January 18, 2026

Following love. I'm defining love broadly to mean openness, presence, and warm acceptance. If I regularly find those things  in myself and in others in a place, I'm going to return there and indulge as it fits to do so! Of course, we find those things with groups of friends and relatives, but I'm talking about those qualities as "a way of being" in relation to other people in general. Following love is also finding the peace and silence in one's self- where acting out of love comes natural and is not something done because "we should".

The image above is of Volcan de Fuego, which erupts regularly with puffs of ash like that. I see it from my room as well as almost anywhere in this vicinity while I'm out. I love it as a reminder of how precious life is, that we are always on an edge, and that the power of the earth reigns over us.

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Coming here this time of year set me up for a different launching than coming over the summer.  Some challenging incidents leading up to my departure were  draining. Christmas involved someone in my small family circle developing a potentially serious infection, and while I was carting things off from my rental, the car I was using (the Prius we got in 2012)  died. It was in need of a pricey 12 volt battery that we didn't want to get right away since the car, having 230 K miles, is in need of a comprehensive evaluation. So I used Lyrica's current car to finish the move which I found stressful because she's quite a busy woman these days and needs her vehicle almost daily. She came down with a cold, which threw more difficulties into the mix.

A week later I had a dermatology appointment and received cryotherapy treatment for some pre-cancerous spots on my face and had a biopsy done on a red, pearly bump under my left eye. I felt a little wiped out after all that, (and I looked downright scary) especially because I was told I may need a surgical procedure for possible basal cell carcinoma. Initially a sense of gloom and doom flooded me, then  I thought about it and realized I didn't need to cancel my trip. But it might be shortened. So I came down here knowing I'd be getting a phone call with the results of the biopsy and would have to change my itinerary if cancer cells were present

Two days before my flight  I started coming down with Lyrica's cold. It was bad enough that any food   besides fruit and vegetable soups  was revolting, which is always a sign my system is down with a fight. I took zinc, herbs, and vitamin C. It occurred to me I'd never get on my flight if I still felt like that or even a little worse. The next day was better; I realized I wasn't going to be wiped out for days, that my efforts to control it were successful. And Monday, the day of my flight, I got up feeling like, let's do this!

Feelings of wellness increased the day of my trip and for the next couple days. Then, the call came in from the dermatology practice that the biopsy revealed basal cell carcinoma cancer cells (a type of cancer that stays on the skin) and that I needed to schedule a procedure called Moh's surgery. That means coming back earlier and needing a place to recover. Plus, it ruins my whole timeline and plan for the time until this summer. This is the kind of problematic situation I've needed a break from, so I'm working on keeping it out of my mind while I can.

Yesterday, I wandered into the center of the village of San Antonio Aguas Calientes to get a fruit smoothie and some things at a couple stores, only to find there was a celebration "holiday" going on. The street I was headed down was lined with spectators waiting for a procession. I dashed around trying to get through unnoticed. No other gringos seemed to be around, though I later saw a few. This village does get visitors but is not a major draw of tourism at all. On the way back from my errands I again found the street I needed to walk down blocked off, this time with female dancers moving to loud Latin style music and wearing bizarre masks making them look like "old ladies".  I caught on that it has something to do with "abuelitas" ( little grandmothers), so I need to do some research on that. Other participants in the procession wore large, cartoon-like animal outfits. Horses also galloped down some of the main roads in the central area, ridden by procession participants dressed ceremonially. Thankfully, the way cleared enough for me to walk home before dark, but not before I was forced to stroll along with a group of dancers in the procession. "Act natural" was the order of the moment.

I didn't take pictures  because it felt intrusive. It's really important to feel trusted before doing anything that might be seen as disrespectful. 

I haven't found a way to work-out outside of a gym, so today I'm going into Antigua for a trek up to the Cerrro de la Cruz (Hill of the Cross). There is a similar place here, but after walking a long ways a few days ago I never found it and it's time for "a trip to town". A bar/restaurant called The Londoner (run by an Englishman of course) is having live music this afternoon, and I'm thinking it would be a great way to possibly meet some of the expats in the area. I can't say the food menu excites me though!

Sunset this eve-

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