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.