The Best Part of Our Trip

I was recently listening to a TED talk from an explorer.  He had been asked why he does what he does when absolutely every video, photo, and written account can be accessed from a computer now.  Is there really any need to explore?  He responded that while trekking in Antarctica on foot, the scenery changes every day.  Ice melts, ice forms, landscapes shift.  He said his experience was unique to anyone else's who would take the exact same path.  Therefore, there are no photos or videos or tales that capture the journey, only those that capture each journey.  

These are the photos that capture what made our journey special.  These are only some of the people we met who recommended adventures, who were part of our experiences, and have enriched our life.  Thank you to everyone.

David, my guardian angel during the horse parade in Jocotepec.

Gil, the man crazy enough to give a stranger a horse.

Oscar, the man who kept us full with food and drinks during the Pats road to the Super Bowl.

Allen, fantastic sushi chef, and hotel recommend-er.

The roadside chicken people - WE LOVE YOU!!

My kids, now Hip Hop crew, at the orphanage.

Selfies with my boys!

More selfies!

They love selfies! LOL!!

Madre Blanca.  One of the many nuns and staff taking wonderful care of the children.  She rules with a tender, iron fist.  That must be why we got along so well ;-)

My Spanish class, including instructor Lourdes, and my coffee mate Marie.  

My ESL class.  I hope I didn't teach them to speak English with a Maine accent; that would be bad!

Cappy and his staff at Ole Ola.  A tapas restaurant. Of course, we ate the entire menu at each visit.

Ole, Ola!!

Alex, the best boat captain.

Giro, the tireless, sweetest jack of all hotel trades ever.

Izmat, Paola, Efra and the staff at Gossips.  My weekly hangout, my final night, the best food, and great conversations.

We will see you again!

My love.

I saved the best for last, Juan.  We met him hours after we arrived in Mexico, and instantly became friends.
A wonderful person with a generous heart.


“What is that feeling when you're driving away from people and they recede on the plain till you see their specks dispersing? - it's the too-huge world vaulting us, and it's good-bye. But we lean forward to the next crazy venture beneath the skies.” 
― Jack Kerouac, On the Road