Food, wildlife, and unforgettable sunsets is what comes to mind when I think of my small home town. Where to start with Mexico? A place full of amazing sceneries, amazing people and plenty to discover. I am fortunate to say that my family was very open about teaching me about my roots and visiting Mexico had become a yearly trip. My family began their story in a small town in Guerrero, Mexico called Coacoyula de Alvarez; a place of wonder, hope, and new beginnings. I learned very quickly that Coacoyula had been more than a home to my family, it was a place of positivity where people want to learn and grow together. The people there live differently, honor the dead differently, love passionately, and everyday you see them wanting to learn a new skill.

Over the years teachers, politicians, tourists have visited Coacoyula, bringing new ideas to the town that will eventually help the people grow mentally, physically, and spiritually. I have seen the town move forward, and every visit I've made over the last 24 years of my life, I have always seen a new change in either the architecture, festivities, and overall people. My grandfather lived for the most part in Chicago but his ideal plan was to move back to his hometown because he would say, "that's where I find my peace." I never understood why people moved back to a place they left to begin with, but now as an adult I've come to realize that many times people leave but their heart never does.

It's hard enough we live in a world where life moves in a fast pace, no one really thinks about stopping and thinking for once. Like my grandparents before me, I found a peace in Coacoyula that includes the combination of laughter, genuine people, and on-going traditions. Technology is not the main focus and is very limited in this small town and for that reason people look forward to the little things I think we've all forgotten. Little things like having a face-to-face conversation with your family, getting to know your traditions, your people. My grandparents taught me a very important lesson about life and that is that no matter how big you may be, you would be nothing without the family from which you came from.

Below I share moments that are very close to my heart, starting with a very common dish they serve in Coacoyula called picaditas (others know it by sopes). This colorful plate always hits me straight in the heart, it's all made from corn masa, grated cheese, chopped onion and homemade red salsa. The following include scenery images I took during on my trip in 2012, from a sunrise to the open land that fieldworkers spend most of their day. And lastly I've included a photograph of a specific part of my home that I felt was important because it is used daily for practically everything, it makes me think that it's the source of life.

I'd like to invite you to go back and remember the last time you felt your peace, the last time you felt like you had control over what you think, feel, and do. Maybe it's not a place like in my case, but maybe a person, a thing, a moment that makes you feel at home.