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The Virtual Vacation Mexico: Last Licks

February 19, 2014 By Laura Davis 5 Comments · · · · · · Read & Respond

The Virtual Vacation Mexico: Last Licks

photo credit: Tracy the Astonishing via cc

I’m sitting in a big white tent with a floor of green grass, looking out at eight rectangular tables, set in rows, full of 22 of my students. I’m teaching my last class of the conference, on “The Unusual, Quirky Detail.” Right now, they’re in the middle of a writing exercise in which they make lists of specific unusual details before they write a story, and then integrate them into the story. The result is usually writing far more vivid and compelling that what they usually write.

The Virtual Vacation Mexico: Last Licks The Virtual Vacation Mexico: Last Licks

While they write, I wanted to take a moment to write my last post to you from the conference.

The morning started out freezing—we were all desperate for a spot of sun—but just a few minutes ago, it had grown so hot, I had to take off my boots and shed my socks and teach barefoot, and I’m still wishing I could jump in a swimming pool.

In the tent across from me, I can see Victoria Zackheim teaching a master class called, “The Acorn Workshop: I’ve Got This Great Idea…Now What? Victoria is creative genius: a playwright, a novelist, a screenplay writer, and the editor of five anthologies. She told me the other day that when she turned 60, she decided that she wasn’t going to hold back on anything she wanted to do, and since then, she’s had a prolific outpouring of creative work.

I’m delighted to say that after five days together at this conference, she is now a friend. Less than a week ago, I didn’t know Victoria, but in the last five days of teaching together, catching up on couches between classes, going out to eat, and talking shop and life—we have recognized each other as kindred spirits. Tonight, as soon as my last workshop is over, I’ve been invited to join in as one of the readers in the closing event of the conference: Victoria’s “Women’s Voices” panel, six women writing reading their work for five minutes each, followed by a audience discussion of the issues raised in the pieces and the process required to write them.

The great thing about a conference like this is that Victoria is only one of the great people I’ve made a heartfelt connection with. There are the people I’ve met and loved in prior years—and am delighted to see again. And with each year, there are new friends and colleagues I will see again, speak with again.

And it’s not just me. I see these kinds of connections happening all around me. It’s networking, but it doesn’t feel like the kind of high-pressure, “What can you do for me?” and “Are you worth talking to?” kind of networking—that I have always dreaded and avoided whenever possible. This feels much more like hanging out, having adventures, making new friends, sharing ideas, with lots of laughter and collaborative sparks flying.

It’s been a truly great conference.

Tomorrow, my trip morphs into a whole different animal. Last year I made the decision that when I taught internationally, I wanted to at least take a few days to travel and have an adventure, not connected to teaching, while I was there.

And so this year, my local friends Richard and Suze are taking me on a road trip to Patzcuaro, an area about three hours away by car, renowned for local artisans. After a week of teaching, I am delighted to just say a giant YES to whatever they have planned. I look forward to adventures, reading, and lots of rest. And making as few decisions as possible.

And if there’s wifi, I’m sure I’ll be looking for good travel stories to share with you.

Filed Under: Mexico, The Virtual Vacation Tagged With: creative writing, entrepreneur, marketing, memoir, mexico, teaching, travel, writing practice, writing tips

« Previous Post: The Virtual Vacation Mexico: Tuesday Market
Next Post: The Virtual Vacation Mexico: On The Road to Pátzcuaro »

Comments

  1. Diana Williams says

    February 19, 2014 at 6:58 pm

    That aft session was a wonderful workshop. Yours always are but to have everyone so engaged on the last afternoon of the final day is amazing. Enjoy!!!!

    Reply
    • Laura Davis says

      February 19, 2014 at 9:51 pm

      Thanks, Diana. It was so lovely to look out and see your smiling presence.

      Reply
  2. Laura Davis says

    February 19, 2014 at 9:54 pm

    Thanks Diana. It was great to look out and see your smiling face. I hope we get to spend more time together next year.

    Reply
  3. Hazel says

    February 22, 2014 at 8:45 am

    Thank you Laura for sharing your conference with us. I am taking your vacation with you. Virtually of course.

    Reply
  4. Barbara says

    February 22, 2014 at 9:00 am

    Laura – I was lucky enough to attend the conference in SMA last year and had a truly magical experience in that beautiful city. Reading your posts this year has told me that I truly need to come again. Thank you for making it live for me once more
    .

    Reply

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Like this Virtual Vacation?

You can also read about Laura’s travels to:

Peru 2017

In which Laura and Karyn and 18 writers explore Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley of Peru.

Serbia 2017

In which Laura leads a workshop at the Incest Trauma Center.

Greece 2016

In which Laura explores the wonders of Crete and Santorini with a wide-eyed group of Write, Travel, Transform adventurers.

Vietnam 2015/16

In which Laura, who grew up during the Vietnam War, goes to Southeast Asia and finds out what Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia are really like today.

Commonweal 2015

A journey toward healing loss and grief in a magnificent Northern California setting.

Scotland 2015

In which Laura returns to Scotland with a new group for another jaunt through the wonders of the Scottish Highlands.

Scotland 2013

In which Laura attends the Edinburgh theatre festival and leads 14 writers to a magical retreat in the highlands of Northern Scotland.

Bali 2013

In which Laura visits Australia, and spends three weeks diving, exploring, and teaching in three regions of Bali.

Florida 2014

A journey into old age in America in which Laura brings her 86-year-old mother to Florida so she can see her last surviving sister one final time.

Mexico 2014

In which Laura attends the San Miguel Writer’s Conference and explores the artistic towns around Patzcuaro.

About Laura Davis

In the course of my career as a communicator, I have also worked as a columnist, talk show host, radio reporter, radio producer, blogger, editor, and speaker. Words have always been at the core of my work and my self-expression. Read More . . .

Photo taken by Jason Ritchey

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What People Are Saying About Laura Davis:

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Retreating with Laura: Julie Sheehan

Julie Sheehan

For many years I put off my dream of writing and traveling. I told myself the kids were too little, my husband could never survive without me, that I couldn't possibly be so selfish. I couldn't imagine realistically stepping out of all of my responsibilities and roles. Then I started attending Laura’s summer retreat at Commonweal in northern California and that became an annual gift to myself for the next three years.

When the opportunity to travel with Laura internationally came up, my Land of Later mentality said I could never pull it off. But when my friend got cancer at age 39, I decided to stop taking life and it's endless opportunities to grow, live, nurture and explore myself for granted.

My children were 6 and 9 when I began allowing myself the luxurious pleasure of taking 10 days to two weeks each year to travel abroad with Laura, to spend time with like minded, soul searching people who share a passion for living and writing, to have all my meals prepared for me, to have the space and freedom to stretch out of my cage and check in with who I am, what I want, and how best to get there.

Laura is a skilled and nurturing teacher who encourages her students to take risks, to grow as human beings, and to be vulnerable. She has provided me with a forum where I can gain all my CEUs and learn techniques on how to become a more engaging writer, all while completing yearly emotional rehab.

I return home from each of Laura’s trip a little wiser, a little more open, and a lot more compassionate. I greet my family, friends and daily life with sparkly, clean energy and a renewed patience, brought about by way of re-writing old stories that I needed to let go of. I come home ready to move forward in my life.

A retreat with Laura Davis is one of the best gifts I ever received and gave myself. It took many years to realize that I was worth the time and financial investment, but now there is no looking back.

Julie Sheehan, Livermore California

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