What makes a family!

I rode a few miles out of town to find this place I had read about in San Miguel. It is a girls home where 32 girls ages 4-16 live, love, laugh, play, cry, sleep, eat, study and support each other. The place is all run by private donations and the VERY hard work of some incredible nuns and volunteers. One Volunteer Robin from Texas who has made this her life passion is a woman who I have GREAT respect and admiration for. She never wanted children and one day as she puts it God told her to find purpose. She did and is now going above and beyond to give these girls a chance in life where before they have been abandoned, taken away from their unfit homes or have lost both parents. As you walk in to this place you can truly feel the joy and love of the girls. They walked up shook my hand said hello in English and all had beautiful smiles. Robin gave me a tour explaining how things worked. An image I will never forget was walking into a room or dormitory and seeing all the beds each having a dresser next to it. On the dresser was the girls personal things, all their little "alters". It reminded me of the movie I loved so much Annie. In the little girls room a nun sleeps with them, this also told me this woman has given her life to these girls raising not one but 32 girls. She awakes at 5am and rarely gets to sleep before 12am. How hard they work but you would never know looking at their faces. They smile and have such patience with all of them. One girl really a woman was left at the home a few years ago, 24 year old Alma which means soul. She is severally mentally challenged, I saw her from a distant and she grabbed my soul. I sat down next to her, she grabbed my hand so tightly and giggled. Robin told me this was not normal for her and I immediately thought of the gifts my mother has passed on to me in playing and working with handicapped people. I sat with her for 10 minutes sometimes speaking in Spanish but mostly just showing her I knew she was there and I already loved her so much. As I went to leave she kept shaking her head and would not let my hand go. Tears welled up as wanted to protect and love her for the rest of my life. All the girls really…. They already have girls with Scholarships to Harvard and many colleges. They go to church but not just to learn about God but about Spiritually and love. As I stayed a few hours and watched how they all supported each other, there was no arguing at all. I bonded with many and have promised to return they really want to learn yoga and dance they told me. I sat on the couch as they braided my hair and asked me how much I liked Justin Bieber. They also asked if I had a boyfriend or any kids. I told them no but someday, right now I was traveling and learning more about life. One girl said one day she to wanted to travel around the world. I asked her how come, she responded "because I can". I love what these woman and the supporters are doing for these girls. I plan on returning for a few weeks in January to teach yoga but also to learn what they have to teach me. Grace, love, patience, gratitude, and play. If you have time or even $10 to spare this is a place where your dollar goes far and every penny is used to support the girls. I am extremely grateful for the day of love they showed me! 

http://www.santajulia.org/

Life in Mexico where minutes turn into hours....

To explain the last 30 days of my life is challenging because I want to put the joy of my heart into these words…… 

I started Spanish school a few weeks ago, it has been so challenging not only because I have to arrive early but sitting at a desk, raising your hand, and HOMEWORK is something I have not done for a minute or two... At the same time it feels amazing to be doing this for me. For so many years my schedule was taking care of others, helping them with their goals and future.  It has taken some adjusting  just looking out for myself, no complaints just different.  After my first week of school, I went out in the streets to put my Espanol to work. I decided I needed some new sneakers for the gym I joined. I walked into a shoe place to be greeted as always here with warm smiles and greetings. After 5 minutes I was invited to sit down and sip on tequila with the owner of the store along with his store manager. It was 12:15pm and I was sipping on tequila with my new friends talking about love….. By 1:30 and a few shots later my Spanish was really good 
( I thought) and I was learning about the love life of Carlos and his wife. They had been fighting all week, his heart was heavy I learned. He explained how they met and the many reasons why he loved her. I hugged him with tears in my eyes of learning of his beautiful life and said thank you to Carlos. He then told me to please pick out a pair of shoes. I tried to pay but he would not except. Once again this culture has taken my heart.  

I have spent days just walking the streets meeting people, learning the culture. I walked by a gallery that grabbed my attention. I walked in to be greeted by a handsome young man Rene. Ironic I thought the only other gallery I walked into the owner was also Rene. As I introduced myself and kissed his cheek a look of surprise came over him. In English he said  " you are the Hannah my father talked about" I looked at him surprised… San Miguel is small but still a city with a lot of art galleries. This was Rene's son Rene Jr, he owned this gallery. We laughed at the small world and small town.  Rene guided me through both his galleries and explained art in his words giving great detail and passion.  A few hours later he explained what it took to be a Mexican. 

1. Family and friends

2. Trust and respect

3. Time does not rule your life

4. Drinking and food

5. Family. 

I smiled as this culture is sinking deeper into my bones. 

I have to admit most of my time has been spent exploring during the day and sleeping in my cozy bed by 10pm. I have been cooking almost all my meals. I love going to the organic market, picking out fresh food then coming home to make something delicious.  On the food topic I randomly walked into a place that said fresh juice and smoothies. Inside was a vortex of goodness. I found a place called life path, Inside this beautiful old building is a place of healing.  Massage, yoga, products, counseling, and a kitchen with a chef named Alicia. Alicia was sitting in the kitchen and I walked in to introduce myself, right away I liked her so much, she reminded me of my friend Summer Bock. She was making yummy kale chips, soaking almonds and had her crock on top of her fridge with kraut. Again minutes turned into hours of conversation that lead to laughter, amazing information and the feeling of being with my girlfriends who I miss so much. I was introduced to many wonderful people and this included Eduardo a Shaman with magic hands. I made an apt to meet with him the next day, hugged the inspiring Alicia and walked home contemplating could I make a life here? 

 I have times of missing my friends very much, being away from Oceana I find the biggest challenge of all. I walk by a car every morning with an Ohio license plate that makes me smile as a good portion of my frieHaving no phone, no text, no Internet at my house, I feel very disconnected at times from those I love. At the same time it is teaching me to go deeper into my meditation, trust that those you love will be there when I truly need it and I for them. My dreams have been so beautiful, I was told San Miguel is built on top of healing crystals. If this is true or not there is something here so magical and my dreams on a nightly basis confirm this.  The part of traveling I forget that can be difficult is you want your friends and family to experience this joy, this happiness with you. So all I can do is express through writing this, hoping to share and inspire.