What Matters Most
I’m hosting a small group of people in Michoacán for What Matters Most, my first poetry and cultural immersive experience for El Día de los Muertos. We’ll honor our ancestors, write what the heart needs to say, and spend five days with life, death, grief, beauty, and the people who can meet us there.
October 31 – November 5, 2026 · Morelia & Lake Pátzcuaro
Where we’ll stay
Your retreat stay is split across two beautiful locations. We’ll spend the first two nights in Morelia, then move to Tzintzuntzan for the remaining three nights. Your driver and guide are included, so the transition between locations is fully taken care of for you. After the first two nights, we slow down, integrate, and write. We’ll do some fun exploring too.
The Experience
El Día de los Muertos
We land in Morelia, our home base for the first two nights. A private driver and guide meet us at the airport and stay with us for the full retreat. Known as the City of Pink Stone, Morelia is built from cantera rosa quarried nearby, including a baroque cathedral with twin towers, arched aqueducts, and streets that have looked the same since the 1600s.
On each of the first two evenings, we head out to the Pátzcuaro region for the Noche de Ánimas tour, visiting different lakeside communities to witness how each celebrates their dead in its own distinct way. We then return to Morelia.
You have probably already seen this region before. Pátzcuaro and its surrounding lakeside towns were the primary inspiration for Disney-Pixar’s Coco, shaping its depiction of Día de los Muertos, its fictional town layout, and even its beloved grandmother, whose character was drawn from a real-life matriarch in one of the communities we’ll visit. We’ll see her hometown firsthand.
These same towns will also be our home for the retreat’s final three nights.
Medicine Poetry
Poetry workshops and conversation salons. Medicine writing sessions on grief, loss, and our relationship to them. Real space to reflect, share, and write after the exploration of Día de los Muertos, with deliberate rest and integration built in too.
We’re based in Tzintzuntzan (tseen-TSOON-tsahn), on the shore of Lake Pátzcuaro. Tzintzuntzan means “place of hummingbirds,” once the capital of the entire Purépecha empire, older than Morelia itself. Coffee, slow mornings, and poetry workshops, all near the water.
The witnessing ceremony
The night before my birthday, a special witnessing ceremony, the night that reaches into your bones and becomes part of you forever. A night to witness and celebrate each other for growing into their voice more deeply after a few days together.
What’s included
- All accommodationsYour room in both Morelia and Tzintzuntzan.
- Airport shuttlesPicked up on arrival, dropped off for departure.
- Private driver & guideSpanish-speaking, touring with us every step of the way. The same guide who took me to see the Monarch sanctuaries on my own vision quest in early 2023.
- An opening poetry performance by mePlus the closing witnessing ceremony on the last night.
- All meals will be covered.This includes a light breakfast + snacks, lunch, and dinner, daily. Mexican food is some of the best in the world, and we're going to hit up a lot of incredible spots around the lake.
The investment
This covers:
- Shuttle to/from the airport
- All meals, transportation, activities, workshops, tours, and cultural experiences
- A private room in both homes (plus a private bathroom in the second home)
- A private, local guide and private driver (on demand) for the entire five days
There are a couple of shared rooms available at a reduced rate, as well as for couples. Message me for details.
Want to come?
Space is small on purpose.
If this feels like a yes, message me below and let me know if you’d prefer a:
- Single room
- Shared room
- Partner/private room
A discount will be included for couples who share a bed.
Once I have your preference, I’ll confirm the final price and send you the deposit link to reserve your spot.
The remaining balance will be due by EOD, September 11th.
FAQ
- Are plane tickets included?No, you are responsible for arranging and booking your flights.
- Which airport do I fly into?General Francisco J. Mujica International Airport (MLM) in Morelia.
- Are there a limited number of spots?In order to provide an intimate and connected experience for all participants, the retreat is limited to 10 spots.
- Is the accommodation shared or private?The accommodation set-up will depend on your choice of pricing. If you prefer to have your own private room, a limited number of single and superior single occupancy rooms are available.
- Are the workshop sessions optional?Nothing is imposed, however we do recommend joining all workshop sessions to get the most out of the retreat.
- When will the full itinerary be available?The full itinerary will be shared to retreat attendees closer to the start date.
- How do I get to Morelia and Tzintzuntzan?We'll come pick you up and drop you off from General Francisco J. Mujica International Airport (MLM). Details will be coordinated upon booking.
- What if I have a specific diet?We'll provide a light breakfast and snacks daily, plus lunch and dinner at local restaurants, and we'll do our best to accommodate your dietary needs. Michoacán's corn-based cuisine makes vegetarian and gluten-free options easy to find; more restrictive diets are harder to guarantee, so let us know in advance so we can plan accordingly.
- Is there internet/wi-fi available?Yes, wifi is available at both properties.
- What if I have to cancel?A $500 nonrefundable deposit is required at the time of booking to secure your spot. If you pay and find out you are unable to attend, I can help you transfer your seat to another attendee, or you can put it toward the next retreat we announce.
- Do I need a visa to enter Mexico?US and Canadian citizens do not need a visa for tourist stays. You'll receive a tourist entry permit (FMM) on arrival, valid for up to 180 days. Please make sure your passport is valid for the duration of your trip.
- Will we have our own time to explore the area?Yes, there will be dedicated free time to explore nearby villages and communities. If you plan to stay in Mexico longer and want recommendations, we're happy to help.
- What will the weather be like?Late October into early November in Michoacán is typically warm and sunny, with highs in the low-to-mid 70s°F and cooler nights in the low 50s°F. Rain is unlikely this time of year. We recommend layering: bring a light jacket for the evenings, comfortable walking shoes, and clothing that works for both warm days and cool nights.