Some say home is where your Mom is. Others say home is where your heart is. I say, home is where your family is.
You might easily think that Nacogdoches is my home, which is logical because that's where I was raised, attend college, and live with my parents. But for me, home is Mexico City. My place of birth. Fortunately, my Dad's side of the family (my favorite side haha), planned a huge family reunion for New Years.
So we spent days packing and unpacking our bags, and traveled to Houston after our Christmas Eve Dinner. We spent the night in a hotel, and on Christmas Day at 4 am, while everyone was lying wide-eyed waiting to see if Santa had come, my family headed off to the airport to board our flight.
Next stop? Mexico City.
The flight was extremely feasible-- only two hours. What was on our mind when we landed in Mexico City?! FOOD.
Not entirely because we were hungry, but rather, that we were in our home country, where our REAL MEXICAN FOOD was made with no flaw! We grabbed our luggage, made it through immigration, and practically sprinted to the food section. Our eyes were glued to the pastries, breads, tacos, etc. while our mouths drooled and stomachs were eagerly waiting.
We found a taco place we liked, ordered tacos al pastor, tacos de bistec, tacos de arrachera, gringas, and chilaquiles. I'm not exaggerating when I say that in less than 15 minutes, we had licked our plates clean and were ready for a second round. However, we knew better than to eat again because it was 11:45 and we had a 3 hour bus drive that left at 12, to take us to Queretaro, where my Aunt Yara lives.
We boarded the bus, and like kids on Christmas days who are sleep deprived form waiting all night, passed outttttt for the next few hours. We made it to Queretaro, and were immediately by Yara, who hugged us with every ounce of her body.
As soon as we made it to her house, we were greeted by her two beautiful puppies! I use the term puppies lightly though haha. These beauts are two Great Danes. One, named Nando (naturally, my family always gets a kick out of him because my sister jokingly calls me Nando which derived from my nick name Nandy) and then there's Freida.
Carlos, Yara's husband came downstairs to get our bags and quickly said, "Are you ready for some food and coffee?" Haha, clearly our family knows us well.
Let me tell you about Carlos. They say lawyers don't have a heart, but let me tell you, Carlos has THE biggest heart of them all. This sixty something year old man, has always lived either in Puerto Vayarta (the flawless beach) or some city in Mexico, meaning he's experienced the country's poverty for years. Nonetheless, anytime someone on the street approaches him to sell something, he buys and gives and gives and gives to these poor (literally poor) people. Not only that, but he's so selfless in the fact that anything I or my sister (or entire family for that matter) may even consider wanting, consider it already ours and paid for, no questions asked. This is also a reflection of Yara, who is selfless in the exact same ways. Their two sons, Juan Carlos, a neuro-surgeon studying in the same 7 year program that Ben Carter (Gifted Hands) studied in in Puerto Rico, and Rodrigo, also a lawyer who works with Carlos, are also the epitome of a reflection of their parents. I adore them.
The night was filled with basic questions of our lives, areas of study, work interests, boyfriend talk, and of course, endless laughter from. As we drove back to my Aunts house, I thought about how fortunate I was to have been blessed with not only the most amazing family, but with a life that has a double (and triple) culture.
My grandma, known to us as Abuela Nina, lost her husband 4 years ago and she has never been the same. While she struggles from Dementia, her sassy, demanding, and over-loving Spanish way of life consumes her and still reminds me of the way she was when my Grandfather was still alive. For the past four years, she has been going to the same cafe, at the same hour, listens to the same music, orders her Cafe Americano, and I know by the look in her eyes, that she reminisces on her life.
I'll admit, within the past year and a half, I have become an extremely emotional person. I'm not exactly sure why, but I've learned to accept this new acquired trait.
I treasured this time with my Grandmother more than anyone will ever know. My family has a great deal of patience for her, but part of me still thinks that it is not enough. I tried to "bring her back" so to speak, by asking her questions about her childhood in Spain and her time with my Grandfather. The way her deep brown eyes lit up and that perfect smile began to inch on her face from ear to ear left me in tears for the next four hours I was with her. Needless to say, it was my favorite coffee visit I've had in my entire life. It also warmed my heart immensely to see my Dad reunited with his Mom after two long, hard years.
We dropped her and her nurse back off at their apartment, and our family returned to my Aunt Yara's house as we awaited the arrival of my cousin, Rodrigo, and his beautiful, vivacious wife, Alejandra, who were returning from Spain.
As soon as they arrived, we turned on the fire place, and spent a few hours listening to their stories of skiing down the Spanish slopes and Christmas in Madrid. We then agreed on dinner and headed out. Let me just tell you.... this meal? WAS AMAZING. Granted, all real Mexican authentic meals are amazing, but I had tacos, posole (a soup), and shared food with everyone who also ordered tacos, sopes, and chilaquiles.
P.S. I recommend this to anyone who goes anywhere in Mexico. Or....if you come to my house. Whichever comes first ;)
We shopped around the picturesque town and I was completely spoiled by my Aunt Yara. I was completely taken aback when she started paying for my things because it was almost embarrassing -- my Aunt/Godmother, was letting us stay in her house for 10 days, was feeding us, and was throwing a huge New Year's party -- so I was mind-blown that she would want to spoil me at a time like this. She re-affirmed me though, that that is what Godmothers do, and she did it with great pleasure. And with a sassy laugh, she added in that Carlos was the one that would be paying for it anyways ;) haha. Gotta love family.
After shopping and walking in our damp shoes (I proudly took the role of Gene Kelly from Singing In the Rain, might I add), we stopped at a very well-known Italian restaurant, where the owners and chefs were from Northern Italy. Of course, my Dad knows no stranger, and he and the chef became instant friends and began exchanging recipes in the middle of dinner! The pizza and wine reminded me so much of my short but beautiful week in Italy -- I am definitely looking forward to going back.
It was a long and rainy day, but, my family made it a fond memory. Jumping through puddles, buying 50 tortas, buying too many sweaters, scarves, and hats, and eating wayyyy too much pesto and drinking the best 1998 Italian Red wine left me one happy, happy and very thankful girl.
We took an early lunch to this FABULOUS Spanish Restaurant where my Grandmother literally felt right at home eating her native foods. My Aunt Ana, her husband, and two children Alonso (age 28 and a doctor) and Jose-Maria (age 16) also joined us for lunch. It was one of THE most scrumptious meals on my entire trip.
From split eggs with potatoes underneath them, to real Spanish churros, sword fish, octopus with black rice, the house wine, and AMAZING flans and chocolate cakes, my entire family left with a happy tummy. It was impeccable.
We then hurried home to await the rest of our family's arrival. My Aunt Nina, her husband, and my cousin Almudena annnddd my Uncle Rafael, his wife, and his two daughters Maria-Fernanda (who just got back from finishing her masters in SPAIN and is now ENGAGED!!! so much happening!) and Montserat, who was coming with her husband and four girls, whom I had never met.
I can't say I completely excited to meet my nieces, simply because I'm not really good with children and I was always average at babysitting...so rather, I was actually really nervous. However, as soon as they all walked in the door, I was in love. Like SWOON. Like can't handle the amount of love that my heart was feeling. The two baby TWINS, Carolina and Daniela are 8 months old, Victoria is 2, and Isabella is 3.
They were all literally BEAUTIFUL and I decided that becoming an Aunt was the best/worst thing that could have happened to me. I say worst because now that I am in love with them, I won't get to see them very often because they live in Mexico and I'm sooooooooo far away....but hey. That just means I have to visit more often. Right?
Our fifth day, we went back to the square to see my Grandma, once again. Except this time, we had another companion. My sweet niece, Isabella, was slightly confused by my Dad's resemblance to her Grandfather (his brother), and did not want to leave his side for anything. So we brought her along for some coffee and shopping.
I'll have everyone know, in case you haven't noticed, that I am completely and utterly obsessed with Gossip Girl. Like I swear to you that Blair Waldorf and I are soul-sisters. With that being said, I found headband stand and went on a ridiculous spree and bought about 10. My niece was enchanted with a purple striped one, so my sister bought it for her, thus making her my (well....OUR) Minion. It was absolutely adorable. Then we moved on to buy crosses and talavera for my sister's new house and while my Mom and Sister shopped, my Dad and I paid a small visit to the "Dragon Bar" where I had my first margarita at the age of 15 with my family and got slightly intoxicated. You'll have to ask me for the full story in person ;)
We made it back to the house where we took a small break, then ventured back out for more coffee and more TACOOSSSS (yummm. but seriously. YUM).
We went to bed with our heavy eye-lids, knowing we were going to need an AMAZING night's rest because the next day was New Year's Eve!
We woke up the next morning and guess where we went for breakfast? Yep, you're right. My Grandmother's favorite cafe. Except this time, it was literally the whole family. I could tell she was somewhat overwhelmed, but I knew, or at least I thought, that deep down, she was happy to be with her family...even if she couldn't remember much.
After breakfast, my sister, who by the way, has the VOICE OF AN ANGEL. I'm not even exaggerating. She's so great, that she even got in to Berklee School Of Music at the age of 18! Sissy, if you're reading this -- you know I like to brag about you ;) Anyways....she sang a song for my Grandmother, which quite literally left all of us and the ENTIRE restaurant in tears and wanting more. To our disappointment, there was no encore. As we were getting up to leave, my Grandmother INSISTED that we request a song to be played because she wanted to dance. Remember I told you she wasn't shy? Well what did our entire family do at her request? Got up and danced right there with her.
Saying goodbye to my Grandma for the last time, (as she would not be attending our New Year's party because it reminded her too much of my Grandfather) was absolutely heartbreaking. It filled my heart so much being able to sit with her and just be in her presence the past few days that it destroyed me on the inside knowing that this may be one of the last times I might see her for awhile. It killed me even more, that my Dad was having to say goodbye as well. Goodbye's are just terrible in general. Don't you agree?
We all then headed back to the house for our PAJAMA gift exchange!! We drew names wayyyyyy back in June/July and had been soo excited for this exchange. The coolest part of it all, was that we each had a special connection with the person we gave to/received from. It was awesome. Then the photo-shoot began...and we attempted our first family selfie.
I'm pretty good at taking fashion risks and thankfully not ever having any disasters, but for tonight, I was getting ready to rock red-lipstick AND a leather skirt. Both for the first time. So my sister and I got ready together, and she gave me the honor of letting me do her hair and make-up, so I will proudly take allll the credit for that!
We walked downstairs just as everybody started arriving. The party was incredible. We had our DJ, a full open bar, and then the food section. (I'm drooling as I write this. I can't get over how amazing it was). There was a lady making hand-made tortillas, and quesadillas, then we had a bar with cilantro, onions, salsa, chicken, tinga, and other yummy things, then my favorite part, the pastor trompo (which is what the best tacos are made of!! google it!), and there were tacos and my favorite, GRINGAS! We all stuffed our faces and ate as if it were the last time we were going to eat for the next week.
After the grotesque eating, the games began! My Aunt Yara called all the young people (young meaning like 32 and under because my cousins are all extremely older than I am), and we were to be in groups of 6. We each then had a different turn and had to completely a specific task in order to receive our prizes, but none of us were allowed to open our gifts until said time. When it came time to open them, we were all in so much shock. I was amazed. Every gift was specifically chosen for each one of us, as a memory from our childhood!! I got a huge box filled with 42 board games because as I child, I did not care what you were doing, I wanted to play a game in that very instant. We were all rejoicing and showing off our toys. It was awesome! Fun fact of the day, it took my Aunt and Uncle three months to find all of our gifts -- can you say thoughtful?!?! It was incredible.
We then danced the night away and chatted over glasses of wine until 11:55 hit. The glasses of champagne came rolling out, along with the grapes that we were supposed to eat (12 total, one for every month and you make a wish on each one). We counted down until Midnight and toasted our glasses of champagne, ate our grapes, then the dessert came out! We took breaks from dancing while eating flan and cake and our party went on and on and on until about 4 in the morning. Yes, you heard me right, 4 in the morning. My family is known for the fabulous parties we throw, and this one was definitely for the books.
If you know me, then you know that there are four things I love: Family, wine, champagne, and food. So, naturally, this was the most perfect way to bring in 2014.
We all sat around and talked for a few more hours and actually even started to plan a trip with all of us cousins. We were missing one, Juan Carlos, who is currently finishing is third year of Ben Carter's Neurosurgery program in Puerto Rico -- soooo the plan (tentative plan I should say) is to go visit him! Which, to be honest, all of us cousins could take a road-trip from Nac to Lufkin and I would be perfectly okay with it because there is nothing like being together.
The amount of bonding that happened on this trip is indescribable. I have fond memories of all of my cousins, but since they were always so much older, and we were kind of seen as the "foreigners" because we lived in the States, we never really formed a true bond. I cannot say the same after this trip.
Yes, it is true that family comes first, and most people believe that. But I don't just believe it. I know it with my entire heart and every inch of my body. My family has some of the most incredible, whole-hearted, unconditionally loving, genius, talented, ambitious, successful people I have ever met in my entire life, and I would be SO lost without them.
Saying goodbye, was again, heart-wrenching. I was not ready to leave the people that I had once again re-connected with and loved more than anything. With knots in my throat and stomach, and tears in my eyes, I told them that we would be seeing each-other very soon, and that miles had nothing on our relationships. Love conquers all, remember??
We left the house, and my Aunt Yara took us to the bus station, where we went back to Mexico City, for our flight back to Houston early the next morning.
I cannot thank her and Carlos enough for the immense hospitality they showed my family the entire time we were there. I cannot thank my Dad enough for treating us to this amazing vacation. And I cannot thank the rest of my family enough, for coming and making this family reunion possible. It is a memory I will hold forever in my heart and cannot not ever be erased.
I had the time of my life, and I owe it all to you guys.
Here's to the best 10 days spent with the best people I know. I love you more than words could ever describe.
We will be seeing each other soon.
XOXO,
Ana