Huatulco

GE August 2, 2016

Last year I went to Oaxaca for the first time. I got to know the capital pretty well and I must say it was one of my best trips so far. After a year of an insatiable desire for Oaxacan cuisine, I decided to spend my summer vacation in Huatulco.

I had never been to the Oaxacan coast before and was very surprised when I got there. The main attraction in Santa María Huatulco is its nine bays and thirty six beaches. This beaches are completely different than those I had seen before. Most of the beaches I had visited where very plain. Usually, sand that extends alongside the water to what appears to be infinite. Instead, the narrow bays in Huatulco create a more intimate relationship with nature. The beautiful Pacific Ocean along with the jungle make every corner a splendid panoramic view.

There are many ecotourism activities that can be done while in Huatulco. A great idea is to road trip to nearby beaches like Mazunte, Puerto Escondido and Lagunas de Chacahua (maybe I will do this next time I am around this area).

I spent most of my time in Huatulco relaxing and doing nothing at the beach. I also went shopping to the town´s artisans market plus I got to eat delicious Oaxacan food. The good thing is that I ate enough Tlayudas for the rest of the year.

I am very grateful with Montecito Beach Village for inviting me to spend a day at their facilities and beautiful beach. MBV is a housing complex, perfect for a couple of days of relaxation, tranquility and contact with nature. My visit there was perfect. Amazing food, an almost private beach for myself and a very kind and warm staff (thank you Stephan and the rest of the staff!). Not many housing developments of this kind manage to crate a harmonious atmosphere along with nature. The establishment celebrates and revolves around the idea of a healthy relationship between urbanism and Mother Nature. This is why many of the materials used for the construction of Montecito Beach Village are the same that can be found nearby in the coastal region. Anyway, I had the best day watching the waves crash at the shore and letting my mind wander around.

It is very exciting to go out of the country on vacation. But it is also important to get to know the wonders that our beautiful Mexico encloses. We should take advantage of our free time and explore the world, a great idea is to start discovering our own country.

-Greta

Viva La Vida

GE July 13, 2016

Today is the death anniversary of one of the most influential women in Mexican history. Feminist, artist and ambassadress of culture in México and the world. The painter Frida Kahlo.

Frida´s works are one of a kind. According to different critics, her style goes back and forth between surrealism and realism. Frida considered that she was more inclined to realism because she portrayed real life events in her paintings. Frida was able to make the public empathize with her suffering throughout her works. During her teenage years, she suffered from an accident that changed her life. The bus she was traveling in crashed with a trolley leaving her with a very damaged body. She never fully recovered from the accident which led to many health problems in the future. This experience pushed her to let out her feelings through art. At La Casa Azul ( museum of Frida Kahlo) we can clearly see how her paintings evolved through the years. They all have a similar style but each one owns a different motive. She created an open book of the concerns, agony, love and happiness she experienced through in her life.

Frida was constantly getting surgeries because of her deteriorating health. She even got one leg amputated. The struggle for keeping a healthy body defined a lot of her fashion style. She wore painted corsets and long skirts with vibrant colors in order to hide her injuries. She started to incorporate a lot of regional Mexican dresses into her wardrobe, especially the Tehuana style. She would wear this typical garments from our country with an inimitable style. A very important element in Frida´s life was her marriage to the muralist Diego Rivera. They both greatly admired each other. They were an unconventional couple, they loved each other but they also tormented each other.

" And even if its not true, tell me that you love me and can´t live without me." -Frida Kahlo

I am wearing a dress I recently bought in Oaxaca. The Frida Kahlo portrait was painted by my grandfather.

Even in her time Frida was known and praised by the artistic and cultural society of México and abroad. She held exhibitions in New York, Paris and México. It is amazing how she has become an icon that represents a new type of woman and the flourishing of a modern México. Kahlo has inspired fashion, literature and even ballet. She was a woman politically active and interested in the fate of humanity. She was a woman who never lived behind the shadow of Diego Rivera and who opened her heart to everyone who appreciated her art. She was a woman who excelled for her singularity and peculiar outlook on life.

Thanks to her art we now have the opportunity to take a peek into her soul and appreciate the world exactly how she lived it.

-Greta

Chapultepec Castle

GE July 6, 2016

Sometimes, fitting museums visits or exhibits into my schedule can get a little complicated. Either I am too tired from rehearsals or I have to be at the theatre all day, hence giving me no chance for recreational activities.

A couple of weeks ago, I realized I had not done a cultural visit in a very long time. Despite having a performance at Palacio de Bellas Artes later that night, I decided to visit the Chapultepec Castle.

The castle can be found at the Chapultepec forest. The word Chapultepec comes from the nahuatl meaning "grasshopper´s hill". There has been human presence in this area since at least 3,000 years ago. The Aztecs where the last civilization to ocuppy the area before the conquest. Luckily we can still appreciate the "Baths of Moctezuma", which can give us an idea of the aqueduct system used to bring water to the city in the Pre- Columbian era.

It was during the viceroyalty period that the decision of building a palace on top of the Chapultepec hill was made. The now called Castillo de Chapultepec has had different purposes throughout history. In 1801 it was a Military Academy, later on the residence of Emperor Maximilan I of Mexico and his wife, and in the future as presidential home. Currently, it is home to the National Museum of History.

When I first moved to Mexico City, I visited the National Museum of History. A few months later, I danced The Sleeping Beauty with the Compañia Nacional de Danza at the forecourt of the Alcazar.

I had not been to the castle since the last Sleeping Beauty season in 2013. Being back there felt very strange at first. I did not remember what the museum looked like without it being adapted for our performances. While walking through the hallways, I could only think of those long weeks of rehearsals. During this time I was an apprentice and this shows helped me a lot to get noticed by the artistic staff. Within the murals of Siqueiros and Clemente Orozco I could see myself practicing over and over the role of Little Red Riding Hood before going on stage. This was the first time I danced outside the core of ballet... such an easy role would make me feel so nervous! I only got to do two seasons of The Sleeping Beauty, but many where the memories revived that day within the castle´s walls.

The architecture of the castle is quite marvelous but what I like the best are the majestic gardens and terraces. The Chapultepec Castle is quite a unique place. From the panoramic views of the castle you can feel the mysticism of a city that was once the great Tenochtitlan.

If you happen to visit the Chapultepec Castle, please tell me all about it.

-Greta

The Pearl of the Adriatic

GE May 28, 2016

Aside from watching them play at the world cup and having one of my favorite flags, I did not know much about Croatia. I think most of us have a vague idea of their political conflicts throughout history but in reality it seems like a distant and rare country to us. Last summer I had the chance to visit this fascinating country as the last stop of my trip around Europe.

I visited a little bit of the Dalmatian coast, like Split, Kotor and Budva but mainly I visited Dubrovnik. It is a magnificent city! The new town is very pretty with a lot to discover but the main attraction is the old town.

Placa or Stradun street. One of the main streets of the old town.

One of the top things to do is to go up the ancient Dubrovnik City Walls which go around the town for almost 2 km. Up there you can walk surrounding the city and admiring the view of the Adriatic Sea. Dubrovnik is one of the few cities that still retain its medieval walls in such good shape and appearance. This city which is often called "the pearl of the Adriatic" is so peculiar and unique that it can´t get confused with any other.

In old times, Dubrovnik gained a lot of power from maritime trade. Nowadays the city has become a very popular travel destination. If you happen to be a Game of Thrones fan, then you should know that many scenes where filmed in Dubrovnik´s Old Town ( They have a GOT tour and everything).

After visiting the city I took some time to relax and unwind at the beach.

Croatia is quite different from what I imagined. I did not think it would have such amazing an powerful sceneries all around. I wanted to take pictures everywhere (kind of did). I really hope I can go back and have more time to get to know this country as well as their culture.

-Greta

Photos by Greta Elizondo and Gabriela Garcia.

Design, Art, and Fiction

GE April 4, 2016

Fondazione Prada is an institution dedicated to contemporary art and culture as well. On May 2015 they opened to the public its new permanent venue in Milan. Luckily I went to Milan just in time to visit Fondazione Prada´s exhibitions.

It is a very interesting museum, most exhibits include a lot of abstract art. What I found to be the most amusing, was the architectural design of the museum itself. I do not know much about architecture. But my family has always been very involved in it, giving me a good sense of what great architecture is really about. Every corner of Fondazione Prada has a gorgeous and fine design. Good thing I happened to visit the museum with my brother and cousin which are both architects.

My cousin Eugenio, myself and my brother Stefano.

Never underestimate de power of a gold wall.

Do you know Wes Anderson? He is the film maker behind The Grand Budapest Hotel, Moonrise Kingdom and many others. If you love his movies and style used in them, you need to go to Bar Luce. It is a café designed by the great director, located inside Fondazione Prada. Just by sitting at a table you feel like you are taking part of a Wes Anderson film set in a 1950´s or 60´s Milano.

Fondazione Prada is a bit far from the historic centre but definitely worth going.

-Greta

One of the best views of the castle and park.

Treasures of Milan

GE March 25, 2016

Walking all day in the city can get pretty tiring. Not only physically but mentally. It is a good idea to find a space in your schedule where you can relax your mind and body. If yoga is not an option, you can always rely on finding a beautiful park to let your mind rest.

I am very intense while traveling. No matter what, I have to wake up early and do as much as possible every day. I love my crazy traveling days even though I end up exhausted. This is why last summer I decided to take off an evening from being a tourist and visited Parco Sempione.

Parco Sempione is located in the historic center of Milan. So far it is my favorite park in Milan. During the summer there is so much life. People playing soccer, running or just hanging out. It is the perfect place to get away from the chaos in the Piazza di Duomo area.

The park was established in 1888 and designed by Emilio Alemagna. He created beautiful panoramic views by contrasting the Castello Sforzesco and the Arco della Pace (two of the main landmarks in Milan).

If you happen to be in Milan, do not forget to visit Parco Sempione and explore its many wonders.

-Greta.

Lugano

GE February 19, 2016

Sorry for the wait, but I am back to telling you about my summer in Europe. I was in Milan for the most part of my trip. The nice thing about being in Milan is that there are many interesting cities nearby. Just take a train and in a few hours you can get to Rome, Florence or Venice! This one weekend I was quite exhausted from walking and traveling, but of course I could not let myself stay in doing nothing. That got me thinking, where should I go? A close city, different country, a relaxing day... Lugano was the answer!

Lugano is a city in the Italian speaking part of Switzerland. There are no major attractions but sitting by the Lake Lugano and letting your mind wander is something you do not get to do often.

The city is very pretty with many small and unique shops. The best way to get to know Lugano is by walking, you don´t even need a destination. Explore every street and alley. Once you are tired, find yourself a cute restaurant by the lake, order a pizza and relax.

-Greta.

Roaming in Rome

GE September 14, 2015

There is no way of visiting Rome without going to the Vatican City. You do not have to be religious whatsoever. There is so much history enclosed within its walls, but the most amazing part is seeing incredible art in every corner.

St. Peter´s Square (the Vatican´s main plaza) was designes by Lorenzo Bernini in 1656. I think the entire plaza is very harmonious and radiates both respect and beauty. The main element is St. Peter´s basilica, which I found to be one of the most stunning churches I have ever seen. I was not expecting less but the exactitude and balance of all the decorations makes it abnormally fascinating. It is also home of Michelangelo´s La Pieta, sadly I did not get to take a picture of it (please look up a picture).

I thought the David was pure perfection but this sculpture goes beyond perfection. Being a dancer I find it strange how something motionless is able to transmit emotions. I have seen paintings and sculptures where there is clearly an emotion that sets the mood of the work. But somehow La Pieta, a piece of delicately carved marble, is able to make the viewer cry. Completely motionless, but Mary´s face while holding the body of Jesus portraits such an honest pain that it gives the viewer the opportunity to live that moment with her.

The Vatican museum was incredible. If you plan on visiting, I highly recommend you to not do it in mid July. There is too many people, it is not the same thing when you have no one pushing you around. Even though it was crowded, there were moments in which I was so emotionally connected to the artwork that nothing could bother me. This happened to me when I entered the famous Sistine Chapel. I stared in awe at Michelangelo´s frescoes for as long as I could and then I left the Vatican feeling gratified and overjoyed.

Rome is quite a journey. Getting lost and letting your curiosity wander around is a great way to experience and get to know the city. The Tiber River, ancient Roman sculptures, Egyptian obelisks, interesting markets and shops...there is just too much to explore!!

Altare della Patria. Just a humble monument for Vittorio Emanuele II, the first king of unified Italy. — *Altare della Patria.* Just a humble monument for Vittorio Emanuele II, the first king of unified Italy.

Sometimes you can find a G for Greta in some pretty strange places.

Roma you will be missed!!!!!

-Greta

Photos by Greta Elizondo and Luis Elizondo.

All Roads Lead to Rome

GE September 12, 2015

Finally Roma!! I had never visited before. We all have a lot of references about what Rome looks like but what it feels like to be walking through its streets and ruins is a completely different story.

Probably one of the most recognized landmarks of Rome is the Colosseum. It was built between 70-80 A.D, started by Emperor Vespasian and finished by his son Titus. The amphitheater could seat around 50,000 people. All sorts of games and entertainment could be seen at the Colosseum, from gladiator fights to naval combats (yes, somehow they flooded the arena for this).

It truly is an architectural masterpiece. Of course the building by itself is stunning but even the small details in the inside show that Romans had brilliant minds. For example, along the staircases there is a small canal used to drain the water out of the building, possibly very useful for cleaning.

The Roman Forum was the main plaza of ancient Rome. Surrounded by government buildings, citizens would meet here for political or economical business. Being able to walk through the Roman ruins is just incredible. It gives us a better understanding of how the Roman Empire became so powerful. In my opinion the key was not only to have a strong army but to use their architects and engineers at their fullest potential.

There is so much to discover in Rome. You can be walking around the narrow streets, not really knowing where to go and all of a sudden end up standing right in front of a magnificent ancient building, like the Pantheon.

The Pantheon is thought to be almost 2,000 years old. Aside from standing in perfect shape, the Pantheon´s elegance and explicit design is a very good example of the great architecture implemented by the Roman Empire. At first it was built as a temple to all gods but later was turned into a church, historians think this is one of the reasons why it has survived. It is very famous for its dome. The dome´s weight would have been to heavy to be supported, so Roman engineers made the walls thinner on the upper part and also used lighter materials. Also the distance from the top to the floor is proportional to its diameter making the design even more impressive! (I was lucky to be traveling with my dad who is an architect).

I learned so much about the greatness of the Roman Empire but specially the understanding of the "All roads lead to Rome" saying.

-Greta

Photos by Greta Elizondo and Gabriela Garcia.

A day in Firenze...

GE September 1, 2015

Traveling to Italy without visiting Firenze felt like I was missing out on a huge part of the Italian heritage, and I was right. From the lovely old and narrow streets that resemble those of Verona, to the multiple master pieces that are scattered around in museums, Florence takes you back to renaissance Italy the second you set foot in it.

It is also a reality that the amount of tourists visiting the city can make it a very, very, very tiring journey. I cannot complain too much being a tourist myself but I assure you will have a better time enjoying Florence if you visit at a low season.

By reading about the political power the Medici´s had and its cultural impact to the rest of Italy and the world, I always pictured Florence a much bigger city. Which is actually very nice if you only have a day to visit it. Just make sure to plan your visit very well since just admiring the David and shopping at Via de´Tornabuoni can take all day.

I am usually an enthusiast when it comes to appreciating a beautiful view, even if it means going up 463 stairs on the hottest week of the summer. Since going in through the main entrance of the Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore meant I had to wait in line for two hours, I decided to explore Brunelleschi´s famous dome instead. Luckily I got to see some of the cathedral from the inside and a very close look to the frescoes decorating the inner part of the dome.

It was indeed a very peculiar adventure, walking through the tilted dome walls on a very narrow staircase, having people coming down while I was going up, and really just longing some fresh air and a cold gelato. Finally you get to the very top. The view is incredible and calm, it is perfect for letting your mind fly around.

I got to the Galleria dell´Accademia ready for the one and only David, one of Michelangelo´s most famous work. When I was on the train from Milan to Florence I realized I was scared to see it. Sometimes you set your expectations so high there is no way reality can live up to what your mind created. But it did and even exceeded it. So majestic and marble-ous. Proportions, expression, details, everything about the David is just pure perfection.

Still in awe after seeing the David, I continued my journey to the Uffizi Gallery. I had to see it very quickly, almost running in order to get a glimpse of every artwork. Once I got to the Botticelli room there was no way I could keep on running. There was a huge crowd in front of this painting I had to see, I pushed around a few people in order to be as close as I could get to the Birth of Venus.

So many times before I had seen it in books, but being able to distinguish every brushstroke made by Sandro Botticelli was fascinating. The only thing that seemed weird to me was the vibrancy of the colors. I know pictures in general get very edited but for some reason all the pictures I had seen of the Birth of Venus had really strong aquas and blues. It was not the case, the light of the painting was a little dim compared to what pictures usually show. I wonder if the colors have faded or if that is what the artist aimed for. Either way it is one of the most beautiful paintings I have ever seen. I know I say this a lot but anyone who has seen it will agree with me!

It was almost departure time and with no more energy in my body I crossed the famous Ponte Vecchio. All along I was traveling with my cousins and sibling, Florence in a day is a lot to take in. Once on the other side of the bridge we got some granita and sat on the street. I felt like I was wasting time by not going to another museum. But then thinking about it, when was I going to get another chance of just sitting on a street in florence for an hour and a half?

-Greta.

Photos by Greta Elizondo and Eugenio Garcia.

Dreaming in Oaxaca

GE August 7, 2015

The state of Oaxaca is filled with history and beautiful places. For example, I have heard that the beaches in Oaxaca are so beautiful there is no comparison with any other, sadly I did not have time to visit them over my trip. But I did visit a few tourist attractions around the city of Oaxaca. If you happen to be traveling around there I advise you to make this one day tour, I promise it is worth it.

Stop #1: Santa Maria del Tule

In the town of Santa Maria del Tule the famous Arbol del Tule (Tree of Tule)i s found. It is known for being one of the oldest trees in the world and thought to be more than 2,000 years old. With a diameter of 14.05 meters (46.1 ft), 30 people with their arms extended would be needed in order to surround it. The data is very impressive but seeing this magnificent tree in person is just sublime. To think that this same tree has seen the Spanish, Mixtecs, Zapotecs, and a lot more really blows my mind.

Stop #2: Mitla, place of rest

This stop will probably take more time than the first one because it is a large archeological site with many buildings. Mitla became the center of politic power for the Zapotecs of the valley when Monte Albán was unoccupied.

Like many pre-Columbian sites, Mitla was partially destroyed by the Spanish conquerors therefore building a catholic temple over the pre-Hispanic foundations. Luckily many of the Zapotec buildings did survive and now we have the chance to relive the history enclosed between its walls. Architecturally speaking, what caught my eye was the complex mosaic fretwork found all around Mitla. This fretwork or grecas are made with perfectly cut stones making different patterns, usually placed over the walls of buildings. The fretwork is so beautifully done that we could think they were made for a decorative motive when in reality for the Zapotecs they were considered a "symbolic teaching". There are also two tombs open to the public, this was the first time I got a chance to go inside of one. Admiring the place that for many years was filled with corpses that once aspired for an afterlife, was both fascinating and disturbing.

Stop #3: Hierve el Agua

Finally the most awaited stop (at least it was for me) Hierve el Agua. After a long road that goes through Oaxacas´s central valley we get to a set of petrified waterfalls. The name Hierve el Agua (meaning water boils) is given because of the similarity of the water springs to boiling water. The water form the springs was used to create natural baths were you can admire the waterfalls and enjoy a panoramic view.

The rock formations or petrified waterfalls are formed because of the slow runoff of water high in calcium carbonate over thousands of years.

The view is incredible and the place gives you internal peace from the moment you touch it. It is a daydream.

A place to think, create, dream, and contemplate. The perfect place to finish off a day of learning. After this last stop I would recommend you to go back to the city and eat some mole enchiladas. I believe there is no excuse to not eat mole at least once a day over your trip to Oaxaca.

Hope you enjoy it!

-Greta

i-D México

GE June 16, 2015

Last week I was contacted by i-D México for an interview. i-D is the British magazine created by Terry Jones in 1980. Its main focus is fashion and urban culture viewed from a much more liberal point of view compared to the customary magazines.

The article I was interviewed for talks about young talented Mexicans, meaning young people who have discovered what their passion is. Sometimes I am so involved in my dance life that I do not pay attention to all those people following their own dreams. This is why I really enjoyed being in this project and seeing so many talented people. In any field doing what you love can be very hard to achieve, sometimes it seems impossible but not giving up is the key for success. I admire all of you who no matter what do what you feel passionate about.

Here is a translated version of my interview, you can see the whole article at https://i-d.vice.com/es_mx/article/jovenes-talentos-mexicanos-parte-uno

Thank you i-D magazine for an incredible experience.

Remember that your comments are always welcome!

Greta wearing Bimba y Lola

GRETA ELIZONDO 22 YEARS OLD, BALLET DANCER

At what age did you start dancing? When I was 8. It just happened, my mom took me to ballet classes as all moms do and little by little I started to really like it. By 10 i knew ballet was what I wanted for my life.

What do you like the most about dancing, what do you feel? That feeling of being alone on stage... there are no words to describe it but it is like being in a world where you are someone else, because its never you on stage and you have the freedom to express yourself and do anything to get to the audience´s heart.

What do you like the best of being young in 2015? I think being young in any time is great. But right now you can take advantage of social media, there are older dancers or dancers in another era that did not get as recognized because it was not as easy.

Is there something that really bothers you? A lot of things, one of them is people throwing trash on the streets because the ideal would be for everyone to recycle but at least do not throw your trash on the street.

How do you see yourself in five years? I see myself still doing what I love the most, hopefully with more achievements and still growing as an artist.

What project are you working on? I am currently with the Compañia Nacional de Danza, we will be dancing Giselle at Palacio de Bellas Artes and I will also be dancing with Mexico City Ballet at the end of this month.

Are you in love? Yes.

Fotografía Dylanne Lee
Estilismo Nayeli de Alba
Maquillaje y Peinado Adrián González Carmona
Asistente de Estilismo Emiliano Villalba
Asistente de Producción Sofía Cerda

-Greta

Stop #1: Santa Maria del Tule

Stop #2: Mitla, place of rest

Stop #3: Hierve el Agua

GRETA ELIZONDO 22 YEARS OLD, BALLET DANCER

Another Pointe