Same Same But Different: A Homecoming
| February 11, 2013 | Filed under Mexico |
It was a little nerve-wracking coming back to Playa del Carmen, a place we had loved so much during our last stay.
“What if it’s not the same?!” my neurosis screamed. Or worse, “What if it’s EXACTLY the same and I get bored?!” (just to ensure it covered all the bases of negative outcomes).
After being stamped into the country for a whole six months at Cancun’s immigration counter, we boarded the ADO bus bound for Playa, just as we had done five months previously. I overheard a lady inquiring at the ticket counter about an express bus to Merida. In Spanish, and I understood her. I understood her!
That made me smile.
When we entered the gates of the Quinta Margarita apartments, our landlord Offner greeted us like old friends, which in a way, we were. When we left a few moths ago, we told him we’d be back someday, not realizing it would be so soon. He showed us to a studio apartment a few doors down from the last one we stayed in, assuring us, ‘our place’ would be vacant in a week.
After dumping our bags and trying to overcome the feeling that we were in our friends’ Sabina and Phillip’s place, we emerged to settle our rent for the month.
“Nah, we’ll do it later,” Offner dismissed us casually, “It’s good to have you guys back.”
We still haven’t paid him.
We wandered down to La Exqusita de la 38, our favourite taco restaurant nearby. We ordered the usual, then heard our names being shouted from the kitchen.
“Sarah and Ty!” the owner Brian cried as he rushed outside, bringing with him a look of surprise. “I was just thinking about you guys the other day!”
We told him we’d been thinking about him and his delicious tacos for the last three months.
We collapsed into bed that night, barely able to keep our eyes open past 8pm. Thanks to jet lag, we awoke early and traced our familiar route down to the beach, three blocks away.
“It’s cold!” I exaggerated as I braced myself against the breeze, unaccustomed to February’s cool mornings.
We walked along the coastline and observed the different shape of the shore, sculpted by the tide’s unusually choppy water. Last year we arrived in September to searing temperatures and calm, glass-like seas. It was as though ‘our beach’ had gone wild like a wayward teenager and I was the scorning parent who didn’t approve of its rough new look.
A man cast a wide net into the Caribbean and drew it in, empty but for a small silver fish he tossed to a feathered friend.
“He’s my assistant,” he joked to us as we took photos of El Pelicano.
I side-stepped a piece of sharp, hard plastic and scorned the tides or the tourists or whoever the hell was responsible for the litter.
“What’s going on?” I asked no-one-in-particular.
“I hate it here, let’s just LEAVE!” Tyrhone cried in a dramatically effeminate tone, mocking me.
We laughed, slapping our feet through the cool, shallow whitewash.
And then, he appeared.
“Buenos Dias!” the man stated, as though imparting a fact rather than a greeting. I knew his face well, but not his name. I accepted his small but precious gift with so much gratitude, for whilst I had flown to Australia via Dallas, driven across India, then flown to London via Singapore and back again, he had been here, striding along the beach as he had done every day since I left, gathering delicate shells in his brown fingers to give to passers by.
And just like that, I knew all was well in Playa, as it had always been, and always would be, no matter what changed or stayed the same.
Remember when I received a similar gift from the same man last year? Read this post if you missed it…
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It’s always hard to return to a place you think of as home, a place you love, because inevitably time spent away will have changed it. But you’ve changed too! And it’s good to see that for all the superficial differences, the things that are important are still there for you to enjoy!
Steph (@ 20 Years Hence) recently posted..Revelations in the Rice Terraces
So true Steph! What do they say? “The only constant is change?” (or something like that!).
Looks like heaven there. A year at a beautiful beach is definitely in my future. Can’t wait to see (and read) what comes from it.
Kim recently posted..Beauty in the Breakdowns: We Survived the Rickshaw Run
Well the fact that Mexico is in your backyard is a great option for the future for you guys! (I’m quiet jealous of all the Americans here who only have a quick flight home to see their families!!).
When I returned to Cambodia late last year after a few months away I had the exact same feelings you experienced. It was so good to be back, but also very exciting, because things seemed to have changed as well. New cafes and restaurants in our old neighbourhood and new neighbours. I envy you for having a beach so close by. Looks like heaven!
TammyOnTheMove recently posted..A nation is mourning – attending King Norodom Sihanouk’s funeral
Totally Tammy! One of my favourite restaurants closed down and I felt like it was a personal affront
It is hard to believe you guys have been away for a whole year.
Travelling the world seems to be agreeing with you.
Love to you both and looking forward to your next year of adventures.
xxx Rosa
Oh it certainly agrees with us Rosa, it’s the bank account that has a problem with it!! Thank you, all the best for yours too xxx
Hey Jane, love the bit about the shell man, what a way to start our year out. Looking forward to a year well spent!
tyrhone recently posted..What would you do with a year?
Me too
Love the shot of el pelicano. Reading this reminds me of how chilled out life is along a warm coast.
Mike recently posted..People: Captured for the Camera in Colombia
Cheers Mike, he was pretty cool
Sarahsomewhere recently posted..Same Same But Different: A Homecoming
I almost spit out my coffee when I read this line:
“What if it’s not the same?!” my neurosis screamed. Or worse, “What if it’s EXACTLY the same and I get bored?!” (just to ensure it covered all the bases of negative outcomes).
I do that shit, too. Something terrible MUST happen, right?? Buena suerte with your language lessons. I hope you find a place you like.
What you going to do when your 6 months are up? If you ever have the need to come to Portland, you are welcome…just have to do it before we’re homeless.
Yes unfortunately I suffer from ‘fucked up head’ syndrome and have to overcome it (well, try) every day!! We are planning to be here a whole year!! But thank you so much for the invite, looking forward to reading your travel blog! Woop woop!!!!
Beautiful shots and words!
Thank you Andi
It feels like home to me now too!! Sounds like its gonna be a cracker year. Can’t wait to keep reading about it all! X
Ha ha, Thank you Eggy, it sure is, thank you for reading!!! XXX
Sarahsomewhere recently posted..Same Same But Different: A Homecoming
I suppose everything has to change with time but it is good to see some things do remain the same.
Seeing a familiar face of the guy with the seashells is quite a comforting experience that you are in the right place.
The Guy recently posted..The Magic Of Melbourne – Seeing Penguins At St Kilda
Yes, it was like a sign to me!!!
Hi guys. New follower here
I loved this post. We are off to Playa very soon so it was great to hear how much you loved the place.
I love reading blogs from other ‘nomads’. We too left a conventional life for a life of the extraordinary – full time travel. Its only been 12 months for us so far but its been the most amazing journey. Reading blogs like yours inspires us and shows us a life of permanent travel IS achievable if you really want it.
I look forward to reading more posts and getting to know you a little more!
Suitcase Stories – Nicole recently posted..Why I left my successful career for a life of travel
Hey Nicole, thanks very much! How long will you be in Playa for? Hopefully we can meet up
Oh, that sweet man in the playa who gave you a nipple shell is still there! The seasons and wave may change but its good see that same people are still there.
I know, can you believe it?! He does that every morning, and Im not special, he hands out shells to all the ladies! It made me so happy seeing him again
You returned! How fun and I’m certain you didn’t imagine you’d be living in Mexico for a year when you first took off. Life’s full of surprises!
Interesting Brian was thinking of you a few days before you arrived- he must have sensed your homecoming!
Lauren recently posted..Taking a drive during a snow day in Basque Country
Hi Lauren, yes, I never would have dreamed it up!!!