After a year of lock down, Brad and I decided to escape the gloomy winter weather and head back to Mexico. It’s become our happy place this year, being really the only place to travel out of the US. We have come to deeply love the country, including the people and their culture. So we spent time searching for somewhere new to explore there and we came across a brand new resort, One & Only Mandarina. We were instantly sold when we saw that you stay in tree houses (no, I’m not kidding). The views, the food, and the service were outstanding. It’s a beach and jungle all in one.

My favorite part of the entire trip was getting to know the people, their stories, and learn more about their culture. If you get the chance to travel, even within the US, try asking simple questions to the locals. It makes the trip that much richer. My favorite question to ask is, “Growing up, what do remember your family making for dinner?”

You can learn so much about a person with just that simple question. Where did they grow up? Who was making the dinner? What was tradition? What did dinner look like?

I asked one of our waiters this question and he gave the sweetest response. He shared how his mother would make traditional homemade tamales every week and their entire family (aunts and uncles and all) would come over every Sunday to feast. He was so grateful that someone cared enough to ask and to be able to recall such a sweet memory.

If you do have any questions about the trip, activities, cost, or planning, please ask! I’m happy to share any details.