View from our hotel room in Cancun

 There is no place I love more than the beach

 Templo de Kukulkan at Chichin Itza

 Pyramid of the Sun at Teotihuacan

 View from the Pyramid of the Moon at Teotihuacan

 Enjoying our time together in Mexico City

Last night in Mexico City with my Tio Pancho and cousin Hugo

Mexico with the Bro

I will never forget the time I shared with my brother in Mexico. Whether we were singing 80´s rock songs with our cousins in Queretaro, enjoying cold beers on the stunning beaches of Cancun, walking the beautiful and precisely calculated grounds of Chichin Itza, entranced by the enormity of Teotihuacan, or making fun of our tiny, $30 hotel room in Mexico City, our time together was filled with smiles, laughs and love. Our travels created an ever lasting imprint on my memory. I am grateful we were able to experience this together. We are closer because of it.

Rare Experience

I am fortunate to be a part of a small percentage of Latinos that get the chance to travel through the lands of their ancestors.  These travels allow a person to develop in ways no other experience can. Visiting and living in Mexico and Peru have allowed me to develop a closer connection with my family. Meeting and conversing with relatives in Mexico has enhanced my admiration and understanding of my family. Visiting Incan, Aztec and Mayan ruin sites has further developed my pride in my ancestry. Most importantly, traveling through the lands of my ancestors has given me a stronger sense of self. I am fortunate and grateful for these experiences.

The Teachings of my Parents

While others have helped shape my character, no one has played a more instrumental role in my development than my parents. I thank them for teaching me the importance of family and for providing me with the deep desire to connect with my roots. Their example and teachings are the reasons why I came to Mexico and why I have close relationships with family that is “distant.” My parents are responsible for my question asking, visiting of museums and ruin sites, reading of texts, watching of films, studying of our family tree, and interest in learning from my elders, all of which have given me a greater understanding of my family and cultural history. I am not done! I have much more to learn about Mexico and Peru and many more family members to develop relationships with. Thank you mom and Papi. I love you and will continue to put your teachings into practice.

Forever Grateful

Hugo y Vanesa,

From the bottom of my heart, thank you so much for opening your home to me. Without your generosity this trip would not have been possible. You continually over extended yourselves to ensure my comfort. I am grateful for the relationships we developed and those that I formed with your beautiful children. I hope one day I am able to repay you.

Love,

Iván

p.s. Hugo, I cannot help but think that the relationship we have developed is similar to the one our grandfathers shared. They must be proud!

Individuals = Couple

Babe,

I fully appreciate that while we are deeply in love we have our individual identities.  I am happy that we can be separated for six weeks without problem. It is wonderful that we can be apart and our lives do not come to a standstill. This is just another example of how strong our relationship is. I love you!

Iván

The Arrival of my Brother

My schooling has ended, my brother arrives today and I leave Queretaro on Monday. It feels as if I have been reading a classic tale and that everything has built up beautifully for this final chapter. Unfortunately, with the beginning of a new chapter one must come to an end. The ´goodbyes´ begin today. This is going to be difficult because it feels as if the ´hellos´ were just yesterday. I will enjoy the remaining time I have with my family in Queretaro and can only hope it does not take another six years to return.

I have been very fortunate on this trip. I have seen, experienced and tasted more than I could have hoped for. My luck continues with the arrival of my brother Diego. The stars aligned for this to happen. For months we talked about how great it would be to travel through Mexico together but it often appeared as if this dream would not be realized.

We begin our trip in Cancun. I cannot wait to relax on the soft, white sand, with a cold drink, staring out at the crystal blue water. After Cancun we head to Veracruz. Thoughts of this leg of the trip bring back memories of my father and me sitting in the main plaza, sipping tequila while watching the nightly activity. I can imagine my brother and me doing similar things. We end our trip in Mexico City. I am eager to take in the marvelous murals that fill the capital and revisit the holy land that is Teotihuacan.

These experiences would be special on their own but having my brother at my side will make them even more special. Two adult siblings traveling alone in a different country is a rare experience. With adulthood comes bills, work responsibilities and added loved ones which make these type of trips nearly impossible. I am thankful to my parents and to our girlfriends for their encouragement, understanding and support. I am also thankful to Diego for making this trip a priority. I look forward to the life long memories we create together.

 Descendants of Jose Contreras-Zamora and Carlos Contreras-Zamora

 Sergio and Mateo

 Plaza de la Constitucion, Queretaro

 Ex-Convento de la Santa Cruz, Queretaro

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 Los Arcos, Queretaro 

The newlyweds

Speaking at the Zamorada

"Iván...Iván...Iván!"

This past weekend I attended the "Zamorada" which is an annual reunion of the Contreras and Zamora families. The roots of the Zamorada trace back to the 1950s when a number of cousins from the two families used to gather. The site of the reunion changes each year as do the people who organize the event. This year it was held in Guadalajara and about one hundred people were in attendance. The Contreras are the descendants of Rafael Contreras-Contreras and Domitila Zamora-Torres. Rafael Contreras-Contreras was the first cousin of my great grandfather, Manuel Carrillo-Contreras. The Zamora who gathered at the Zamorada are the descendants of the siblings of Domitila.

The Zamorada consisted of an early afternoon mass, followed by a social gathering made up of food, beverage, games, music and speeches. About four hours into the reunion a few elders gathered in front of the large crowd to share some words. I attempted to listen but heard little because of the activity at my table. After everyone had a chance to speak it appeared as if the speeches were wrapping up. I started to turn my attention elsewhere when I heard the words "tenemos un pariente de California con nosotros." No longer was the activity at my table a distraction. I paid close attention to what was being said and clearly heard when I was introduced to the family. As heads turned in my direction, I half way stood and raised my hand in acknowledgement. As I began to sit down I heard, "ven Iván, a decirnos unas palabras." The moment felt dreamlike and the surreal feeling increased when the crowd began to chant my name. "Iván...Iván...Iván!" I immediately thought about my struggles with Spanish but had no choice but to join the others up front. As I made my way I attempted to remember everything I had learned in my Spanish courses. Unfortunately my mind was racing in every direction and I recalled very little. While I couldn't find the words I was looking for I was not nervous at all. I was excited to share my thoughts with the family. I was handed the microphone and communicated in Spanish that I was in Mexico to learn the language and that at this time I did not think I could express my true feelings. I then asked for their permission to speak in English. I am sure most people did not understand what I said but those that did encouraged me to speak in English. I asked for a translator and then began to share my thoughts. While the translator left out a bit the underlying message was received. I regret not attempting to speak in Spanish but I am happy I had the opportunity to share some words with the family. 

After I spoke, the speeches concluded and the festivities resumed. Before I could return to my seat I was met by a dozen or so family members who introduced themselves and offered me tequila, hugs and handshakes. I spent the next two hours with family I just met, sharing stories and discussing our families histories. I had a copy of our family tree and eagerly shared it with them. The Contreras family was blown away with what my family tree contained and asked me repeatedly to send them copies. They too had a family tree but their records only reached back to the late 1800s while mine traced the Contreras lineage back to 1630. 

I left the Zamorada warmed by the love with which I was received. My experience was another example of how truly special my family is, and that is exactly what I spoke about when given the opportunity. 

Memories of the times we shared

Mi querido Tio Salvador,

Being in your home brings back memories of the times we shared. As I stand in your kitchen I reminisce on our conversations over home cooked meals. As I glance at your television I think back on us watching classic films together. As I walk by your stereo I am reminded of the melodies you would whistle. While I stare at your photos I hear your voice clear as day. I know you are here with me. I feel your presence. I sense you smiling as you watch your grandchildren play in your home. I sense your pride in seeing me reunite with your family. I miss you Tio and I love you with all of my heart.

Con cariño,

Iván

(I wrote ths small note to my Tio Salvador as I visited his home for the first time since his passing. He died two years after my last visit to Mexico in 2004.)

A childrens parade through downtown Queretaro to honor the one hundred year anniversary of the Mexican Revolution. 

Queretaro is a beautiful, historic town filled with plazas like this one, Plaza de Armas. I'll upload more photos of the city so you get a better sense of how beautiful the architecture is. 

This is my school. My "classroom" is the table on the right hand side.  

Ana Isabel is the four year old daughter of Hugo and Vanesa. I love coming home to her smile. She has an incredible amount of energy and the two of us have formed a close bond. 

Bruno Salvador is the one year old son of Hugo and Vanesa. He is the happiest baby I have ever been around. He is constantly smiling and laughing. He is a joy to be around.  

My cousins Cesar, Hugo and "Vito" after spending six hours catching up. We had a lot to talk about after six years. Hugo, in the red jacket, is who I am living with. 

You should have seen my face when I saw this sign. You know which way I turned <---

Vanesa (Hugo's wife), Ana Isabel, my Tia Chela (Hugo's mother), Bruno Salvador, Paulina (Jorge's daughter), Claudia (Jorge's wife), Jorge (Hugo's brother), Elisa (Jorge's daughter), and Hugo. 

A letter my grandfather sent to my Tio Salvador (Hugo's dad) in 1980. My Tio saved about 8 letters from my grandfather for decades and they were rediscovered a few months ago, four years after my uncle's death. Reading the letters evoked a lot of emtions. I am grateful to Hugo and my Tia Chela for sharing them with me.