Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Fiambre

Here in Guatemala, we have this tradition on November 1st, which is "Día de todos los Santos" (All Hallows Day). On this day, usually a visit is paid to the Cemetery, to adorn the graves of relatives and friends with flowers and other decorations, then for lunch, a dish called "Fiambre" is served, which consists mostly of vegetables, cheeses and cold meats. It's one big mix, but the taste is amazing. 

My mother prepares this every year, the "white" variety, (there are red and white varieties). She has prepared the recipe year after year (handed down to her by both my Grandmothers and perfected by her), we all look forward to that day with my family, they all come home and hang out and we have fun all day with my cousin, nephews and nieces. 

Lots of fun guaranteed.

Some of the Fiambre ingredients (definitely not even half!)

A super colorful and tasty plate




Ximena


Luis Andrés

Sleepy Ximena on the still warm sidewalk








Spinning round and round while Little Captain America dances

Familia, being us.






Thursday, October 20, 2011

Welcome home, Sun

We've been having awfully bad weather here in Guatemala the past weeks. Nonstop rain 24/7 and ice cold days. A lot of tragedy, roads blocked due to landslides, car accidents, overgrown rivers, crops were lost and even worse, human lives.

That is why I think we all looked up to the sky in awe today, for the first time in weeks we had a sunny, nice and calm day. 

Welcome home, Sun, you've brought us hope and warmth.

Welcome home, Sun. I missed you.







Going out with my family to enjoy the city and really nice afternoon



the first sunset in weeks


Monday, October 10, 2011

Birthday Boy

I came into the world on a Wednesday, October 7th, at 12:15 noon, when the sun is up at its highest in the bright blue october sky. I measured 50 centimeters, and weighed 7 pounds and 1 ounce.

All my life has been focused on never losing that childlike wonder that makes us stare in awe at everything that surrounds us when we are kids. That sense of adventure and discovery that makes us look into everything with an aura of mystery and magic. Where a simple cardboard box can turn into an interstellar spaceship. Where playing under the rain is the most fun you can have. And where everything is possible, no fairy tale is too crazy and no dream is unreasonable, because all we have to do, is believe. If you want to know me, that is precisely how I live my life.

That spark the world keeps trying to take away from us once we are "grown ups", with the excuse of responsibilities,  or that many simply forget and leave aside. 

Dont let the world tear it out from your heart. Cling to it with all your might, and guard it. This is one of the biggest treasures you possess.

I must confess, I dont really like getting older, because I'm Peter Pan spirited, restless and playful. It scares me and makes me feel uneasy, just like a bad nightmare that wont go away. Getting older actually makes me feel really really small and vulnerable. It's overwhelming. But it's just a matter of having the right mindset and outlook on life

Aging is a process that we can't stop, but that doesn't mean that we have to be bitter about it. We just have to live life to its fullest, daring to dream, doing everything that makes us happy, following our dreams wherever they may take us, and regretting nothing.


I will never grow up. I let go for a living.

My first footprints in this world.
Mom and Dad, while I still dream

Taken by Dad, the man who inspired me into photography. 
This year, throughout the day I received birthday wishes from so many different amazing people, I spent all day smiling, I felt so much love sent my way it was amazing. Then, I spent it with three of the closest people to my heart. Friends who know what being a kid still today is. More than friends, family. That is one common trait of everyone close to me, they're still kids at heart. I'm quite lucky to have them in my life.

My neighborhood on my birthday














"If I die, you can do as you please with my body"





After eating pizza, we stopped by the airport. to dedicate a couple minutes to our wanderlust.

Soon enough, soon enough.
 Then we went to a friends house, where we spent the rest of the night, having carefree fun







familia








Glor baked this cake for me which is my favorite cake, Grand Marnier Cake (Chocolate+Orange+her secret ingredients. Needless to say this cake tastes incredibly good. It's just, PERFECT.


The rest of my weekend comprised of more close friends, family, laughter and love. I am happy.