My Mexican journey was mired with many such days. The possibility of love, acceptance, detachment, and creative solution lives actively in this paradigm. Perhaps the key to understanding this paradigm lies in pinpointing the miraculous within the illusion. I believe in miracles and certainly have been in the presence of many. So my new creative daily sport has been to look optimistically at each moment as an opportunity to capture a glimpse of God in action. It seemed as though before too long I was unable to keep my own deadlines and appointments! The term being in the Present Time has certainly found a home in this fair country with at least 85% of its natives here staying in this frame of mind. If not today, there's always manana. I find it hard to imagine anyone here with a watch.

In Mexico, scheduling an appointment might work better based on when the rooster stops crowing, the sun is at its peak, or the sound of the first crickets in the evening. The largest problem with this type of time perception is attempting to see clients back to back. Somehow it all got handled. Not sure how and, at times, I still shake my head when I think of how this North American business mind adapted to Mexico's time frame rather than the other way around.

Tepoztlan, valley of ancient mountains. Oh how my heart sang when I first laid eyes upon the mountains and surrounding forest. The feeling of familiarity came over me and I realized it had been nearly two months since I connected with mountain energy. My eyes searched through the mist to see the valley below. A slight glimpse here and there only peaked my curiosity about the village below. A village of approximately 13,000 people nestled between mountains and volcanoes, a power vortex. About 7,500 feet above sea level, lush, green, tropical with an element of mystery and aboriginal culture. Narrow cobblestone streets, brightly colored houses and structures, markets on the street, and happy people. The kind of place a couple would be safe to raise their family. Here I had the opportunity to connect with many on a real heart level. The energy of the heart is an interesting thing, one chakra below lives self/ego and one above lives truth. In Tepoztlan, the manna is so strong that duality is always around the corner. What appears to have no power holds much magic and what appears to have much is worthless. It was interesting for me to watch the dynamics of this little paradise of duality.

I witnessed many brilliant souls flip in and out of their heart, all moves abrupt and passionate, both sweet and sour! It soon became very clear that if one were to live in Tepoztlan, they must live in the highest levels of their heart, integrity, and truth. Some thanks are due to a few people I connected with: Malika - a Light Being who embraced two strangers with open arms, a bridge who shared her home. Mi casa es su casa. Laura - an Angel with her pulse on everything in the community. A darling who soon filled our days with clients and an opportunity to replenish our abundance. Tonia - a wise Goddess who created space for me to drop into my deepest emotions and experience them to the fullest, something I rarely do. I felt the guidance of the crone powerfully and lovingly. Roberto - a Visionary with an unstoppable drive and a heart to push his vision forward. A man who is determined to assist his community in creating a better space for the young people of Tepoztlan. Muchos gracias a todos mis amigos!

Veracruz Swish, swish, swish, I am lulled by the ocean once again. How I have missed and longed for her touch. Her salt cleanses all aspects of my being. I have longed for her presence like a young child for her mother's arms. Now in this moment I am embraced by her great love once more. Dazzling, glittering fractions of light dance on her magnificent surface as she calls to me, “Come and free yourself. Come to me my child.” As I enter her voluminous consciousness, she caresses my body, my soul. I am totally surrounded by healing and love. Gentle arms of formless waves caress me as I merge with her greatness. One goddess touches another and the mirror opens, two separate reflections become unified and inseparable. I am free. Spanish is a pretty language in my opinion, eloquent, romantic, hypnotic, except when butchered by tourists with bad pronunciation, like myself for example. I got in the habit of not speaking unless forced to. So, of course, being surrounded by thousands who spoke only Spanish, I was forced. For one week I tried to communicate with doctors. I just love it when God/Goddess takes a little detail and makes it grandiose. There's something called seafood intoxication here, something I have no experience with personally or professionally. As a result, I saw 6 doctors in 7 days so I am not well versed in the Spanish medical words! Doctor, pharmacy, medicine, lab, infection, blood, parasites, urine sample, diarrhea, pain, cramps, allergic, eating, etc. It just reinforces the belief that what I resist, persists...somehow, someway, every time. Resistance is futile!!! "The search for a cure that 6 doctors can't seem to agree on might get her talking, “Fate whispered to my guardian angel...and so it was. I am now a professional at hand signing. The best advice given to me to date was by my new friend, Tonia, a wise woman beyond her years: “Get yourself a Latin lover and you'll learn Spanish in a hurry!” So, I'm looking. My disappointments mounted daily feeling that the task/mission I set forth on wasn't being fulfilled. The Creator is also a great trickster and hence my trip to date has been about saturating myself in the many cultures, and seeing what shows up.

Palenque Panchen Goddess for three nights! Mi casa es Grande! A three-story cabina all to myself. A place that calls me to return to soon. A feng shui pleasure. Rastafarians, 40 plus and older hippies, musicians, tourists who arrived and never left, great food, live music, an international haven for bliss, destiny, drumming, friendship, mushrooms, home. Here in Panchen is an eclectic group of nomads, artists, seekers, wonderers, musicians of every possible nationality. A magnificent community who either frequent Panchen or who have made it their home for the time being. There are several areas designated for quiet, meditation, and yoga. A feeling of the desertion of a dream touches me as I walk through the retreat. These areas are clearly not used. If I return to Panchen, I would make it a personal mission to assist the locals in creating a spiritual community and tightening the bonds that are now loosely tying them together. Perhaps a Monday evening Conscious Connection meeting would give some focus, clarity, and love to a group of restless wonderers and searching souls. And...here amongst the wonderers I find myself, also without a home, steady work, or family. I am touched by the sense of desperation and need that lives here and within my own being. I bought what I believe will be my first drum here. I've been waiting for the right time, place, and situation to present itself to me. My spirit dances through Panchen as I play for the first time with my teacher (Diamond), a professional drummer from Jamaica beside me. The rhythm-beat-sound all creating trance. A new venture for me to explore energetically. Later a lesson in how to tighten the drum came from the people who actually made this fine instrument. Three hours later in the shop and four pina coladas later, everyone was envious. They all took turns playing with and fondling their creation, my drum. I saw inspiration return to their lonely eyes. I was embraced and loved in Panchen and begged to return. And I will.

Last but not least: The Police Before I left the safety of my home and loving extended family in Vancouver, many remarks were made of caution for my safety. I have heard horror stories of armed robberies on tourists, pick pockets, and police who threaten to throw you in jail unless you give them money. “Never drive after dark, avoid Mexico city, keep your windows rolled up, don't talk to strangers in the cities, etc.” After leaving a friend's home in Monterrey, we headed south looking for Tepoztlan. Suddenly it's pitch black and we're looking for a place to rest after a long day of driving. We follow signs to a campsite but can't seem to locate it. We stop in the street, roll down the windows, talk to strangers and forget all the advice our loved ones have given. Now in the middle of the wilderness and blackness lights appear as though out of nowhere. Oh my God, it's the dreaded police, the Mexican Police! They will take our money and papers if we're not careful! A tap, tap on the window. Joseph speaks something that is supposed to be Spanish and the Police officer smiles. They soon realize that we are lost and back to town. To our amazement, these fine gentlemen took the time to go to 5 hotels with us until we found a place to sleep. Now that's service. I find it hard to believe that we'd get that kind of service from the Police in Canada. Don't drive through Mexico City!!! 4:40 pm, rush hour in a city with a population of 21 million, surprise...we're lost! I follow my intuition and make a right, drive two blocks and Tada...a Police station! Joseph goes for directions and returns with an officer. First thought, Oh no, I hope they don’t take my documents and throw me in the slammer. One friend in Dallas was telling us about a woman who was kidnapped by the Police and held for ransom. My mind tosses 10 or so possibilities around, and I decide to open the window. He introduces himself and tells me to follow him - they will guide us to the correct freeway entrance. 30 minutes later we're back on track. Talk about taking a wrong turn. We decide to offer them some cash for their time, and guess what he says? “No.” Now my paradigm is totally blown and I'm dazed and confused. I decided to quickly anchor the new paradigm. Our entire trip held a series of miraculous interventions with the police. They became my beautiful angels of guidance and protection.

Mexico, oh Mexico! A country like so many others in the world. Into her mountainous bosoms she he holds beautiful loving people and others who are hard, cruel, and take advantage of tourists. By the grace of the angels and good karma, I was blessed to have been touched by those with warmth, a desire to serve, and nurturing arms.