Mayumi

Mayumi deserves her own entry. I don't even know how to describe this person. You have to see her to believe her. It's only the beginning of this adventure and she is possibly the most fascinating person I have ever encountered. I can't imagine meeting a more intriguing person on my travels. Her official title is "Personal Chocolate Consultant." That's right. She travels around tasting chocolate and cacao beans and vanilla and even coffee. She basically made up the job herself. She speaks Japanese, Chinese, English, and French and is learning Spanish. She's been to every continent but Antarctica. She plays the piano and the drums and sings. She can cook anything, juggles, and salsa dances like a Mexican. The only thing she can't do is drive a car - she hit a bus and a taxi the first week she was driving. Then wrecked their other car the next week. Hubby took her keys and license away. She´s been married for ten years and has never slept with her husband (in both respects - they have separate bedrooms). She gives the best massage you have never paid for. I got one almost every day after class. And funny, funny, funny. The Oaxacans love her even though they can't communicate with her well. Her energy is so good that people like her even if they can't exchange words with her. Possibly the most fearless human being I have ever encountered as well. She's made five solo trips to Africa to check out cacao farms. Tonight at 9 she gets on a bus for the 12 hour ride to Chiapas to check out more cacao farms. Sound like anyone you know? Me neither. She will be missed.