Fuschia eclipse
Twice a year, my family and I packed up our suitcases and loaded up in the 98 ford explorer, this was one of my treasured times of the year. 7 year old me was so excited that I’d never be able to sleep the night before, double-checking that I had all my favorite toys, ready to see my cousin Brisa.
We set off early the next morning, stopped by the Shell gas station, grabbed our snacks and the road trip began.
3 hours in, we arrive at the border of Tijuana. I don’t know why but I always got slightly nervous thinking I accidentally packed something illegal that could detain us, knowing all I cared for was candy and toys. We showed our passports and in Mexico we were.
I’d typically fall asleep during these trips because the few times I would stay awake I'd get car sick and throw up all over myself, unless my mom caught me in time and had my dad pull over so I could puke on the side of the highway.
I’d wake up immediately once I knew we were close, the roads would change from a smooth flat top cruise to a gentle cradle from the cratered holes in the road. This old dusty road led us to the sweet loving home of mi tio Viktor, mi tia Emelia, and my cousins Brisa, Ady, and Mimi.
Stepping out of the car you can see and almost taste the palette of neutral browns, as you felt the light breeze brush a thin layer of dust on your face, you squint at the hazy orange sun, a bit desert-like in a way…where it might look like an old forgotten town with wild dogs roaming around in packs looking for food but there was so much life there…a discreet tucked away pueblo that holds some of my richest memories, in little San Quintín.
My cousins were like my older sisters. It almost felt like we were a badass girl gang when we were all together.
My cousin Adi was obsessed with the color Fuschia, so she had her 2004 Mitsubishi Eclipse custom-painted the brightest shade of Fuschia.
The thought of us rolling deep bumping music on the dirt roads of San Quentin in this hot pink sports car cracks me up so hard.
Our days were simple and timeless. We'd get paletas de coco at La Michoacana, walk around the local park or just spend time together at home eating mazapánes and spicy chips from the little store around the corner. I never wanted to leave, some summers I’d even ask my parents if I could stay for a few more weeks with them. They’d let me and since I was so young after a couple of weeks I’d get so homesick and cry to them over the phone to come pick me up haha.
I went to grade school with my cousin Brisa for some time there. She took me to class and in recess, all the kids there knew me as “La prima del otro lado” meaning “the cousin from the other side”, that's what they would call people who lived in the states.
It’s interesting thinking back to this time almost 20 years later, maybe it’s just thought of how free I felt, how everything felt possible, how happy I was there with the most minimal lifestyle.
This place shaped me in ways I’m forever grateful for. I thank Mexico for being in my lineage and blood.
