Big Sur, a portal to a fascinating coastal biodiversity; a classroom for experiencing life

I read that it took around 18 years to build a scenic route that has allowed lovers of nature to discover the unique beauty of Big Sur. Most of the work was done by convicts from San Quentin and Folsom prisons, who in exchange got few cents per day and sentences shortened. Driving up North on Hwy 1 From San Simeon to Monterrey is a really curvy, slow, and narrow path that provided us with abundant opportunities to look very closely to the left, the Pacific Ocean, and to our right, the impressive mountain array and rock formations. I was hypnotized by 90 miles of magnificent mountain range, vegetation, sea life, native flowers, and coastal cliffs.

From San Simeon to Carmel, Highway 1 provided us with an infinite number of opportunities to be in the present, beautiful moment that we were experiencing. 

The Now was immeasurable.

 In a way, HWY 1, has been unconsciously designed to not rush from one town to another but rather to breathe in the ocean and impressive mountains and breathe out all the stress we carry in our mundane life.

I am so grateful for the capability of being mesmerized by one of the most immensely coastal portions of California. Road trips are always incredible opportunities for meditative moments to observe closely and honor the omnipresence of this region named "Big Sur," definitely priceless.

It was here that the California condor was reintroduced after being extinct. I kept seeing them flying high in the sky till, in one moment, one came down very closely to us. The Condor, who inspired the internationally well-known Peruvian music "Condor Pasa," kept on and on reminding me of the freedom and the looking inwards for soul searching. It was all there.

 At Piedras Blancas we met the elephant seals and learned from them to just lay back, relax, and indulge in the moment. Out of a population of 2500 that gather at the beach, we met 100s. It was hard to think about their near extinction.

Our second stop was to experience Pfeiffer State Beach and Park. We walked towards a peaceful gorge, then the mountains, and across the river, and saw canyons and coves filled with living nature. We met many Stellar's jays here and people from all over the world. Exhausted from all the hiking, we fell asleep at the hidden Pfeiffer Beach, famous for its purple sand. 

Getting to the beach itself was an adventure, if people have things to say of our Southern California 100s of steps down and up. I can't imagine trying to reach the beach and discovering that it is not just right here at the entrance... No walking allowed, so buckle up for an epic drive. Are we there yet?

So much to see and savor but not enough days to do it all. Especially if we wanted to dedicate time to each place. On our last day before heading home, we visited The most amazing natural preserve I remember seeing. Point Lobos with its cypress trails, kelp forest, tentacle forest (I named it like that because kelp here looked like octopus tentacles), seals, otters, blue herons, birds, jellyfish, and a variety of native vegetation. 

There was a whole pelican peak community, which made us super happy because these descendants of velociraptors also once were extinct. In this park we learned of Trentepohlia aurea, the orange formation on trees that we had never seen before.

For our back-to-civilization moment, we visited picturesque Carmel-by-the-Sea, where I got to take pictures of beautiful gardens, signs, and hamlets and definitely sensed life all around us... We experienced a sunset surrounded by a very welcoming and friendly community.

We could not come back home without visiting Dr. Wayne Dyer at Asilomar. A very peaceful place for more opportunities to be in the present moment. We kept thinking about how much Dr. Dyer appreciated this place and how amazing it is that it is available to all of us, as one of many California beautiful state parks.

For all the book lovers and HBO series followers, "Big Little Lies," a TV set at Lovers Point, is another beautiful spot. We saw squirrels that were willing to pose and gorgeous reefs and coves filled with anemones and humongous starfish.

We were so grateful for all the raw ocean living beauty we encountered without having to see it enclosed at an aquarium. For the 1st time, we had the opportunity to enter the Monterrey Aquarium, blessed by the gift that a patient of my husband offered us.

We loved the opportunity to see all the work the community of Monterrey is placing on making a sanctuary to preserve life in the ocean. We got to hear about Luna, a rescued otter, and about Baja California, my childhood hometown, where whales and different species are being followed and protected by researchers and oceanographers.

Driving the 90 miles of coastal mountains, canyons, forests, bluffs, and the magic within the Big Sur Preserve and State Parks was an epic adventure. This is our 1st field trip for Giancarlo's 7th grade of education, and we look forward to more journeys like this. 

This educational trip gave GC plenty of learning opportunities in a very open and inviting classroom called nature. Definitely it was a field trip for sensing life at is fullest.

Our time was up, and we started the trip back home, not without observing considering,  acknowledging and reflecting upon what we have seen beyond the beauty of Nature. While on the 101, we drove, passing by fields and fields of lettuce, cabbage, and many nurseries. 

We noticed produce being picked by hardworking Latinos, and it made me feel  proud of my people, my roots, my ancestors. A tremendous gratitude to all of the field workers for their very important contribution to our life and country.

We are deeply grateful for the decades of dedicated work from my fellow humans who place food on our table. I hear discussions about the 11 million "undocumented" immigrants in America, many of whom work in the fields, and I wonder if immigration reformers, politicians, ICE workers, congressmen, and our president feel humble passing by the majestic Central California mountains, witnessing the farmworkers' arduous work so that we all have food. 

I did feel immensely grateful and small standing behind the ocean, between mountains, and next to all the abundance life can offer.

Photographs and article by ©KarlaGMundo2018

Grateful for the summer and my love for nature and writing

I have so many topics that I want to share with whoever reads my articles but have not had a minute to write. I am grateful for those who read my thoughts and those who have given me feedback about my articles. 

I am not really good about marketing what I write, but I surely write when inspired, and that pretty much is every day!!. I have notebooks filled with topics from immigration to global warming.

I recently read the story of the Palestinian girl who got shot by an Israeli sniper. I was horrified about how Palestine keeps enduring the oppression of Israelis and how we in the West seem not able to do much. I was saddened to know that surrender, dialogue, and peace are not words among Israelis and Palestinians. I also attended a conference about gun control organized by moms across America. I heard a prominent lawyer talking about immigration law and saw many Americans concerned by the fate of children in detention centers. 

There is so much to do for the world; I get sad and overwhelmed but also empowered by many who care because I care.

I hope to share soon with all of you what I have read or heard recently. For now, enjoying my son and husband, vacations, the beach, sun, and the art of living... Hoping you all are having a splendid summer... I dream of the day that all who suffer around the world are seen, are heard, and are given the opportunity of peaceful sunrise and sunset.

Mexico has spoken and has elected a new President

Manuel Lopez Obrador has been overwhelmingly chosen to lead Mexico. 54% of the votes speak of the desire that all mexicans have for change. As a Mexican born, I have mixed emotions.

It is hard to believe in anything other than your spirit when you grew-up in a society that focus on high social class oppressing and forgetting about indigenous roots, and people and exploiting the working class. While growing up in Mexico, I saw that only two political parties always won election. PRI mostly then PAN. Now for a change, a President who started as a member of PRI, then switched to te Democratic Party and ultimately created his own political party. Will he stand by the people or by the so many who have taken advantage of Mexico? We will see when he takes office in December.

 Hope and justice, is all I can wish for a country that still my country. A country that has endure so much oppression and corruption. A rich country that barely increases salaries, a country where the bureaucrats can make more than their share while farmers or working people barely exist. Mexican leaders have had its people hypnotized  with mexican soap operas and soccer for ages but that did not stopped Mexicans  who voted for change. Now we got to wait and see if Lopez Obrador is for the people and not for corruption.

Corruption is a phrase that Mexicans seem to got acostumed  due to fear. Killings, kidnappings seem to cause the fear effect that will paralized anyone. Journalist and politicians have been killed without impunity.   I read that elected president Obrador platform is focused on ending corruption and taking away the power from the wrong hands. I certainly want to see that happening.  For starters,  a more educated and well trained Police department who is not well know by " La mordida" but by their service to the community.

I read that he is focusing on the poor, the youth and the elders. If all his words become actions ,I will be overjoyed to see that Mexico my first home, the home to my family and friends will finally have  a leader who believe in change and treat his people with dignity..

Reverting the privatization of Mexican water should be one big priority. Many of us  will be waiting  to see the promises into action. Mexicans want real change the kind that will take half of Mexican population out of poverty. Perhaps selling the presidential plane, reducing politician salaries will be part of the change. We can only wait and see it happening.

http://www.bbc.com/mundo/noticias-america-latina-43578377

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/29/world/americas/mexico-election-lopez-obrador-president.html

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jul/03/mexico-amlo-president-no-bodyguards

Tea with Alice Paul

This 4th of July I will remember the legacy of the women who campaigned tirelessly for women vote and rights. " Tea with Alice and Me" an opportunity to learn more about the suffragete movement. I truly enjoyed the monologue of Zoe Nicholson. By re-visiting with Alice Paul activism we got to know Two militant visionaries that invites us all to lead, resist, persist and do something for change and justice.