Real del Catorce, a Mexican ghost town full of life.

Monterey is lovely, a great introduction to Mexico, especially for someone who knows absolutely no spanish or no idea of life here. I manage my way around with the help of Sofia, translating, sightseeing, introducing new people, and being an amazing hostess. I'm in awe of the sites, Chappinque, Huesteca, downtown, the area in general is a beautiful mountain landscape. Complimented by amazing people, friendly, helpful, entertaining, it's definitely an area that invites and welcomes you with open arms.


    As we drive up to Chappinque for an amazing view of Monterrey, Sofia and I take advantage of getting acquainted and exchanging ideas and lifestyle differences between Canada and Mexico. She is opening my eyes to a new world here, and I'm loving every moment. Food, I've been waiting for good Mexican food forever, and everything from Tacos, Gorditas, and Tortas has been a feast for the taste buds. The night skies and picnics in Huestaca invigorate the soul, it makes me feel at home with shadow puppet on the mountain.

The language barrier leads to a few awkward moments, and some miscommunications of consequence, but alas there's very little to be done about that. As we spend the few days in Monterrey we are also getting ready to drive up to Real del Catorce for the weekend, and my birthday. I'm getting anxious about that.

    The road trip filled with laughter and great people, Sofia, Daniella, Baby, and Catalina make the road wonderful. It's a long drive there, and a crazy long tunnel to get into the city. 2km I think, of one way traffic. The 2743 meter high city has incredible air and a view to match it. After we check into the hotel, it's dinner, drinks, and rest to prepare for the rest of the weekend. There's a Redbull event, flat land freestyle and Sofia's friends are playing a concert for it. A beautiful morning leads me to wander by myself to take some shots of the area. As I walk by a donkey behind a fence I snap a quick photo and move on. Later returning to the same fence, and gentlemen was watching me set up for another quick snapshot. Focus, line up, and all of a sudden he's standing in the photo and talking to me. I'm confused because I don't understand a word he's saying, but I figure he's asking me if I want a photo with the donkey... Not so, he wants money for the photo of the donkey. I reluctantly give him 10 peso and take 2 nice ones to make it worth while. hehe I got played. No worries though, today is chido, and tomorrow is my birthday so I've got other things on my mind.

    We venture of into the small city filled with beautiful stone roads, with crazy intense hills. The city is built on the side of a mountain, which makes it a challenge to walk especially after the drinks at a local bar. Nothing but good times here though. A visit to the cathedral, some horse back ridding to the old city and silver mines, it was a great birthday gift, but I will always remember that Sofia got the band at the bar to play happy birthday for me, and the bartender that gave me some kind of shot that got me all messed up, and tequila, tequila, tequila.
    Meeting Sofia's friends from Porter was a memory all on its own. Carlos was a great character blending rock stardom with finesse, hairspray for everyone, sunglasses and Sofia's jacket to finish off the onstage presence.

We drank so much, and I have to say Baby put us all to shame by drinking a whole bottle of Shivas to herself straight... that's impressive, needless to say she didn't make it out all night, haha. She also composed herself amazingly without any incidents. Sofia ended up kicking the sherif of the city by accident, umm make that multiple accidents, but all was well. Catalina disappeared for a while and Daniella and I got right into the action, drinking and cheering on the BMXers and laughing our asses off. Porter hit the stage and everyone got crazy as the bull ring turned into a mosh pit and suddenly a "conservative" throws her bra onstage. Yeah it was a party unfolding.

The after party was even crazier, at the same bar we were at the night before. People from all over the world, from Spain, the US, Mexico, and so on, it made the liquor flow that much quicker. It was impossible to move in a crowd of hundreds, and you danced where you stood, drank, laughed, and enjoyed the moment.
    I love Real del Catorce but unfortunately all things come to an end and it was back to Monterrey to start working on the music video...