warm winters & sinking ships

"Admiring the temperature outside is like being in a sinking ship and admiring the coral reef" 

K'naan

K'naan, understandably, puts a wet blanket on any celebratory vibes of having above freezing temperatures this winter so far. Nevertheless, here are some snaps of how this alternative fall/winter has been dressing me.

Long Cardigan: Old Navy
Denim Shirt: Similar

Shoes: Lace-up ballet flats from Gap

I'm loving mini crossbody bags this season. There's so much selection out, but here's mine: Nordstrom

Wool Scarf: Streets of Chiapas, Mexico (so warm!)

Shoes: Rebels Alberta Leather Mules

Amrita Singh Half-Moon Necklace: Similar

Deux Lux Maggie Fringed Crossbody Bag: Similar
Scarf: Guatemala
Jacket: vintage

-AB

Renwick

In the quest to seek more art, I came across this exhibit aptly named 'Wonder' at the Renwick gallery in the District. It's a small space and the building itself is beautiful, as well as its light fixtures and all of the pieces within. Here are a few:

I highly recommend those in the DC area or stopping by the nation's capitol anytime soon to pay a quick visit. Definitely worth it.

je ne sais quoi

“The gold in you does not rust.”

blue layers & San Cristóbal

Have you ever heard of Chiapas? Chiapas is the southern-most state of Mexico. I had the blessing of being able to visit Mexico for the first time this past June, and such a beautiful area of it. If you ever have the opportunity to go, don't hesitate. To get there, either go from Guatemala by shuttle, or fly to the Mexico City airport and then connect to Tuxtla, Chiapas. From there a vibrant and buoyant town, San Cristóbal de las Casas, is a 45 minute drive. What I remember upon first entering the town in the evening was the flattery of the perfectly lit town, comprising of warm, cream-colored buildings, against the carrying blue layers of twilight.

I learned of this area from my earlier visits to Antigua, Guatemala from helping to run mobile women's health camps there with Humanity First. Travel excursion offices frequently advertised shuttle rides to this beautiful city. After Humanity First Guatemala began making contacts there, through confirmation of some local socially active women, we soon realized the same women's health problems exist in Chiapas, too.

Chiapas has a very similar culture to Guatemala and is unique from the rest of Mexico--it was even annexed from Mexico for a year. It has a complex history filled with brilliant civilizations, war, and oppression. Chiapas had a long history of pre-Mayan civilizations, and this society had even developed a calendar hundreds of years before the Mayan people. The Mayan people then settled there and built a successful empire. After the decline of the Mayan empire, the rule changed between many different groups. Notably, Spanish colonists violently conquested the indigenous population through constant warfare and disease. The Tzotzil group were among the most resistant bur eventually succumbed forming the town that I visited.

The natives there still speak Tzotzil today, as we saw in our Women's Health Camp. This was the reason for my visit. After we conducted several successful women's health camps in central Guatemala, we decided we were ready to initiate these women's health initiatives in Chiapas, Mexico. Like in Guatemala, we provided preventative health services along with medicinal treatment, as needed. We provided cervical cancer screens, topics on preventative health education, and collected research to better customize to the needs of this population, all while using Tzotzil to Spanish and Spanish to English translators. We found new cultural barriers that we had not previously experienced in Guatemala from the Tzotzil culture. It's an ancient and fascinating culture, and we hope to understand it accurately in order to progress in an educated and sensitive way.

Culturally, Chiapas has contributed richly. Jaimes Sabines is a Mexican poet from Chiapas who is regarded as the "sniper of literature" and one of the greatest contemporary poets.

After learning more about this area and seeing images of this magnetic place with similar looks of my beloved city of Antigua, Guatemala, I had no doubt that I would be there soon. I had complete certainty that I would love it at first sight. I did.

My first photo on the drive from the airport in Tuxtla, Chiapas.

A couple of photos from the first Women's Health Camp by Humanity First Guatemala-USA

Morning walks in the beautiful San Cristobal de las Casas

Some main sights around central San Cristobal.

A lemonade and parque central morning in San Cristobal. Sigh. 

"What are you looking at, though?" Little boy playing in a very impoverished rural area of Chiapas.

Breakfasts in San Cristobal de las Casas

PS: Carajillo Cafe is a requirement for anyone who appreciates coffee.

Also, if you love chocolate, you will love Cacao Nativa, a charming and ADORABLE Mexican chocolatier.

"No es que muera de amor, muero de ti. 
Muero de ti, amor, de amor de ti..." 
Jaime Sabines

-AB

For more information on women's health efforts abroad with Humanity First and/or to volunteer, please email womenshealth@humanityfirst.gt

poetry: salt.

the night was busy making the moon
so
i gathered my quilt
and softly
told my heart
we'd come back
tomorrow. 

- Nayyirah Waheed

indígena & color

Strangely, I rarely buy things when I come to Guatemala, a country popular with markets filled with skilled local handicraft. I do always go to the markets, mostly to bring new people to shop, but I just enjoy looking. I've bought the odd thing here and there (a light-blue and white wool blanket, a hammock, a purple cloth notebook, etc) but nothing related to personal style. Then, this last trip in March, a dear friend bought this lovely handmade bag for me from one of the markets in Antigua. The leather is a very soft higher-quality leather and the body of the bag is a typical material and design that many indigenous women have on their shirts. As a person that generally is wary of too much color, I loved this instantly. It is a piece that is not abundantly versatile, but when it works, I think it works well. I also receive more compliments on this bag then anything I have ever worn in my life, so basically, it gives me an excuse to talk about Guatemala all of the time.

Comfortable mohair mix sweater: boohoo.com cage leather flats: Steve Madden "Ditaa"

Also, I love much of what this writer writes. I really value this thought, because it is difficult for me to understand why people use the idea of destiny as an excuse to not take charge of one's life. We have the ability to make decisions for a reason and we have the opportunity to control the outcome of our lives with our way to pray, our way to see, our way to treat others, our way to carry ourselves, our way to speak, and our way to love.

I can control my destiny, but not my fate. Destiny means there are opportunities to turn right or left, but fate is a one-way street. I believe we all have the choice as to whether we fulfill our destiny, but our fate is sealed.

P. Coelho 

-AB

pray...love

Winter is back, how...I have already suffered the first snow of the season, and had a minor car accident within ten minutes of being in it, as only most fitting. Here is how I keep warm. Feather down, fleece lined leggings, and need I say, layers.

Puffer coat- London Fog via Macy's Bag- Zara

Sweater- boohoo.com

That's all for now, keeping it simple and practical. Keep praying, keep loving. Peace.

-AB

“People think a soul mate is your perfect fit, and that's what everyone wants. But a true soul mate is a mirror, the person who shows you everything that is holding you back, the person who brings you to your own attention so you can change your life.

A true soul mate is probably the most important person you'll ever meet, because they tear down your walls and smack you awake. But to live with a soul mate forever? Nah. Too painful. Soul mates, they come into your life just to reveal another layer of yourself to you, and then leave. 

A soul mate's purpose is to shake you up, tear apart your ego a little bit, show you your obstacles and addictions, break your heart open so new light can get in, make you so desperate and out of control that you have to transform your life, then introduce you to [God]”