The Heart of Mississippi

For a taste from our Mississippi family Mom's Guatemalan heritage, she taught us how to make homemade tortillas that we got to eat for breakfast! While none of ours quite turned out perfectly round, they were still hands down the best tortillas we've ever had!
We took lots of pictures to document this momentous occasion...

Then we realized that our camera can sometimes pretend to take pictures, even if the camera card isn't there.
While we still had a good time, it is a little more difficult to tell you about the food we ate (& made!) and the people we met without our pictures.

You'll just have to take our word that those tortillas we made were incredibly amazing.

Due to our camera's pretend picture taking, we don't have the photographs of the lovely people we met over breakfast. But we are still able to share their beautiful answers to our question,
"Why do you get up in the morning?"

"Porque dios me dio un dia mas de vida."  

"Porque tengo que levantar me y aprender nuevas cosas."

Our first Spanish answers - we believe the translation is something like:   

"For God gave me one more day of life."
"Because I have to get up and learn new things."

Because of their unique, almost pod-like architecture, the buildings of the Ohr-O'Keefe Museum of Art is hard to miss. Tucked away amongst some trees on a grassy knoll near the main road, this museum is home to works that encompass the hopeful culture of Mississippi.

After almost ten years of building itself back up from the tragic destruction caused by Hurricane Katrina, this museum is sometimes said to be an homage to the undying spirit of the people of the state.

 "Because God loves me and gave me a new day."

While some may see them as arbitrary pieces of wood, these carvings represent a belief that out of something so tragic, something beautiful can be created. These tree trunks that can be found throughout the Gulf Coast of Mississippi stayed rooted through Hurricane Katrina and have been carved into ornate depictions of many things including birds, dolphins, & mermaids!

The sky reflected in these endless glistening waters
 as we made our way across [part of] the Ocean Springs Bridge!

Thanks to our sweet "tour guide" Ana, we were able to experience so many wonderful things about her home state! :)

Just about as quickly as we get distracted by new adventures, or talking to amazing people, we love finding all of these cute little coffee shops in every state!

"If I don't go to work, I don't get paid!"

Although we couldn't climb up and relax away our afternoon in the the seat of The World's Largest Wooden Rocking Chair, this roadside attraction in Gulfport is quite the sight to see! (And hurricane proof too!)

Even though there is some debate as to whether or not it's the only World's Largest Wooden Rocking Chair,

this one had a plaque, and so we deemed it legitimate.

"You can't be in the South without eating gumbo."

That's what everyone kept telling us.

And not only did we get to eat our first exquisite bowls of gumbo here, but it was even homemade from our Mississippi family's secret recipe! To end the night on a sweet note, Stephanie made a batch of her famous chocolate chip cookies!

Thank you so much to our wonderful Mississippi family for taking in us "sisters". 

Thank you for all of the experiences you gave us during our stay, whether it be the delicious food, learning to make interestingly shaped tortillas (we'll keep practicing), meeting amazing people, or seeing beautiful places.
 Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!

"Dear God, I did not sleep well last night.

But I did wake up.

My muscles are sore, but the work. My wallet is not full, but my belly is. 

I may  not have all I want, but I have all I need.

My life is not perfect, but life is good. 

Thank you."

Here's to a day as beautiful as the sights we saw and the people we met,

Love,

The Crew +Stephanie