Farsighted Fly Girl

I believe in experiencing the culture of every place I visit. That's how you really connect with the essence of a location. So I was a little taken aback to discover that Huatulco's essence is buried in little, wiry, grasshopper legs. Located in Southern Mexico, along the coast of the state of Oaxaca, Huatulco pulses with Southern Mexican traditions. Munching grasshoppers or  chapulines , is one of those traditions. I was hosted by Secrets Huatulco Resort  and when an array of Oaxacan dishes was presented to me on my arrival, chapulines  were the first ones. As you can see from the photo above, they are toasted and seasoned into a mound of spicy critter snacks. Traditionally, chapulines are served with a variety of salsas, guacamole and totopos or tortilla chips or sprinkled on a taco. I was lucky that my first servings were small ones that once covered with guac and salsa, I could forget that I was munching grasshoppers.  I know the closeup above...

I'll be escaping Chicago's cold and snow this week with a press trip to Huatulco, in the Southern part of Mexico. Located on the coast of the state of Oaxaca, along the edge of the Sierra Madre mountains, Huatulco is famous for its nine lovely bays; one of them, Santa Cruz, is pictured above. Of course, I'l also be exploring as much Oaxacan history and culture as I can mange. Stay tuned for posts next week!

I know this totally looks like an arranged scene but I was lucky to grab this classic shot of a paleta  vendor relaxing in the Puerto Vallarta sun. The vivid colors of the hammock and dress, accented by the perfect, sun-blocking tilt of his hat makes this one of my favorite travel images this year. I think it showcases the appeal of Mexican culture, from the traditional textiles and importance of entrepreneurs, to the natural tropical beauty, all in one snap.