After falling asleep very early the night before, I awoke around 5:45 to a quite morning. The sun rises at closer to 7 and I wanted to catch at least one. The sun rises on the ocean side of the island about a block from our apartment and unobstructed. Nothing but the wide open Caribbean Sea. I gave Maggie a nudge and asked if she wanted to go. She gave me an adamant no so I quietly left the apartment securing it safely behind me. I walked the block up the hill to the cliffs that overlook the sea and sat down on one of the little stone benches that line the brick pathway along the top of the cliffs.
I sat and took in the view and watched as the sunlight began to build in strength and transform the once invisible clouds into bright hues of orange and pink. I could see rain showers off on the horizon, but above me it was clear skies. I sat for what seemed like an eternity and just soaked in the salty air and the crash of the waves. Behind me the neighborhood was coming to life, the orchestra of tropical birds began to fill the air with sharp notes. As the day came alive I walked back to the apartment and went back to sleep.
Sometime around 10:30 we both awoke and very lazily got ourselves moving for the day. Maggie was clear that she was not interested in the beach today, she had had her fill of the tropical sun. We would however need to eat, so we walked a couple of blocks to a seaside restaurant and art gallery called Madera. It was a beautiful place and its art theme was evident in its decore, art pieces, and in its food.
We met a group of musicians and restaurant owners from the tourist part of the island who had come here to eat lunch as well. A very good omen. Stevie was from Houston, but spent his years split between Isla Mujeres and West Pam Springs Florida. An old sea Captain, he had retired to a life of playing guitar at Tiny Gecko Restaurant and bar three nights a week with his band during the tourist season and keeping up his house stateside during the off-season. He was having lunch with some of his band mates and the owner of Javis Cantina also on the island. javis’ wife is from Alabama and we both had family in Calera and Chelsey County. The world gets smaller and smaller.
Our waitress was from Minnesota and I had to ask how she found herself here. It involved a broken engagement, a job that was hated and a week long vacation to reset herself. That was 9 months ago. The owner offered her a job while she was dining to help with English speaking customers. She accepted and never looked back. She had an apartment near ours and was living a dream. A dream I sensed she knew one day she would have to wake up from.
After an amazing bbq pork belly rice bowl and a beautifully simple hamburger, Maggie and I browsed the gallery. The art was carved by local artists and made from drift wood and indigenous rocks and crystals. The entire property was something from a fairy tale and had a true feeling of an island paradise. After quite some time browsing it was time to head back to the apartment. Maggie was exhausted and needed some rest.
After a lazy day we headed out in the afternoon and just cruised the neighborhood. We made more friends and spent some time chatting with the crew at Taqueria Erika were we ate dinner again. At 55 pesos (under $3) for 4 Tacos, it was the best deal on the island. We caught the end of a little league baseball game and then wandered the neighborhood stopping by the milkshake shop for some after dinner sweets. As night fell on Colonia Gloria it was time to call it a night and head home to our apartment. We had a long journey tomorrow, a boat ride back to the mainland and a couple of planes back to Atlanta. It had been an amazing adventure for Maggie and I both. I hope to instill a spirit of adventure in her that endures throughout her life. The world is a beautiful place and exploring it is a true privilege.
