Nature's Lullaby

I haven't had much to report since I'm not traveling, but this is what came out of my pen while I was laying in my hammock watching planes fly by, wondering where they were traveling to, (and wishing my hammock and I were back in Mexico).

The hammock swings

I feel the breeze

The airplanes pass me by

I hear the train

And songs of birds

It’s nature’s lullaby.

The air is dry

The sun is bright

The sky is free of clouds

I feel the warmth

I see the sun

I praise His name aloud.

The water runs

The palms, they blow

With all these combined

For all of us to feel His love

It’s nature’s lullaby.

Those with sight

May never see

The beauty in this place

With ears to hear,

They’ll never listen

To the sound of mercy and grace.

The train gets louder

The breeze blows stronger

Planes fly high and by

The sun gets brighter

My heart beats faster

For nature’s lullaby.

________________

"The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent." 

                                                                                      - Exodus 14:14

"Though we travel the world over to find the beautiful, we must carry it with us, or we find it not." 

                                                                                                                          -Ralph Waldo Emerson 

Siempre Means Always

I grew up in an amazing church with a pastor who taught how to love at a young age. Pastor Eric Denton and church, Central Community, founded Siempre Para Los Ninos in 2004 in Tijuana. Even though I switched churches on him since moving away for college, Eric and his wife Debi always take me in as family, and I will always come back for these kids.

Lewis, one of my favorites 

She'll warm up to me one day - they always do! 

(Almost) the whole gang 

"If we are to teach real peace in this world, and if we are to carry on a real war against war, we shall have it begin with the children." -Gandhi

Baja Bound

Home of the free, land of the tacos.

A few minutes ago, I told Andrew's dad I probably should go home at some point.  His response to that was, "the Mexico house?" It's true; I've been in Mexico more this year than anywhere near "home."

After the Rim Fire kicked us out of the Tuolumne River guide house, Andrew, myself, and a couple friends packed up and headed south for the next few weeks.

Crossing the Mexican border has become something of nostalgia for me. My phone is turned off, driving becomes an adventure, my window is down welcoming the smell of trash burning (which I've come to love - weird?) and my cravings for tacos multiply.

Andrew's family has a house 10 minutes south of Rosarito at K55 and I wish I lived there full time. It sits over a right point break and just a minutes walk to the beach break. We never got the promised hurricane swell, but it was fun long boarding. Then there's Splash, just up the road, for a good night out to eat fish burritos for $2.00 and margaritas for $3.00.

Why would I be anywhere else? More photos from Scott Leduc:

"In Baja, we are disconnected from everything and everyone except each other. The biggest decisions we have to make are where to surf and what's for dinner."

Mexico Photo Book

Snapshots, quotes and good memories. Enjoy!

 

 Click here to view this photo book larger

Parasites and Paradise

After the surf went from this photo to flat, we decided it was time to head north. I caught some kind of bug which we all debated between Dengue, the flu, or maybe just a parasite but either way, I'm glad the days of lying on the bathroom floor are over.

We had a fun last day decorating Pols with all the sunscreen Zinka sent us, and I left with memories of the funny things Pols says:

Pols: "Hey Angie, what's the necklace you're wearing?"
Andrew: "It's a Nami Nami, the river god of the Zambezi" (he goes on to tell Pols the history of it.)
Pols: "Hm... I reckon that's crap"

Dave: "I come from a land down under"
Pols: "Yeah Dad that's great, but I come from a land of tacos and I want to eat one right now, so let's go" 

Becca: "My stomach hurts"
Pols: "Well, if you eat the salsa, make sure to put the toilet paper in the freezer so it's cold on your bum" 

Pols: "Mmm... This taco is orgasmic!"
Becca: "Do you even know what that means?"
Pols: "Yeah I googled it last night"

I love this kid!!! 

On our way up to meet the parentals, we stopped at a couple beautiful beaches. Kiwi Dave taught me how to make salsa so I put that to practice with a fish Andrew so proudly speared. The rest of those two days were spent playing on a wide open, empty beach. The first was La Peñita and the second night was just north or it. On the road to Puerto Vallarta, you can veer left off the main highway and this is what you'll find.

It's a good thing I was paying attention and wasn't on auto pilot like I usually am when driving because the road to Arroyo Seco was out to get me.

We made it to Puerto Vallarta, picked up Mark and Nancy and headed to Sayulita where a beautiful hill side house awaited us along with a ton of down time. That first night, Nancy made soup and just the smell of thyme trickling into my room made me think of home (mostly Christmas). She also makes a mean Choffee (hot chocolate and coffee).

It's so nice having them here because there's nothing better than family, really. It also means we're closer to coming home! I woke up Valentine's Day to find pajamas from Nancy (she bought us matching ones :), and Andrew was the most excited because that meant I could get rid of my "party pants" which everyone hates.

The only moment I've hated so far, was hearing a loud explosion in the kitchen. Mark and I were outside reading and when we heard it, both our hearts stopped. We ran in to find Andrew and Nancy catching their breath after the oven exploded. Luckily, they were both okay. Mark said an extra prayer of thanks before dinner that night and I think I hugged Andrew and Nancy about 20 times - so thankful!

Nexpa to Nexpa

Hooray to no more busses!  I traveled nearly 40 hours by bus in 2 days and I'm thankful to be done with that. After Rio Nexpa with the girls and a two day pamper in Puerto Vallarta with Pops and Alex, I was ready to get back to Andrew and the van.

Round 1 of Nexpa was a success, and luckily my girls and I got some great waves. Besides bed bugs and jellyfish stings all over my body, it was an awesome trip. We met some really great people and I think the highlight was a group bonfire on the beach with everyone in town. Kyle and Gabby were great hosts at Rio Nexpa Rooms and I can't wait to go back.

Top: Clean-up set
Middle: Turkey vultures, Erika and I successful in Rikki having a beer, girl play time
Bottom: View of it all 

In Puerto Vallarta with Pops and Alex, it was Italian food, fancy cocktails by the beach, salon pampering, and nights on the town. Once we were out, I had my boobs grabbed by the waitress, Alex got the elevator eyes from men (PV has a very large gay population), and I was really happy to have a cold and not able to smell anything because I forgot how rancid my dad and brother smell.

Now it's back to tacos, cheap beer, bug spray, and going to bed by 8. On our way up, Andrew and I stopped at a few cool little spots. Playa Ventura is off the beaten path and we didn't want to stay in the concrete jungle of Acapulco (heinous) so we stayed here a couple nights. Not expecting anything really, we found a surf-able wave with no one on it, locals kids that kept asking me for kisses, and turkeys that sounded like old women laughing.

From there we headed towards Zihuatanejo and planned to stay the night somewhere on the beach. We headed down what seemed to be a road and landed at this little gem hidden behind the shrubbery. With not a soul out, we grabbed our boards for a sunset session. Fire ants and Andrew's ear infection kicked us out this morning and now we're heading back towards Truncones/Nexpa area for Christmas where it's going to be sand angels and hammock lounging. La buena vida continues.

Happiness

Currently, Andrew and I are en route north at Playa Ventura somewhere between Huatulco and Acapulco. I'm watching the sun rise with a cup of cinnamon coffee, listening to the waves and Marc Cohn, thankful as ever. Pelicans are flying by, low over the ocean. Up, down, side to side, they are in perfect, effortless unison. What a life that must be.

It's funny though, how I have to watch this morning routine of theirs in order to appreciate my own blessings in life. I'm sure somewhere, someone has watched me in the ocean, early in the morning, wishing they had my life as they drank their cup of joe.

In his book, "The Age of Absurdity," Michael Foley translates Jacques Rousseau's vision of happiness: "if you have it, you can't be aware of it, and if you are aware of it, you can't have it." He also makes the point of happiness sometimes being recognized only retrospectively, after it's lost.

It's easy to look in my memory bank to remember some of life's greatest times, but to be present and happy in the moment sometimes slips away from me. Always trying to make something what it used to be, or what it could be, when in reality, I'm going to look back at this morning and realize how perfect it was.

It's a good thing the morning isn't over and I still have time to appreciate it. Life is good, and I'm as happy as I've ever been. Now it's time to swim with the pelicans.

"God cannot give us a happiness and peace apart from Himself, because it is not there. There is no such thing."- C.S. Lewis

Rainy Days

Today, I woke up home sick. Nothing in particular sparked it, but I felt so far away from home, I actually started crying. I didn't know how to get ahold of myself so I went for a walk and asked God to come with me. Different prayers came to the surface of my thoughts and all I did was embrace the storm passing through. 

I thought of my little sister who just got engaged to her high school sweetheart. I thought of my niece, my best girl, growing so fast and prays for me every day on her own as she says, “Bebba, safe, Mexico.” I thought of Sis who is two months from giving birth to my nephew and two weeks from moving into their new home and needs me now more than ever. I thought of my little brother who is doing amazing things with the church and taking risks going to Juarez to share with the people of Mexico. I thought of my parents who worry about me more than they need to. All I could do was cry. 

12 years later, she circled "yes"

All these thoughts and worries came storming though all at once and I was overwhelmed. Then I remembered a quote I read recently by Freya Stark: “To awaken quite alone in a strange town is one of the pleasantest sensations in the world.”  Of the 308 million-plus citizens in the United States, 30% have passports (CNN 2011). Everyone dreams of traveling the world, but very few actually do it. I'm one of the lucky few, living the dream. Not the American dream, but my own.

Before walking back to the house, I noticed an old woman in her apron carrying a bucket full of something heavy. With very little effort, she hiked up the hill with a smile on her face. She stopped and looked at me, as I sat on the sidewalk with my head in my hands and tears on my cheeks. She looked me right in the eye and said, “what a beautiful day it is today.” And she left, saying nothing more. 

I realized then how lucky I am to wake up in this foreign town, and the old woman who has probably never left this small town of Jacomulco, was here to remind me of the beauty of this world. Sometimes I get caught up in my own world and forget to look around to see what’s really going on. The world keeps on turning, with or without me and it's a beautiful thing. I'm traveling and that in itself is a blessing. Once home from Mexico, I will have no job, no money, no plan, and that's okay because someone else has it all mapped out for me. Bring on the rain. 

Matthew 6:3-4

"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." 

Hurricane Paul, Conejo y Más

"He draws up the drops of water which distill as rain to the streams; the clouds pour down their moisture and abundant showers fall on mankind." - Job 36:27

Baja brings much adventure, critters, waves, and most recently a hurricane. I just recently finished the book of Job, where I found this verse. The timing of finding this verse and Hurricane Paul was most amusing to me. We spent the last four days or so in Conejo and so far, that was my favorite wave. We heard there was a hurricane in Cabo and the waves improved immensely because of it. We took advantage of it, until one dark morning when gusts of wind and rain kicked us out of camp, bringing us to the flooded city of La Paz where we'll wait until Thursday to take the dreaded 18 hour ferry to mainland as I consume copious amounts of dramamine.

When we aren't surfing, our days ::ahem:: the boy's days consist of fishing, hunting kangaroo rats, turkey vultures, scorpions, and snakes, while I fight off mosquitos and do some reading, journaling, and yoga. It's been an adjustment without Todd here, but we're hoping he'll join us again next month. As you can see by all the photos, they are always getting into something exciting, and if it's not exciting, they will find a way to make it so.

Living with boys has taken some getting used to for me. So far, I've had to surrender my usual custom of one sponge for the dishes and one sponge for wiping off dirty surfaces, sleeping in, vanilla creamer, and taking showers on a regular basis. We now use one sponge for everything, wake up with the sun (or whenever Andrew wants everyone to wake up), use sugar instead of creamer, and shower in the ocean (as fresh water is not always available). These outdoor living, stinky, river boys are teaching me a thing or two about what it's like to really live dirtbag style.

Not being in constant communication with my family is also an adjustment for me. I usually talk to each of them at least once a day, so taking that down to once a week (if that) has taken a lot of getting used to for all of us. I miss my little nugget who doesn't quite understand how she can't feed me, hug me, or kiss me. All she knows is "Bebba Skype" means she gets to see me and talk to me on the computer, while she persistently tries to hug, kiss, and share her snacks with continuous interception from a screen.

We're looking forward to the days ahead in mainland spending time with family friends, hopeful kayaking in Puerto Vallarta, and doing some much needed laundry :) This will probably be my last post for a few weeks. Until then, the tortillas...

Abreojos and Scorpion Bay

Since internet is very random, I've been journaling every day and when I post blogs from now on, they are probably a few days, maybe even weeks old but you'll get the picture. This is from October 11. If you want to see all the photos, keep checking into the Baja Album

We are currently sitting at la Taqueria de Cristi in Scorpion Bay where I’m playing with Abraham and his 2 week old puppy, Bobby. Abraham is 5 and is fascinated with the computer camera and all the different effects. Even his grandmother (Cristi, owner of the taqueria) came out to have a look. Last night we brought in 3 large filets of corvina fish for her to make into tacos while we sat and enjoyed the gringo watching. Lots of retirees and LHB’s as my girls in Long Beach like to say. LHB’s are “leather hand bags” and it’s what people look like after too many years in the sun. I saw one lady who looked like Laird Hamilton, and you could imagine her not being the most feminine.  

Scorpion Bay is not the most convenient place to get to. You have to go down and back up the peninsula a few hours, but when there is swell, it’s world class and people come in from all over to get one of the longest rights. There are three main points and some say when 
it’s good, you can catch it from the 3rd point down to the 1st point, but I don’t think that’s happening on this trip. I’ve been practicing walking on the long board with all the old men and fat children who populate this small town. We’re in for another couple days, hoping the swell comes through tomorrow, and if not, we’re out maybe to Conejo. 

We’re now sitting on the side of the road, losing one of our crew, as Todd tries to hitch hike his way back home to a girlfriend in Montana we all hope is still there. Todd is the neutralizer in the group. He’s mellow and reminds everyone how easy life is. This morning, I woke up on the beach (first time sleeping outside for me) and Todd walks up and says:

“Good morning, seniorita. Welcome to the restaurant of dirtbags. Today we have coffee and oats. If you don’t like oats, there’s peanut butter. If you don’t like peanut butter, we have a bag of candy... for the kids...” 

Before Scorpion Bay was Abreojos. What a great spot, except those damn flies. The point was fun, but broke right over rocks, which of course  was a bit of a deterrent for me. My favorite spot was Petequi’s (not sure how to spell it). It’s also a right that goes forever, and on a 5’9 fish was one of the funnest waves I’ve ever ridden. The first time I went was with Kelsey from Santa Cruz. Her husband was surfing the point, and both of us looked at each other and said “hell no” since it was double over head and sketchy. So we ditched the boys for a couple hours and surfed Petequi’s with no one out except us. Surfing with her made me miss surfing with my girls back home. We were screaming for each other on every wave, even though they were only about shoulder high. The guys on the beach got a kick out of it and appreciated our energy. One guy Miguel, finally paddled out and commented on the girl’s heat taking over. 

The next day, I brought the boys back out to the point so Todd and Chris could surf. They’re both new to surfing so the inside was perfect for them. On our way back to drop Andrew off at Razors (no thank you sharp, shallow reef), Todd forgot his sandal so I drove us back to Petequi’s to get it. No big deal, except when the hard dirt turned into soft sand. We were stuck, and had about an hour left of good daylight. After 5 failed attempts, Todd looks at me and says “you got your running shoes?” I decided instead of running back to camp which was 3-4 miles on soft sand, I’d take my chances with the only two guys camping at Petequi’s who had a big 4x4 and were only two miles away. Luckily, I made friends with one of them, Jim, earlier in the water. I ran up and his friend Paul was just cracking a beer as he looked up and said “lemme guess, you’re stuck?” The three of us loaded into his truck, with a shovel, a rope that Jim found in the back of his bronco back in 1974, and three beers for the road.

Rewind for a minute. Earlier that morning, we found a guy who was also stuck pretty bad. We pushed him out and the last thing he said to us was “thanks guys, that’s good karma for your day.” Jim and Paul laughed hearing that and I assured them I wouldn’t wish them good karma on their trip because they would probably get stuck too. 

So we pulled up to a sweaty Todd who had another few failed attempts, but was happy to see his success in sending the girl in a bikini to run for help. I gave him my beer and within minutes, we were out of there. I left those guys some beer the next day with a note that said “cheers to good karma.” 

So Todd just got picked up and is on his way back home. There are now only three in the wolf pack, myself, Andrew, and Chris who will be with us until December(ish). Surf is small, cloud cover just rolled in, breeze picked up and we are out of beer. Looks like the whole town is mourning Todd’s departure. 

Southbound - With Tortillas

 Where to begin. Sorry for all who have been looking for an update. I have a lot of things written but not blogged yet. We are leaving Campo Lopez and  heading to Southern Baja on October 1st (ish). This whole thing has been an "ish" journey and I'm finding it to be more enjoyable than having a set plan. Me and three  boys - Andrew, Todd, and Chris - are driving our "van de suenos" through Baja, crossing over to mainland on an 18 hour ferry (fml), then heading to Oaxaca and maybe Guatemala if we need to extend our visas for another 6 months. Four months surfing, two months kayaking. Should be nothing shy of an adventure. I'm particularly excited for Oaxaca and hopefully meeting up with my friend Alli. 

The biggest hurdle for me is learning how to do absolutely nothing. All day. Every day. Do nothing except wake up, drink 3-4 cups of coffee on a deck overlooking the ocean, journal, run and/or surf, eat some breakfast, chorble around the casa, surf some more, take a siesta, drink some rum and coke, watch the sunset, and eat a lot of tortillas. Sounds relaxing, but I go stir crazy doing nothing for too long. There are a lot of great orphanages I'd like to visit to break up the routine and do some good for the community. I could always use some soccer and happy kids in my day. 

The next challenge is not getting fat. Seriously, why are the flour tortillas in Baja so good? I have no self control. I eat them whenever I see them. It's a sickness. I can't wait to get to mainland so they're out of reach. I've probably gained 5-7lb and I'm turning into a gordita. Surf more, eat less. I should write that on the bathroom mirror. Hell, maybe on the bag of tortillas. 

We've been loving the disco and dutch oven. Both are cooked over the fire since we're literally one step up from camping. No electricity or gas, but we have running water and a breath taking view which you've all seen so life is pretty amazing here. 

So at this point in my travels, I'm praying to stay healthy, patient, and open minded. I'm really excited for the road to freedom and escape from corporate America. The only real duties I have are keeping a tight budget, saying no to that last tortilla, and making sure Andrew showers at least once a week, which is often times the hardest job! Below is a photo I took of him surfing before he hurt his knee doing this exact same maneuver. He's fun to watch, and the energy he brings to the water is unbelievable- even more so when his dad comes down to surf. 

I don't particularly believe in horoscopes, and hardly ever read them but it caught my attention in the local newspaper this morning: "You have the sense that even though your plans were not executed in the manner you would have preferred at the time, you got something wonderful out of the deal, something you're still enjoying today." 

My life is amazing and only getting better. I've made plans in life and realized I can't ever really plan what's already been laid out for me. When I think I'm in charge, God reminds me, sometimes with the bandaid effect, because it seems that's the only way I listen. Mexico is before me, and I'm going to charge it, making the most out of every day that's been given to me. First thing's first, more coffee. 

_ _ _ 

Jeremiah 29:11

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." 

Enamorado en Baja

The only thing better than quitting my job was telling my boss I needed to take vacation on the 2nd to last week of work. Probably not the most responsible decision, but let's be real here,  one week in Baja changed my entire outlook on life and how I'm going to be living it. 

Reactions from my friends and family have varied when they learn I’ve quit my job to travel. From the “good for you!” to the “I can’t believe you’re leaving such a great job” to the “how can you leave your family like that?”- the answer I have for all of you is-- because I can.

I'm a happy girl on an open road to freedom with good people and amazing experiences ahead. For those of you following me on my travels, keep your prayers high and opinions low. I need all the positive love and energy you can give. 

I love God, I love my family, and I love traveling.  God is with me wherever I go, my family will love me wherever I am, and traveling shapes the core of my existence. 

______________________________________________________________

Psalm 121 “The Travelers Psalm”

1 I lift my eyes to the hills – where does my help come from?

2 My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.

3 He will not let your foot slip – he who watches over you will not slumber:

4 indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.

5 The Lord watches over you – the Lord is your shade at your right hand.

6 the Sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night

7 The Lord will keep you from all harm – he will watch over your life;

8  the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.

The Parable of the Mexican Fisherman

A boat docked in a tiny Mexican village. An American tourist complimented the Mexican fisherman on the quality of his fish and asked how long it took him to catch them. 

"Not very long," answered the Mexican. 

"But then, why didn't you stay out longer and catch more?" asked the American. 

The Mexican explained that his small catch was sufficient to meet his needs and those of his family. 

The American asked, "But what do you do with the rest of your time?" 

"I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children, and take a siesta with my wife. In the evenings, I go into the village to see my friends, have a few drinks, play the guitar, and sing a few songs ... I have a full life." 

The American interrupted, "I have an MBA from Harvard and I can help you!  You should start by fishing longer every day.  You can then sell the extra fish you catch. With the extra revenue, you can buy a bigger boat. 

"And after that?" asked the Mexican. 

"With the extra money the larger boat will bring, you can buy a second one and a third one and so on until you have an entire fleet of trawlers. Instead of selling your fish to a middle man, you can then negotiate directly with the processing plants and maybe even open your own plant. You can  then leave this little village and move to Mexico City, Los Angeles, or even New York City!  From there you can direct your huge new enterprise." 

"How long would that take?" asked the Mexican. 

"Twenty, perhaps 25 years," replied the American. 

"And after that?" the Mexican asked. 

"Afterward? That's when it gets really interesting," answered the American, laughing.  "When your business gets really big, you can start selling stocks and make millions!" 

"Millions?  Really?  And after that?"

"After that you'll be able to retire, live in a tiny village near the coast, sleep late, play with your children, catch a few fish, take a siesta with your wife and spend your evenings drinking and enjoying your friends."

Know where you're going in life … you may already be there.