Hello Dear Pal:

I was supposed to send this out Saturday—Nov. 1^st. We have set up a schedule that includes a founder’s newsletter on the first day of the month. But I didn’t think any of you were sitting around wondering why the email hadn’t appeared in your inbox.

It’s been a busy past few days. I was in my second favorite city in the world (only behind London)—San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. NextTribe has three groups—a total of 40 women—here for the fabulous Dia de los Muertos celebration. I’m not leading any one group (thankfully we have amazing women to do that now), but I was overseeing, coordinating and just being part of the fun and the reminiscing.

We make altars (called ofrendas here) to honor our loved ones who have passed. My father died eight years ago, one week before our very first NextTribe trip to San Miguel. I almost canceled the trip back in 2017, but then I realized there was no better place for me to be after such a loss.

So I’ve made a tribute to my dad at every Dia de los Muertos altar since then. I usually place a standard portrait of him on the altar, but this year I forgot to bring it with me. I went to see what I could find in my other photos or on social posts by family members.

Here’s the picture I found.

Oh did this photo touch a heart string for me. It’s my dad, age 87, dancing at the last family wedding he attended before his passing. He was the best dancer, the happiest one on the floor—right until the end. When they played “Shout” at my nephew’s reception—where this was taken—he couldn’t get as low as he used to during the “little bit softer now” section, but he sure tried.

I always tell people on our San Miguel trip this Mexican saying: “Don’t be scared of dying. Be scared of not living.” 

That informs everything we do at NextTribe, and it sums up my father’s sensibility.

And he passed that on to me, as anyone who has ever traveled with me knows.

When I dance, I am honoring my father, I am expressing my joy and gratitude that I’m still here, still able to move these old bones, still loving life. Who knows when that could change?

Then last night, my father was in my heart more than ever. As part of our NextTribe trip, we go to an over-the-top Dia de los Muertos party thrown by the Rosewood Hotel. We all sat a long table right next to the dance floor and after dinner, the DJ cranked up. At the first thumping notes, almost our whole NextTribe table cleared and we swarmed the dance floor. I loved that we were the first out there, the ones who didn’t hesitate a second.

I was whooping with excitement as I looked at every woman around me. All of us letting the music pound through our limbs, all of us nodding our heads and grinning. We were doing more than just moving to a beat, we were reaffirming our determination to “keep living.”  

Wow! I thought. Now this is really my tribe.

 Cheers—

Jeannie Ralston
Founder and CEO

P.S. Later this week, we’re releasing 2026’s San Miguel Dia de los Muertos trips to Lifetime Members. Then Members. Stay tuned.

Click on a square to see our trip listing.

REMEMBER: We offer interest-free monthly payments

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