I'm sorry for your haunting. And we all enjoyed your daily energy during classes despite your sleepless nights. I hope you find comfort at your home and away from unwanted visitors.
Courtney, this post is so great but I can't even imagine how you slept in that room! I would have thought your baseline insomnia was exacerbated by this haunting experience. And that this wasn't even your first encounter with a ghost is fascinating. So glad you survived it all!
Courtney, here I was going to invite you back to go have some pulque in my neighborhood's pulquería (one of Mexico's best!), but I can't exactly fault you for not wanting to come back to SMA, at least for a good long while. I read your story while hanging out with a few of the conference team members at the hot springs (decompressing) and we were fascinated and also in disbelief. I would have never thought that the story you told me would escalate further into a shower curtain thrashing- how horrifying! I'm so sorry this happened to you. You've really opened my eyes to the energy and history of this city even more; I'm both scared and curious. Thank you for sharing this story and continuing to dig into what happened. I really hope there's a Part 2! Un abrazo!
I missed a pulqueria!?? Say it ain’t so! I think, ultimately, after speaking to a woman who had a bad situation with a ghost in a shower up the street from my hotel that there is something in the water in the block we’re on. The fountain of my hotel is, I believe, 400 years old so…something’s going on! xoxo
I might have been slightly skeptical of your story but I got my own haunted house in Mexico experience last week. I was in Mérida and the friend I was staying with had told her friend I was a medium when we met at a gallery opening. This often opens the door for people to share ghost stories, so I almost never do it myself. Unsurprisingly, the friend told me an orb visited the last few nights and she was freaked out by it. I gave her some advice you’ll find familiar (ask what it wants, leave an offering) and waved off a request to come see for myself.
Somehow I managed to run into the woman again a few days later, this time with her husband who was seeing it now too. Eventually they wore me down and I agreed to come by to assess. Walking in the (gorgeous) house it was immediately clear they were dealing with not just an orb, but a full on haunting. I gave them some advice for the orbs and the make the space their own (a big party, art, keeping their foster cat, etc.) but did not bring the ghosts to their attention - I’m hoping they can clear them without having the kind of experience you did. The thinness of the veil is no joke there!
I love ghost stories! You didn't love this ghost so much, but it fascinated me. You could have told the ghost that he needed to "go into the light," or if you want to protect yourself from future ghosts, imagine yourself being surrounded and protected by a white light before you go to sleep/rest.
Travel ghost stories are the best ghost stories! (Though I am sorry that you experienced this -- a good story later isn't necessarily fair compensation for ruining a restful week).
Were you able to find out anything about the mural, and who Salvador was in life?
Well, David and I are discussing our escape plans from the current regime and the debate is between Mexico, where he has dual citizenship, and France, where I could obtain it fairly easily. I said "Listen, if its Mexco, it would have to be one of those nice, expat-heavy towns up in the highlands - we're not moving to your mother's in Rosarito." Well, it won't be SMA, but if we find somewhere "just right" I am definitely checking first for roosters and early morning peddlers.
As for your ghost, he definitely didn't want you to leave, I think. You must have reminded him of his one great love, who died tragically young. I would consult a good medium to get answers.
Aww— I like this romantic take! And please don’t let me dissuade you from SMA, there are tons of interesting folks there! Personally, (and you didn’t ask) I see you in Merida. And I see myself visiting. My husband is French so we are fortunate for that option but…France is a bummer right now and is also going in the far right direction.
I'm actually touched that you feel you have a sense of who I am that you might recommend Merida! I think we might have to put it on our next vacation list.
(Luckily, I think we could get AIDS meds there is Muskrat goes after those. Emigration could be a matter of life or death.)
It’s true! I was just listening to Dan Savage talk about Prep yesterday on his Savage Lovecast. Oaxaca is also beloved by many but from what I’ve seen, the literary gay men are in Merida. (I adored it there.) Second safest city in Mexico, for now.
My family is currently in Mexico (Sayulita) and this morning I read your ghost story aloud to them, campfire-style while we were all gathered around our little casita's patio. My 9 year old son was like,what?? wait! I need more snacks!! For the record, 3 of the 4 of us totally believe you (apologies for the middle school skeptic...may he be protected from ghost karma)❤️
Wow, thank you for sharing this. Absolutely fascinating. And in one of your comments below you mention it isn't your "first rodeo" with ghosts. A former co-worker of mine told me she saw ghosts all the time in such a matter of fact way, I was blown out. It's so interesting that some people have what I like to think is that "open third eye" and can feel/see these entities. I live in Connecticut btw, and the wind has been crazy this past week, so at least you can blame that on weather!
Yes! The wind has been a problem here for like 3 years so that didn’t terrify me too much. And yup- I’ve had run ins with ghosts before but never for such a prolonged period. Thank you for reading!
Omg! That ghost experience sounds so intense! If you travel there again, would you consider bringing the crystal obsidian with you? Or something like it? I find that is really helpful for me
This is amazing! I once rented an apartment in a complex where I lived with my first husband when our daughter was a baby. I had just moved back to town. The first night I got locked in the bathroom and filled with terror and sadness. That week, a magazine showed up in my mail addressed to the previous owner -- when I Googled her, she was a reference librarian who had worked at the branch I used to go to, and she had passed (apparently in the apartment, I verified with the super later) shortly after her adult daughter (my daughter's age) had a sudden heart attack. My friend and I did a candle for her peace and shared memories of how helpful she had been to us at her job. I told her she could live there but I didn't want to feel scared by her feelings. After that she would turn the air conditioner off but no other incidents.
This is wild, Tracy. Thank you for sharing! And it reminded me of something I forgot— I brought a portable fan to San Miguel and Mr. Salvador would turn the dang thing off when he showed up, and then I wouldn’t be able to turn it back on. By the end of the week, I could charge a phone in the outlet by my bed, but not the fan.
Thank you for this wonderful description of your experience! I hope you’ve gotten some rest by now. I had a similar experience in Taos, New Mexico at a writers conference many years ago. I was workshopping a novel - one of those first attempts that teaches you a lot but lands appropriately in the drawer- and was visited at night by three elderly Native American chiefs in full garb. They never entered my room but approached the large window across from my bed, steadily walking across a wide field toward me but never actually getting any closer. I’ve never understood why I wasn’t scared, only deeply curious. They weren’t threatening in any way. At the end of the week, I had my one-one-one meeting with the workshop teacher and shared the story of the three chiefs. She immediately said, “if you have that, why are you writing about this?” Her question was pivotal and opened my writing up from that point forward. Now everything I write comes from somewhere beyond me- portals and veils are everywhere, and luckily for me, they are welcoming and expansive.
I'm sure I told you before you left for SMA that I wrote a story about a ghost I saw trying to open an old door in a derelict wall in front of a bougie hotel on my way walking towards the Benito Juarez Park toward the Writer's Conference? It's called La Catrina, of course.
My take may interest you-- beyond the ghost story--as it is written from a Latina POV, I'm Venezuelan. I hope you like it. There's a part two as well in my stack. It's free. Orale🇲🇽🇻🇪
Hi Courtney, is it still possible to read or purchase a physical or digital copy of “Notes from Mexico”?
I’m about to go on vacation but if you make a note to DM me from March 19th on, I should be able to rustle one up for you!
I'm sorry for your haunting. And we all enjoyed your daily energy during classes despite your sleepless nights. I hope you find comfort at your home and away from unwanted visitors.
Thank you, Aysu!
Courtney, this post is so great but I can't even imagine how you slept in that room! I would have thought your baseline insomnia was exacerbated by this haunting experience. And that this wasn't even your first encounter with a ghost is fascinating. So glad you survived it all!
Oh, my baseline is a mess. I’ve been home since Tuesday and still haven’t slept more than 2 hours. Thank you for reading!
Courtney, here I was going to invite you back to go have some pulque in my neighborhood's pulquería (one of Mexico's best!), but I can't exactly fault you for not wanting to come back to SMA, at least for a good long while. I read your story while hanging out with a few of the conference team members at the hot springs (decompressing) and we were fascinated and also in disbelief. I would have never thought that the story you told me would escalate further into a shower curtain thrashing- how horrifying! I'm so sorry this happened to you. You've really opened my eyes to the energy and history of this city even more; I'm both scared and curious. Thank you for sharing this story and continuing to dig into what happened. I really hope there's a Part 2! Un abrazo!
I missed a pulqueria!?? Say it ain’t so! I think, ultimately, after speaking to a woman who had a bad situation with a ghost in a shower up the street from my hotel that there is something in the water in the block we’re on. The fountain of my hotel is, I believe, 400 years old so…something’s going on! xoxo
I might have been slightly skeptical of your story but I got my own haunted house in Mexico experience last week. I was in Mérida and the friend I was staying with had told her friend I was a medium when we met at a gallery opening. This often opens the door for people to share ghost stories, so I almost never do it myself. Unsurprisingly, the friend told me an orb visited the last few nights and she was freaked out by it. I gave her some advice you’ll find familiar (ask what it wants, leave an offering) and waved off a request to come see for myself.
Somehow I managed to run into the woman again a few days later, this time with her husband who was seeing it now too. Eventually they wore me down and I agreed to come by to assess. Walking in the (gorgeous) house it was immediately clear they were dealing with not just an orb, but a full on haunting. I gave them some advice for the orbs and the make the space their own (a big party, art, keeping their foster cat, etc.) but did not bring the ghosts to their attention - I’m hoping they can clear them without having the kind of experience you did. The thinness of the veil is no joke there!
For real!
Sorry for your haunting, Courtney. You are not crazy. Thanks for the funny tale.
I love ghost stories! You didn't love this ghost so much, but it fascinated me. You could have told the ghost that he needed to "go into the light," or if you want to protect yourself from future ghosts, imagine yourself being surrounded and protected by a white light before you go to sleep/rest.
I will certainly keep this in mind! Thank you, Doreen.
Travel ghost stories are the best ghost stories! (Though I am sorry that you experienced this -- a good story later isn't necessarily fair compensation for ruining a restful week).
Were you able to find out anything about the mural, and who Salvador was in life?
Not yet, I’m sort of figuring he’ll tell me himself, honestly.
Well, David and I are discussing our escape plans from the current regime and the debate is between Mexico, where he has dual citizenship, and France, where I could obtain it fairly easily. I said "Listen, if its Mexco, it would have to be one of those nice, expat-heavy towns up in the highlands - we're not moving to your mother's in Rosarito." Well, it won't be SMA, but if we find somewhere "just right" I am definitely checking first for roosters and early morning peddlers.
As for your ghost, he definitely didn't want you to leave, I think. You must have reminded him of his one great love, who died tragically young. I would consult a good medium to get answers.
Aww— I like this romantic take! And please don’t let me dissuade you from SMA, there are tons of interesting folks there! Personally, (and you didn’t ask) I see you in Merida. And I see myself visiting. My husband is French so we are fortunate for that option but…France is a bummer right now and is also going in the far right direction.
I'm actually touched that you feel you have a sense of who I am that you might recommend Merida! I think we might have to put it on our next vacation list.
(Luckily, I think we could get AIDS meds there is Muskrat goes after those. Emigration could be a matter of life or death.)
It’s true! I was just listening to Dan Savage talk about Prep yesterday on his Savage Lovecast. Oaxaca is also beloved by many but from what I’ve seen, the literary gay men are in Merida. (I adored it there.) Second safest city in Mexico, for now.
WILD WILD WILD 💀 I am so obsessed with this story, but also sorry it was so terrifying! I am amazed you were brave enough to stay there all week!!
Mostly I was just too cheap to move locations again plus, I absolutely loved the hotel. Just not the ghost that came with :)
My family is currently in Mexico (Sayulita) and this morning I read your ghost story aloud to them, campfire-style while we were all gathered around our little casita's patio. My 9 year old son was like,what?? wait! I need more snacks!! For the record, 3 of the 4 of us totally believe you (apologies for the middle school skeptic...may he be protected from ghost karma)❤️
This is DELIGHTFUL. I absolutely love this. Just send the middle school skeptic to room 211 in the Hotel Posada de la Aldea and… he’ll see.
Hahaha I have a feeling he'd be like, "nah, I'm good ..."
Wow, thank you for sharing this. Absolutely fascinating. And in one of your comments below you mention it isn't your "first rodeo" with ghosts. A former co-worker of mine told me she saw ghosts all the time in such a matter of fact way, I was blown out. It's so interesting that some people have what I like to think is that "open third eye" and can feel/see these entities. I live in Connecticut btw, and the wind has been crazy this past week, so at least you can blame that on weather!
Yes! The wind has been a problem here for like 3 years so that didn’t terrify me too much. And yup- I’ve had run ins with ghosts before but never for such a prolonged period. Thank you for reading!
Omg! That ghost experience sounds so intense! If you travel there again, would you consider bringing the crystal obsidian with you? Or something like it? I find that is really helpful for me
That’s a good idea.
This is amazing! I once rented an apartment in a complex where I lived with my first husband when our daughter was a baby. I had just moved back to town. The first night I got locked in the bathroom and filled with terror and sadness. That week, a magazine showed up in my mail addressed to the previous owner -- when I Googled her, she was a reference librarian who had worked at the branch I used to go to, and she had passed (apparently in the apartment, I verified with the super later) shortly after her adult daughter (my daughter's age) had a sudden heart attack. My friend and I did a candle for her peace and shared memories of how helpful she had been to us at her job. I told her she could live there but I didn't want to feel scared by her feelings. After that she would turn the air conditioner off but no other incidents.
This is wild, Tracy. Thank you for sharing! And it reminded me of something I forgot— I brought a portable fan to San Miguel and Mr. Salvador would turn the dang thing off when he showed up, and then I wouldn’t be able to turn it back on. By the end of the week, I could charge a phone in the outlet by my bed, but not the fan.
They get chilly over there in the afterlife!
Thank you for this wonderful description of your experience! I hope you’ve gotten some rest by now. I had a similar experience in Taos, New Mexico at a writers conference many years ago. I was workshopping a novel - one of those first attempts that teaches you a lot but lands appropriately in the drawer- and was visited at night by three elderly Native American chiefs in full garb. They never entered my room but approached the large window across from my bed, steadily walking across a wide field toward me but never actually getting any closer. I’ve never understood why I wasn’t scared, only deeply curious. They weren’t threatening in any way. At the end of the week, I had my one-one-one meeting with the workshop teacher and shared the story of the three chiefs. She immediately said, “if you have that, why are you writing about this?” Her question was pivotal and opened my writing up from that point forward. Now everything I write comes from somewhere beyond me- portals and veils are everywhere, and luckily for me, they are welcoming and expansive.
What an amazing story! And how lucky are you to be visited by such honored guests. Thank you for sharing.
I was so honored!
I'm sure I told you before you left for SMA that I wrote a story about a ghost I saw trying to open an old door in a derelict wall in front of a bougie hotel on my way walking towards the Benito Juarez Park toward the Writer's Conference? It's called La Catrina, of course.
I don’t think you did! That’s wild.
My take may interest you-- beyond the ghost story--as it is written from a Latina POV, I'm Venezuelan. I hope you like it. There's a part two as well in my stack. It's free. Orale🇲🇽🇻🇪
part two: https://open.substack.com/pub/janinevicicampbell/p/05-la-catrina-part-two?r=ez84n&utm_medium=ios
There you go: https://open.substack.com/pub/janinevicicampbell/p/04la-catrina-part-one?r=ez84n&utm_medium=ios
Courtney. Holy shit. That’s all I’ve got. 😳
My words exactly - too!