Back from Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, and the rainy season has begun. It is not a downpour, but is not a drizzle either. It is the kind of rain that seems to soak you both from the top down and the bottom up.
As many of you know, I frequently experience what might be called “mini breakdowns.” These usually consist of me drinking too much and slipping into a period of self-loathing in which I vow to change my life permanently for the better. I vow to become more healthy, more responsible, and to unlock the “hidden potential” I’m convinced I’d “have” if I wasn’t such a “loser.” Which was what happened yesterday.
Interestingly enough, the highlight of this weekend in Mexico did not actually have to do with the wedding (I was in Puerto Vallarta because one of my best friends from high school was getting married), though it was glorious and the champagne free-flowing. The highlight of the trip came Friday morning, when my friend Steve and I “borrowed” the Four Seasons’ hobie cat and sailed three miles into the open ocean.
Never had I been so far out into the ocean without the supervision of some kind of “captain.” It was just me, Steve, and warm, blue water as far as we could see. Once we got past the furthest fishing boat we decided to stop and swim. We dove into water of indeterminable depth, opening our eyes to only see blue.
Eventually a lancha came towards us at high speeds and we knew we had been found out. “Did you guys ge here on purpose,” they asked. “Yes,” we said. “The whole hotel is worried for you.” “Oh,” we said. And then we sailed back in.
What’s the point of all this? The point is that one of the most magical experiences of the trip came with no alcohol and pretty much no decadence. It was just two dudes sailing in the open ocean, trying to get as far away from the mainland as possible without accidentally going to French Polynesia. Which reinforces in my mind how awful drinking is, and how I need to stop it forever. You know those guys who say, “I’m never drinking again” after they black out — even though you know they’re just going to get hammered the next weekend? I hate those guys too, mostly because I’ve always been one of those guys. But yesterday it stopped. Yesterday I turned over a new leaf. And for those of you who don’t believe me (aka everyone): Well….whatever.
This entry was written by , posted on October 27, 2009 at 10:58 am, filed under Central America, Travels and tagged four seasons punta mita, mexico, nayarit, nuevo vallarta, puerto vallarta, surfing. Leave a comment or view the discussion at the permalink.