Editor’s Note: Recently, Pepper Bough reporter Adali Rizo had occasion to visit Michoacan, Mexico on a family matter. She had not been there for over three years, and seeing the sights and visiting old familiar places was a revelation to her. We asked her to report on what it was like to visit south of the Border, and here are her impressions.

You step out, and you can feel the atmosphere. Smell that Mexican air, hear the cars honking and racing, seeing them going back and forth. The people crossing the streets– smell the gas coming out of the buses dropping people off the bus stops. Hear all kinds of Mexican music in the houses. Motorcycles everywhere with a bunch of youngsters. It’s a whole other world over here in Numaran, Michoacán. People just simply don’t care what you do and there are no age limits for anything.

The food is on a whole other level of delicious. Of course junk food everywhere, but very awesome junk food! Tortillas freshly made by the hard working ladies at the store. Little kids being sent by their fathers to get them beer. There are just lots of freedom for kids and especially teens. One thing that interested me the most is when a person passes away, they do things so much more different than in the U.S. They have the body at their house, and have it there all night, while people go to the house prey, eat and interact with everyone there.

The whole night is about family and their loved one who was now gone. The next day, the family takes the body to the church and prey the whole time there. Then they carry the body to the cemetery and bury them there. It’s very different and in my opinion it’s more interesting then how they do it here. Overall I experienced something new on the trip to Mexico that I had. For the people who haven’t gone, they should really consider going because it would be an unforgettable trip.