6/3/22 – 6/10/22 Valle de Guadalupe, Baja

Since arriving in Valle de Guadalupe I have been meeting some lovely human beings. I came to this region, because a foodie friend of mine (Laurel-bean) told me about how wonderful the food and wine in this region is. So, I figured I had to come through and check it out.

I have been here 6 days now. I didn’t expect to stay more than a day or two. As I was driving into the valley, I thought it looked like a place I would get bored of quickly. Yet, it is one of the places that has a lot to offer if one is willing to search things out and uncover its beauty.

The valley looks a lot like San Diego, low lying Mediterranean chaparral plant life cover the hillsides and undomesticated land. Large coastal oaks grow in the arroyos and canyons. Vineyards and olive orchards cover the arable, though dry land. This is Mexico, not California however, so there is plenty of open spaces, simple housing structures, speed bumps that aren’t marked, little to no development codes, and a general lack of contiguous aesthetic to bind things together. Accordingly, I like this place. I don’t like perfect communities. I like it when things are a little sporadic, and complex. To me, it makes life more interesting.

The Valle has grown on me. And so have its people. On the first night that I was here I met a lovely couple at a bar close to my Airbnb. We hit it off right away and had a joyful conversation. By the end of the evening, I had been invited to the wedding they were attending the next day! So, I figured what the hell and went for it. I’ve never been to a Mexican wedding and I think that’s a great way to get to know a culture.

The wedding was a blast. I felt like I was having dinner with old friends, while meeting new friendly people. And, don’t get me wrong I wasn’t complaining about how many beautiful women were there. (I really believe sunlight makes people more joyous and thus, more beautiful).

Long story short, the couple I attended the wedding with quickly became dear friends. We had intimate conversations, numerous hugs, and even a few tears were shed. We even shared a lovely meal at a farm-to-table restaurant that blew me away the day after the wedding. I find my heart opening up in Mexico. So many people have showered me with kindness – from the rancho that let me camp on their land; to the street attendant who let me bypass a toll, because of a directional mistake I made; to the couple who invited me to their dear friend’s wedding; and to the tire repair man who drove me to my Airbnb to get the necessary parts to fix my motorcycle.

This ride is healing me in ways I didn’t know I needed. I am so grateful for the experience already. Though, I imagine difficulties lie ahead.