Transitions

Blooming Jacaranda

It's a bittersweet sign when the Jacarandas bloom in March and the bursts of purple trees appear all over town, accompanied by frantic birdsong and the delicious scent of orange blossoms. Spring is here, and that means it is time to leave Mexico and head back to the cool foggy coast of Santa Cruz.

After a long trip home I spend the day in bed, waiting for my guts to unclench after the flight, listening to the cool swish of cars on the clean asphalt road outside the window and the odd silence of a roosterless morning, while Mark scurries about like an excited kid, happy to be back with his guitars and brewing gizmos. I can hear him in the shower marveling at the water pressure, beside himself when his car starts on the first try after 4 months, strangely eager to go shopping for all the little food items he has missed, like peanut butter and frozen pizzas. 


Slowly I make the transition from one reality to another, from the noise and chaos and color of Mexico to the muted orderly life in the US. Instead of magenta bougainvillea there are daisies and irises. Instead of processions of bloody Jesuses there are happy Easter Bunnies and baskets of pastel colored eggs. Both equally puzzling.

I'm glad to be back at sea level breathing coastal air and taking  long walks on the beach and seeing old friends. And  I am filled with a sense of contentment and gratitude for the diversity and gifts of both worlds. In the back of my mind, however, I can feel the familiar the longing to return that has already begun...

Mexico City

-posted by Susan