Soulful Travel Mexico: Series Finale Pt. 1 - When the Cartel Calls

THE SERIES FINALE:

In this two-part finale, we’re wrapping up the Mexico adventure like a big, spicy burrito! Riding on the spirit of Halloween and into Día de Los Muertos we dive into spooky trouble, mystical experiences, y mucho más (and much more). First, a heart-pounding cartel scare that made us question everything, followed by an encounter with a wise mushroom abuela (grandmother), a stroll through skeleton-filled streets, and all the magic Mexico has to offer. (Note: sorry, Mom—this is what I didn’t tell you!)

This adventure was way too wild for just one bite! So here we go in two parts: first, the cartel scare, then our meeting with a mystic healer. Buckle up for the ride!

Until brain chips let us project the movies in our minds, we'll settle for GIFs to tell the story! And as Cubans on the island taught me, there's no better way to handle a bad hand than with a dose of levity—and laughter at even scary situations.

Continuing from Episode 4:

One morning in the Butterfly Castle, as Ania and I were getting ready to pick up Erandi—our talented Mexican Nuvo Chica from the last post—her call came in, voice quivering with panic. The Cartel had just rung her up. A man on the line had threatened her over her Airbnb business, demanding a payout. His message was chillingly direct: pay up, or face kidnapping and disappearance. To prove he wasn’t bluffing, he recited the exact address of her beachside cabana, making it clear they were watching.

For Erandi, who had already fled from a place where this kind of menace was daily reality, it was like staring down a ghost she thought she’d left behind.

As the wave of danger rolled over us, it was like we could hear red sirens blaring in our minds. Ania, a Croatian war refugee, had seen true danger up close, and I’d faced my own monsters, yet here we were, sharing a look filled with disbelief. We steadied ourselves, gulping down breaths to keep the edge of fear at bay.

Our thoughts spiraled from calm contemplation to mental gymnastics worthy of a 007 plot.

We tried convincing ourselves it was just a scare tactic. But even the faintest chance it was real demanded our full attention. What did “smart” mean here? Should we pack up and flee? And if we did, how far would that get us?

(Subscribe to continue reading...)

My first survival instinct kicked in: I called my brother—the (mostly) cool-headed one in our family—to fill him in and confirm I was still sharing my location.

He offered grounding reassurance, reminding me to trust my instincts.

Then, sisterly super instincts kicked in: we had to get Erandi so she wouldn’t be alone.

But... wait...perhaps we should close up the super gear.

What if they were following her?

What if we, as foreigners, were flashing neon targets?

The conflict tore at us—she needed support, but were we putting all of us in greater danger?

For perspective, I reached out to our friend Yalo, whom we’d just dropped off at the airport the night before. When she heard the news, she added a dramatic “plot twist!” in the drawn-out, reality TV enunciation my cousin Priscilla would use: local cops had intensely questioned her. The reason? She’d sold the car we’d road-tripped in to Ania but had kept the license plates. Police grilled her on every detail of the sale, scrutinizing paperwork that included our names, passport numbers, and contact info as witnesses. They even pressed her about the payment.

A grim possibility surfaced: what if the cops were in on it, hoping to pocket some cash themselves? Maybe we’d watched too many thrillers, but Yalo reminded us that dirty cops seizing cash or valuables wasn’t unheard of— here or elsewhere in the world.

Calling the authorities was officially off the table.

As we debated whether to pick up Erandi and leave town fast, another concern hit: the infamous car, now missing its plates (while awaiting new ones), was parked smack in the center of this tiny town. If the cops were involved, we’d be spotted in no time.

So, should we stay put and have Erandi come to us? But then another concern hit me—the caller had mentioned her Airbnbs and an address. Were all her listings publicly linked? I quickly searched Google, zoomed in on the map, and froze—our exact location was clearly marked.

We called Erandi and urged her to take down her profile. Thankfully, she was already on it.

For the next hour, we packed like army vets, running through every option, knowing there was no perfect answer. All we could do was act. If things spiraled, contacting the American Embassy was my next move—but was this even real?

Just in time, Erandi called back, her voice steadier. She’d spent the past hour reaching out, contacting a trusted source in Oaxaca City—the capital, four hours away—who reassured her that cartel threats were unheard of in our area. Relieved but cautious, she checked with local business owners, who had also received the same threat and confirmed it was likely the same hoax.

Then came the relief: within hours, someone traced the caller’s number. Erandi’s contacts vowed he was being tracked down and would soon be kicked out of town. Finally, we exhaled, hearts still pounding, stunned by how close the danger had felt—even if it was only a mirage.

So, what’s real, what’s imagined? Have we, including this caller, watched one too many thrillers? Isn't it like daily life now, where perceived and implied threats feel closer than they actually are? Many live as though the cartel—or some other looming danger—is right outside their door.

Personally, I’m more rattled by existential questions than these types of scares. Perhaps it's because in all my travels, I’ve rarely encountered the lurking dangers we’re warned about but always know to play it safe. Part of staying calm and alert lies in the energy we bring. An acting teacher once asked, “What bathtub did you come from?”—meaning, what energy do you bring to a scene?

Tending to that energy is crucial; otherwise, how could we face the day, let alone a real crisis? Ania had refueled with rest, and I’d just returned from a soul-refreshing adventure (read more below), so we could watch this "drama" unfold like spectators in an action film.

And now, welcome! You, dear reader, have entered our brains too—grabbing popcorn in our mental theater, keeping us grounded with a dose of levity so we don’t get fully swept away.

I hope you enjoyed the ride! Part 2 of our finale is the medicine to this experience. In our Freequency Living system, Human Operating System 2.0, the antidote to the fiery "Red Alert" mode is the ultimate feeling of safety—a grounding warmth as comforting as a mother’s embrace. This first baseline of energy is soothing and centering, inviting a release from tension and a deep sense of secure comfort. The last part of our series finale divinely depicts just that.

With our nerves finally calmed and perspective restored, we’re ready to ride this wave into an adventure uniquely steeped in Mexico’s mystical allure, just in time for Día de Los Muertos. Before chaos struck, my companions and I split paths, and I chose the road less traveled, winding into the mountains where ancient wisdom awaited.

Join me in part two, where the air turns crisp, stars glow with secrets, and each step leads to a timeless connection—a ritual of surrender, honoring life and ancestors in a tradition as old as Día de Los Muertos itself.

TO BE CONTINUED in FINALE PT2

ON A SERIOUS NOTE

Traveling as a woman is empowering, but safety is key. 🌍 We’ve gathered essential tips to help you explore with confidence—from secure accommodations to mindful transportation and staying connected. Discover how to travel boldly and stay safe! Here are SAFETY TIPS FOR FEMALE TRAVELERS and really for anyone!

#WomenWhoTravel #TravelSafe #EmpoweredTravel #SoloFemaleTraveler #SoloTravelers #AdventureSmart #TravelWithConfidence #StaySafeTravelFar #ExploreSecurely #FemaleTravelTips #SoulfulTravel