After backpacking Latin America for a year I came to Mexico. I tried not to come because in my mind it was infested with tourists and I don't to be part of the masses, but I listened to travelers telling me for a year how I made a mistake starting in Honduras and not going North.
So I came and the moment I stepped foot on the Yucatan I felt energized and kind of in love. I knew I came home. I've been living on Playa del Carmen, one of the most touristic parts of the Riviera Maya and I couldn't be happier. This is where I learned to look beyond what the eyes see and explore what Mexico is about.
Reasons why I love Mexico
#1 - Passion for music
Anywhere I go I hear music, whether I like that particular type of music or not, it is played. People start moving their toes to the rhythm and nod their heads to the beat. When I dance salsa I'm in a different world. The world of love, sharing passion and art.
#2 - Fruits
The wide variety of tropical fruits and juices are insane. Since the weather is hot most of the time, instead of eating something heavy, I crave light food like fruits. I love how available it is everywhere and I get to drink freshly pressed juices all year around.
#3 - Hidden beaches
Even though I'm in the middle of tourism, I get to enjoy the empty beaches just a few minutes bus ride away from the city. It is the highest season of year and yet I spent the day in a small town where I could count the people on the beach on 2 hands.
#4 - Wildlife
As a scuba diver I'm very much attracted to the underwater world and I here I've done everything I never dreamed about. Dived with sharks, with crocodiles at night, in caverns with an underwater hilltop in a mystic cloud, between coral walls as high as a multiple stories building, with turtles, where sea and fresh water meet and the list never ends.
#5 - History
When you bump into thousand years old buildings at every step of your way, you feel like traveling back in time. To me, the Riviera Maya is a heaven for knowledge, culture, history, and spirituality. Every pyramid and wall has a story and that ancient temperament still lives in the Mayans today. Their language and way of thinking is nothing like a modern mind can comprehend. When I interact with them in the jungle, I don't feel like I'm on this planet. This is what makes it so special.
There are plenty of downsides to living here as well, but in spite of all, I loved it from the second I got here and living here became a passion. I carry their music, history, nature and food in my heart. Those who learn to look beyond the tourism may find something more than just white sandy beaches and clear waters.
Merry Christmas to you all Steemians! :)