¡Bienvenidos a Mexico!

Happy Tuesday, everyone!

I've been looking forward to exploring the cuisine of Mexico (does going to our favorite Mexican restaurant count?) for a while, since I was just there over Christmas break.

My husband, myself, and the in-laws (it sounds so strange to say that, since the phrase "in-laws" is usually accompanied by negativity...but not these in-laws!) ventured down to Puerto Vallarta and Cabo San Lucas on a Dutch cruise ship over Christmas. It was great!

I approached our trip to Mexico in typical Betsey fashion: "I'm tired." "It's too hot." "I'm too pale to be outside." "I'm seasick." "No, really, I'm seasick." "Does anyone have dramamine?"

The Heidrick Clan playing team trivia aboard the cruise ship.

You get the picture. I'm not always the best traveler.

It's a good thing my family (there, I like that much better than "the in-laws") is a group of very happy, positive people. I mean, just look at those smiles!

A few days after leaving port in San Diego, we arrived in Puerto Vallarta on Christmas day in dazzling sunshine and 70 degree weather...not exactly the kind of weather this Nebraska girl is used to experiencing on Christmas!

Since it was Christmas, the town of Puerto Vallarta was sleepy and quiet. It gave us a good chance to explore a bit. After walking around town for some time, we stumbled upon the town's beautiful church, the Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe. I am being totally honest when I say that, prior to this trip, I had no idea that the Lady of Guadalupe was the Virgin Mary. Hey, give me a break. I'm not officially Catholic until Easter, so I'm still learning!

It was a cultural wonder, really. I have seen my fair share of churches (Catholic, Protestant, cathedral, monastery...you name it!) all over Europe, but the experience of Christmas Mass in this church was unlike anything I was at all familiar with.

First of all, it was 70 degrees! With my time in Europe as my only frame of reference in how to dress for non-American Mass, I had thrown on black dress pants and a blouse. I must have looked like I was going to a funeral; the families attending Mass at Our Lady of Guadalupe came pouring into the church like waves of vibrant color, filling the seats with a rainbow of tropical shades I hadn't expected to see. Even the church itself was adorned in bright colors.

At first, I was dismayed, primarily because I was, by this time, very sweaty, but also because I felt somewhat out of place because of my outfit. As I looked around, I saw shorts (some scandalously so), skirts, tank tops, and sandals. I saw generations of families sitting together, grandmothers sitting primly with lace head coverings next to their granddaughters with short shorts and Abercrombie T-shirts.

As the musical notes of the priest's Spanish language homily sang on, I began to appreciate what was in front of me. I saw the incredible diversity of Mexico there, in that crowded, hot church, on Christmas day.

Until next time!