The Dark Rose's Traces

  Running with the Pack Back in my hometown, my former running buddy celebrated her 50th birthday with a 50 km trail run. Three years before, her sister, in the same way and for the same reason, participated in Mexico City’s full marathon with her running group, which included me. These admirable women introduced me to trail running. They have been an inspiration ever since for training for longer distances. Before I joined my running group, I wanted to run a half marathon for the longest time. I was used to running alone around my block. However, besides it becoming more dangerous due to the rise in crime in the area, the whole workout had become too monotonous. Then my mum and I got a treadmill to walk/run indoors since I didn’t want to interrupt my training. However, this form of “hamster” running became unbearable, especially if I wanted to run for more than 1 hour and 30 minutes. It wasn’t until 2017 that the urge to run longer distances moved me to look for a way to fulfill m...

Upon reading the title, many of you might immediately think of Suzi Quatro or Iggy Pop. However, this phrase actually refers to an unusual human form… and a very special dog. I’m definitely a dog person! While I appreciate cats, I’ve never had one as a pet. My soul connects better with dogs. Dogs were a constant in my childhood, loyal companions and protectors. However, it wasn't until I lived in Slovakia that I encountered stray dogs. I became involved with shelters and began adopting. Something I regret in some ways due to how my last adoption turned out (I’ll save that story for another time). Most people romanticize adoption, but it can be incredibly challenging, an unending commitment. It's especially demanding if the animal carries past traumas, disabilities, or illnesses. Despite these difficulties, the profound love and unwavering loyalty of dogs ultimately overshadow all struggles. I believe they are divine beings, incapable of the betrayal and abandonment we flawed hu...

Speaking in Synthesizers: Finding a Language in '80s Pop Culture Some of my favorite films, songs, and TV series date back to the '80s. Sometimes, I think that I belong more to Generation X than I do to millennials because I enjoy its music, trends, films, and pop culture. Despite the fact that I became an adolescent during the '90s, I get a melancholic feeling every time I listen to, see, or read anything evoking the '80s. I grew up in Mexico where I was exposed to the English language in limited ways. Nevertheless, being born into a bilingual home, together with the influence of the '80s and '90s technological and musical revolution, acted as a powerful ignition for my language development. Indeed, English didn't just knock on the door, it burst right in. It was during the decade of big hair and bright colors that the English language started to permeate my everyday life with its MTV, series, films, video games, and synthesized songs on the radio. I began ...

Chasing the Dawn There’s something about the sunrise that leaves many astounded whenever they look at it. If you ever happen to visit Puerto Escondido you have to witness this phenomenon, which is experienced by locals on their way to work every morning. From my small patio, which gave out onto the eastside mountains, I savoured my morning cup of coffee with my two adopted dogs. Soon I saw a ball of fire creeping up out of the far horizon. I was not only delighted in watching it, but I was also amazed by the steadily increasing chorus of creatures coming to life as they were awakened. Living in a remote place, in simple, frugal conditions, made me appreciate nature on a larger scale and not take for granted the sun during the day and the moon during the night. As I mentioned in previous articles, I have been a runner for a long time. For many, this can be therapy. However, to do it on the beach, barefoot, it can become a poetic experience. In order to run well in the cool air, 5 times ...

Paris, the City of Lights and Second Chances I grew up hearing stories about Paris, yet back then, it wasn't a city that truly captivated me. However, I was constantly bombarded by my prosperous classmates, privileged enough to travel. Their summer vacations were a persistent topic of conversation—a series of tales about who had seen the most renowned sites and explored the most popular monuments. They would boast about strolling down majestic Parisian streets, often claiming to have mastered French in just two weeks—a feat my 15 years as a language teacher has taught me is impossible! Back then, their self-assured remarks left me in awe, as they described dining on an endless supply of croissants and macarons while contemplating Notre Dame and the Eiffel Tower with their affluent families. It's funny how some people's experiences can color your point of view about cultures and places, especially when you're young and inexperienced. Later in my life, I was surrounded by...