For the umpteenth time, I walked Avenida Tulum back to the hotel, after spending five excruciating minutes hesitating between a flan or a natilla at the convenience store, whatever the latter is. I chose natilla. Can’t go wrong with something you don’t know.
On my way back, I slowed down passing a bar with live music. The band was four or five black guys with trumpets and saxophones. The music was extremely loud and catchy.
There were more people outside, on the street, drinking and smoking, than dancing, but a couple was having the time of their life. She was maybe five-foot tall, and 170 pounds. Her heels were too high, her black leggings too tight and her red shirt barely covered her breasts. He was about her height, dressed in black from head to toe and he wore these pointy boots Mexican men seem to love.
And they were dancing, totally oblivious to the crowd watching them. I had never seen a woman so sexy, so confident. Her body moved perfectly to the music. She was expressing herself so beautifully that I wanted to cry.
I admire anyone who can dance—I can’t. And I admire anyone who is enjoying the moment with passion.
This is life.
In Valladolid, where we spent the night after Chichen Itza, we stumbled upon a huge mass being held outside the Convent de San Bernardino de Siena. The crowd was chanting, dancing, chatting and… yes, eating! There was a bunch of street food stalls selling pop corn, marquisetas (local crêpes) and other dulces and people were having the time of their life worshiping and socializing.
Mark loved it too. He was dancing to… yep, the Eucharistic liturgy.
This is life.
I feel alive here.
Sure, it’s nice to live in a country where people queue properly, are polite and considerate of others, where laws are being enforced and where security is paramount. It’s nice that people are careful not to bother each other, and to respect personal space, personal opinions, personal property. Where there is no smoking, no drinking, no partying outside, no loitering, where the streets are clean and the people dressed appropriately for a 9-to-5 job. Where people care about their health, want to achieve measurable goals, save money, are responsible and care about their future.
But it’s not fun.
I feel anesthetized in Canada. And it’s not just the cold.
I like chaos, I like the unpredictable and I like spontaneity. I like socializing and having loud arguments and yes, I enjoy swimming naked if I feel like it, having a smoke with my coffee, letting my son run wild in the street and screw whatever trendy education principle. I’m a hedonist at heart. My French side, probably.
Life is more fun when it’s not perfect.
Screw what I should do. I need to reconnect with what I love instead of trying to fit in.
Life is a blank canvas. I will try to create something good instead of colouring within the lines.
Do I sound like a rebellious teen? Meh. Who cares.
We are making our way back to the coast and flying to Canada soon. I need time to think.
I’m such a Canadian, I like everything to be clean and quiet 🙂
And that’s okay too, although French must get on your nerves sometime! 😆
What is natilla? I wish you had taken a picture or video of the woman and man dancing. It made me feel like i was back in Ivory Coast 🙂
Turned out to be similar as flan, a kind of crème.
If “natilla” is that thing made from milk only ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natillas ), then let me know that some people puts a little bit of salt in there, to make it sweeter.
They are really good with “fresas”, “plátanos maduros fritos”, “gallo pinto” or “chorreadas” ( http://www.costaricaguides.com/articles/recipes/chorreadas.html )
Natilla was actually awesome. Milkier than flan, absolutely delicious!
Love this post. It’s good to be a rebel sometimes! Dancing outside never hurt anybody.
That’s right!
Hi Zhu
I came to Canada from a sort of fun but messy place, Israel.
I can tell you it is great to be there on vacation.
But to build a life you can’t do better than live in Canada.
For you everyday life it is good place. You know that you can depend on it.
You can also have easily a break moment, go to you Yoga or whatever.
And when you feel like partying you take some time off and head to the closest airport.
I can tell you from my experience that living and working in those fun places is really not fun at all. The problems really get old fast. What is nice and curious at one time really is iffi the other.
Be happy that you have a great country to call home, many people all over the world would really love to be in your position.
I like the laid back life in Canada where it is really easy to get a work life balance that is just right.
You know that mexico is the country with the worst work-life balance in the world?
Israel is a fascinating place. Never been there but I met many Israeli when traveling.
I think I understand what you mean. It’s a great country but I’m guessing life isn’t always easy.
Thank you for sharing your perspective! It helps.
How long have you been in Canada for? What brought you here?
Hi Zhu
I’ve been here for a year and a half.
I came to Canada because I wanted to live in a move normal place.
A place I can be sure my kids can have a great future for them, be safe and have fun.
It is not perfect here, but it is a great place to call home, and travel from when you want to.
That’s a great reason and I think I can understand. I hope you found what you were looking for… even if no place is perfect!