The origins of the New Jersey devil

Been to Jersey so many times. I had family members, friends and former girlfriends who once lived in the Garden State. New Jersey, the place where the New Yorkers and Philadelphians go to live when the city life gets too expensive. I have a lot great memories here. However, I always wondered about the origins of the New Jersey Devil. Well, this post is to spread some information about this mythological creature.

Leeds family home Photo courtesy of https://www.newjerseyhauntedhouses.com/real-haunt/leeds-point-pine-barrens.html

Now the origins of this creature is not something out of a fairy tale. This story is pretty dark and disturbing. So if you get scared easily, you might not want to continue reading.

So, it was all started with a family named Leeds. The Leeds family lived in South Jersey. In a place called the Pine Barrens, a wooded area outside of the Philadelphia metropolitan. A woman of the leeds family had twelve children. In time, she was pregnant with her 13th child. In an angered state, she put a curse on the child before it was born. When the child was born, it came out normal. However, it soon changed into a monster. It’s appearance changed into a creature with a horse like head and a lower half of a goat. The devil stood up straight like a human and it had two wings like a bat. It killed the midwife, then ran off into the wilderness.

The Jersey Devil photo courtesy of https://www.lastpodcastnetwork.com/blog/2018/4/27/episode-314-the-jersey-devil

According to the locals folklure, the origin story has few differentiating details. Some say, the mother of the Devil was a witch. Others say, it was born during a stormy night and during a demonic ritual. It’s even stated that the father of the child might had been the devil himself. All these things are very interesting. The most creepy thing about this that it could be true.

In state records, there was a family that lived in the Pine Barrens. In the state census, it does shows a family with the name Leeds that had twelve children.

Safe travels everyone and much love!

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October 9, 2019 23

The legend of La Llorona

Growing up in California, the Mexican influence is very strong. From having Mexican restaurants in nearly very city in the state, Mexican folklore is very familiar to Californians. One story that we are constantly told as kids is the one of this crying woman. Our Mexican friends usually told us about the story of La llorona.

La llorona Photo courtesy of https://www.mexico.mx/en/articles/horror-stories-the-legend-of-la-llorona

There is a lot variants of this story’s origins. This is a horror story that has been passed down for about 500 years. So, there will always be some details that were changed. For the most commonly told, it’s starts with a beautiful woman named Maria. In reference, I will be sharing the version my friends told me as a kid.

Picture of a beautiful Mexican woman photo courtesy of https://koterohome.com/products/mexican-calendar-girl-by-jesus-helguera

Maria was said to be so beautiful. Her beauty attracted a wealthy rancher. Maria was a very vain woman. She loved attention and being the center of it. This flaw would come back and haunt her.

Eventually, the wealthy rancher and Maria had three children. She loved those kids. After some time, her husband stop paying Maria attention. His focus was more on the ranch and his three children. Maria slowly grew to envy her children.

La llorona photo courtesy of https://www.jeffersonmuncy.com/folklore/llorona?format=amp

One day, Maria saw her husband with his mistress. Lost in rage, she went to her children. Seeing her husband in her children, she took out her anger on them. With her kids, she went to a local river. Drowned each of them, slowly and with cruelty.

After killing her kids, she came back to reality. Maria started to regret what she just did. In guilt, she drowned herself. Now Legend states, her ghost walks rivers of the American Southwest and Mexico looking for children to kill.

This myth brings so much nostalgia to me. It reminds me of the times I spent camping with my friends as a kid. Their parents used to tell us the story of La Llorona so we wouldn’t wander too faraway. Of course, now I do not believe in this story. I just think it was a kid’s horror story. However, as a kid I was truly scared. With all that, still wanted to share this with you all. Next time you are in the southwest usa or mexico, you will be informed in case you hear a woman crying by the river.

Thank you so much for reading! Much love and safe travels! Since it’s October, I will be sharing some American and Latin American folklore.

October 2, 2019 22

Exploring Iceland’s lava caves

After spending some time exploring what was near my hostel, the big event came. Today, I would be exploring a lava cave in Iceland. I was super excited and had no idea what to expect. Rented out water proof clothing because I’m not from the Arctic. So, I had no idea what to wear!

Iceland landscape just outside of Iceland’s lava cave taken by Hugo Morel

The awesome thing about Iceland is all the opportunities for tourists to see it’s natural beauty. The packages are not that expensive; however, they aren’t that cheap neither. This tour costed me about 65 usa dollars. Also, I was very much a tourist on this trip. No regerts!!

Entrance to the lava cave taken by Hugo Morel

It was about a 30 minute drive from Reykjavík. I was so excited and had no idea what to expect. When we got there, we were welcomed with a few openings that lead underground. The scenery was out of this world. Iceland’s landscape is so beautiful. Makes me not miss the city life.

My tour group taken by Hugo Morel

Once inside, you get a smell of rotten eggs. Which come from the lava that made this cave. It’s a lot warmer inside, than it is outside. I went with a group and met fellow Americans. I could tell by thier accent that they were from the south.

The lava cave’s terrian taken by Hugo Morel

The further we went into the cave, the harder it became to stand up straight. The ceiling of the cave dropped to where a normal human adult would have to crouch or crawl. With the uneven flooring, it was rough passing through. One of the Americans I met was 6 foot and 8 inches. He must had a very difficult time.

Icicles taken by Hugo Morel

Occasionally, we would get in the path of these icicles. With the fear of getting one of my eyes poked out, I never looked up. Just focused forward and backwards. It’s super crazy that I was doing this.

We went through the whole cave, up into the point where it was almost impossible for human adults to move around. From what our tour guide told us, in Icelandic culture the tunnels are known for having elves.

The exit of the ice cave taken by Hugo Morel

Learning a little about the folklore made me more interested in the topic. However, that’s another story for a future post.

More Iceland’s landscape outside of the lava cave take by Hugo Morel

Once we got of the lava cave, I was completely excused. I got my workout for the day exploring that cave. Truly an experience that I will never forget. Make sure add this adventure to your itinerary, when in Iceland.

To start your own adventures, check out the link below.

Check out our latest e-book “How to Travel for Dirt Cheap” by Hugo Morel for ways to make your dreams of traveling come without breaking the bank: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07M848M47?ref_=pe_3052080_276849420&fbclid=IwAR0_mRF-eE9tODIshljVr7CQ8h6vKT6hHn_8gZfJ94DySY1ylPO2Itu2Qe0

May 18, 2019 24