And I’ll Be There In A Heartbeat…
To be a Mason is to be a traveller.
We, at Square & Compass Promotions, consider ourselves “professional travellers.”
These travels have taken us to many amazing places throughout North America and, if you count virtual travel, throughout the world.
Over the coming weeks, we will be using this platform to discuss highlights of/from these travels.
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Travel and visitation is an incredibly important part of the Masonic experience. It is also a very important part of life.
As Anthony Bourdain stated:
- “If I’m an advocate for anything, it’s to move. As far as you can, as much as you can. Across the ocean, or simply across the river. The extent to which you can walk in someone else’s shoes or at least eat their food [or sit in their lodge], it’s a plus for everybody.”
The majority of our travels take place in Canada and the United States of America, but we have been lucky enough to visit Puerto Vallarta, Mexico (and sit with Freemasons therein) on three wonderful (and beautiful) occassions.
What made these occassions even more beautiful was that they occurred during the winter months, and travelling from Canada to Mexico in winter ain’t half bad!
The travels to Puerto Vallarta were and are thanks to M.W. Bro. Cameron Bailey of the Grand Lodge of Washington, who (after appearing on the Square & Compass Podcast several times) invited me to a masonic trip to Puerto Vallarta with several Washington State Brethren.
I attended…and fell in love with the city and Mexico (aside from one “fun” night of food poisoning…)
The people were incredibly friendly, the views were beautiful, and the Masonic Lodge was a special place. That 2021 visit marked the first time we heard Masonic ritual in a language other than English. Hearing the ritual in Spanish was special…as was helping to set-up the Lodge.
Swimming in the ocean, eating amazing seafood…it was all special.
So special Square & Compass Promotions returned one year later, once again at the invitation of M.W. Bro. Cameron Bailey.
In this case, we attended a special Christmas Party with the M.W. Bro’s family and engaged in an excellent “Clubhouse” discussion on creating compelling lodge experiences.
You can find the Clubhouse discussion at this link!
Again, in 2024, we attended Puerto Vallarta for the 162nd Annual M.W. York Grand Lodge’s Annual Communication. You can find photos and drone footage from this communication on our social media channels.
Square & Compass Promotions also loves coffee-so this espresso snickers bar was a pretty great find!
Getting to see Freemasonry in a different light (or different lights) and in different perspectives is vital to a successful Masonic career. It is also vital to a successful term in a masonic leadership role, such as being a Worshipful Master.
We have been to many amazing Grand Lodge Annual Communications in many North American jurisdictions. They all hold wonderful memories…but I don’t think I was ever at an Annual Communication in a more beautiful place than this.
Thank you EVERYONE for an amazing time and amazing visits!
We posted our amazing experiences at the Annual Communication on our social media channels, and on YouTube…where we pointed-out how well things were going and that we “hope we can again sometime…”
…and I’ll be there in a heartbeat!
All opinions expressed are those of Square & Compass Promotions and the guest(s), and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Windsor Masonic Temple and/or any Masonic group.
