenever I have something, you can have it too. Sharing is love.

Enjoy the pics. Of course I included some of your favorites from the club. Ándale pues!