A Dream

I had a dream that I was on an island in the Caribbean ocean where the sand is white like powdered cocaine, the water is crystalline turquoise and shallow for miles and I´m with the best company I could possibly be in. This lasted maybe 6 days and then I woke up on a bus leaving the island and realised that it was actually all true. The island is called Isla Mujeres (Women Island), the location is just off the Caribbean coast of Mexico by Cancun and the company were my friends Julio, Sinah and Tyler (and a bunch of other awesome people I met.)

Sweaty, bustling Merida failed to impress much save for the pleasant free entertainment one evening in the Santa Lucia plaza there where they were having a Celebration of Maya. Here, Julio and myself were able to walk around the local, pristine University and check out the photography exhibition. After which we sat amongst the local people of Merida as a Mexican woman with a powerful voice sang traditional songs, backed up with her own band to the pleased crowd made up of both the old and young. It was really great and I wondered how often Mexican cities have this kind of free family entertainment on a weekday evening in comparison to cities of the UK.

So after only a couple of nights there we made our way to Cancun via a day trip to Chichen Itza, one of the most impressive of Maya ruin sites. This, having been my (fifth?) site of ancient ruins was still able to leave me in a state of awe - so long as I ignored the hundred tour groups littering my view. Julio and myself took great delight in observing the many iguanas and monitor lizards that had free reign over the pyramids and tried hard to imagine an ancient civilisation clambering up the high, solid structures and playing games in their ball court. It was a really fun day and I realised that maybe such wonders can be better when experiencing them with a friend. (Whereas usually I insist upon such adventures being a solely personal experience.)

We then landed in Cancun, a place which made my stomach physically sick. An absurdly long stretch of ostentatious resort upon resort lining the beach, each trying to outdo the other. American dollars being poured in to this part of the Yucatan, only to go straight back to the International hotel chains. After seeing how the rest of Mexico lives in my last 3 months, I felt utterly uncomfortable as did Julio. And I enjoyed declaring rather loudly how disgusted I was by the disparity of rich and poor in the country, fuelled by apathetic Westerners to the other patrons of my tour bus who were being consecutively dropped off at their respective Hiltons, Meridians and JW Marriots.

Isla Mujeres

Julio and I found a humble hostel to stay in in the centre of town and spent the evening drinking Don Simon above the rooftop terrace with a complete view of Cancun. Upon witnessing the myriad of McDonalds´golden arches arrogantly rising above the city, we resolved to leave Cancun the very next morning for Isla Mujeres where I knew my two good friends, Sinah and Tyler (the wonderful people I had met and who had subsequently looked after me after my accident) from Puerto Escondido.

Reunion with Sinah & Tyler!

So the next day (Saturday 24th April), Julio and I took something of a party boat across the Caribbean sea to Isla Mujeres. This was easily one of the most exciting boat journies of my life! Turquoise waters seen only in postcards and brochures, dolphins swimming with the boat, live music, windswept hair and above all, wonderful company. Landing in Isla, we were both taken aback by the simple beauty of the island.

And here we spent the next 6 days... Swimming in our own part of the ocean, walking along the beach, EATING GREAT FOOD, partying with Sinah (who had got a job in a bar there for the past month) and Tyler and also another couple whom we met from the states, Harlen and Aimee. Two absolute kindred spirits on vacation and with warm hearts and open minds. We all gelled together so smoothly and had a really great time together. Julio and I spent every day together and I feel blessed by his beautiful albeit short friendship. From Austin in Texas, he would not stop HARPING ON about how Austin is a sample of heaven. He also eats phenomenal amounts and is extremely passionate about his food; mealtimes with him were truly an artform. I had so much fun dancing with, eating with, swimming with, swearing at and teasing him, even if I never see him again I will (somehow?!) consider him a friend for life. Saying goodbye to Isla and Julio was very difficult and even now I am in Tulum, arguably Mexico´s best beach, I am still feeling quite tender for both. Isla Mujeres was one of my favourite dreams.

But now here Sinah and I are in Tulum! The same kind of beach as Isla but windier so more waves but also emptier! And sleeping in a cabana set deep in the sand. It is very beautiful and surreal and we are having a lovely, girly time together... Look forward to more days of fun with my German princess.

Peace n that

xxxx