Shopping in the Federal District of Mexico: Ciudadela and Sonora

In the afternoon while still in an interesting session, C messaged me and told me he and R are going shopping. They asked if I would like to go with them. I'm not a big fan of shopping but knowing these two are culture buffs, I know I am in for a good shopping experience.

Before meeting them, I went to the washroom and found two friendly Mexican women who are friendly and lovable. When they asked me what session I would be attending next, I replied that I would be going out shopping with the two boys. They asked where and when I said "Sonora" they were shocked and told me not to go because it's a dangerous place. As an alternative, they recommended Ciudadela to me. They were even shocked to know that R was looking for a certain image of Santa Muerte for his friend. They cautioned me against this.

on the way to Ciudadela by foot, we saw this library

So anyway, we did as they said, visiting Ciudadela instead. The market does not disappoint. It was very near a subway station so getting there was no trouble at all. I love the place ENTIRELY! It reeks of CULTURE: crafts and art abound and what really excited me was that not a few stalls are selling MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS!!! (If only I had the moolah but then I was thinking about my budget for the remainder of my stay...)

a colorful resto in Ciudadela

 Except I wasn't able to take lots of photos inside because my eyes got busy feasting on all the wonderful crafts and my mind was thinking of ways to earn more money and when I would be able to come back to Mexico, and which musical instruments to buy, if I would have enough time to learn another instrument (they have a wide range of instruments under the guitar family and I would also love to get my hands on Mexican violins... SIGH!), and countless other things. Oh the things you think for LOVE and PASSION...

my favorite tacos, couldn't get enough of this!

 Not finding the specific image of Santa Muerte, we decided to brave the Sonora Market. The place is pretty much Divisoria so we didn't have difficulty in adjusting. Same tips: be alert and be vigilant. C and R even reprimanded me when I took out my cam to take a photo of the market. The only single photo I have of the place... #jujubels. But anyway, better safe than sorry!

Sonora market

When we got back to the conference, I met up with the Mexican women again and told them our adventures. The look on their faces when we told them we went to Sonora despite their warnings! But I deeply am thankful for their concern and for the relief I saw upon learning that nothing bad happened to us. They are so motherly!!! (I miss them already and we only get to communicate these via Facebook only...)

What we did early in the morning:

Attended mass in Basilica de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe

Basílica de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, Mexico

Early in the morning of July 19, Sunday, R, C, and I decided to wake up extra early to be able to attend the first mass at the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, an important National Shrine due to an alleged appearance of the Virgin Mary in 16th century to an Aztec named Juan Diego to instruct him to build a church at the site.

The lights were the first thing that caught my eye... and I jaw dropped in awe of its beauty.

Find the Philippine flag! :)

According to the story, the then Bishop first doubted the report but when presented with roses in winter and when the image of the Virgin Mary was miraculously imprinted on a cloth, he immediately ordered the construction of the church. This church became one of the most important tool to convert the Aztecs to Christianity. Two centuries later, Our Lady of Guadalupe became the patron saint of Mexico which continues to this day. Veneration of the Lady strengthened in 1921 when a bomb explosion caused parts of the church including the marble steps to be destroyed but the glass case of the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe remained intact.

new church where mass is celebrated

Maybe because we went there too early but we didn't get to enter the old church. Would have wanted to see its interiors. With the significance of the church to the Mexicans, I am sure that the interiors would be VERY beautiful. We were also in a hurry because we wanted to catch the breakfast spread at the hotel and attend some sessions since Sunday would be the last day.

old church preserved (the sun was just about to rise)

 Outside the church complex, there is a building that sells religious items. The merchandise are on the pricey side since it's a touristy place. In fact, that's the reason why we went there early, to avoid the crowds that are sure to flood the church. (Except the downside to this was that we were not able to take beautiful photos because of lack of natural light... Ah well I'm a fan of silhouettes anyway so no prob with me. Though if I were to study the details through pics, that wouldn't help.)

religious merchandise being sold outside the church complex grounds

So going back to the hotel we were in luck to still be able to eat decent breakfast and to attend the last day of the conference.

The following day, we went to Teotihuacan. It would be the last day for most of the participants including C. That night also started my solo travel towards Yucatán Peninsula. It was full of misadventures but I put my faith in God and in humanity so I still can say that I had the best adventure of my life... so far. :)

Also read:

Misadventures Part 1

Misadventures Part 2

Tabasco History Museum/ House of Blue Tiles

and more updates in the coming weeks

Note: I am just taking a break from writing two papers for a conference which will be held at the end of this month... WISH ME LUCK and please... PRAY FOR ME.

One Direction

So this month I finally decided to quit being a drifter. The years following my highschool graduation have been spent in fantasyland, with me not owning up to my shortcomings, thinking I would be okay and that I would do well in any field. The message from my peers and teachers in highschool about me being able to excel in anything has, despite the good intentions, drove me to be complacent and mediocre. While I found myself being good in the fields I entered, I knew deep inside that I could have done better.

Just that I got distracted a lot. Just that I loved too many things too much. The humanities--- the arts, literature, music; mathematics, science and technology, the outdoors. People often comment about how well-rounded I was. But they do not know how this has impeded me from achieving my true potential.

Take math and logic for instance. Those were my favorite subjects (alongside English) but come college I would choose foreign languages although many times I thought of shifting to Math or ComSci had my parents not been too strict with me when it comes to financial matters. Back then all I thought about was finishing my course to land a job, earn money, then travel the world.

But such linearity does not suit me because right after graduation as I was taking up Trigonometry, I chanced upon the announcement at ASP about grad school application. Without thinking, without even a plan, I submitted the requirements and found myself toiling hard with coursework while joining fieldworks and making sure I work hard to earn money on the side. Those were difficult times because I literally came to know what "hand to mouth existence" means. Sometimes I would feel as though I were wasting my time attending classes where I leave the class not even a bit wiser, or wasting my youth getting sun burns and insect bites which, according to my mom, is a ridiculous thing to do when I should be taking care of my fair skin thanks to her genes.

In hindsight, I guess what I truly got from those two years was not archaeological knowledge and knowhow but the construction of character. Had I not delved into archaeology and met different kinds of people, I would have remained the world's most naive person. My friends still think I need to work something out to balance my naivete but they often remark that at least I am learning. If there is one thing I learned it's that people will use you as much as they can if you let them. It took a while before I learned to say no. I was just too naive and stupid to think so nobly of others, that they won't ask for help unless they reached their limits. Apparently I was too locked in my own thoughts that my ideas I project unto others. Until concerned people noticed. Until I felt the unsettling feeling of carrying too much burden, burning myself out in the process.

For a change I decided to finish my diploma course and quit. I have to see what the corporate world has to offer, to see for myself if it's really a jungle out there with all the nasty gossips and ugly politics. I entered in all my naiveté. A whole new world full of pretentious and insincere people. But I also consider myself lucky finding friends in the corporate jungle. I used to think that everybody could be my friend, until I learned about people with two faces. I was aghast. I became cautious, and now I learned how to filter people that enter my life. I wouldn't have been forced to learn that had I not experienced what the corporate world is like.

Even with all its negativity, I would have to say that my experience in the corporate world has been invaluable. There I learned to tap into my erstwhile unknown pool of knowledge. The things I never thought I could do, I did there, forced by circumstances. Because in my mind, I am getting paid to do my job, but deep inside of me, exceeding expectations has been the default. Because I always think that there's a better way to do things, that we can all grow and learn even though on the surface everything already looks perfect.

Stretching myself further from the apparent limits I used to set on myself has been a double-edged sword. I got immersed in many things and my desire for continuous excellence drove me to explore more at the expense of the things I have loved doing. Many times I wish I could do kagebunshin no juutsu to do many things but at the end of the day is the realization that I am no Superwoman, that I am a mere mortal who must prioritize or perish in an overwhelming ocean of possibilities.

Today receiving two emails from a university I applied for, I am more determined to complete the requirements to make myself eligible for the program. This month I resolve to have one direction: work on my deficiencies and leave all unrelated things in the backseat.

I will not be young forever so I must hurry to achieve my childhood dreams before it is too late. Recently I have just turned down many travel offers because I need to focus more on building skills and competencies for my future self. This with the consolation that I have traveled a lot anyway the past 3 years. Not that I am quitting my backpacking adventures, just that there will less of them in the coming months.

For now, my objectives include working on my huge backlog: 2014 (HK and South Korea) and 2015 travels (SG, MX, numerous local trips), practicing the violin and keyboard, and continue studying Japanese.

Broken Strings

So I experienced my first broken strings yesterday while I was turning the peg with the E string to tune my violin. I was in a state of shock for a few seconds but my mind was screaming SHIT THIS ISN'T HAPPENING, I NEED TO PLAY!!! (My violin was largely left unnoticed the past few weeks and bow hairs have been shedding... My violin must be in tantrums...) What's a girl with musical needs to do but try putting on new strings.

I regretted so much not watching videos on youtube on how to replace violin strings. I could definitely use a tip or two. But then I guess some things can be done intuitively. In a matter of minutes I was done, all strings replaced because I couldn't bear the thought of having strings with mixed quality. And I was pleased with my work. My violin sounds better with greater resonance. Awesome what strings can do. And I had always thought it's all about the woodworks...

Today upon arriving home, I was excited to play again. I was practicing "Last Flight Out" and while playing I was reflecting on how things get broken only to become more beautiful once fixed.

Like how I have been devastated since I was separated from the Light with no one to talk to about it. I couldn't even tell my sisters how I truly felt, i had to seek solace and comfort in quiet places. I didn't know whom to turn to to pour out my feelings. I was afraid and I never felt so alone. Friends seemed so distant. I even wondered if I had real friends at all.

When it all ended, I don't know what else to feel. I was numbed from crying too much. A part of me felt so unfamiliar. I was utterly lost. I don't think I fell into depression, but it felt as if I were undergoing an existential crisis, like there's no more meaning in this world, that it's okay to just drift to where life takes you to; offer the least resistance to incur the least pain. But this also entails having the least gain.

Which is precisely what the Light cautions against. Often she would berate me for living a life without direction, for wallowing in mediocrity when I could be more and when I could achieve more with my talents and skills. But I chose a laidback life of pleasure, choosing to go with the flow.

This time, this girl shall have to wake up and fight her hardest battle. Everyday I tell myself, "Get up and fight. The world is a big battlefield, you haven't seen it all yet." So everyday I am given a new breath of life, never a promise to a better future, but a promise at least to lead a life of struggle, the kind that leaves you broken yet transforms you into something beautiful.

Santa Cruz, Laguna

If you have read my earlier post on part 1 of my Laguna adventure, you probably are already aware that I went around the province to check out the churches. First stop was Santa Cruz, Laguna. I first came to know about this town for its quesong puti (cheese made from carabao's milk) which I like because it's not heavily salted.

first heritage structure we saw

A friend of my sister also resides in the town so when I got there I asked for her cellphone number from my sister so we could at least meet up there but she replied when J and I were already on our way to Nagcarlan.

We started our Santa Cruz trip asking around for directions to the Aglipayan Church where the famous wooden Marian image is located. On the way we had breakfast and since I was on tight budget (as always) I went for breaded chicken with rice for P50.

budget meal of fried chicken and rice

Off we went around town to see the churches both Catholic and Aglipayan.

facade of the Immaculate Concepcion Parish Church

altar

choir loft

ruins

Aglipayan Church

the Marian image in the wood

famed wooden Marian image adapted to the tainted glass

As we were leaving, we saw a procession with people spraying water at each other. Turns out to be a fiesta celebration! We were lucky people didn't think of spraying us water!

water celebration

Crossing the bridge, we came face to face with this grand mansion!

This constitutes my Laguna Trip Part 1, together with Nagcarlan, Liliw, and Majayjay. 

Laguna Tour Part 1

Before the mapping project ended in April this year, I was able to forge alliance with two other active volunteers who had already exceeded the required outputs early on. One is from Calamba, Laguna and the other from Bulacan. The three of us have previously mapped Pila, Laguna last April 9, taking advantage of the holiday Araw ng Kagitingan to do volunteer work.

J who hails from Bulacan was my buddy for the day. Plan was that we would meet up with C somewhere in Laguna but since C suddenly had lots of deadlines to meet that day, he only joined us for dinner in SM Calamba, his treat at Max's Restaurant remembering how fond I was of sizzling tofu.

J and I met up in Cubao to take a bus going to Santa Cruz, Laguna. From there on, we visited Nagcarlan, Liliw, Majayjay for their churches and snapped photos of heritage houses, most of them already dilapidated. We also paid a visit to the Nagcarlan Underground Cemetery which is really a small one but the fine architecture of the chapel there with some ceiling paintings intact makes it one important cultural property.

It was a tiring day. I got home at close to 12MN. because when the three of us gather we talk endlessly about plans, dreams, frustrations, and the future of the project. It's amazing how fate brings together three persons from different disciplines but who share the same passions and who have almost similar experiences of not being understood by our respective families.

Read more:

Santa Cruz, Laguna

Nagcarlan, Laguna

Liliw, Laguna

Majayjay, Laguna

This is just Part 1. Part 2 is yet to materialize and when the time comes, I'll make sure to go to Pagsanjan Falls!