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Zihuatanejo beach with superimosed read hear in center

Zihua Love Affair

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I’m in love.

I’ve changed my flight date out of Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo so many times. Hopefully, I can stick to the one I just booked. It’s just so hard to leave. My mind keeps telling me it’s time to leave, but my heart is telling me to stay and see what will blossom from this new love affair. However, I have so much that has to be done back home in the states. Besides, I wasn’t even supposed to be in Mexico for this long! I should have been somewhere in South America by now!

I couldn’t help it!

Uggh! LOVE. I fell hard. I’m still falling in love every day. Saying goodbye is going to be so hard. If I didn’t have to take care of things back home, I’d be tempted to stay a little longer. The current global health situation has made it even easier to change my flight with the recent no-fee flight changes and cancellation offers. Let me stop thinking about that. I’m going to try hard to stick to my decision, this time.

Fly Now, Pay Later. Easy monthly payments over 3, 6, or 12 months.

What did I ever see in you?

Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo is such a lovely place. I love the beautiful beaches with the mountains in the background. The locals are so welcoming and friendly. The community is environmentally conscious, so it’s quite clean. It’s busy here, but not overly noisy. The weather is amazing. The food is always fresh, especially the seafood. It’s easy to find a spot, just about anywhere, to simply relax. I’m taking some online courses, so the ambiance is perfect for reading and studying.

This place has shown me how important it is to just slow down and drink in the moment. So, with much reluctance, I will be going home in a few days.

Oh, Ixtapa-Zihua, you’ve been so good to me. I will come back to you, soon….

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The Underground Railroad: From The US to Mexico

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The Mexican End Of The Underground Railroad

When you hear “Mexico”, does The Underground Railroad come to mind? I’m embarrassed to admit it, but sadly, I knew nothing about how enslaved African Americans escaped to Mexico along what we know as the Underground Railroad. I don’t recall ever learning about it in school. I was totally clueless until I was schooled on it by Ms. Patricia Talley, owner of Imagine Mexico Magazine. You can click here to read more about enslaved African Americans who managed to find freedom in Mexico.

Afro-Mexicans

In Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo, and within the Costa Chica region, there’s a thriving community of Afro-Mexican people. We don’t hear much about them in the media, but they’re here. These people are descendants of those poor souls that immigrated to Mexico so many years ago in search of freedom.

Visiting Family

A couple of days ago, I decided to venture out and check out the tourist area in town. I just wanted to see what stores and restaurants were in the plaza. Everything was too touristy for me, including the prices, so I didn’t shell out any coins, except to purchase a delicious coconut and coconut water from a street vendor. The street vendor, like the majority of locals here, is Afro-Mexican. As a side note—he offers a fantastic rate of only $30 pesos (about $1.62 USD at the time of this writing). If you see him around in Ixtapa, flag him down and get your coconut and coconut water!

He could so totally be my cousin….The coconut was chilled, crisp, and delicious. That coconut water? OMG, so sweet and refreshing!

Each day here, as I walk around town, there’s always that feeling that I’m among family members. It’s especially easy since I often meet locals who resemble my close relatives. I learned that many slaves from North Carolina found refuge in the Mexican state of Guerrero. When I’m out and about, I’m always in the mindset that the locals I meet, like the lady with the two small children standing in the sweltering sun trying to sell peanuts to passersby, just might be my not too distant cousin.

From food and dance, to hair textures and some ideologies, it’s really interesting being able to experience Africa in Mexico.

If you’re interested in learning more about African roots in Guerrero, I suggest that you pay Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo a visit

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Are Foreigners Safe in Mexico City?

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I Feel Safe in Mexico City

Since arriving in Mexico City on December 31st, I’ve enjoyed a long walk along and around Calzada de Guadalupe, crisscrossed across town via the subway system, strolled around and relaxed in Chapultepec park twice, and met lots of interesting people. I haven’t felt the need to look over my shoulder every few minutes. I feel safe in Mexico City.

The 2nd floor of El Castillo De Chapultepec.

The Guys Felt Safe

Friday, I left my hotel to do some couch surfing on the other side of the city. I’m currently at my host’s home, propped on the couch writing this blog post. This is my third visit to Mexico. I visited with my brother in 2017 and again in the spring of 2019 with my brother and boyfriend. They both felt safe. Now, I’m here alone. I came here to bring in 2020. I’m enjoying it more than I did the times before.

Fodor’s Inside Mexico City (Full-color Travel Guide)

Other People’s Opinions

I avoid staying in touristy areas and go straight for the areas where real life happens. I’ve been warned several times about the dangers of being a visitor here: “You’ll get robbed. Watch out for the cartels. It’s too dangerous there.” Yes, there are some neighborhoods that seem a bit sketch. There a people here and there that give off a weird vibe. I can say the same thing about neighborhoods and people in the States and any other country. If I based my decisions off the fears of others, I’d never travel anywhere and I wouldn’t be having the time of my life now.

Take Safety Precautions

It would be naive to think that any city is 100% safe. Petty crimes and serious crimes occur all over the world. Just turn on your local news and you’ll see that some crime is always being perpetrated. However, when proper universal precautions are taken, your chances of being a victim of crime is greatly reduced. So, if you take precautions, there’s no reason to be fearful of visiting Mexico City. Mexico City, mind you. I haven’t spent much time in other cities, yet. I can only speak on the one in which I have substantial experience. Each time I’ve come here, I have always felt very safe and welcomed.

Go For It

If Mexico City is on your bucket list, I say go for it! By not visiting, you’re cheating yourself out of a rich cultural experience. There is no reason to be fearful. Go out and explore. You are safe in Mexico City.

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