Breaking Open in Mexico
I spent a month in Mexico, and it was nothing short of magical.
The purpose of my trip was to learn the ancient technique of gilding, but I ended up learning so much more than I ever could’ve imagined. I spent three weeks at an artist residency program in Puebla, followed by a week exploring Mexico City. I’m still processing everything I experienced, but the biggest takeaway was a newfound appreciation and respect for the tenderness that comes with breaking down barriers.
In Puebla, I shared a space with seven other artists, each one talented, intelligent, and passionate. Despite our vastly different backgrounds, we were kindred spirits who valued and embraced vulnerability. It was refreshing to be surrounded by people unafraid to share their truth—the good, the bad, and the ugly. This openness allowed us to form deep connections quickly, and it was amazing to witness. In Mexico City, this practice of vulnerability expanded even further, and I made some truly meaningful connections there as well.
There’s nothing that compares to the energy you create when you’re doing something with passion and honesty. It fills you up, and you radiate inspiration. This was the energy that surrounded me constantly while I was in Mexico, and it’s why it was so easy to break open.
Ending this post with a journal entry from one of my days in Mexico. Photos at the end :)
xo, G
September 25, 2018 - 9:15pm CT
Today was my first full day in Mexico City. I got up at 7:00 am to get some work done before I had to get ready. By 8:00 am, I had finished, and although I hadn’t planned on doing my hair, I ended up having to wash it, which was a pain. Still, I managed to get out of the Airbnb by 9:00 am, which was a miracle. The traffic from Roma to Coyoacan was intense—Mexico City has the worst traffic I’ve ever seen, and I’m now determined not to complain about traffic back home again. The drivers here, especially the taxi drivers, are wild.
Anyway, I met this filmmaker named Susana at Starbucks, and she showed me around the neighborhood. We clicked instantly, like we’d known each other for years. We shared our lives—what drives us, our family histories, the relationships that taught us lessons, and the ones that showed us real love. She told me about the projects she’s worked on, and I shared my work. We talked about kids, raising them, and family dynamics. We discussed the moments in our lives that scared us and the ones where we were lucky to make it out safely. We talked about sex trafficking, church, faith, and government. We swapped travel stories. She was so easy to talk to. At one point, we ran into one of her old high school friends. After she introduced us, I realized how much I love the way Mexicans show affection—so warm, inviting, and full of respect, a level unmatched by Americans.
After spending time with Susana, I visited La Casa Azul, Frida Kahlo’s home-turned-museum. Thanks to Susana’s advice, I bought my ticket online the night before, and I’m so glad I did. When I arrived, there was a long line at the box office, but I was able to stroll right in. The compound was huge, painted the most vibrant blue, and had a beautiful courtyard. There were so many people there, and I wished I could have had the place to myself to explore. It was still incredible to see her beds, paints, and decorations. As I walked through her house, I imagined I was her, and I was overwhelmed with thoughts. I sat in the courtyard for a while and drew in my Moleskine notebook. I noticed a few people sitting in silence, taking it all in, but there were so many more who were just there for the “lifestyle” shots. Haha!
After leaving Frida’s house, I walked back toward the main square, ducking into a restaurant for some tequila. The owner gave me a few free drinks, which was nice. I’ve been getting free tequila almost everywhere I go—I wonder if it’s common practice to welcome foreigners. I don’t know, but I love it. As I sat there sipping tequila, I doodled in my notebook. Later, I wandered through the market and bought a handful of gifts from street vendors. I ended up at a restaurant called Luna, where I sat outside, had a few drinks, and listened to live music. It started to storm, but I didn’t mind, and neither did the people around me. After a few hours, I hopped in an Uber and chatted with my driver the whole way back to my Airbnb. I thought I should probably drink some water and eat something before settling in for the night. Then, as if by fate, we hit a red light, and there was a guy selling water and snacks. I just had to roll down my window… haha!
I fell in love with Mexico City today.
