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Published: August 9th 2017
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After several days with my three friends in Puerto Vallarta, I was by myself again. By myself but never alone. We had such a wonderful time, but all good things come to an end. Also I discovered my new favorite carnival game: throwing rocks at glass bottles.
I met a guy at the hostel, before I dropped my last friend off at the airport, who was going the same direction. He led me to San Pancho, a magical little beach town with unbelievable people. We spent the evening playing on the beach, watching thousands of crabs move into their homes on the dunes, high on LSD, watching the coconut palms melt into the mountains, and talking with random locals, expats and transients. We spent about three hours the next morning helping a guy diagnose a car problem. I've received so much help and generosity from people here that I can't resist doing what I can to return this generosity. Then my new friend was on his way. I feel like I form many strong but fleeting friendships with people on this journey. I spent another couple days in this village at Hostal San Pancho to chill at the beach, catch up on internet stuffs, and prepare to return to Ohio. I hung around with a guy I met from Ireland for a couple days, got a spontaneous tattoo in Puerto Vallarta, stayed with a very cool couch surfing host, then finally (after getting lost a million times, as is usual in the cities for me) left Old Mae at the airport to cross this great continent on a big metal machine in the sky.
My flight from Dallas got cancelled, and I received no compensation. NO! I'M NOT MAD!!! I'm not used to air conditioning and the airport was too cold for me, so I slept for a few hours on an bench outside the airport. I was able to practice some Spanish with one of the TSA officers at 5 am when the security lines opened up. I just wanted to go home and see Momma... I finally arrived about ten hours later than planned, to be greeted by my favorite person in the world. It's nice to be back in Ohio, my original home.
I've seen family who I haven't seen in a year or more. I have a new nephew who I've met for the first time; it was a delight to make his acquaintance and see my beautiful sister and her husband again. As well as Dr. Reed, my favorite child on the planet. Their achievement of this family unit gives me inspiration. And I even spent a little time with my third grade teacher! There's that serendipity popping up again 😊
The primary reasons for this visit were to attend my best friends' wedding and also my cousin's wedding. I spent the preceding two days with my best friends before their wedding, reconnecting and doing whatever I could to help prepare and reduce stress levels, which are inevitably higher prior to your wedding. The ceremony and reception took place in a barn in the middle of the countryside, and I was killed with smiles, magic and lovely people. Being back in the Ohio landscape was very nostalgic. So much green. Just like the jungle, but American mid-western instead of tropical. I am again overwhelmed with the generosity and comfort one can find on this big blue circle. My cousin's wedding was also a fantastic experience. I hadn't seen many of my father's side of the family for ten years, due to a falling out between my father and me. I was delighted to learn that I was still accepted in the family. Witnessing these events, as a 34-year-old, draws up feelings that get stronger every day. Should I try to navigate this labyrinth of emotions and reconcile with my father? Should I get married, have the babies, buy the house? Should I try to live this "normal" life? I'm not sure if I'm equipped for that. There's so much world out there to see. How can I possibly stay still??
I've been reintroduced to Mexican-American food, which I do love. As amazing as fresh street food in Mexico is, I'll always have a special place in my heart for Taco Bell and Chipotle. Sounds ridiculous, I know. I'm partially a slave to my American desires. Hot showers are very rewarding. And having my parents do all the cooking for me was purely decadent. They're both very astute cocineros. I live like a king at Momma's house, and I'm grateful for this.
I was able to see a friend who I haven't seen for several years, a guy who I've known since kindergarten. We fell right back into place perfectly, and I got to play with his pet snake and shoot an AR-15 for the first time. I was also able to see a friend who I've known for just about as long, and also haven't seen for several years; we got to celebrate American style: reciting South Park quotes, watching fireworks on July 4th and eating pulled pork sandwiches and french fries. His son was very inquisitive about Mexico and the Spanish language, which I appreciate. I met with an old co-worker for a night; we're karaoke beasts. I saw a couple buddies I knew in high school, one of which is raising six kids, almost single-handedly. The other stopped drinking and smoking weed, found Jesus and became a real estate agent, and still has the same charisma that he always had. Goddess/God/whatever bless America! All of these beautiful people and their unquestionable willingness to allow me to stay with them, eat with them, and generally absorb their awesomeness, reinforces my belief that nearly all humans are fantastic. Not just "nice people" but stellar people who will, without hesitation, welcome others. It's powerful.
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