Imminence, Again.

We are now heading north, coming back home, regresamos. And I am feeling sad about it. We have just over a month to do it, but there is a lot of distance to cover and 2 small girls to placate.

I’ve tried to document the views, the new food, the experiences of the girls being on their first long term journey. We’ve tried to reflect on how the tourism industry affects the Mexican people. The locals are hard working people dialing in to the uniqueness of their land and how to showcase it to visitors. We see there is a huge impact on the environment when there are no restrictions. And have been incredibly impressed by the rehabilitation of the land when there are regulations- in the multiple nature reserves we’ve visited.

Alongside the cultural experiences there are daily physical experiences I don’t want to forget because they remind me a good adventure is highs and lows mixed together.

The city: Slathering on zinc oxide sunscreen before we take a (sweaty) walk through town. Zipping my money pouch up under my sun shirt and tightly gripping the hands of my girls as we walk through the busy bus terminal-full of questionable characters- in La Paz. Waking up at 1am to blasting music. Being quoted double the actual price of souvenirs. Looking at the “fresh” cheese section and contemplating- is this food safe enough for us to eat? Eating breakfast at 8:34am to smells of grilling, pounding Latin music, and a 11 year old girl making donuts on an ATV, over and over and over.

The beach: The sandpaper like feeling of Sea of Cortez salt residue on my feet as I lay to sleep in our narrow bed. Awkwardly parading the girls green picnic table to the shady side from the sunny side of the van every morning. Seeing trash mixed in with sand. Hiding from the searing sun while realizing I’ve actually somehow become very ok with it always searing my skin, acknowledging my body has in fact acclimatized to 95 degree weather.

I will miss all these day to day physical feelings, even though they are uncomfortable ones. They are the ones that indicate to me I’m not at home. And alongside these unpleasant sensations I experienced incredible ones.

Incredible Moments: Hearing Zosia yell “I want to swim with Mami only!” Getting on our paddle boards to check out the nooks and coral reef crannies of Agua Verde. Watching Adela comfortably slip into the water with her snorkel mask on. Noticing the beautiful sunset and dusk creeping in as we sit down to dinner and say our “Dziekujemy.”

Sometimes in life it appears too many things are taking away from a moment and I find myself feeling frustrated. But it’s then that I have to remind myself it’s all about my perspective. I could enjoy the kids splashing me or I can hate it, it’s entirely up to me.

When I step back and think about it- I’m gonna miss camping every day. I really am.