Sugar and Spice

It’s been too long, I know. But the güera’s back in action!

I’ve always believed a place takes on meaning from the people you know there. I love Chicago because of the energy and enchantment of the city, but what’s pulling me back there is my beloved family and extraordinary group of friends.

Before Christmas break, I left Cuernavaca nearly every weekend to visit friends in Mexico City. I didn’t feel like I belonged to this quiet little place to which I had been sent to work. That changed, however, with my New Year’s resolution to dance more salsa. Molly and I began taking salsa classes and then going out with our compañeros after class to practice at the local salsa hot spots. What we realized after a couple of weeks of dancing was that the Cuerna salsa community is relatively small and tight-knit, but that is also has a revolving-door hospitality service for foreigners like us. They took us in not just as guests but as friends. Along with swimming in my swim club, dancing has taken up my after school hours: class on Wednesday and Friday evenings and practice with the locals at Los Arcos (a restaurant that plays live salsa music and the social hub of downtown Cuernavaca) on Tuesday and Friday nights.


Unfortunately I don't have any videos of me dancing to show you, but I will share a favorite salsa song of mine.

I love dancing salsa, not because I’m good at it. I most definitely am not. I love it because it's sugar and spice - it fills me socially and physically. It connects me with a group of characters who have helped make Cuernavaca my Mexican hometown.


With my salsa friends at Los Arcos

I’ve grown roots here in the form of relationships which will make leaving very difficult. I’m satisfied, however, knowing that these roots, even left buried and dormant for a while, will survive the test of time. My Cuernavaca salsa community, my roommate Chino and his family, my students at the university, the wonderful John and Joan Markovich (a retired couple from the Philly area and Molly’s and my adopted Cuerna parents), and my nearby Mexico City friends will keep me coming back to my home here in México.


With Mexico City friends


With a group of my students at a local carnival


With Molly, my friend Dee from Litchfield, John and John, and Dr. Linda Parkyn (more on Dee's and Linda's visits to come!)

Los Papás Johnson Come to México

The second week in December, I had the great privilege of hosting my parents in Mexico for five days. It was a treat to be able to introduce them to my friends; show them the university where I work and some of my favorite spots in Mexico City, Cuernavaca and the nearby town of Tepotzlán; share with them a sampling of the exceptionally delicious Mexican cuisine; and give them a taste of my Mexican life. Here's are some highlights of our time together...



Mom and Dad enjoying some ice cream in my favorite Mexico City neighborhood of Coyoacán.



With Covenant friends Tom and Janice Kelly at the restaurant El Cardenal in Mexico City.



A beautiful variation on the chili relleno - just one of the many delicious tastes on our Mexican food tour.


With my good friends Riley and Jaime at a fantastic restaurant in Mexico City called La Tecla.



In my apartment in Cuernavaca.



I had fun showing Mom and Dad around my hometown, the City of Eternal Springtime



Love you, Mom!





With my Cuernavacan friend, Jorge.



Getting my favorite Mexican drink, a michelada (a cold and spicy drink with beer, lime juice and several hot sauces), with Mom and Molly in the neighboring town of Tepotzlán.



Sending them off at Benito Juarez International Airport in Mexico City. That same day I left with my friend Molly on a two and half week backpacking trip through southern Mexico and Guatemala (trip pictures will be posted soon).

Thanks, Mom and Dad, for coming to visit me! I'm looking forward to more friends and family who will be coming to visit in the coming months. ¡Todos tienen la bienvendida!