Paraiso Part 2... Nov 9,2018

I am sitting on the patio of my favourite breakfast spot Paninos- a boho style bakery with piping hot coffee, freshly squeezed orange juice and THE best food. Today my usual table is occupied so it’s the table beside it - small compromise...I still have a clear view to the ocean and can watch the street vendors as they walk by. I will miss this morning ritual when I go home tomorrow night.

The clock is now starting to tick... Is there anything I want to accomplish, visit, experience, see before I return to my life at home? So much of this trip has evolved naturally, little planning and letting go of expectations. I have found this mindset has served me well here. I am becoming more in tune with my intuition and discovering what "I" actually want to do and letting go of "should". Should has been a standard benchmark of the way I have been living my life. It too has served me well, creating discipline, accomplishing goals and checking off those boxes to creating a "successful life". I wonder if going forward there might be a merge of the two ?

I have learned here that in stillness I am more in tune with myself~ there is much more flow to my thoughts and far less tension. This clarity I feel will be my guide in returning to my life as a happier Mom, Realtor, Friend and Daughter. The best way I can describe it is~ I feel I now have a compass I can return to when life becomes chaotic and stressful. This compass I now trust will guide me in making space for me to think clearly and to make good decisions that are in alignment with who I truly am. It is true what they say about Yoga~ it is a spiritual awakening as is Solo Travel.

Ok, enough of the "I have found myself in Sayulita" ... There is an element of truth to it. I knew who I was I am just choosing to embrace the parts that have got lost along the way. Solo travelling in Sayulita has just reminded me...

I have heard of a tree in Sayulita that is a refuge to a number of brightly coloured Iguanas that are now an endangered species. I want to see this tree before I leave. I settle my bill at Paninos and capture the memory of this special place in a photo with the son. He is shy but accepting of the photo. I will walk a grid... there are only so many main streets off the Plaza and down to the beach. I set out to find this infamous tree. I do not ask for directions as I know what the response will be...

" One block that way amiga"... I come to a street that has been demolished completely... road work.. there is a lot of that in Sayulita. No one is there working so I climb over the rocks and make my way down the street. At the end there is a Mexican man hands on his forehead staring up... That must be the tree! I look up and see nothing. There is a sign attached to the fence so I am at the right place. I look up again... I see nothing. It is like searching for Waldo... and then there it is! Movement directly above me.. a big bright orange Iguana perched on a tree branch, then another smaller green one directly beside it. The tree then comes alive to me and I see all of the Iguanas resting in the large canopy above. It is fabulous! I am glad I came... tick tock...

Today is the farmers market, that opens at 11am. It is a block up from Paraiso and has high reviews from the locals and my new yoga tribe. Fresh fruits, vegetables, cheese, tacos, essential oils, gifts... I am leaving tomorrow so do not indulge with any purchases. I relax in the shade for a while and watch the people while listening to music. It reminds me of our summer markets in the Comox Valley.

I contemplate the idea of exploring San Pancho and opt to visit my favourite secluded spot at the local beach. Today I climb further over the rocks and settle into the shoreline. There are a few snorkelers out in front today and some local fishermen with spear guns. A group of young girls join me in the rocks to pose for photos in the water. The backdrop for photos is exceptional~ the turquoise water, white sand and waves crashing into the rocks. I am reminded of my daughter at home of similar age. It will have been 2 weeks tomorrow since I last saw her. This is an eternity in our books~ we are very close . She has had her own personal adventure in New York then returning home to the beach house and having her Dad stay with her. She enjoys time spent with him, it is not often but always positive and the relationship is unchanged over the years. They share a similar authenticity. The fishermen paddle in and have caught 5 beautiful fish and pose for a photo with pride for me.

I’m in another Teenie Weenie bikini and snap a few photos. My two one pieces have not left my suitcase... I realize it’s not how you look it’s how you feel... and I am starting to feel good, good in my skin. I feel stronger, more confident and blessed by my body which is aging gracefully and healthy. It is not what it was in my 20's or 30's and holds scars of my life experiences. The last 10 years my body has seen a lot of trauma both physical and emotional. These days I am thankful for my body's resilience and will no longer take it for granted. Selfie.. embraced.

When I return to my casa I have some time before class is due to begin. I decide to take advantage of the beautiful setting to put on some music and dance. It has been almost 4 years since I have danced~ I spin, lunge and pop onto the tips of my toes. Dancing was once such a passion for me~ I would spend hours in the dance studio lost in the music. I forgot how much I enjoy it.

It is my last night in Sayulita and I arrange to meet my Yoga Tribe out for dinner. I have one pair of clean white shorts in my case I slip into for the occasion and head into the Plaza. Tonight there is a local fundraiser for the Hurricane. There are stage performers, food stands and dancing in the street. The music is loud and the streets are bustling with locals and tourists.

I then hear the clatter of hoofs on the cobblestones and a cowboy on an impressive grey horse come around the corner~ through the mayhem of music, dancing, golf carts and cars... this immaculate horse prances and dances through the streets... such presence. My heart flutters... a man that can ride a horse like that...

We order margaritas and fish tacos and take in the show from an outside patio. It is a whirl of activity and energy. It is Day 13 of my Sayulita experience and my energy for late nights is starting to catch up with me. I hug the group and head for my casa... a quick stop at WaKiki for an icecream. Tomorrow at this time I will be arriving back in Comox. I still have tomorrow for one last yoga class, ocean swim and icecream.