To share the road with someone dear

15 days of travel with my son are coming to an end today. I enjoy traveling, and I am usually alone , so I have learned to navigate on my own, from carrying my own luggage, eating by myself and having long walks, just me , my camera and my thoughts.
This trip with Marcelo will always have a special place in my heart and will rank up high in my travel experiences.  Not only did we visit some of the most amazing places I have been to , I was also able to share my work with him, and he got a glimpse at that part of my life, met my friends from the coffee world and I believe , he experienced a genuine interest in the coffee world which is so dear to my heart.
During these two weeks together, under different skies and surrounded by different languages, we got to talk about things and subjects we don't talk about much at home... some of them funny, some them more serious and profound.
These weeks, I  have realized how much he has grown, what a funny guy he is and how ready he is for his own flight. Albeit the feelings of nostalgia, that is precisely what a mother or a parent dreams for his child, for him to be ready to take on his own path.
And that he will do today, as he stays in Europe for a two week Global Young Leaders Conference that will take him to 6 cities in 3 different countries.
I am super proud of him and am so grateful to God for this amazing opportunity he has to make friends and learn and enjoy life.
We had fun, we were in awe, we fought, especially about directions and when we were hungry. We walked and walked.... he was graceful to my many selfie requests... and I was glad to pass on some of my travel and photo tips to him.
This road we shared this summer , that took us to Sweden , Denmark, Russia and Austria will forever be dear to me. Happy travels Marce and thanks for being such a great travel buddy. I miss you already and love you always.

Traveling for a wedding- a celebration to love and friendship in Mexico City

In January of last year I had the chance to enjoy one of the most fun trips ever... My dear friend from school was getting married at the end of January, and she had gotten engaged way in advance, which allowed us to plan and save for the trip to the wedding in Mexico City. 
I had visited Mexico City twice before , both times for work, and I had been able to get  a quick glimpse and taste of this amazing, modern and exciting city , the largest spanish - speaking city in the world with a population that some say is close to 21.5 Million people... 
But the excitement and anticipation that brought me to  Mexico City this time was special ... my friend's happiness, and the fun anticipation of spending a few days with my other friends from school that would also be attending the wedding. 
We had never gone on an international  trip with my girl-friends or my guy friends from school... and it proved to be one of the most relaxing , fun , soul warming experiences... Do it!  Travel with your friends ! The memories made are so much worth it. 

During those five days in Mexico City, these are some of the things I experienced: 

1. Friendship will always be a gift to be celebrated, and reunions are the perfect occasion to do so. From group selfies to playing dress-up , from crying at the wedding to dancing all night, sharing and caring -this is what it's all about.

 

2.Oh the food ! -Mexican food is so very popular all around the world... But to be there, at the birthplace of this amazing cuisine is an experience in itself.  It is truly delish, from the snacks to the main dishes to the desserts ... it´s just plain good. My "musts" in the food department while you are in Mexico City: 
Tacos Kaliman--- Al pastor, pure, simple goodness... go! And do order some "Cebollitas de cambray "

Café  de Tacuba

A traditional  coffee shop in downtown Mexico City , surely not to be missed. Beautiful, traditional decor and a perfect place to have " Churros con Chocolate ". 

 At the wedding
The wedding  party took place at the Club de Banqueros, we had a delish dinner with one of the best desserts I had in 2014, we got served chilaquiles for a re-energizing snack around 2 a.m. , and we had the best snack corner with all kinds of Mexican goodies... Truly delish. 

 


3. The sites:
Mexico is a truly Cosmopolitan City, with art, cuisine, museums, music and every sort of cultural expression you can imagine. Don't miss:
a. El Palacio de Bellas Artes and the Murals by Diego Rivera ( they were being restored at the time of our visit )

b. La Catedral Metropolitana-  go up to the bell towers and enjoy a great view of the city

c. El Edificio de Correos- This is probably one of my favorite places in Mexico City. A beautiful architecture , its speaks of a  glamorous , classical time... I can only imagine all the letters that have come and gone through this beautiful building.

 

d. Coyoacán - When you visit Coyoacán, you feel you step back in time... You are still within Mexico City , but it seems like you are in a different place. I really loved it: Street vendors, Street food, trolley cars with a  night tour of the legends of Coyoacán, but if you are short on time, go directly to the Casa Azul - The Frida Kahlo Museum, and don´t miss the central plaza with the beautiful fountain.

e. Teotihuacan, with its Sun and Moon Pyramids  (which I visited on a previous trip )

Travel tips- 
 If traveling from Honduras, take into account your US visa is all you need to be able to enter into Mexico. My friends and I traveled with @Avianca... An airline I have fallen in love with... the newer planes, the excellent on board service... Our connection from Tegucigalpa was quite swift, with only a short layover in San Salvador. The return trip was a bit longer ... there is always room for improvement, but overall I highly recommend Avianca for your travel to Mexico City. You can change currency at one of the many exchange bureaus at the airport, but do some compare shopping as the rates and commissions vary from place to place. 
Mexico City is located at more than 2,000 meters above sea level... take it easy when you arrive as some people have trouble with the altitude. 

 
In a nutshell:  Travel with your friends ! We are already planning our 2016  trip to Roatán, Honduras to celebrate 25 years of graduation from high school ! I have been a solo traveler for years and I love it , but the laughter , the memories, the sharing that was part of this trip with my friends was amazing.
Mark Twain said, there isn´t a surer way to find out whether you like people or hate them than to travel with them . I love these guys !

Happy Anniversary to my dear friend, and a happy February,  to my friends of a lifetime !

Destination: 2015

Happy 2015 !

I love  beginnings, and what can be more wonderful than the fresh-start feeling of a new year?

May this year be full of blessings, of good health , of laughter and love. May we realize we are on the road, and may we come to love this road, the companions we find along the way, the sights we see, the memories we make.
May we honor the tracks we leave on this road, and receive with open arms the lessons , the love, the light . Every day we step  ahead, every moment can be a destination, picture worthy... a memory to treasure. 

May this year bring to us lots of travel, near and far, inside our own minds and memories, through books and songs and movies.  May we discover new places , new countries , new cities, may we see them  with our own eyes or through the eyes and the experiences of others.


In my own #2015travelwishlist  I would love to :

* travel with my son in Europe: Sweden, Russia and Austria

* have my own travel-treat to Istanbul , to discover one of my all time dream destinations

* Travel to Canada,  Korea, Amsterdam , Paris and Seattle

* discover more of Honduras: La Esperanza, Danli, El Paraíso, Copán , Lempira, San Marcos de Colón, Ocotepeque

As far as travel resolutions, I would like to read more about a destination before traveling, share more about my own experiences  and print out  my favorite 3 shots of each place I visit...


In 2013, during my trip to Lisbon, I discovered Fernando Pessoa.

He said,

“Life is what we make of it. Travel is the traveler. What we see isn't what we see but what we are.”

This journey - 2015- has started.  May we make something beautiful of it, with God´s help and guidance.

Happy Traveling !

My faithful travel companions: my suitcase and my fave Honduran bag, by Danilo's Fine Leather. Changsha, China, September , 2014. Liliana Sánchez Iglesias

Sunset in Tegucigalpa, Jan 1, 2015 . Anillo Periférico . Liliana Sánchez Iglesias

Crossroads, Reunions and the Four Winds

My travel story of today takes place quite near to home, only a 45 minute drive.  On the road from Tegus to Valle de Angeles, at a restaurant located on a beautiful property, called Los Cuatro Vientos  or the Four Winds.

One of my dear friends from elementary school who now lives in the States, came home after two years, and we planned a get together with our classmates to touch base and celebrate birthdays. After coming and going with plans, we finally decided to meet this last Saturday for a late lunch at Los Cuatro Vientos and then, we would go to another friend's house near Las Tres Rosas , to take in the sunset as he has an amazing view.

I have been extremely blessed with my friends from school, some of which have I have known for over 35 years now... a lifetime... Life brought us together in a classroom but our friendship is now what keeps us close, more than 20 years after our high school graduation.

 

  

This last week I spent  a lot of time with my school friends , and these are just some reasons why I am so glad I did:

 

1. Even though life has literally taken us in the direction of the Four Winds, we are still very close... We genuinely care for each other, and because of this I am blessed. It is hard for all of us to meet, even those of us that live here in Tegucigalpa, but we have so much fun when we do meet . And yes , we always think of those that are far, and we truly miss you guys !

 

 

 

 



2. Looking back when we are together, after so many years, it is only posible to realize how much we have grown and this is always encouraging, but at the same time, when I meet these dear friends of mine, I become  aware of my essence , of the person I have always been- and was, way back in the day ;  and always will be- and it makes me smile :) .

 

 

 

3. We keep growing as life has brought boyfriends, girlfriends , husbands , wives and children to our class and it is beautiful to get to know them and make them a part of the new memories we are making .

 

4. There is no better feeling than talking to and laughing with  your sisters  & brothers from another mother  

 

 

 

 

 

 

5. Friendship is a great therapy, it energizes you , it´s the perfect excuse for going out or traveling. Call your friends this week, go out, think of them , pray for them. Tell them you love them and appreciate them.

 

 

 

 

Meet your friends at Los Cuatro Vientos,  and while you are there , order choripanes with tamarind micheladas, or their delish fruit juices,  & enjoy the amazing view. A great travel moment and memory is sometimes, only a 45 minute drive away. 

 

 

 

 

How I met South America at the Walls of Cartagena

For some reason my travels had not taken me to South America until recently.  Unfortunately, the limited connectivity with South America makes it sometimes very expensive to travel over there, and for this reason , when I had the chance , I had favored vacations in Europe . It was until October of 2009 ( not too long ago ) that as I took on my ,at the time, new position as Director of Export Promotion at FIDE , I was invited to attend a strategic planning workshop in Cartagena , hosted by Proexport Colombia and CBI of Holland.

So , we could say, I did not choose to go to Cartagena, I was brought to her... and I couldn't have been happier.  I love history, literature, romanticism, art, architecture, colors, design, good food, beautiful sights, happy music: I was in Paradise.  No wonder the names Cartagena de Indias is referred to by : " La Ciudad Amurallada " - The Walled City , " La Ciudad Heróica" -The Heroic City and  "La Capital Romántica de América " - The Romantic Capital of the Americas.  But,  I almost missed this trip.

Exactly one week before my trip, I lost my bag, along with several very important belongings: my passport and my car keys . Not only that , in my passport was my vaccine booklet, as Honduras requires us to get a Yellow Fever vaccine if we travel to some Southamerican countries, including Colombia . This vaccine is good for 10 years, and you cannot get a new vaccine within that period. For this reason , the nurse at the health center emphasized to me the importance of getting a photocopy of the booklet; in case I lost it, only the photocopy would allow me to get it re issued. Of course, I did not photocopy it, and I realized that day I did not have a photocopy of my Passport either, or my US visa. Thank God I did have a spare key to my car. So the week that followed was crazy with appointments , I got my Passport,  filed the paperwork to replace my visa and happily, lots of charm, smiles and good favor got me my new vaccine booklet... all in time to make it on my flight to Cartagena vía Panama. This was exciting , my first visit to South America paired with my first international meeting at my new position.

It is so important to read about your next destination... I know , I know... but I almost never get to do it, for lack of time, or as we say in Spanish, for lack of making time. So I knew Cartagena was in the Colombian Coast, but did not know if it was in the Caribbean or in the Pacific... Do you know? 

It is in the Caribbean , and very near it you can visit the Sea of the Seven Colors...It is right on the coast , so when you visit Cartagena , pack some light , summery clothes , and throw in the white you have, as this is the favorite color of the visitors to this beautiful city.

Where can I begin...
1. Let the colors of Cartagena energize you
Cartagena is vibrant and colorful, you will find beautiful colors everywhere, in the people,  your hotel, the fruits you have for breakfast, the Sea of Seven Colors in its Caribbean Coast, the balconies, the flowers. Get colored in Cartagena!

                            Hotel Sofitel Legend Santa Clara. October 2009 Liliana Sánchez I.

 

                                                 Cartagenera con Frutas October 2009

 

La Ingenuidad  ( Ingenuity )  October 2009 Liliana Sánchez I.

 

 

2. Details : History , architecture, and design of Cartagena

 

                       Arcos en el Convento                                           Cruz y Bahía

 

 

 



 

 

     

3. Fall in Love with Cartagena by Night

It is not in vain this city is called the Romantic Capital of the Americas. Some romantic trivia about Cartagena: Love in the Times of Cholera was filmed here , and Colin Firth met his wife here , while he was touring the city. And of course, this was the place Gabriel Garcia Marquez called home for many, many years.
The city is transformed magically at night , with the lights, the music. Take a boat tour on the bay, walk through the plazas , feel the breeze, walk hand in hand with someone you love.

         

 

 



 

 

 4. Treasure the Friends Life brings along the way.... some you will meet in Cartagena !
 
 In Cartagena I met wonderful people , colleagues who are now also friends. Cheers to you my friends, and to many more projects, talks and laughs together!

 

 

5. And don't forget to chase a sunset at this incredible place...
 

 

 

 

Nite night from Tegucigalpa !

 

 

 

 

 

Music for the journey

Music is a part of my life. I wake up to music , drive to music, work to music , exercise to music. So music is also a natural part of my journeys... near and far. Music soothes me , energizes  me, transports me , to a past place, to an imaginary place I have still not visited. Recently I began to collect music as a memoir of the places  I have visited. I should have started way back, so there's an idea for you.

 

My taste in music is so diverse... above all it must touch in some ways the strings of my soul- happiness, heart ache, hope, the beautiful morning feeling when you believe anything and everything is possible.  Bring your music with you for the journey, on your iPod, iPad, on your phone, in your heart.

 

Today , through this note , I want to say thank you to my favorite singer of all times. 

¡ Gracias Ricardo Montaner ! I highly recommend his complete discography, even if in Spanish, this is the kind of music you feel and enjoy beyond the simple understanding of the lyrics.

 

Dear Ricardo,

I met you when I was in 9th grade... when I was 15 years old.  You sang the songs to the most popular Venezuelan soap operas of that time. ( Yes, yes, I know I probably shouldn't have been watching... )  I have been forever enthralled by the beautiful lyrics to your songs, the magic in the melody and that tug at the strings of my soul, many a tear, many a smile... beautiful memories of falling in love and out of love  and back in love again with your songs. We have shared at least 26 years... I think not  a week goes by without listening to one of your songs. You are still a part of my bucketlist, in two senses: I would like to meet you in person - maybe at an airport? And also, I want to go to one of your concerts.  I have this illusion, I feel like I know you.

So many of my favorite songs are yours . Beyond your music, you also inspire me because of your friendship with God  and how you take Him with you , in your music, in your songs, in your smile, and also you inspire me because of the beautiful way you acknowledge the treasure you have in your family. I sincerely admire you. Thank you for your songs that have kept me company in many parts of the world. If I had to share today , my favorite songs of yours, I would pick  these:   

 

I. Love:

En el último lugar del mundo- a song you wrote in honor of Chile, and so, so , beautiful !

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2yc9w2VoAtU

 

Me sobra el sol del campo
me sobra la luna desnuda
me sobra el deseo, me sobra el manantial
y mi libro de Neruda, si no tengo tus labios
para sentirlos, me sobra todo
Me sobran motivos tristes,  me sobran canciones de melancolía
me sobra un día de cada semana y sobro yo,  si hago
que una lágrima sobre y salga de tus ojos

(coro)

En el último lugar del mundo luego de la cordillera
escondería las palabras y mis poemas si te fueras
en el último lugar del mundo en cada pedazo de tierra
esparciría yo mi llanto,  para que hallaras mi huella

Me sobra el paisaje, me sobran los viajes de ida y volver, 
me sobra el aire, me sobran los ojos y el sexto sentido
Si tengo la vida y tu no la vives

me sobra todo

(coro)
En el último lugar del mundo luego de la cordillera
escondería las palabras y mis poemas si te fueras
en el último lugar del mundo en cada pedazo de tierra
esparciría yo mi llanto,  para que hallaras mi huella 

II:  Inspiration

Voy a Vivir la Vida-  " I don't want to waste a single day...  as if this was the last minute in my life... "
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T5_pmZlLQmk

Aunque tal vez no tiene lógica
Y alguna vez se me complica
La vida es una sola
Mi vida es mía solita
Si Dios ya me la dio,
Yo estoy dispuesto a vivirla

Voy a vivir la vida
Voy a vivir de prisa
Como si fuera el último minuto de mi vida

Voy a vivir la vida
Porque ella me prefiere
Como si el sol brillara más
porque la luna quiere.

No quiero malgastar ni un solo día
Llegar a tiempo antes que pase mi tren
Dar todos los abrazos
Decir muchos te quiero
Perdonar y reírme por perder el sueño

Voy a vivir la vida
Voy a vivir deprisa
Como si fuera el último minuto de mi vida

 Así es la vida, a veces no es perfecta
Casi te pone entre la espalda y la pared.

Voy a vivir la vida
Porque ella me prefiere
Como si el sol brillara más
porque la luna quiere.

III Faith:

La Gloria de Dios -  " with strings of love  he put in my soul , he brings me to Him "

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=54qklgGLImA

 

La gloria de Dios
Maneja mi vida
Con hilos de amor
Que puso en mi alma
Me lleva hasta El

//la gloria de Dios
Gigante y sagrada
Me carga en sus brazos
Alienta mis pasos
Me llena de paz y bien
Sale a jugar
Cuando me viene a ver
Y me deja ganar

De la Gloria de Dios tendré
El descanso para mis pies
Con su manto mi frío
Desaparecerá y descansaré
De la Gloria de Dios vendrá
Bendición y abundante pan
Para ti y para mí
Y a quien quiera venir
A la Gloria de Dios//  
Tonight I found a tribute to Ricardo Montaner in an Argentinian show. More than two hours but really beautiful and heartfelt. I loved it . If you know Spanish ( or want to practice ) watch it while you cook or fold laundry or just sit down and enjoy it. I really loved it .
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GJqFUEd-Tkc

Nite night from Tegucigalpa.

Milestones

A milestone  can be a stone set up along the road to mark a distance in miles to a particular place. It can also be a significant stage or event in the development of something... let's say , one's own life. 

Both definitions are important , both are worth celebrating.

 

Life as a journey is full of ups and downs, good weather , bad weather, paved roads , bumpy roads, scenic routes , and not so scenic ones.

I have realized the most important thing to keep in mind as you travel through life, is that you have the choice to make this journey on your own or not. No matter what, you have the possibility of never being  alone. God can be your travel buddy , your companion, your map, your compass along the way .  The  other important lesson I have learned is to keep moving. Of course, there will be times when you have to take a break, when you will have to catch your breath , or your sleep , or get out and stretch... but how important it is to put your eyes on the road ahead, on your destination , on your goal, and to keep moving. And what a happy moment it is to celebrate those milestones you conquer along the way and to look back and see the length of the road travelled , the many blessings that God has sent your way throughout the journey.

 

Yesterday at church we studied Psalms 77, one of those Psalms that was not written by David, but rather by Asaf.  Verses 1- 9 depict the very sad place where many of us have been at some point in our life.  Something similar to that very dark " Valley of Shadow of Death " that David talks about in the more well known Psalm 23.  Crying out for help, being in distress,  being too troubled to speak,  feeling like a promise has failed, as if we will never see His favor again.

 

Teardrops  Liliana Sánchez Vancouver, CA April 2014

 

 

Yet Asaf realizes he is getting sick from distress and sadness and finds in counting his blessings, or in celebrating the milestones he has reached hand in hand with God, the way out of this dark place. He literally says : vs. 10-12 " To this I will appeal , the years of the right hand of God. I will remember the deeds of the Lord , yes I will remember your miracles of long ago. I will meditate on all your works and consider all your mighty deeds. "

 

 

I love sunsets and sunrises. To me, they are places of hope.  No matter the sadness , the trouble, how stuck I might be along the road, they remind me I am not alone, they remind me something better is ahead, they remind me I am moving and growing . They speak to me of Him. These are some of my favorite everyday milestones.

 

Sunrise in Tegus Liliana Sánchez  May 7, 2014

Sun & Moon Have Breakfast  Lilliana Sánchez  San Salvador June 17, 2014

Shining   Tegucigalpa, Honduras Liliana Sánchez July 10, 2014

Sundown at the Arno Florence, Italy  Liliana Sánchez  June 5, 2014



 Shining while hiding Tegucigalpa, Honduras Liliana Sánchez July 11, 2014

 

 

 

 

A modern day version of what Asaf did , is for example to have a " Joy Jar " . Write down your joys, your victories , write them in bright colored paper and put them in a beautiful jar , and go over them when you are feeling gloomy or sad.

 

Today I have reached another milestone along my journey. For this I am extremely grateful. Gracias, gracias , gracias Dios.  There is no sad place that lasts forever, and there surely is a beautiful, warm sun coming out every morning- even when it is rainy and cloudy , while we are here traveling through life together.

 

Happy Monday and Happy Week !