The loud speaker in my ear is blaring commands in Spanish, my ears picking up only certain words. Traveling to a foreign country is exciting and nerve wracking. With a 2 hour layover in Mexico City to my final destination of Merida, I stopped in at Starbucks for the universal language of coffee. Ordering my Cafe’ Vanilla Latte only understanding gracias and de nada, I realized how important a smile can be.
Evaluating my options of how to spend my 2 hours, I decided it best to pull out my laptop and write. Flying into this massive overwhelming city, I did not realize the skyscrapers that existed here. It is funny how tourism images paint a photo of a place in our mind. Most Americans associate Mexico to drug lords and beaches.
I was slightly intimidated to connect through Mexico City with horror stories in the press back home in the United States. Watching the mysterious men masked by dark sunglasses, female flight attendants dressed in classy red hats, families interacting, women in high heels, they were all strangers headed somewhere. Their eyes and lips tell part of the story. Some adorned with sadness, others bliss, while most are tuned in to their phone screens.
The airport itself was dressed with shops and eateries, including a 7-Eleven. I must have looked approachable as several people asked me about connecting to the airport wi-fi. I happily assisted and fumbled through no hablo espanol multiple times. As I watched the busy airport, I realized how anxious I was to return to Merida. To see beautiful happy smiling faces and graciousness.
The world I had dreamed of finding had become a reality in my life. There are not enough words to describe the embrace that both Merida and Sisal bear hug around you. It is inviting, exciting, dream-like, and romantic. This place of heaven on earth feels like home to me. Peace begins at home and this Yucatan city provides me comfort and joy.
To say that I love to travel is an understatement. I’ve been in hundreds of airports and sat in window seats for years, and have developed a passion for getting connected in the air. Most trips I take I am always excited to go home. The excitement of going somewhere, anywhere started at an early age in just visiting stores and weddings with my parents. Now to fly to a new city is invigorating. It moves me. The little kid inside of opens up to a world of creativity and empowerment when flying at 30,000 feet in the air.
Flying to Mexico City did not move me, what moved me was walking the jetway to board my AeroMexico flight to Merida. Beaming from ear to ear , I knew I was heading to my second home in Sisal, part of me already regretting my departure in 7 days. I new the smiles of the Yucatan had changed my life forever, language barrier and all.
My truth, I can see myself in Sisal writing on my balcony that overlooks the ocean for years to come. Oops… there is the airplane decent bell and loud speaker to stow my laptop. Some places you visit, some places you visit often, and some places you have to call home. It’s time to go home.
