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| Sunset off Isla Mujeres |
My hubby and I have just returned from a blissful seven day get away to Mexico. Bright sunshine, warm sand, amazing turquoise waters, delicious food, yummy drinks, and smiling people greeted us each day. Both of us know how lucky we are to be able to enjoy such a holiday.
We have been to Mexico before. A few years ago we visited the Tulum area on the Mayan Riviera. Last year we met up with friends and took in the Riviera, Playa del Carmen and Cancun. Good times were had!
Now Paul and I have just returned from a little island called "Isla Mujeres". A strip of land measuring 5 miles by 1/2 mile, Isla Mujeres is a wee gem about 25 mins. off the shores of Cancun... home to the bluest waters I've ever seen, the most magnificent sunsets, and the wonderful Mayan people. Not the 'big city, big resort' type... just the simple, laid back, happy to be alive and thanks for visiting our island/hope you love it type. And love it we did!
We enjoyed our first two visits to Mexico. The resort staff were friendly and fairly accommodating to our needs. Lots to do, lots to see. But this time was different. And I think it had to do with the fact that our little island was removed just far enough from all the hoopla of the major resort area of Cancun and the Riviera strip. No towering hotels, no one million people population plus tens of thousands of resort goers. No rising office towers, no mega malls, no busy thoroughfares. Just two wee towns, one road, small & cosy resorts, quaint shoppes, little cantinas, and visitors mingling easily amongst the locals. The only cars seemed to be taxis. Everyone else travelled about by scooter or golf cart. The days moved at a leisurely pace. No drama. Only living and embracing life. My kind of place.
In the few days that I've been home, I have reflected often of my days on Isla Mujeres. My visit there has given me new insight into things I thought to be true and good. Now I know them to be so. This is what I learned while staying on this tiny Mexican island:
1. Grow and bloom where you're planted. We toured the island by boat, taxi, and foot. Outside of the few resorts, the land is rocky with little vegetation. The homes are very basic, most run down. Living conditions we would find unacceptable. No big box stores or super grocery marts. Streetlights few and far between. Most make a living in the tough and dangerous fishing industry. And those who work at the resorts, work very long hours for very little pay. They do not make the 'big tips' like their Cancun counterparts, as the volume of visitors is so much lower. Many have never had the opportunity to leave the island. And yet, the people who live on Isla Mujeres seem very happy. They are easy going and so friendly, readily returning a smile. They make a living, they provide for their families, they celebrate life with carnivals. They do what they can, with what they have, where they are. They are happy. They grow and bloom where they are planted. What a lesson for us to learn.
2. Simple gifts are best. One evening, we attended the island's annual carnival. At an open air venue, hundreds of locals had gathered to take part in the festivities. Scattered here and there were visitors like ourselves. As with many of our outdoor celebrations, this one also had a street of vendors selling T-shirts, food, beer, noise makers and light-up twirlygigs. Not expensive for us, but perhaps for many of the local families. With no urging from me, Paul bought a few of the light-up toys to give to some of the children. (My heart warmed!) The smiles were huge, the parents thanks were many. When Paul gave a toy each to a brother and sister, the little girl's didn't work. With an 'uno momento' from me, and some English and hand gestures from Paul, he took the toy back through the crowd to exchange at the vender. The little girl looked up at me with a hesitant smile, then, grabbing her father's pantleg, peered around the crowd and anxiously watched for Paul to return. When she saw him approaching, her face lit up and she started to tremble. (My heart melted!) Watching Paul lean down, and help her to make the toy work, was the highlight of my trip.The little girl and her brother happily twirled their light-up toys, and I know their carnival experience was a little brighter. Mine sure was. Simple, unexpected gifts are the best.
3. 'Beauty' comes in all sizes, ages, and abilities. The night we attended the carnival was the 'crowning of the carnival court'. The pomp and pagentry started at 9 pm... or 10:30 Mexican time! But start it did. And with great majesty and vibrant colors. After the 'members of the court' paraded around the concourse and ascended the stairs to center stage, two celebrity bull fighters awaited to don their crowns. Then each were seated upon their 'thrones' to await the arrival of the overall King and Queen. This was not a 'beauty' pagent, although everyone looked beautiful in their festive costumes. This was a 'people' pagent. What surprised me was the huge representation of ages, and one special category that received the biggest round of applause. There were Kings and Queens for preschool age, primary school age, preteens, teens, junior, young adult, middle age, and seniors. And then there was the King and Queen who got the biggest response from the audience... a young lady and gentleman who had physical and mental challenges. The clapping was thunderous, as they slowly made their way around the stadium to the bull fighters, who had quietly come down the stage stairs to meet them and present their crowns. It was very clear that this Mayan community celebrates all ages and all walks of life. Another great lesson confirmed.
4. Family is number one. Family life is paramount to this island community. It is their purpose in life. It is their life. Seniors are celebrated. Children are beloved. Family time is cherished. When asked about their families, our resort staff smiled when they shared their stories. Families were in abundance at the carnival... no babysitters, or leaving the children home with grandma and grandpa... everyone came out to celebrate. Sundays are meant for church, market, and family. The tenderness that I saw parents bestow upon their children was touching beyond belief. Despite hardships and little of what we call material comforts, the children are happy and carefree. People are smiling. The elderly are celebrated. Why? Because family is number one.
5. Go slow. I think Mexico is infamous for it's laid back, nothing rushed nature. To refer to something in 'Mexican time' means at a snail's pace. When visiting the area, we have to remind ourselves to breathe, to relax, and be patient, after all... we are on 'Mexico time'. We just want everything done now, so we can get out and start our vacation. It seems to take forever to check in, fix the inevitable booking mistakes, make day excursion arrangements or spa appointments, get your luggage to your room. It all seems so frustrating and time consuming. Relax. Slow down. You're in Mexico. Probably standing in an open air lobby with a beautiful Caribbean breeze blowing through, and a 'welcome drink' in your hand. Wonderful music is likely playing quietly in the background. You've already been given smiles and 'holas' by happy people. You'll get to the spa and you'll take that day excursion, don't worry. Things will happen. At a leisurely, even pace. And isn't that why you planned a get away anyway... to relax and take it easy? Now, our lives are certainly different when on holiday versus when in our 'real world' of work, appointments, and committments... but I think we can learn from the 'go slow' culture of Mexico. We can compromise so to speak. We should do the 'work part' of life in a timely, efficient manner. But I think we should do the 'living' part of life in a 'go slow manner'. We all know the saying "stop and smell the roses", but do we really? The good people on Isla Mujeres do, and they seem much happier for it. Make time for yourself and those you hold dear. Find the simple pleasures in life. Do the things that make you happy and bring you joy. Live 'la vida Mexico'! Mi mucho gusta... I like it alot!
I have beautiful pictures to remind me of our days on Isla Mujeres. I have wonderful memories to add to my 'journal of positive things'. But I have been given so much more this time around. I have a newly affirmed belief that life is good, that we can more than make do with what we have, that we must always count our blessings, and that we should be rooted in family as we bloom forth into the world.
Thank you to the wonderful people of Isla Mujeres.
Keep on keeping on... bArB :)
