Cabo...the recap
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Category: Travel and Places
I am finally back in SF after a very eventful trip to Cabo. I will definitely go back. The Mexican people there are fantastic. And I have come back with a relaxed body and soul and a different perspective on life.
Four single girls arrived within a couple of hours of each other at the little Cabo airport. The first one headed to the resort, I landed at the United terminal next. The airport is TINY! You walk off the plane, down the stairs and walk by a line of airport security guards that are guiding you around the parked planes to the terminal. Customs, luggage, the usual stuff...then you walk through a maze of Mexicans in a white room standing at white desks wearing white shirts and pants all trying to sell you a ride into Cabo. I kind of felt like I was in the TV room in the original Willy Wonka. The other two girls were arriving in an hour and the other terminal...so I started walking; this is quite a long walk with luggage. Fortunately a nice Mexican man driving a car rental shuttle picked me up an drove me. My first experience with Mexican hospitality within minutes of my arrival - or was it the Latin culture of helping out a pretty girl? The main terminal was tiny. I was starving, but no one took credit cards and the ATM was out of money...so I waited and watched. The last two girls arrived (one a bit hung over from the previous night's festivities...she started vacation early I guess) and we jumped in a shuttle to our resort. I was not in the United States anymore.
The next three days consisted of sunbathing, swimming, drinking, nights out in Cabo and of course spa treatments... I can't remember a time when men were so plentiful!!! We couldn't go anywhere without a comment, whistle, or offer of a drink. I must admit it was flattering and fun. There were the LA up-and-coming real estate developers focusing in on Baja, a few from the US Military, soccer players, salesmen, lawyers, construction workers. Such an array of people leading all sorts of different lives, escaping to the calm blue of the Sea of Cortez (and probably hoping for some action, but I must say everyone we met acted like perfect gentlemen.) Everyone was relaxed, generous, engaging. Wouldn't it be nice if we were always this way?
But aside from the touristy stuff, there is an amazing Mexican culture. Every Mexican I met worked incredibly hard, but loved life, appreciated the special moments in each day. The Mexicans there work for the most part on tips or the sale of their own wares. Thomas was the guy who came to the edge of the resort to sell his handmade jewelry. The day I met him I was relaxing at the beach after just finishing my voice and relaxation exercises. Business was slow that day so we just talked (through the whistles of the construction workers next store I might add). He enjoyed our conversation (my guess is most tourists run away so they don't get "sold") and actually gave me a bracelet! Just because. We spent a day deep sea fishing with Salvadore and Rambo (that really was his name). They get paid about $100 USD a week and the rest is on tips. They work 7 days a week. Salvadore had a wife and two little girls (7 years old and 22 days old), but was happy and loving life. I can't imagine getting up at 4am 7 days a week to take tourists out on a boat to catch a Marlin. But they loved the water and knew the ocean and the fish. We caught a 50lb sail fish (and let it go in the water), watched a big Marlin spit out our hook, saw Dorado jumping to catch flying fish (which I fully thought were birds until Salvadore pointed out otherwise)...turtles, dolphins. And Alex, a Mexican who had grown up in Southern CA, worked himself sick as the American culture demands and then gave it all up to return to his Mexican roots and enjoy the rest of his life.
I guess what was amazing to me was how these people work so hard, but life is still good. Sometimes here in America we get so wrapped up in stress that we make ourselves sick. And maybe this happens there too, but you certainly couldn't tell. And then there is they way the men there respect women. You hear of the Latin culture of being macho and possessive - I think that is only a perception and not the truth. Cab drivers set down steps and helped us out of the taxi. Doors were always opened. You could never carry your own luggage. A hand was always offered when getting out of the boat or coming down the stairs. Men were shocked to find out we were single.
I don't know, maybe it's just what a beautiful destination and the ocean air does to the soul. Maybe it's having so many days of sun and being able to see marine life all the time. Or maybe it's just a lot of tequila! Whatever it is, Cabo is a special place. The people are wonderful, nightlife never ending, sunny days, sandy beaches and always the sound of the surf. I will return to Cabo. My body and mind are rested and my soul is light and free. I realized so many truths about myself, friends, life in general. I appreciate all that I have and where I am in life...and I truly cherish and love all those who have helped me get here. I hope I can keep hold of these thoughts and feelings and remember that life really isn't that complicated in the end.
...and even squabbles with friends and evacuating to avoid the hurricane can't change these thoughts and feelings. (And btw...thanks to my guardian angels for helping me get back to SF so quickly and easily.)
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