Two weeks here, and I am as smitten as ever. I was lucky enough to have my friend, Tracy, here for a week-long visit. And having her company allowed me to take a break from the day-to-day and explore more as a first time visitor and tourist. I still managed to keep up with my studies and exercise and chores. But then we got to play! We popped into museums and galleries. We explored neighborhoods. We had a sunset ride through the town on horseback. We ate really, really well.

What I was particularly taken with this week is the explosion of colors. At first, I thought maybe the vibrancy of this town was tied to the Day of the Dead holiday, and that it would fade. But no, I think it is a constant here. Banners, pennants, ribbons, flowers, flags. In fabric, tile, paintings, door frames, trees, wall murals, floors, altars, gardens. In the art, in the food, in the buildings and in the decor. Everywhere there is color.