Just back from the airport after my first trip to Mexico. Hmm, where to start? Probably most countries I travel to boast about having ‘legendary hospitality’, well, let me tell you, Mexico is the one that really deserves that description. The people there were so wonderfully warm, everywhere we went: in cafes, shops, service stations, they just have the warmest smiles – human. We visited an amazing historic ruin of prototype pyramids, and a very quaint arts and crafts village with beautiful work in the shops. The concert was great, and I really enjoyed spending an hour or two talking to students at the Conservatoire there about improvising and what’s going on in Europe, musically. We had some quite spectacular meals – have a look at the website for San Miguelito where even the chairs and tables can be bought, and they have a whole grotto full of upside down saints where the ladies pray for a good man to come into their lives (and there’s a visitors book attesting to the huge number of successes!). And then yesterday before the flight we dined at the best restaurant in Mexico, La Dulce Patria – some of the most exquisite food I’ve ever eaten.
And now, hopefully a good night’s sleep will set me up for starting a residency tomorrow at King Edward VII School in Southampton – excited to make music with them, preparing a few groups for a performance next March at the Anvil, Basingstoke.