i am in the process of stitching together my san cristobal de las casas (chiapas) travel journal. i like the physical act of writing on paper. of journaling. the way the paper soaks up the ink. the way writing in a book makes me feel like i'm coming home to myself.
when i start this process of building a travel journal i just grab whatever feels good in the moment. and today when i was making the paper cover this heavy smooth wallpaper felt right. i'll probably put a postcard on the front. not that one. it's canadian, but there are parts of mexico that look like that. did you know that?
i love mexico. i really really do. i take great pleasure in going to a new state i haven't been to before – chiapas. which…has the greatest biodiversity in all of the americas. over 50,000 species of plants & animals.
nearly 1 million people here speak indigenous languages unrelated to spanish, the most common of which are: Tzeltal and Tzotzil along with Ch’ol, Tojolabal, Chuj, Kanjobal, Acatec, Jacaltec and Motozintlec. wow is what i have to say about all of that. thanks wikipedia for the information.
part of me is drifting south towards those south central highlands of mexico already. i can feel myself leaving los angeles. my inner axis tilting south.
the part of me that is still here printed out one of my ipad journal pages. i think i'll glue or tape it into my regular visual journal. or maybe i'll start another journal of digital pages i make in ipad. nothing pleases me more than having endless options and directions i can take. it's why i dig art. it's why i dig travel.
it's why i dig hot chocolate.
going to make some. NOW.
i have a lot of thoughts rumbling around inside my head that need sorting.
Can’t wait to (virtually) travel to Mexico with you! You have no idea how anxious I am to (again, virtually) leave! And you know, or should know, that not only do I love all the photos on your blog, I am also addicted to stopping by and soaking them in. More like “rolling around” in them, because it’s more than visual immersion; I seem to get them all over myself and want the colors, patterns, light and shadow to become part of me, too! Like kittys rolling around in piles of leaves to play, but also to get the scent all over themselves. But today I focused on one photo and kept going back to it. Mary Ann, you must, please, at some point, please, share your folded pages journal! I’m turning myself upside down and sideways looking at it because I don’t have an iPad to turn, and my iMac is to heavy–not to mention the cords and cables. I want to know how you made it, or more particularly, how I’m going to make it! And I want to see what you do with it, so I’ll have ideas of what I want to do with it. Another class has got to be in your future! I need this book! please. XOXO
how fun, preparing for a new adventure. i am so excited for you. i can’t wait to see chiapas through your eyes. it really does hold a very special place in my heart. and i love the pages you are creating on your ipad! what a fun blend of media. taking it to another level.
Okay, what is that big roll of white textured tape in the top photo??? Hope you have a wonderful trip, looking forward to tagging along in your pocket as usual. Be safe, have fun.
Cool! Did not know this!—–>the greatest biodiversity in all of the americas
OH! I’d forgotten that you bought some hot choclate powder at Angelina’s. I suddenly was transported there, queuing with all the other eager beavers. Remember the beautiful, beautifully dressed children and that older woman, eating alone, who you admired?
If I could go to Mexico, I’d go to Coyoacan to see the Frida Kahlo musem, to admire those wonderful clothes and paintings and to cry a bit for her painful life.
Haha! Dig and dig – I saw what you did there :-).
I was in San Christobel for two weeks about 7 years ago, studying at a Spanish Language school and living with a local family. It’s a great place with some interesting villages nearby. It will be quite chilly at night at this time of year…I remember sleeping in my fleece jacket and with layers of tights and sweat pants, but most hotels have fire places in the rooms (my host family’s home didn’t!) Someone mentioned Trudy Blom’s home…a must see…very interesting history. Have a wonderful holiday and I look forward to your photographs and dispatches which will no doubt, bring back lovely memories.
Love hot chocolate and have always wanted to go to Mexico so I can’t wait for our trip. Love watching what you do with your Ipad, makes me want one. Your new journal looks interesting, creative and lively. Enjoy while making and using it. Have a artfilled evening, that is is you still can think after your “day job”, craft monkeys tire one out.
(oh – is it the “Saturday” one? How the heck did you make that on an iPad???? You amaze me!! Please share!!
Hi Mary Ann – I’m curious as to what program you used to CREATE your journal page on your iPad. I read above that you altered it with photoshop, but how did you make it? (and can you show it to us??)
Shannon Ganshorn
http://www.MusingsOnRealities.Blogspot.com
thanks for taking us along on your daily adventures in the land of pad and the forthcoming land of Mexico….I am intrigued to learn about a part of Mexico I know nothing about. I’m ready to be learned!
hugs and love,
dawn
I am sittin’ here itchin’ for ya to go already, for crying out loud. 🙂 I am so excited to hear of your travels, see the sites thru your eyes and your words. I also love to see your journals as they become something that goes beyond simple scraps and snippets. You have a magic that defies all reason when it comes to merging such trivial things. It’s why I thoroughly love your workshops, a slice of bliss in the middle of a regular, normal day. I’ve said this before; you’ve got magic flying from the tips of your fingers girl.
Oh you have a cozy little house ……i remember now !!!
San Cristobal is lovely. Be sure to pack some warm clothes…..layers. It gets very chilly and damp at night. some hotels have little fireplaces too. Love the house of Trudy Blom, especially her little bedroom. I could ramble on for hours. Have a fabulous journey.
uma, how you met your husband…. love that story!!!
super easy to print. on my desktop i pulled the image off the blog, opened photoshop, adjusted the size to by 8 by 11 and printed it! surprised it came out such good quality. in future i will put it in DROPBOX on my ipad then access dropbox on imac. make sense?
i am only techie up to a point. clueless about phones and def clueless about bluetooth. ha ha ha ha ha
Love, love, love your travel journals and will be looking forward to seeing how you constructed this one (hope you will share!) and to then see it completed. Always a visual treat for the eyes! Enjoy your trip … I would love to explore more of Mexico. Especially interested spedning time in Guanajuato. Have you been there?
So you know, once you open the digital door……techies NEED to KNOW!!
I am assuming you printed your page on a printer which is linked by bluetooth to your iPad?
Which one? What paper? Looks so cool.
Mexico is where I met my husband and the next year was engaged to marry.
I love it too.
Travel hard and play safe!!
loving the look of your new journal, the wallpaper on the cover is great. and no, i didn’t know that parts of mexico look like that. all those languages, how does any one know what every one else is saying, lol? also, what are the craft monkeys up to this year. i miss seeing their smiling faces and creations.
San Cristobal is a fabulous place. We were there over 20 years ago over Christmas and new year. I tried to get there around 1969 but there were no roads. We made a trip into Guatemala by bus stopping at Chichicastenango. What a fabulous name for a cat. We also went to Huehuetenango, though not as interesting. We visited all the local villages. The arts and crafts of the region are spectacular. Your head and heart will go into overload. Enjoy!
Wow, you will be in the mother country to listen to some real Mariachi… Have fun in Mexico and I can’t wait to see pics, art journal pages and words. Never have been to Mexico myself, but I love everything Mexican…
Ahua!!!
Put your mug in a safe place, and check to make sure it’s still there when you get home. :o) Donna
Years ago I had the chance to spend just one day at San Cristobal. It wasnt enough. I cant wait to see the pages of your journal..You are inspiring me to make my travel journal more colorful