Zacapu

 It was the coming end of summer 2009 and my grandfather was continuing to get weaker. After the news, we immediately had a family meeting and decided that we should go, for at least the last two weeks of summer to Zacapu, Michoacán, Mx. It might sound like a little town, but it is on the map, try Google Maps! I was quite skeptical since I did not want to miss the first days of school, but I agreed anyways. The following day we quickly registered for school, bought airplane tickets, packed, sent a message to my cousin telling her of our arrival time, and headed to Tijuana International Airport. We slept on the plane and at sunrise, we arrived in Morelia, Michoacán, Mx. Our journey continued in a 45-minute bus ride to the city of Zacapu, where at the bus station we took a cab and headed to my Aunt Lilia’s home. When we arrived at her house and no one was there. One of her neighbors came up to us and asked if we were her family that was coming over. We said yes.

            “Oh good,” he replied. “She told us to keep an eye to see when you people would come. She went on an errand not even two minutes ago but told me to help you open the door so you can go in,” he said. We opened the door placed our suitcases in and decided to go to the center of town and see if we might find my aunt and grab something to eat. As we walked down a street, I noticed my mom and this person exchanged a sound of shock, so I turned around, and noticed that we had run into my Aunt Lilia.

            The next couple of days included seeing family and planning a trip to Taretan, were my grandpa was staying with my Aunt Soco. The trip included my father, mother, Aunt Lilia, my sister, cousin Aylin and I, during an hour drive around the beautiful sierra landscape. My grandfather and the rest of my family were so happy to see us, and I as well. I enjoyed being there for a couple days and the experience a new city. Coming back was extremely bittersweet, but we continued surrounded by family, and were adventurous around town. In Zacapu we went to the Zarcita, a park that included pools where ducks and fish were seen all around. We also went to the plaza in front of the Iglesias de Santa Ana, which I did not know was constructed in 1548! Also by my cousin Nina’s request we went to Zamora, a larger city where she went to further her studies. It was kind of like Zacapu, but it seemed less set in tradition and more commercial. I found its chapel extremely beautiful; it was large and had a bit of a Gothic style.

            A couple days before we left, the family got together for a feast. It seemed more like a pot luck since everyone brought a little bit of everything. We played a game called La Loteria under a huge canopy and later it rained. The day before departure, I was happy to go home, but some part inside of me did not want to leave. This town is also a part of me whether I like it or not. I have to admit that I cried tears of joy and sadness. I was glad that I had gone to Zacapu and I know that I will be going back very soon.