Day 1: Saturday, May 16, 2026

It seems like I have been going, going, gone over the last two months and that actually is the case. I realized a few months ago that I was going to be doing a lot of traveling back to back and felt like I needed to let something go. At first it was going to be my Portugal trip but I couldn’t bring myself to do it. Then I decided I would cancel this trip, my trip to Querétaro, Mexico. Now have I ever heard of Querétaro before…no but I go where the flight deal takes me (as long as it’s safe). One thing I like to do is go to places I’ve never heard of before to see what is there. 

When I went to cancel through American Airlines they basically told me I would forfeit the ticket and just lose money. There was no way I was letting any airline keep my money for a trip and I not go (they wouldn’t even give me a credit). So since times had changed a few times that gave me the right to make some adjustments and what I did was shrink the trip. I was scheduled to be in Querétaro for a week and decided to essentially just make it a weekend trip that way I’m not missing out on going to a new place and I’m not losing my money. I settled on May 16th-19th which would give me just enough time for a small getaway for my birthday.

I had an early flight out of DCA with a connection in Dallas and then to Querétaro. I used my favorite airport parking app Way and parked at a nearby hotel that had free shuttle service during the times needed. Getting to and through the airport was a breeze and I sat and waited by my gate. The Dallas flight was full and I definitely signed up to volunteer for the maximum amount if they desperately needed seats (but they didn’t so I got on the flight). I didn’t notice before but as I tried to sleep on the plane (middle seat-ugh), it was very uncomfortable for my back so I couldn’t sleep (and I was really tired, I barely slept the night before due to a nap).

I didn’t have a lot of time when we landed in Dallas for the connection and thankfully it was just the next section over as far as gates are concerned but that wouldn’t matter. I got to my gate and when the time came we boarded. Thankfully the flight wasn’t full and I only saw 3 other black people on the flight. This time I had an aisle seat and the middle on my row was empty so I could spread out a bit. We’re on the plane and then the pilot announces there’s a leak and maintenance has to look at it so we would be sitting until an update came.

Well, 20 minutes later we found out the leak helped spot a bigger problem and they would need to turn the plane off to fix it and we would need to deplane with all of our things in case we have to get a new plane (which is exactly what happened). Now usually a delay causes a lot of people stress and disappointment but I was hoping the hours went up as far as a delay so that I might possibly get my money back (that would’ve been karma for American). 

Due to a plane change we also changed gates and our flight ended up being delayed something like 3 hours and 9 minutes (I’m still going to try to see if I can get something back from American for the maintenance delay). We boarded again and took off and this time I was able to sleep on the plane (nearly the entire way). The landing was a bit rough and fast but since we landed nearly 3 hours late I needed to quickly get an Uber or Didi and head to my Airbnb because I had a city tour at 5:30pm.

The airport is about an hour away from my Airbnb so I grabbed a Didi and headed into the city. I was able to get in fine and inspect everything before putting my things down, looking up walking directions and I headed out the door. There’s a big church across the street from me called Templo de Santa Rosa de Viterbo (which I would learn is one of two churches in Querétaro that has gold inside-which was to symbolize wealth). After a good 20 minute walk walking through streets and plazas I found where I (thought I) needed to be because I spotted the antique classic Ford T vehicle. 

After waiting a little bit I went into a nearby store and inquired and she directed me up and across the street where Oh! turismo Querétaro was (and that was the booking company). There I met my guide Carlos, we hopped in and began the tour. Carlos drove me around the central part of the city and started in the area we were in. Querétaro is big on history and I learned a lot throughout the tour, here are some things that stood out:

• Today, Querétaro has about 3 million people
• Medical tourism is a thing here
• If you work in the transportation or logistics field you could most likely get a job here
• There are 16 different churches in the city and 80% of people are Catholic
• Only tourists or people not from the area blow their vehicle’s horns (Querétaro is a quiet city, they like peace)
• The main saint of Querétaro is Santiago Apóstol
• The Ex Convento Santa Clara de Jesús and Templo de Santa Rosa de Viterbo are the 2 churches with gold inside
• Calle Corregidora is the main street that goes north to south
• The Templo de San Francisco used to be the tallest building in Querétaro
• The Peña de Bernal is the tallest structure in Querétaro 
• The Querétaro Aqueduct aka Los Arcos has 74 arches and took 9 years to complete. It supplied water to the city for 250 years (no longer does so)
• Querétaro is a Native American word meaning “A place among hills”

I took pictures and asked questions along the way and throughout the city you can see statues of different people that all hold some value to what they brought to the city. We went to a nice scenic spot where I got a chance to see Los Arcos and the city in the background. As we wrapped up the tour back to the starting point I thanked Carlos and asked him to point me in the direction of a bank (I needed some pesos). As I walked I passed a plaza with stores and vendors throughout the space. I popped in a few and said I’d come back once I got cash.

On my way I spotted a performance by Rondalla Universitaria de Querétaro in a plaza and stopped to observe. Afterwards, I went to the bank and then there was a restaurant around the corner that I went in to order food to go from. I needed drinks for the Airbnb and had passed a grocery store so I went back and got water and soda. By now it was dark and I needed to head in but wanted to go back to the stores I’d popped into earlier. After walking some and not finding it I abandoned that task since I’m dedicating tomorrow (Sunday) as my shopping day. From there I walked home and there were plenty of people out.

Back at the Airbnb I sat and ate while I watched one of my guilty favorite tv shows Mama June Family Crisis. I missed the finale on Friday night but oh was it messy and shocking. I posted some photos and videos from the day on my Instagram and Facebook and seeing as though today (Saturday) will be my busiest day here I decided to combine write-ups and just do one for the trip. I watched a few more shows on Netflix and then got ready for bed. For whatever reason I had the hardest time getting to sleep.

Day 2: Sunday, May 17, 2026

I can’t tell you how good it felt to sleep in this morning. Today I decided to dedicate myself to souvenir shopping and just exploring the city on my own on the way (I’m just gonna wing it-no plans, nothing). I wasn’t going to rush myself waking up as afterall this is supposed to be a very laid back short vacation away but I managed to get out of the Airbnb around noon. It was going to be a nice day in the 80’s and I definitely packed for the nice weather.

I mapped out places I wanted to go to that I’d researched and was good to go. Across the street from me is Templo de Santa Rosa de Viterbo and as I stood by the fountain across from it I noticed it looked very busy with people coming and going. Wanting to see the gold inside the church I headed over there and went inside. It was packed, there was a service going on and they were just wrapping up. As they concluded and people began exiting I made my way further in and took a seat. 

I got a good look around the church and the gold looks nice (very rich). I think they might have rotational services here so I didn’t stay long. I walked about the streets in search of my first spot Pa tú corazón. Inside I looked around and found a couple of things and was then off to the next spot. As I was walking I ran into the Tribu Bazar on the side. With the door open and tables lined up I was intrigued so I entered. There I met Goila who let me sample all of his Pura Vida Cocktails and my favorite was his favorite, the Jugo de Arándano y Frutos Rojos. I decided to get a bottle as I’ll have this in celebration of my birthday.

I looked around and it was a cute bazaar. They had a DJ playing music and there were vendors there selling different things. After leaving and walking some more I then stumbled upon what seemed like a small indoor fashion mall as that’s what most of the stores tailored to (especially big poofy dresses). The tile design on part of the floor was beautiful and reminded me of Moorish/Portuguese tile designs. There wasn’t really much for me to see there.

Now one thing you will see at nearly every turn here is a Lele doll (you’ll even see it as the walking symbol in the center-which I thought was cute). I did some research and here’s what I found…The Lele doll is an official cultural heritage iconic symbol for Querétaro. Carlos did tell me yesterday that initially after crafting the doll it began to appear in other places (like China-are we surprised, no) so much so that the city speedily got it trademarked for the area. Lele means “baby” in the Otomi language which is also the community she originates from. You can find her literally on everything from bags, to clothing, accessories, jewelry and more. I think she’s cute but I don’t mess with dolls too much. I believe in the spiritual realm and you have to be careful with those things.

As I continued walking and looking around I popped into another store and got a taste of pineapple mezcal (it was good-if she had a smaller bottle I would’ve gotten some). I found my 2nd store on my list called YOL Boutique de Arte Mexicano. They had some nice things so I got a few items from there. I managed to stop into a few other stores here and there until I decided it was now time to go to the 3rd spot Chicago Taste to eat. I got the chicken stir fry which came with teriyaki sauce, veggies and rice. 

The food looked good and I didn’t realize until I began eating that it was drowning in teriyaki sauce so much so that you could barely see the rice. As I ate, the sauce became overwhelming so I didn’t eat much. I asked for a to-go tray and tried to drain as much sauce as possible because without so much sauce it’s actually good. I told myself I just needed a plain side of rice and I’d be good. I explained to the waitress the situation and asked how much a side of rice was. The owner was sitting nearby and asked if that’s all I wanted and when I confirmed she said she’d give it to me for free. Now, I’ll be able to eat the rest for dinner and really enjoy it. 

As I’m walking with my big bag full of little bags and food in my other hand (remember this) I pass by a store that had a good photo opportunity. I love to do a mimic impersonation photo everywhere I go so I put my things down and out of sight, set up my camera and after about 4 attempts got the photo that I wanted. There was also a nice mural of the Lele dolls on the wall. I walk up the street as I’m trying to find the area I was in yesterday that I said I’d go back to but never did because I got lost. I put my things down on a bench and realized, “Oh my God I don’t have my purse!” 

Immediately I remembered where I last had it and ran back to my photo op. It was still there in the secluded spot I put it in so I could take the picture. Though I didn’t want to share this happenstance I feel as though an important lesson can be learned from it. Don’t carry your purse, wear it if you can (put it around you), this way when your hands are full of other things that’s one you won’t have to worry about. I wrapped that thing around me so fast and put it in front of me where I could see it. 

For me, this was a sign to ditch going wherever I was trying to go and focus on my last and 4th spot which was finding Librería Porrúa (a bookstore). As I walked there I found the rest of what I was looking for as far as main souvenirs are concerned. Going off Google Maps I found the bookstore and asked the associate if they by chance had what I was looking for and they didn’t. She suggested the other bookstore nearby The Alchemist Bookstores but said they were probably closed (I knew they were because I remember I saw they closed at 3pm).

I was ready to call it a day as I looked to see how to get back to the Airbnb (it was mostly a straight shot with a turn) and would take me about 20-25 minutes walking. On the way back I actually passed the Alchemist Bookstore so I know exactly where it is if I choose to go tomorrow. Wearing sandals on these cobbled streets probably wasn’t the best but I was surviving. As I got closer to the Airbnb the streets became less busy but I’d stop and take pictures of flowers and graffiti. 

Back at the Airbnb I took a moment to put things up in the fridge and unwind. I then realized I hadn’t done the write-up for yesterday yet so I began doing that (took longer and is longer than I expected). After completing yesterday I went on ahead and did the write-up for today and will post a few photos and videos to socials shortly afterward. For the rest of the evening I will wash up, relax, eat dinner and maybe watch a movie. I don’t really have any plans for my birthday tomorrow, I just want to chill. I might step out to a wine bar though and have myself a nice charcuterie tray. 

Day 3: Monday, May 18, 2026

It’s my birthday! I don’t know why I have such a hard time sleeping well here but I have not been getting adequate rest (it’s not like the bed is uncomfortable-even though it’s not my bed). I had an idea of what I wanted to do today so last night I drafted where I might want to go. Since I couldn’t really sleep I ended up binge watching Man vs Baby with Mr. Bean and I actually enjoyed it. I think I finally fell asleep around 3am just to wake back up around 5am and not be able to fall back asleep.

I just laid in bed and combed through my emails as the texts began rolling in (thank you for all of the birthday wishes). I did cry at one point thinking of my grandma (Bynum-Stokes) and how this is my first birthday without her here. Hearing another message from a good friend of mine also made me cry and laugh. I had the intent to go to the bookstore today to see if I could find what I was looking for but after researching it seemed as though it just wasn’t available so what I already have will have to do.

I debated between having a somewhat extravagant dinner here but decided to keep it on more of the casual side as I want to check out this barbeque place near me. After deciding that I chose to factor in breakfast/brunch at a nearby coffee shop called Xuuka Oaxaca. I saw that they had a mezcal coffee which sounded interesting so I knew I’d probably try that along with the chilaquilles con pollo. With it only being about an 8 minute walk from me around 11am I decided to make my way over there. 

When I arrived it wasn’t busy and I wanted to sit in the innermost part (because bugs-no gracias). I placed my order and as I waited Ricardo came by and began grinding coffee beans. I got up to look around and he asked if I had any questions (I had a lot). I wanted to know the difference between the coffee flavors they had on display. He began by explaining the Geisha Con Mezcal coffee and how the mezcal is soaked in the coffee beans for 2 weeks so it absorbs the taste (you can smell it in the coffee too-I ended up buying one of these bags). Ricardo said this is an experimental coffee flavor that you won’t find anywhere else (except maybe where the coffee is from in Oaxaca-I had it black with my meal and it was good).

Ricardo proceeded to explain the other flavors and took me to the museum portion of the cafe and we actually grinded some coffee the traditional way with a petate. I did something like this before I believe in Guatemala and it’s not as easy as it looks, it takes practice to get it just right. I got a chance to see via pictures exactly where this coffee is produced. The murals on the wall were so nice so I had to take pictures throughout the cafe. Ricardo and I had our own little coffee/tour session for about a good hour with him explaining and showing me different things. 

At one point we did take a break so I could eat my food and drink my coffee and then we continued. The food was good but like yesterday the mole sauce was just overpowering the dish-there was too much of it). I helped him with some simple English phrases as he was showing me how they translate some English words (he speaks good enough English). I told him it was my birthday and asked if they had any cake and he recommended a chocolate cake with mezcal so I ordered that (and that was good). Afterwards I finished up my impromptu coffee tour and Ricardo grinded the coffee I bought for me (using the grinding machine). I thanked him and the servers in the cafe and left.

I needed to stop at the store but left the change I had at home so I went back to the Airbnb first to get the change and dropped off the rest of my cake and coffee and went back to the store. On the way back to the store I pass a pharmacy across the street and this time there’s a doctor mascot outside (it’s 88°F here-I can’t imagine how hot they must be). Then I noticed a smaller coffee shop with the exact same name Xuuka Oaxaca almost a block and a half away from me. I’m glad I didn’t know it was there because I might have gone there instead since it’s closer and then I wouldn’t have met Ricardo and had the experience I had (God knows all things even the small ones). I made one more quick stop and headed back to the Airbnb to chill for a bit.

Once I was ready to go get my food, as I looked up the directions to see how to get there I saw that now they are closed (I waited too long to go). I was really looking forward to some barbeque and all of the other barbeque places I would need a vehicle because it’s too far. Now what was I going to have for dinner? I am over chicken at this point and didn’t want pork but I was willing to do fish or beef. It was hard for me to decide because I’m so picky but I settled on a place that’s across the street from me so I wouldn’t have to go far. 

I opted to go to Kim’s Chicken (Dak galbi) for some Korean food. I ordered a beef dish that looked good and let me tell you…this was the best meal I’ve had during my stay here in Querétaro (and to think I didn’t even want to settle on this place at first). The beef was marinated perfectly and white rice was on the bottom with the fixings and sauce mixed in with the beef. I was very impressed and don’t typically go for Korean food. I still have half of my mezcal cake from earlier and more of my fruit juice from yesterday that I got at the bazaar.

After I ate that I was full so I’ll have to eat everything else for dessert later. I’ve been recounting what I’ve done while here as the days have passed and now I can wrap up the experience. I’m grateful for the opportunity to have been able to come on the trip and I’m grateful to see another year. Often I’m reminded that everyone is on borrowed time and it’s what you do with it that matters most. I have more hopes and dreams for the future and there are some things that I’m working on. 

You’re going to see my slow down on travel (gasps-I know) but I’m not stopping (my attention is needed elsewhere right now). But…I do have one more international trip planned for the year with my mom in September; we will be going to St. Lucia! Say a prayer for me please that I get home safely tomorrow as I’ll pack in a few. Hopefully everything goes uninterrupted on the way home as I’m really ready to sleep in my own bed. Wednesday will definitely be my vacation recovery day (and it’s my cousin Dierra’s birthday). Thank you for following along.