My dad is from Mexico, as most of you know, and because of that, since I was very young we had traveled to Mexico on vacation.
Thanks to those vacation trips we had made, I had visited much of the country and can proudly say that I knew more about the country than people that were actually born and raised in Mexico. It’s a country I love and consider my own. Just as I am proud to be Puerto Rican, I am also very proud to be Mexican. When I started this blog almost 5 years, I knew I wanted to include my travels to Mexico because I decided I was on a mission to show another side to this beautiful country; not the one depicted by violence and drug cartels. I didn’t want people to be scared of visiting, but rather encourage them to visit and get to know it, and if I could contribute to this even in a small way, I would do it.
My grandma (from my dad’s side) frequently traveled to Mexico not only to check up on her house but also to do some tourism. She would always come back from her trips and tell me where I needed to visit, with Chiapas and Oaxaca being at the top of her list. I always took note of it and said I would visit when I got the chance. When she passed away 4 years ago, my dad promised her he would travel every year to visit her (she was buried in Mexico as this was her wish) for her birthday (August 26). The first year he did, we thought it would be a great idea to arrive a few days after and continue for a family vacation. After that first year, we realized we wanted to keep it as a family tradition and continue making the trips each year, but I also figured it would be a good idea to travel to different cities and states that I had yet to visit so we agreed that’s what we would do. At the top of my list was Oaxaca and Chiapas just like my grandma had told me. So in a sense, these trips are in remembrance of her. Thankfully in 2015 I was able to make it happen and I visited Oaxaca for the first time. It is hands down my favorite. My grandma wasn’t wrong. I loved it! Chiapas is still on my list but I’ll make it there eventually.
Visiting Mexico not only connects me more to my roots each and every time but also allows me to remember her in a special way and I also get to learn and visit more of a country I love so much. Up this year: Campeche!!! Stay tuned to my social media as I will be leaving in 3 weeks and I can’t wait to bring you along!
