New Orleans: A Changed City

In recent years we have been plagued with tsunamis, earthquakes, strong storms, a melting Antarctic, extreme winters and harsh summers. The planet is responding to years of abuse, exploitation and pollution. Here in Mexico City, we've experienced over 400 earthquakes in recent days with no major casualties. As a result of this, many organizations have launched campaigns to raise awareness and promote earth-friendly products and lifestyles in an attempt to do something (or earn money).

New Orleans is a city that, after suffering such a terrible natural and political disaster (i.e. Hurricane Katrina and President Bush's slow response), is slowly trying to recover. Hundreds if not thousands of people never went back and so many investments and businesses were lost. Friends that have gone have told me that the city is not the same, petty crime haunts the streets and the legendary nightlife is gone. I do not know and could not even compare since my only trip was many, many, many years ago.

As I am watching a Rachel Ray's show where she vacations with her husband all over the world, I am surprised at what she has been sharing. Several of New Orleans's businesses have reconstructed without harming the environment. Hotels use earth-friendly paint, light fixtures, energy saving a/c units and sensors, furniture made of recycled material, etc. Several souvenir stores now offer unique gifts made from scrap material (one such store makes lamps using the ever-famous Mardi Gras beads) and restaurants cook with organic produce from local or nearby farms without loosing their authentic cajun taste. The overall idea is to take care of the planet.

A city that was so badly hurt from a natural disaster has slowly but surely recovered and is taking steps to help the planet. New Orleans continues to be at risk for its location but that does not stop its citizens from making a difference.

Which other cities are willing to do the same?

Kony 2012

For many years we have stood frozen in time when others have been tortured, hurt, and killed. Although we try to help, sometimes we think we are too small to help someone who has serious problems. How can I, a teacher and writer from Mexico City, help thousands of people in Africa? What can I do to stand up for all those who suffer at the hands of evil? What difference can my voice make?

Well, a perk of this globalized and mega-connected society is that: being able to help others. We can use our e-voice, whether on blogs, facebook, twitter, youtube, etc., to speak out against atrocities around the world. We can stand up for our friends from Uganda that go to sleep fearing they will be abducted and killed, we can stand up for the women that are forced into sex slavery, we can stand up for the thousands of children that cannot make it to school because of fear.

Please watch this video and spread the word about who Joseph Kony is. This man has enjoyed years of impunity for thousands of murderss. It is time we put our foot down and show him, and everyone else just like him, that humanity will not tolerate any more violence. This cry for help is not a cry for war. I am not in favor of any country sending troops to fight. What I am in favor of is awareness of these atrocities and for governments in developed countries and world organizations to condemn this. I know that the U.S. condemnation of this will not solve anything, but I also think the countries affected by this man must be the ones to fight against him.

Please take 30 minutes of your life to watch this video and share it with as many people as you know! If you do not agree with the campaign after watching the video, you will at least be more knowledgeable of what the situation is.

Vide: Kony 2012

Beginnings are scary...

Once upon a time there was a girl that traveled to Europe alone as her graduation present. She wanted to see the world and enjoy it all on her own, for solitude had never scared her. However, due to a bad combination of a wrong medication, lack of sleep and the usual jitters of traveling alone, she spent two months in Europe crying all over. And I mean ALL OVER. Her tears saw the Grand Canal in Venice, the Roman ruins, the beautiful autumn streets of Paris and even Big Ben. Luckily for her, she met a great combination of friends. A cheerful roommate and friend in Venice that showed her she could be strong, and, on her last day there, showed her the beauty of Venice she had been missing all month long. In Paris, she met someone she thought she was: a strong young woman that traveled all over Europe on her own and tried new things. With this friend, she discovered the sweetness of Paris (literally!) and had, once again, a lovely last day in Paris filled with a delicious meal and the Eiffel Tower. Then in London, she learned to face things on her own, but with a taste of family life at a friend of a friend's home.

When she came back, she dreaded everything she had wasted. Why had the trip been full of tears? Why couldn't she have stayed there longer? What was the purpose of all those tears? After many weeks and months of self-reflection, she realized that was exactly what she needed to do. She needed to suffer and cry her way through Europe in order to figure out exactly what she wanted from life. It must be stated that such character had no idea what to do with her life before the trip. After analyzing and re-living those two months in Europe, everything fell into place, and when everything did so, doors opened and everything seemed bright once again.

And what has become of that girl now? She moved into her very own apartment by herself, she has a job that she adores, she has met wonderful people in her new city, she has moved on without the "what if's" that taunted her mind, and she spends her free time reading and writing on her moleskin and on this blog. Her past life is finally in the past without loosing the friendships that mattered (even keeping in touch with those wonderful angels she met in Europe!), with her family supporting her and with so many new opportunities. The road will not be easy for a new chapter means a new set of obstacles to overcome, but it also means a new set of smiles, laughter and love.

Thank you to those who have supported me on this journey.