Back in Mexico with Brandon
Back in January 2024, I looked at Brandon with airline miles burning a hole in my pocket. I had just turned 40. He had just turned 30. We were on the verge of celebrating 10 years together. The stars seemed to be aligning, and the world seemed to be demanding we do something to celebrate these major milestones.
Our last vacation was Brandon’s choice, and he chose domestically. After an amazing week in San Francisco, I found myself hungry to venture away from our shores. I was also starving for some sunshine and sand between my toes. After a little research and some conversation with Brandon, I landed on Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.
This would be my third trip to Mexico. For Brandon, both of his parents are from Colima. For him, this would be a homecoming of sorts.
All-Inclusive – Captive Audience
Once I know my destination, I throw myself into hours of joyous research. I create lists of places to see, things to do, restaurants to try, and the best neighborhoods to serve as a base camp (our home away from home). I adore this part of traveling. We don’t always do everything I stash away, but I love the act of discovery.
When researching the best places to stay in Cabo, I kept running across all-inclusive resorts. We usually stay in hotels or find unique homes to stay in, but this trip seemed to be demanding something different.
After lots of searching and reading tons of reviews, we decided to give Rui Santa Fe a shot. I am so glad we did. For seven days, we ate, drank, relaxed, lounged poolside, and lived without a care in the world. The resort had everything we wanted/needed. In so many ways, we felt like a captive audience bound to some odd version of a cruise ship docked on land.
From now on, when heading to any destination near the ocean, a resort will always be at the top of my list.
The Marina
The first time we ventured outside the resort was on a journey toward the Cabo San Lucas Marina. It seemed like a real opportunity to explore downtown Cabo, see some shops, and experience the local scene.
Before stepping out of the Uber, I read to prepare myself for the solicitors who approach with offers to scuba dive, see The Arch via a sea of glass bottom boats, or camel rides along the shore. I have visited Las Vegas countless times, so I felt prepared for whatever might come my way. I was wrong.
As soon as our Uber dropped us off, the first solicitation began. I don’t think I even had the car door completely shut. The solicitations didn’t end until we got into another Uber to leave. Every ten steps, we were approached about some “unique journey,” necklaces/art for sale, or, at the most extreme, handshake drugs.
After thirty minutes of this, I felt myself growing frustrated. Seeking refuge, we bolted toward the first promising bar. Luckily for us, it was a Tiki bar that made a decent Bahama Mama.
Filled with a little liquid courage, we stepped back onto the sidewalk. Like a hesitant Neil Armstrong, solicitations greeted our first steps. For the next hour, we explored shopping centers and local haunts. As we did, I knew what was waiting for us behind the relative safety of solicitation free zones.
As we rode back to the resort, I found myself conflicted. On the one hand, the entire experience felt like a waste. Avoiding catching anyone’s gaze, we felt distracted. We weren’t really soaking up the scenery or paying attention to our surroundings. We were just trying to get from one point to another without being asked to buy something. On the other hand, I knew we were refusing contributions to people’s livelihoods. Everyone we said no to depends on tourists to make ends meet. They weren’t intending to be annoying. They intended to put food on the table, clothes on their backs, and a roof overhead.
An American Election in Mexico
We purposefully chose the week of the election for a vacation in Mexico. Fearing a contentious affair and a repeat of January 6th, I wanted to get as far away from America as my bank account would allow. But this choice also meant we would watch an American election through the eyes of Americans traveling abroad and Mexican citizens. I wasn’t too concerned with the reactions of my fellow Americans. I was more fascinated by the citizens of the country I was visiting, particularly since this population is a favorite punching bag of the now president.
As the results rolled in, I found myself filled with dread and anxiety. I couldn’t believe America was prepared to return to the White House, a convicted felon who spews nothing but vile rhetoric about immigrants, women, trans citizens, people of color, and anyone else who doesn’t show him favor. The very man who attempted to overthrow our democratic system of government would once again be called upon to swear an oath to it. I was dumbfounded with disbelief.
My heart broke for so many people who would be impacted by America’s collective choice, but it was shattered to pieces with thoughts about the immigrant families in his crosshairs. More than likely, I was now surrounded by Mexican citizens who knew or knew someone who has or is attempting to pursue a better life in America, regardless of their status. In a matter of months, their entire lives would be flipped upside down, and American society would be forced to take a long hard look in the mirror and seriously ask itself what it allowed to happen, all because of the price of eggs.
The Art of Doing Nothing
As jarring as the election results were, I remained determined to continue perfecting the art of doing nothing. Typically, when I travel, I like to pinpoint something to do in a neighborhood. After my selected activity is over, I love to spend some time getting to know the neighborhood. This usually means we are in a constant state of exploration and movement.
On the trip, we spent hours doing nothing next to the pool, lying in bed, or deep in conversation over the dinner table. This also meant I had to fight every urge in my body. In my real life, I am not great at sitting still for too long. My calendar is always filled with deadlines and commitments, but doing something entirely different on this trip felt necessary.
After a grueling year, I needed to recharge my batteries. I needed to do nothing for as long as possible. I needed to rest, relax, and reconnect with the love of my life. And that’s what we did. After the trip was over, I felt like my cup was filled to the brim. I felt reenergized and more deeply in love.
San Juan del Cabo Art Walk
I did save two destinations to my "must see list." One was the San Juan del Cabo Art Walk. San Juan del Cabo is a short drive northeast of Cabo, but it felt a world away. Every Thursday evening, between November and June, the town square becomes a vibrant art scene filled with photographers, painters, sculptors, mixed media specialists, and so much more. As we walked the aisles, spending a little time at each station, I was overjoyed by the kaleidoscope of colors and talent before me.
I love great photography, and for years I have wanted to buy a piece of art that represents every international destination I am lucky enough to visit. At the art walk, I crossed paths with an amazing photographer whose editing techniques and framing took my breath away. After digging through his collection, I stumbled across a piece I just had to have. After some conversation about photography and sharing of social handles, a new tradition was born for me.
Beyond the art walk, San Juan is filled with amazing little shops, restaurants, bars, and galleries. Brandon and I could have explored for hours, but some fantastic local food and one of the best cups of coffee I have had in some time stole our attention. Despite the distractions, I still managed to explore the streets and steal a few images I will hold dear for some time.
Flora Farms
The other destination I saved to my "must see list" was Flora Farms. North of San Juan del Cabo, this 25-acre organic working farm houses Flora’s Field Kitchen, a spa, bar, grocery store, and a small shopping center. They offer tours, cooking classes, concerts, movie nights, and so much more.
After discovering this destination, I knew that this was how I wanted to end our trip. We arrived a couple of hours before our reservation. We slowly spent our time exploring the shops, spending too much money, sipping coffee, glasses of wine, and tasty cocktails. We were both taken back by this charming secret hidden in the hills of San Juan.
And then we were seated for dinner. They caught wind that it was my birthday. There was a little sign waiting for me at the table, wishing me the happiest of birthdays. We ordered another round of cocktails, a few appetizers, and then I dug into one of the top five pasta dishes I have ever had in my life. I don’t know if I have ever been so fat and happy in my life.
Why Travel
I wish I could travel to some new destination every year. I find these experiences so nourishing to my soul, but they also force me to use a part of my brain that often lays dormant. We are all mired in our routines. I don’t know if we realize how much of our lives are stuck in autopilot. Travel forces me into unfamiliar situations where I am often tested and forced to make rapid decisions. When I give myself over to the experience, I open myself to different cultures and ways of seeing the world. Every time this release feels like an epiphany. It is one of those feelings I wish I could bottle and keep forever, but I know that isn’t possible. I also know that if that were possible, then these experiences would lose their luster. So, I travel. I travel always chasing new experiences, with the hope of being forced to shake off the familiar.
Be good to each other,
Nathan