The Great Dichotomy

So I've just returned from my Mexican escape. The "Firestorm of 2007", as the quasi-expert meteorologists/newscasters have dubbed it, had driven me from my humble abode, and loyal Heineken elves (see a few posts below), for the better part of 5 days. Now before you all start feeling sorry for me and my wife, let me make it clear that my house was far from being engulfed in anything resembling a firestorm. Ash was falling like rain on a winter day in Hanalei, that much is for sure, but the only thing that was even remotely fire-like in intensity at this house was my excitement at the thought of the office being closed for a few more days while some beast of a disaster had its way with greater San Diego County. I know, I know, the sympathy you felt for me a few seconds ago is now morphing into disgust, but what the hell. I'm not going to lie to you. When an event occurs that gives me a chance to bolt the confines of hell, er, the office, I'm all over it like white on rice. So as soon as the fires began moving westward towards my neighborhood, one thought came to mind: "Viva Mexico! Let's visit Mr. Pharmavet and get some tequila, and sharpish!" And so it was. The news recommended that everyone in my town pack up a leave, and leave we did. Some go to shelters, some to friends' houses, I go to Mexico. Why sir, would one leave America's Finest City for a third world dump that people risk life and limb to leave, you ask? Well, I'll tell you.

You see, Mexico, and the Baja Peninsula in particular, is a hidden gem. Sure, you can get shot, stabbed, raped and robbed, all in the same day if you're really dumb, but those are minor deterances. Let's talk benefits. Ah, the benefits. For starters, the place we stay sits perched on a cliff that rises 30 feet above the majestic Pacific Ocean. A jacuzzi is positioned in the back yard overlooking the beach, perfect for watching sunset, drinking beer and doing whatever your dirty little mind conjures up. There are only 2-3 houses on either side of the property, so even when there are neighbors present, which there rarely are since this is a vacation rental development and not many people reside there full time, you feel like you are in your own world with your own rules. And you know what I think about creating my own rules now....sehr gut, herr doctor. Or as my little Hispanic hosts would say, "Muy Bueno."

Now I could go on and on about the house and all of its amenities, but that would really belie the point I'm working towards. The beauty of Mexico, what really puts it at, or near, the very top of my list of vacation destinations is this: everyone is so effing lazy and very little, if anything, is seen as an urgent matter (aside from Soccer, which I also love). That's right. I just said that I love a country essentially because it's people are inherently lazy. Now before you start writing me hate mail and calling me ignorant, let me explain what I mean.

You may or may not have heard the term "Manana." In Spanish it means "Tomorrow," but when applied to Mexicans it refers to the attitude the indigenous people have towards life in general. There's just no great sense of urgency to get things done and it creates a wonderful atmosphere of relaxation and a feeling that nothing really matters as much as society would have you believe. As soon as you cross the border into Mexico, you feel like there is nothing urgent in life aside from getting a nice cold cerveza in your hand as soon as humanly possible. What better attitude could you hope to gain when you need to retreat from reality? I've traveled the world over and I can say from experience that no other culture I've seen has mastered the skill of apathy (yes, apathy is a skill when applied to certain situations) quite like the Mexi's have. It's quite amazing, really. They enjoy life and make the most of it by not caring. Essentially, they care by not caring at all. It's freaking genius. On paper, that concept makes about as much sense as a grown man in drag riding a Harley, but it works for them, and that's all that really matters.

So when I say that Mexicans are lazy and don't really care much about anything, it's true, but it should also be taken as a mighty fine compliment. Mexicans may not be on their way to world domination, unless you define world domination by tequila and refried bean consumption, but they do know how to relax, and host those that are looking for the same vibe. I don't go on vacation to take on someone else's damn agenda, and I sure as hell don't go on vacation to be busy. I go on vacation to forget about life's worries and do anything I please, which usually entails some variation of beer, art (music, writing, film, etc.) and being as sedentary as possible. For those things, Mexico is a small slice of heaven. Author's Note: This last trip to Mexico was not intended to be a vacation, but, well, like I alluded to, it's hard not to fall into vacation mode when you're in Mexico.

A word from the wise, folks....escape. Allow yourselves to escape. Whether it be a trip to Mexico, a trip to your own favorite destination, or simply an "escape" into the pages of an engaging novel or lyrics to a great song, just make sure you escape. Often. Life, although beautiful in small doses, can be a motherfucker. If you don't have a safe place to go, physical or mental, you'll end up mental, and that's not fun for anyone. Now go find your happy place and get right with the universe. It's needs your help.


TWF