Shrines stretch back into antiquity, perhaps to the beginning of time when that first cave man lugged a special rock into his cave and placed it on his hunting alter. A few years ago I began the practice of building a ‘travel shrine’ before each trip I take. It is supposed to be an expression of my journey in all its many manifestations. It should show how eager, how excited I am to be going. It should also show my hesitation -- my joys and my fears. The purpose of the shrine is to help me see and understand all the issues that surround this journey.
I leave for Puerta Vallerta, Mexico in 12 days with my little sister, Pam. The main purpose of the trip is to visit the villa that her husband, David, designed. Before untimely death in 2008, David and his best friend, Bubba were proceeding with plans to build a magnificent villa about 90 minutes north of PV on a beach called Playa Los Tortugas (Turtles Beach). After David’s death Bubba finished the project and the house is now done. He named it Casa de Hermonos (House of the Brothers) to honor David’s memory.
This trip will be poignant. I was on a holiday with Pam in Puerta Vallarta when David was murdered. That awful telephone call came in the middle of the night. PV will always hold exquisitely painful memories; yet, it also has reasons for hope. Pam and I are determined to pay tribute to David with this trip, but not let it be a week-long wake. David wouldn’t want that.
So, after a couple of night in PV we’ll be meeting up with a friend of Pam & David’s in Salulyto. Jan lives in Mexico and will be driving down with her dog, Teddy to meet us. We’ll be in Salulyto for a few days and then drive to Playa Los Tortugas to see the Casa de Hermonos where we’ll spend the day, marveling over the house, walking the beach, and honoring David. Then head back to PV for another night and our brief trip to Mexico will be over.
Because it’s only a one week trip, and I’m not certain what the Internet situation will be, I’m not taking my laptop, and likely won’t blog while I’m gone, but for those who are interested, check back later as I will post tons of photos once I am back home.
Hasta mi amigos mas buenos
~Nancy
