The longuest stay in a Mexican city: Querétaro

After mom left, I decided to relax for a bit, as being a full time tour guide is enjoyable but also tirering! Initially, I decided to stay in Querétaro, the last city mom and I spent together in, because it was simply the easiest way to continue my journey. However, I realized that, the longer I stay in a place, the harder it is to leave as we are definitely creatures of habit and I started to grow attachments with the locals and the places I frequent, notably the gourmet restaurant "El Rojo esta mejor" (pic with owners in front of resto), and Blanca, a store clerk with whom I chatted easily for 3hrs as I stumbled upon her clothing store :)

After arriving back from the airport, I felt a sense of loss and loneliness. I decided to just relax, visit my favorite restaurant, and then take a quiet walk alone in the centre. 20 steps later, my eyes met those of a Mexican, who has till then, given me a welcoming smile for the 3rd time. We ended up chatting for 2hrs until night falls. I later shared my thoughts with a friend and indeed, humans do care for each other, and particularly when a feeling of desolateness settles, a smile and warmth of another soul is most welcomed and appreciated. Humans bond easily, regardless of colour, language, past and future :) And I thought that my emotions would get the best part of me for awhile, however this short encounter fueled in me the strength of a new beginning. In hindsight, had I spent the time alone, it would have taken longer to start, all within a day's time. Thus shows the power of social interaction that I lack and refuse to commit to, in my routine life at home. Alas, another lesson learned.

My stay kept on being prolonged day after day, as I wasn't able to leave the food, nor the people! I started to know the hostal so well that I was welcoming newcomers and showing them the places to go to and do. I kept on repeating to myself that I need to plan the rest of my journey, but kept on failing to do so as my heart refused to accept that I'll have to leave Mexico one day and continue further. What I did accomplish though, in the 10 days spent in Querétaro, is practicing a lot of Spanish! or rather listening :) as I noticed, Mexicans LOVE to talk! and most would not hesitate to share their life story, as Marie Carmen, a lady from the hostal talked to me about her life and the discontent of her parents. Culture and history is much more fun to learn it this way!

Finally, without planning or rather thanks to my inability to plan, I felt that my time in Querétaro is finally up (ok after a friend of mine cooked two delicious Yucatecan dishes!). Although I met my first "couch surfing" host, a French lady whom shared with me her love for the city, I only spent 1 night at her place. As comfortable and enticing as it is, somehow, I had a very strong feeling that I had to leave. Such premonitions are such rarity to me!! But yet, I felt it. How strange, but I welcome them and followed them by leaving a piece of me behind in Querétaro, and onto Real de Catorce, where a mystical force of the semi-desert awaits.