Ah, Mexico. Sun, sand, beaches, delicious food and colourful culture – did I mention sun? On a dark and rainy night in Toronto (following a recent stint of dark and rainy days) Mexico sounds like heaven.

Long known as a literal “hotspot” and favorite getaway for North Americans, Mexico offers a tropical escape that’s not so far from home. My first trip to Mexico was to the oh-so touristy world of the all-inclusive resort. Now I am not putting down resort life, it has its place, and I have enjoyed a number of resort-based trips where my biggest concern of the week was how long the walk was from the beach to the restaurant, and would my cerveza stay cold for the duration of this walk. Resorts have their perks. They allow us to completely and utterly relax. They also allow me to participate in one of my favorite pastimes – reading. I devourer books when I’m on a resort vacation and I feel no guilt in doing so. There’s no laundry to be done, no dog to be walked – just me, the beach and my books.

While all of this relaxation sounds ideal, I always find by day three or four of resort life I need to leave…I need to explore! On this particular trip to the Riviera Maya, there was much exploring to be done.

Venturing off the resort one morning, we took a colectivo to the beautiful ruins of Tulum, and to the bustling beach town of Playa del Carmen for an afternoon.

Picturesque Tulum is set on cliffs above the sparking ocean of the Yucatán Peninsula. Known as one of the last cities inhabited by the Mayan people, the ruins at this site are well preserved and strikingly beautiful. It’s a humbling experience to stand at the base of the Pyramid El Castillo and remember that this city was built in a time before the technologies of modern construction. It’s an idyllic site that makes you pause and reflect on the past – picturing the day-to-day lives of those who once lived here, in this place that is surrounded ocean and flooded with sun.

Playa del Carmen, though lined with touristy shops (keychain anyone?), makes for a good afternoon of leisurely strolling. From the live music on every corner, to authentic tacos from a street vendor (isn’t street food always the best food?), Playa del Carmen provides a glimpse into the vibrant culture of Mexico. More so than you will see at your resort down the street, at least.

The best part of both excursions was the ride in the colectivo. In this part of Mexico, colectivos (small white buses) barrel down the highway picking up and dropping off passengers along the way. Not at bus stops or along an organized route, but they get you to where you need to be…more or less. We flagged these down at the side of the highway outside of our resort, told them where we were heading, paid 30 pesos and were on our way. When we arrived somewhat close to our destination, the bus driver called out to us and we hopped off and ventured on our way. The passengers who joined us for the ride were primarily locals, some on their way to work, other off to a nearby city or town, all offering a glimpse into the daily routine in this part of the world. It is these experiences I love – the ones where I see the “real” culture and routine of the place I’m visiting. Where I can blend in to the background and pretend for a minute that I have lived there my whole life.

So thanks Mexico – for the sun, the sand, the food, the culture, and for always being there for us Canadians when we need a break from cold and rainy days. I look forward to discovering more of this vast and colourful country.

What to read?

For Context.

The Mexico Reader: History, Culture, Politics by Gilbert M. Joseph (Editor), Timothy J. Henderson (Editor)

Part of the Latin America Readers series published by Duke University Press, this book offers a broad overview of Mexican history through the use of stories, essays, poetry, photos and more, providing a glimpse into life in Mexico from the days of the Aztec Empire to modern life and politics.

For Fun.

The Lacuna by Barbara Kingsolver

I am a big fan of Barbara Kingsolver’s writing, I will even venture to say that the Poisonwood Bible is in my top five for fiction. I picked up The Lacuna anticipating another captivating story, and I was right. This one is set largely in Mexico, and while I don’t think it’s always necessary to read a book that is set in the location that you are currently visiting, I think this one is a good choice. Through the adventures of Harrison Shepherd, you are transported to Mexico City and the world of Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera, communism, art and the passionate people who shape his life. This work of fiction is embedded with historical anecdotes, and though a dense read at times, is a highly descriptive and entertaining story.