Elefantes Del Desiertos

"Once the dust of Mexico has settled on your soul, 

you will find peace in no other land."

My brother had a discussion with an English girl once about how every family has an unwritten creed-dogma that the children learn through oral tradition. He asked her what hers was.  After a moment of reflection, she said: "must have been: Don't  make a scene." (don't you love the English?) 

Peter told her ours was: Don't play with matches, and love your brothers and sister.

True that. But we were also taught many sub creeds, like: to travel and learn foreign languages, to not hold a grudge, to join the occasional bar fight; to read and re read the stories of Genghis Kahn and Hernán Cortés and the Odyssey. And we were taught -each and every one of us, to love Mexico. Hawaii was for sissys. The Brighams went to Mexico. 

When Jimmy Carter hosted the president of Mexico in the 70s, and he made a joke in his state dinner speech about getting "La Turista"; my father reeled; then proceeded to lecture us at the breakfast table about how impolitic and lame this was. That one does not show respect by talking about the diarrhea one contracts in one's guest's home. I remember him saying " He should have started his speech with the quote: Once the dust of Mexico settles on your soul....." 

My father was nothing if not dramatic. I mean it was a school day, and we were waiting for him to sign our math tests before carpool, but love Mexico we do. 

This place (the One and Only hotel) is a bit of a departure from Mexico..it is filled with incongruous palm trees and ferns and every bloody room has its own lukewarm hot tub on its terrace. I hate to quibble, but that is the dumbest idea...the draining of the water drowns out the sound of the ocean! It is, alas, a South African Jewish billionaire's idea of Mexico....but no matter. The Mexicans are still here; and I maintain that there is no softer gaze than that of a Mexican waiter when a blonde girl orders her drink correctly. It is a salve for the soul to be looked at that kindly. 

I had a weird test about iron blah blah before I came, and it is now clear that a person that leaps around as much as I do needs way, way more protein than I get. Thomas is frazzled that he missed it (he! of the statistics!) and is being a slight pain in my ass about my orders....show me some avocado and I am done. I mean, really....but I have had to eat animal protein at every meal under his gaze. I am not sure, but I think he might also be pouring muscle milk in my ear as I sleep. 

We had been a little stressed out actually before we came, and I think this mini trip did us good. On our anniversary, we went to a place recommended by eloise and my friend who works for Paula Le Duc...a 10 acre oraganic farm and restaurant, and it was beyond (thank you EL!) we got a reservation because of a last minute cancellation..and there was a full moon and a band playing Van Morrison songs to boot. Honestly it was perfect. Then later,  T announces he thinks we can learn Spanish pretty much over night if we just concentrate-so he regales me with a Spanish version of Nat Geo.....where we learn about the elephants of the Namibian desert- "Elefantes del Desiertos". And what he learns (I of course fell asleep..) is the secret to good relationships everywhere. It seems the climate is so dry and hot, that the only way to keep the babies alive, is for their mothers to give them shade with their own bodies. There are no trees; there is only love.

I hope I give you guys as much shade as you have given me...

Above is this amazing floral petal design put on our bed at night, complete with a mini broom to whisk it away. I of course did not want to; but that I suppose is the message...the zen perspective that nothing lasts forever. And that is ok. 

I'll see you Sunday!! That's another thing CAB loved of course: Easter. Renewal. Sun. Chocolate. xx