Writer's Block?

Up until - or, as my ex-stepson Phil would say, in-till - about 2 or 3 months ago... no... maybe 5 or 6 months... writing was a daily must.

It didn't matter what I wrote, I just had to write. Ideas for posts bombarded me all day and sometimes I'd have difficulty choosing which way to go.

Perhaps because everything was so unsettled.

It's been one heck of a transition, from London to Mexico City.

And that's bearing in mind I'd lived here before and was familiar with it. My family and old friends are here. My Spanish is predominantly Mexican.

And yet.

Almost a decade in England and the decade itself changed me. Well, not *changed*, but -

Molded.

We're constantly being molded, did you know that?

The aspect of ourselves we call "I" is not completely responsible for the way we are molded with time.

Naturally, "I" choose many things and ultimately, take responsibility for "I".

But our surroundings count for much.

Perhaps more than we care to believe.

We are not only "I" but everything that surrounds "I". We need to understand our surroundings. It's a survival tool.

If you've never moved or have been where you are for some considerable time (I'd say at least 5 years), you'll probably not be aware of how much you are a representative of your surroundings. But if you have, you'll notice that "I" -

Agggh, what a load of tosh.

Happy Mother's Day

To every woman in the world.

That includes me.

I've decided that, instead of feeling sad today (Mum no longer being with us and I myself having no children), that I will celebrate myself because -

It is the maternal quality of women that is celebrated today.

And even though I have no children, I'd say I have a healthy dosis of that quality.

So -

Congratulations to everyone, because we all have it in us to be caring and nurturing and giving, and that includes men as well.

A Bit More Detail on Malinalco

Closer to Cuernavaca, it would seem, than Toluca, on the map, the easiest way to get there is by taking the Toluca motorway and turning left at La Marquesa. You take another left further south, towards J. - don't ask, I can't remember. Joquinco or similar.

In any event, it's one of the a-lane-each-way country roads, and the scenery is beautiful. It's been quite dry of late, so I can only imagine its phosphorescent greenery straight after the rainy season, in September.

Once you arrive, it doesn't feel like you have. It's like you drive in through a side road and before you know it you're either lost in one of its dirt or cobbled narrow streets or you've arrived at the disconcerting zocalo, with its impressive Augustine convent and Cathedral dating back to the mid 1500s, its Casa de Cultura on one corner, Palacio de Gobierno opposite but elevated and hidden behind palm trees, and quirky restaurants dotted around the plaza principal, to one side of the convent.






Sleepy though this town may be, you really don't want to spend the day of Santa Cruz - or whatever it was they were celebrating on Sunday - anywhere near what we in the capital call el pueblo. The loudest firecrackers on the face of the planet kick the day off at about 8. From that time up until the time we left, at 4 pm, there was no respite. Each firecracker seemed to explode within inches of my eardrums, it was just -

Pointless torture.

Anyway -

I won't go on about it but it's something to be borne in mind and considered: Mexico is indeed the most colourful and beautiful, contrasting nation, where anything and everything is possible.

But it is also, Mexicans would no doubt proudly announce, the loudest.

Oh dear.

Bless!

The Peaceful Malinalco

What with the whole country at an absurd standstill, we thought it might be a good idea to explore Mexico City's surroundings.

Oh, what a dreamy place Malinalco is.

By the way - that's Moby Dick Pat and I have been ploughing through for the last weeks. My God, what a story it is! Full of life and death and spirit. And how much I've learnt about whales!

But I'll tell you what - I'll be so proud of myself the day I finish ittttt!