I awoke this morning feeling a bit melancholic. Nothing wrong, but it's my last day here in Escondido and I've realized that my travels through Mexico are soon coming to an end. The first thing I did after rolling out of bed was turn on this song by Deer Tick. The lyrics are fitting - "I can't sleep, I can't close my eyes... Blink one second, the whole world pass you by..."
It really has been great here, and I didn't expect to love it so much. I thought my new travel partner/friend Daniel (met him in Oaxaca) and I would pass through for a party, and quickly move on to Mazunte (another smaller beach farther south). Well, I ended up developing pretty solid friendships with two other guys. The four of us, Daniel, Walter, Martin, and I were a four amigos of sorts. We spent our days lounging on the beach, and nights dancing salsa, sampling mezcal, and testing our broken Spanish on several beautiful girls that we met along the way. I also met a really special girl the first night and we got along fairly well. Alas, she had to head back to Mexico City after a couple of nights, so our days together were short lived. Ahh, c'est la vie... I'll think of Sarah often. 
One thing happened along the way that was a little less positive. I've come to the realization that it's difficult for me to keep in touch with friends and family back home. Aside from brief text messages here and there, real contact has become few and far between. Don't get me wrong, I'm not blaming anyone or saying people should reach out more, and I'm equally guilty of it. It's just hard to imagine how it will look six or seven months from now. Several long term travel books that I read talked about this being a difficult realization. I was a day late with birthday wishes to my father a few days back and felt horrible (SORRY POPS!!!). Because of that mistake, and the realization, I'm definitely going to make more of a concerted effort to stay in touch with friends and family back home. At the end of the day, that's most important I feel. On a positive note, one reason I'm on this trip is to make great new friends along the way, something that has certainly flourished so far. I'm looking forward to more... 
Daniel and I are headed to grab some breakfast, then we're off to Mazunte. He is hopping a bus and I'll take the short, sweaty ride south on the bike. We're thinking of checking out a place called Posada del Arquitecto for a few days of relaxation on the tranquil beaches in/around Mazunte. After that, it's off to San Cristobal de las Casas (I think), then will start the crossing into Guatemala to begin the next chapter of the trip. I'm thinking of studying for a bit in either Antigua, or one of several smaller cities I've heard about. My Spanish is getting better, but it is still fairly elementary I've realized.
A couple shouts to close... Graciela, you have AMAZING taste in music and your playlists have kept me smiling along the way. Teresa (TeeRee), thanks for the Spanish lessons, the amazing day on the beach, and our fun times together here in Escondido. Daniel, Walter, and Martin, thanks for hanging out and ripping up the city with me. Our jokes and laughs will last forever. Martin, I still think the French have a worse reputation that Americans! :) That's it for now... Time to motivate. More to come sooner than later,
~ D
So happy for you David! and I'm equally sorry for not keeping in touch but I do read your posts and blog almost daily. This sounds like the adventure of a lifetime and don't think I haven't thought about quitting my job and joining you at some point. Keep on doing what you are and I'm certain more great things will enter your life.
ReplyDeleteI called and left you a voicemail, but I forgot you don't communicate by voice only by text. I apologize for this huge oversight and will focus on SMS. Ha! Have fun mate!
ReplyDeleteThis is so flippin KOOOOOOOOOL!!!!
ReplyDeletewow this is the first I have seen this. Insanely envious. You are living the dream...
ReplyDelete