In March 2017, my family and I traveled to Mexico over the weekend. We were celebrating my mom's 50th birthday a few days early (her birthday was the following Tuesday). It was the first time in 5 years my mom saw her father in person.
Friday night, 21:13. We load the truck. Taken with iPhone SE. March 10, 2017
An hour or so into our trip. My newly purchased Audio-Technica ATH-M40x mixing headphones tagged along. I listened to an audio book of Brave New World, only to stop 20 minutes in and switch to lo-fi hip hop music as it's more relaxing. March 10, 2017
Our first restroom break was at Jarrell Town Center and Food Court in Jarrell, TX. This small town of about 1,300 people is only 2 hours from Dallas. March 11, 2017
My sister woke up and anxiously began crying. She's used to her 8-hour sleep cycle. March 11, 2017
Austin, TX. March 11, 2017
"Tickets may hurt, but crashes kill." March 11, 2017
My little sister. March 11, 2017
Nothingness. March 11, 2017
At about 02:40, it began pouring harsh rain, so we decided to pull into a truck stop / family rest area. March 11, 2017
03:40. Brother and sister. March 11, 2017
05:47. March 11, 2017
05:47. March 11, 2017
At another family rest area. Not very welcoming, is it? March 11, 2017
Some hours later, we arrived at Brownsville, which marks the border before you cross to Mexico. We had McDonald's (this is the closest American McDonald's location to Mexico). I felt disgusted afterwards. Who eats this garbage? March 11, 2017
March 11, 2017
This is the first shot I take while on Mexican soil. This female rabbit belongs to my aunt Librada's neighbor. March 11, 2017
After I snapped this photo and posted to Instagram Stories, my co-worker called asking if I was coming to work. I didn't forget to tell my job I'd be gone lol. I forgot T-Mobile had international calling, though.
My aunt's budgies. During this time, I wasn't into birds as much as I am now, at the time of writing this (November 2017). You could tell they were scared, though. March 11, 2017
My brother. March 11, 2017
March 11, 2017
Sister brushing her teeth in front of our aunt's house. March 11, 2017
My aunt Librada's two pigeons. March 11, 2017
In front of my aunt's house. March 11, 2017
In front of my aunt's house. March 11, 2017
Watching obscure TV shows over air. The soap operas they have top notch, though. March 11, 2017
Sister stealing phone from my mom. She knows we have international data. March 11, 2017
Had to research this: Baltazar Hinojosa Ochoa of PRI-PVEM-Panal, or the Ecologist Green Party, was campaigning to become governor of Tamaulipas, MX, but only managed to pull 35% in the 2016 election. March 11, 2017
March 11, 2017
Little sister retrieved her sweater. March 11, 2017
Literally the first time I ever had menudo. Wow. I was opposed to the idea of eating cow tongue before (because I'm a uncultured swine with American tastes for food), but this was delicious: the broth, the chewy texture of the meat, the contrast between its heat in your mouth and the breeze of Mexican air. It's akin to having reheated tamales and hot coffee on a winter morning. March 11, 2017
My cousin Diana's doggo. He always looks sad. Hell, I'd be sad too if I were a chihuaha (it's a chihuahua, right?). March 11, 2017
Mom. Taken with the Panasonic GM5 and Olympus 45mm F1.8. March 11, 2017
On Saturday noon, we took a trip to a local dentist. Actually, another reason my mom wanted to visit Mexico was because dentists are so inexpensive in Mexico compared to the U.S. I don't remember the exact price she paid, but a regular check-up only took 20 minutes, no appointments necessary. March 11, 2017
Someone's horse and dog wandering the streets. March 11, 2017
I'm honestly terrified of dogs. This was around the corner where we waited for the bus. I like the idea of having a dog rather than actually have one. I'm in it for the memes. But when I see one in person, I remember stories where dogs snap and maul their owners to death. That's why I'm a bird person. Plus, birds can sing. Checkmate, stinky doggos. March 11, 2017
Waiting for the bus. March 11, 2017
Across the street from where the bus dropped us off. The dentist was a 1-minute walk from here. March 11, 2017
Horse meets taxi (I think). March 11, 2017
Custom car shop next to the dentist's office. March 11, 2017
After the short dentist visit, we went to a food market. They sold corn in a cup for less than 50 cents each (after currency conversion). The corn wasn't good on its own, but they added the usual mayo, cheese, and salsa, of course. March 11, 2017
Potholes everywhere. Not only that, drivers in Mexico are crazy. They drive so close to each other, and they don't stop for people. March 11, 2017
Unsure if stray cat. March 11, 2017
Cousins on their phones waiting while food is prepared. March 11, 2017
My mom's birthday cake. March 11, 2017
Downtime at my aunt's house. March 11, 2017
My cousin Oralia came from San Luis to Matamoros for this get-together. March 11, 2017
Second floor of my aunt's house. March 11, 2017
Sister. March 11, 2017
My cousins wanted to go to the beach to buy a fresh shark, but my sister couldn't tag along because my mom was going to help with cooking side dishes. If my mom doesn't go, she doesn't go. March 11, 2017
March 11, 2017
The streets of Matamoros, Tamps. March 11, 2017
March 11, 2017
Playa Bagdad. March 11, 2017
Grandpa and my cousin Pepito (yes, that's his real name). March 11, 2017
Puppers. March 11, 2017
A pupper (and yes, I did get startled. But these dogs belong to merchants on Playa Bagdad, so they weren't strays, and they definitely weren't hungry). March 11, 2017
March 11, 2017
Lost slipper. March 11, 2017
Merchant selling fresh oysters (he retrieved oysters every 10 minutes or so). March 11, 2017
High view of Playa Bagdad. March 11, 2017
High view of Playa Bagdad. March 11, 2017
From left to right: Merchant, our paid driver, uncle, grandpa. March 11, 2017
Fresh oyster with hot sauce. March 11, 2017
Pepito. March 11, 2017
Grandpa. March 11, 2017
Another merchant's menu. March 11, 2017
Merchant preparing a shark for sale. March 11, 2017
March 11, 2017
Cousins Pepito and Armando. March 11, 2017
March 11, 2017
My cousin Pepito quietly filmed with his cell phone that his father lent him. His father (my uncle) Daniel is a shy person, too. March 11, 2017
My godfather (left) discusses what to purchase with our driver. March 11, 2017
My uncle distributes orange juice to my grandpa and cousin. March 11, 2017
Borbs. March 11, 2017
Portrait of my cousin and grandpa. March 11, 2017
Another angle of the merchant at work. March 11, 2017
Our driver. (I know it's cold to refer to him every time as our "driver," but 1. I don't remember his name, and 2. we didn't really like him because of some offhanded comments he made. Not at us, but in general conversation. There's a reason he's divorced lol.) March 11, 2017
End of the day. Everyone gathered and talked. March 11, 2017
They were deciding where people would sleep. My mom ended up staying there, and my brother and I went to our godmother's house, who lives 10 minutes apart. March 11, 2017
Same poster from earlier later that day. March 11, 2017
Finally arrived at my godmother's house. March 11, 2017
Hamburger from next door. This burger is special because the first 2 times I visited Mexico, I ate from there. Ironically, the same guy from 10 years ago still works there. (By the way, it tastes okay.) March 11, 2017
March 11, 2017
Bathroom window. March 12, 2017
Budgies at another pet shop. March 12, 2017
Little sister. She asked if she could go outside to see the dog. March 12, 2017
My aunt Mina (furthest right) showing off her cats. March 12, 2017
Cousins looking at my aunt Mina's budgies (definitely not the best cage for birds.) March 12, 2017
March 12, 2017
March 12, 2017
Cousins in the backyard/driveway of my godparents' house. March 12, 2017
My godfather and his dog. March 12, 2017
My aunt cleans a series of chairs in preparation for lunch time. March 12, 2017
Sunday lunch time. March 12, 2017
Brother and sister on their cell phones, of course. March 12, 2017
We had traditional enchiladas rojas. March 12, 2017
Neighboring house. March 12, 2017
On our way to Playa Bagdad again. This time, for a photo session. March 12, 2017
On our way! March 12, 2017
My cousin shows my aunt Mina how to setup the camera. March 12, 2017
The wave caught her by surprise. March 12, 2017
March 12, 2017
Semi-candid photo. My brother is in the background taking photos with his Olympus OM-D E-M10 with the 14-42mm EZ kit lens. March 12, 2017
My little sister. She was collecting seashells by the sea shore. March 12, 2017
We tried taking a family photo, but the wind was too strong, and my sister got frustrated and started crying. Took this goofy candid shot of them. March 12, 2017
My cousins David and Oralia. March 12, 2017
My cousin Pepito. March 12, 2017
Merchants on Playa Bagdad (this time there were more souvenir-type vendors). March 12, 2017
Family members engage local street vendors on Playa Bagdad. March 12, 2017
Family members engage local street vendors on Playa Bagdad. March 12, 2017
Family members engage local street vendors on Playa Bagdad. March 12, 2017
Meow. March 12, 2017
My little sister's face after we bought her souvenirs. March 12, 2017
March 12, 2017
March 12, 2017
Sister was still slightly annoyed about weather. She grew impatient throughout the day. Guess she didn't sleep well. March 12, 2017
90mm shot of my grandpa as my uncle buys from a vendor. March 12, 2017
Our the way back to our aunt's house. March 12, 2017
My sister tries to get back pigeon from my mom. lol March 12, 2017
Sister watching YouTube videos. Free data roaming FTW. March 12, 2017
Portrait of my grandpa. March 12, 2017
Streets of Matamoros, Tamps. March 12, 2017
Streets of Matamoros, Tamps. March 12, 2017
Sunday lunch: breaded fish and rice. March 12, 2017
Sunday lunch: breaded fish and rice. March 12, 2017
House cat interacts with stray. March 12, 2017
3 generations. March 12, 2017
My mom had the crazy idea for me to Photoshop in people who didn't get in the first portrait, despite the lighting / framing being different. I never went through with it. It wouldn't have worked anyway since the first frame was full. March 12, 2017
House cat. March 12, 2017
Streets of Matamoros, Tamps. March 12, 2017
View of my cousin's room. March 12, 2017
Family get-together. March 12, 2017
End of Sunday. We went back to my godparents' house and ordered food from next door again. This time I had tacos. They were so good, despite being greasy. March 12, 2017
The following morning (Monday), my godmother made pancakes. It's a running meme among us that she would make me pancakes, since I LOVED her pancakes when I was younger. The pancakes were just as good this time. T h i c c, too. March 13, 2017
I told her not to mess with the birbs. March 13, 2017
We spent the entire Monday getting back to Dallas. We left around 12:00. March 13, 2017
Brother and sister on their phones again. March 13, 2017
19:56. March 13, 2017
20:00. March 13, 2017
21:26. March 13, 2017
We arrived home around 23:00. Overall, it was a fun trip, especially because of the nostalgia factor. I'm sure I had at least 3 deja vu moments in those 2 days. Hopefully we will organize this again within the next 4 years. Until then.
Gear used:
- iPhone SE
- Panasonic GX85 + Leica 15mm F1.7 Summilux
- Panasonic GM5 + Olympus 45mm F1.8 m.Zuiko
Written and published on 2017-11-18.