The only goal I had for Mexico was to get away from snow and cold and misery, even if it was just for a few days. Four days in Mexico does not seem like much, but it was exactly what I needed. I returned to Michigan changed from how I left. For me, that is considered a success.
There was something about Mexico I found to be invigorating. Something peaceful. Pleasant. It came at the right time for me, and it offered what I needed. I just did not know it.
The entire time spent in the country was spent speaking only Spanish. I spoke English a few times with Americans; otherwise, it was Spanish with the Mexicans. I was concerned that my Spanish, my Chilean Spanish, would not work very well here, and that I would have trouble understanding Mexican Spanish, but in the end that was not an impediment at all.
Something about being able to speak Spanish only was a huge relief to me. It was like I got away from myself, got away from the norm. It made me feel like less of a tourist, and more as if I belonged. It pacified me.
The experiences of Mexico, particularly the swim in the cenotes, made this trip much more than a simple get away. I had people ask about the beaches and the party scene, but this was the closest I made it to the hotel zone.
This trip was about getting away from things, I had no need to re-immerse myself in USA on the beach. I regret nothing about missing out on the beach scene.
My last day in Mexico was quiet, as I had only one thing to accomplish: get to the airport. It was not an early start so I could sleep and walk with ease.
At the bus terminal I saw a young couple I had seen wandering about Chichen Itza the previous day. Later we found ourselves on the same bus, and I asked them about it. I was being more social. It was, indeed, them, and from Chichan Itza our talk turned to the cenotes. We both were amazed at that experience, joyful we had made it out.
On the same bus was a younger couple. They were returning to Detroit as well, back to Ann Arbor. He a student at EMU.
The first couple was returning to New York City, so our conversation was limited. She had just left her job to devote to traveling. He was a personal trainer to the stars, having just completed work with Mary J. Blige. They asked about Egypt, as that was the next trip they were hoping to make. Unfortunately, our time together did not allow us to speak at length.
By the end of the day I was back in Michigan. The weather had turned for the worst. A snow storm had hit the north and midwest, making travel difficult. But I took it in stride. A few days prior I would have been in misery, but the re-emerged Sebastian had bigger thoughts than the snow to fill myself with. I was new.
I expressed some of these feelings to my younger brother a few days later, and he noted that the tone of my voice had completely changed. He could tell I had an energy about me, a joy I had long lost.
I have heard throughout my life how people take the occasion of a new year to begin their lives anew, though quite often they return to the norm and the changes made give way to old routine. I had never given much credence to this thinking, as the new year and its celebration is an arbitrary date and observance. But for the first time, I began a year completely different. 2014 Sebastian was not the same as 2012/2013 Sebastian. And for this I have to be thankful.
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