Perhaps you wonder what the connection between owning Mexico real estate and a happy life is. While happiness comes from within, there is something about life in Mexico that allows us to open up that happiness from within like never before. The following is the first part of a real story (the second part will be up tomorrow) written by an American who bought a beautiful lot in Playa Kuka – ecological Yucatan properties nestled between a charming, traditional fishing village and a biosphere reserve where flamingos live.  This story of his experience in a festival of the sea by the fishermen from that village shows that you don’t have to be Ernest Hemingway (or any other great writer) to feel the beauty in the sea and let that beauty bring out that inner happiness:
I am not a writer by trade, and not sure what blogging is, but I just have to let you all know what a wonderful time and experience IÂ just had in Rio Lagartos.
Along side of me was Paulino, and of course our favorite boat guide and friend Alberth, Candy his wife, their kids, and even their little Chihuahua, (at least I think that’s what it was), and to make things more intriguing his name was Lucky! The last Lucky I knew cost me $33,000 dollars.
Of course the day started “on time,†3 hours late, and lucky for me, as I was 2 hours and 45 minutes behind schedule getting to Rio.
So I was right on time, if you follow that logic.
The realization that Rio Lagartos the town is so rich in color, and tradition, and that one can immerse himself in this incredible culture, and still be 15 minutes from our beachfront, and bungalows, on Playa Kuka – well, just plainly said, that is fantastic, and we are all very privileged, and blessed to part of this.
So the “parade” begins (and not unlike the beginning of a Nascar race by the way, I mean filling gas tanks on the run, checking the valuable ice in the coolers, and of course a few drinks!)
I did not see life jacket counts, head counts of children, and or any other form of a US Coast Guard check list, and you know I had to smile and say, “Gentlemen, start your engines.â€
Now understand that when you look around, especially from inside a rocking boat, seeing hundreds and hundreds of people, and the endless barrage of boats decorated with balloons, and flags, pure random color, not unlike a Dali painting, I thought of the dog named Lucky! I thought of my ability to swim to shore!
Drivers, (or should I say “the Captains?â€), not looking ahead, which to me would be the obvious direction to be looking, but looking at each other, enjoying cold drinks.
Everyone is bearing down to the “funnel,†that is this undersized opening to the sea, all in what seems a very unorganized river of color and speed!
Yet, amazingly there is not one incident, not one argument, no explosions and or boat fires; it seems everyone knows the tradition, knows the right speed, the right way to turn, when to turn, knows the dance – similar to the Flamingos in flight, it is familiar to them, and that is all that matters.
I am witnessing and realizing this is a natural dance a formation, it’s what they do, and you then realize that you are among the men of the sea, and their families. This is their world, their lives, their passion, their tradition, their moment to be what they were born to be – Fishermen!
I do not matter, and what I think I see is unimportant, only what I feel for them – and that is respect.
This is not a show, not for the tour buses, this is for them, their families, their way to give thanks and reverence to what sustains them, the sea!
Now again – and not by coincidence I am sure – this is the time for the Flamboyant trees to bloom. The gathering of these blooms is important, as this is, again, the tradition. They have pre-made these little wooden boats, fill them with these beautiful flowers, and send them out to sea to pay respect to the ocean, and those that make their living on it and die with it.
It was an emotional moment for me, but then again a rocking boat could now be playing a significant role.O.K. so we are now out a mile in the gulf, hundreds of us. One boat has mariachis blaring the familiar ballads, others carrying the flags of the different parties vying for election or re-election.
The boat is rocking, and I am trying to focus and wondering, “Is it the boat or me that is moving funny and out of sync?†Can’t be the boat, as I have said these are men of the sea, uh oh!
Out of nowhere, someone in another boat is passing around ceviche, thank God it did not come my way, but then again I am not them, I am not a fisherman. This is their day, their world, and I am there to enjoy, have a drink or two, and most of all respect the moment and survive!It’s funny how the rest of the world is caught up in the world’s troubles, financing, the politics of life and govt., etc. and as I look around I see purity, sincerity, simplicity, and yet passion, dedication, and good times! For today it is about the sea, its people and its glory.
Actually, seems like a bit too much fun and movement for this pathetic gringo fisherman, and again by the grace of God, and of course by our wonderful boat captain and guide intuitiveness, he sees it is time to head to Playa Kuka.
Imagine experiencing sea like this, as a part of everyday life! See tomorrow’s post for the second half of his story.
TOPMexicoRealEstate.com; Mexico’s Leading Network of Specialists for Finding and Purchasing Mexican Properties Safely