Secrets of Tulum
While in Tulum, Mexico I have seen beautiful tourist destinations. The incredible nature and architecture seems to fuse nature into so many of its fresh and modern designs. Beyond the resorts and shops curated to perfection, past the Instagram influencers waiting in lines to capture the perfect shot in an outfit they spent hundreds of dollars to put together is the Tulum of the locals. While I appreciate so much of this city and have stopped to take some of those “Tuluminati” pics myself. I have noticed that the locals here know secrets many of us have forgotten. I want to share some of them with you.
I found myself walking these side streets and noticing the people going about daily activities, the smells of authentic Mexican food wafting out into the streets as children ride their bikes and stray dogs run around. One very cute dog came up to me with one eye, of course, I couldn’t resist feeding the cute little guy a bit of my taco.
While on this trip I have discovered some of the beautiful secrets of the people of Tulum Mexico-
Laughter- The laughter as I moved down so many streets was a beautiful and universal language, I was so happy to hear. My extremely limited Spanish that, basically consisted of “hola” “agua” “gracias” and the bit of Duolingo I picked up meant that my constant use of hands and body movement charades was a source of laughter for the locals I came in contact with and I had to laugh as well. I have so much respect for anyone with broken English because through traveling I understand the desire to speak and not be understood and just how challenging it is to learn a new language. Laughter has been the sweetest sound, I think it is the song of the spirit.
The deep sense of community- I have seen a lot of community while here. I was honored to be asked along with my friend who is the size of a bodybuilder to help a bunch of locals carry a life-sized elephant up a flight of stairs while going through the tourist district. It was a mini bonding experience. I have seen Taxis drivers stop in the middle of the road to make change for people. I have also witnessed the generosity of locals helping lost tourists find their way. I even got the opportunity to help a tourist who was yelling down for help in English because he had been locked on his balcony when the sliding glass door closed. I was scared to leave my taxi to help because of the language barrier but I looked the cab driver in the eyes and said “one minute” I know it wasn’t perfect Spanish, but he waited as I ran up a flight of stairs to help a very thankful British traveler.
Food- I have seen mujeres (Women) taking their time cooking and preparing food with care as if they were in their kitchen at home. Food brings people together from all around the world but there is something special in the energy being transferred into the food in so many of these restaurants. I have even ordered delivery and received beautiful messages written on the packaging. So much of the food is infused with love and the difference can be tasted and felt. Many times in big cities we lose connection with each other and can feel lonely. Studies show that nearly half the US is feeling loneliness and that was from a pre-pandemic study. Loneliness can be lethal, several meta-analyses have concluded that the mortality risk associated with chronic loneliness is higher than that of obesity and the equivalent of smoking 15 cigarettes per day on the body. I will be writing more about this topic coming up.
Connection to nature- When you are in a place like Tulum everywhere you go there seems to be lush landscapes and plants thriving. It's hard not to feel connected to nature here. When it's hot people go to the cenotes which are natural sinkholes resulting from the collapse of limestone bedrock that exposes groundwater. Cenotes were also commonly used for water supplies by the ancient Maya, and occasionally for sacrificial offerings. The beaches are also a top destination however there has been an a sargassum seaweed bloom, the width of the Atlantic Ocean and it's washing up dead on beaches and rotting bringing with it problems like an influx of insects and emitting hydrogen sulfide. The seaweed washed up on the beaches, has a pungent smell and wreaks havoc on marine wildlife. Large piles of seaweed on the beaches prevent turtles from nesting and trap dolphins and other animals in the coral reefs. This is a disastrous effect of climate change that threatens so many things including tourism, wildlife, the oceans and in time you and I. We must all take part in stopping climate change however we can. Donate to causes and support politicians that are working to solve the problem and do what you can to help wherever you are on the planet. We start to feel better about these situations as we get involved. This article can help you get involved- https://davidsuzuki.org/what-you-can-do/top-10-ways-can-stop-climate-change/
Music- Melodies were just about everywhere I went, some were American songs I could sing along to, many of them classic. I smiled and took in the moment when I heard “La Isla Bonita” by Madonna for instance. I also really enjoyed hearing locals, many of which didn't speak English singing along to songs by the Red Hot Chili Peppers and other artists. Then there was traditional Mexican music which reminded me of the music I would hear one of my best friend's grandparents enjoy. There was also modern Mexican music that many of the younger people would be listening to with the volume cranked up driving down the country roads on warm humid nights. Music is one of the quickest ways to change the energy in a place and even within us.
As I finish with this article I want to encourage you to incorporate a few of these "secrets" into your life. Of course, these are secrets everyone has access to but all the extra flavors and energy you mix and weave into your life give it a vibrance that will have others asking, "What's your secret?" Then you can share the wealth.
Commit to cooking food with extra love, meet with with your neighbors, find ways to laugh often, spend time with your friends and make a couple of new ones, get out in beautiful nature and connect with this planet we all share, and listen to music that makes you feel really good. I am going to listen to some music right now and catch a good vibe and get in a workout.
Sending you love from Tulum!