paradiso

Well, that's not actually how you say "paradise" in Spanish, but I wanted to make sure non-Spanish speakers got the point. Well, I had a pretty good weekend. As I mentioned before, I went to Isla Mujeres, a tiny little island in the Caribbean, and the easternmost point of Mexico. Yes, I actually took this picture there.

A few friends took off from Mérida at midnight Thursday and got to the Isla around 5 AM Friday. We found a hotel room, took a nap, and then hit the beach. Unfortunately, it was kind of chilly, so I went and rented a moped. Megan and I promptly cruised to the southernmost point of the island and back. Riding around on one of those mopeds is a lot of fun. It makes me think about my transportation in the future. I'm concerned that I actually will have to procure some sort of motorized transport to deal with life in the bay area. Should it be one of those, or maybe a motorcycle? Time will tell.

Then at night we went out to a cool bar in a hostel with lots of other young travelers. I forgot that I'm actually a student - a luxury I rarely experienced at Grinnell. There was a great band playing in that Spanish style reminiscent of the Gipsy Kings. I really need to learn to play guitar like this.

The following day there was more moped crusing to go to the TortuGranja (turtle farm). For a few pesos we went to see some sea turtles that this government conservation project helps grow up so they're not eaten or poached as babies. I love those animals. Then, more lounging on the beach, drank a few beers, doing nothing but earning a minor sunburn.

Upon return, all I could think about is how long it seemed like I was gone from Mérida - at least a week. In reality, about 3 days. It is so nice to not have class on Friday. My life is pretty full of these experiences in which I totally forget about other parts of my life that aren't requiring my current attention. When I get back to "real life" it seems foreign and surreal. On the way back, Mallory and I were waiting for the bus to get back to our neighborhood. All I could think about is my disorientation in Mérida, things to do, busses to catch, stuff to carry, hunger to deal with. Suddenly, stuff that is a part of my life becomes a chore to deal with rather than just what I'm doing. I think I can do better than this mindset if I focus on it.

Anyways, the island was fairly touristy - it is right next to Cancun. But it was nice because it was not gawdy either. Everything appeared to be a small business rather than a chain, although the t-shirts were certainly mass-produced. Sometimes I feel uncomfortable being a tourist, but other times I just bask the hedonistic glory. Contradictions such as this will probably never resolve themselves. I just think how tourism is really a development trap which leads to over-abundance of crappy jobs for locals. But, the Mexicans we met in a bar all said they really like the tourists that visit their island.

Now I'm back in Mérida, and have to get back to "real life," if such a thing exists. For now, I'll just be looking off of my island.