Puerto Vallarta
Puerto Vallarta
SOLO TRAVEL JOURNAL
Arrival
Puerto Vallarta,
was my first short experience with Mexican culture and I fell in love with it. The language, the people, the lush balance of nature and beautiful beaches but mostly the simplicity.
My 1st SOLO, out of country trip. I chose to travel to PV when I continued to hear from my friends how beautiful and fun it was. So I planned a 7day vacation to start my summer off. I still remember how excited yet anxious I was once my plane landed. I took an airport taxi to the loading docks to catch my water taxi to my new home for the next 5days.
I decided to get away from the typical Puerto Vallarta, party vacation and retreat to the jungle. I stayed in a village called “Yelapa” which is only accessible by boat. One way in the village and one way out.
Once I arrived on the beach of Yelapa I was greeted by a man who only spoke Spanish on an ATV ready to wisk me away to my Airbnb. He asked if I was “CANDY” lol so I assumed he was the transportation my Airbnb had sent for me. I rode on the back on this stranger and his ATV about 3mins through a small portion of the village where I saw nothing but beautiful lush green trees, passion fruits, mangos, jack fruits and vibrant colored flowers everywhere.
Once I arrived to my Airbnb I realized I was definitely in the jungle lol. My whole home was open and outdoors. My bathroom was made from bamboo and my room constantly had hummingbirds flying in and out of it. No AC, just a electrical fan.
Sleeping in the jungle?
The thought, the idea was beautiful but lets just say I didn’t think this all the way through, the BUGS, I didn’t think the big ass bugs all of the way through lol. The only thing separating me from the 4,5,6 legged critters was a curtain around my bed.
I learned QUICKLY that “bed time” was when the sun went down, I also remembered quickly that light attracted bugs (rolls eyes). My 1st night was full of screams from bugs flying past my face, hitting myself everytime I thought I felt something crawl of me lol & occasionally yelling “WHAT THE F**CK IS THAT” to the top of my lungs!! My neighbors came running & knocking on my door because they heard screaming haha. I was just yelling at the bugs thats all lol.
My 1st Vacation Sober…….
With only 3months sober I was so crippled by fear of relapsing so much that I spent the 1st two days of vacation in my room. In Mexico as soon as your plane lands they offer you FREE drinks & shots. I was totally out of my comfort zone and full of anxiety. I spent the next two days stuck in my head, yet I couldn’t help but think of the quote
“Where ever you go, there you are”
It was time to get out.
After two days of allowing myself to be stuck in my own self made mental prison, I decided to take my power back and thrive. I had to remind myself to embrace the change my mind, body and spirit was going through and instead of holding on to the fear and anxiety as my comfort blanket, I let the emotions pass. I didn’t need them anymore where I was going…… which was to a waterfall!!!
Crazy story on my walk to the waterfall, I stopped and asked a couple that looked to be tourists for directions and turns out they were both from Houston, Texas lol. I promise no matter where I am I meet people from Houston. They even worked in the same school district as I. We were so amazed by this that we planned to meet the next day to go on an excursion.
I hiked about 30 minutes of a straight incline through the village,through homes, backyards and restaurants just to get to the waterfall lol. There were white birds flying around everywhere. This place was pure magic, heaven and euphoria wrapped in one.
QUEEN of the jungle.
“When old patterns change, New worlds emerge.”
Rainy Season!!
A.K.A a category 3 hurricane was on its way. My phone was going off with texts from my momma and friends about the hurricane headed my way. I didn’t do my research in regards to tropical countries and their rainy season months. So as soon as I got the confidence to get out and explore, I was told to head back home for my safety. As soon as I started my walk through the village it began to pour down raining.
One of the ladies from the village felt so bad for me she brought me a towel and a garbage bag to put over my backpack. I was SOAKED!! Here I was back in my Airbnb, laying in my hammock listening to the rain, the wind and the wild animals. The peace I felt was intoxicating, numbing and levitating.
The color of nature
“It is a blessing to be the color EARTH. Do you know how many times flowers confuse me for home?”
MIND
A beautiful servant
A dangerous master
-OSHO
This was my first night I was able to relax and enjoy each moment intentionally being present. I was alone yet no where near lonely. I realized I had started my healing process and finally I was able to take a deep breath and just LIVE. As I laid in my hammock surrounded by hummingbirds, passion fruits and palm trees I felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude, not only for my life but gratitude for my state of mind, that I was even able to RECOGNIZE that I was holding myself in a mental prison. I was even more grateful that I had the TOOLS to exit my self made cage of fear and anxiety. So I went to the yard, took my shoes off, laid in the grass and grounded myself. I envisioned my being, my bodily vessel being hugged by the branches and vines of the earth beneath me. I imagined the earth hugging me so tightly yet gently enough that I received infinite love, harmony and understanding to each cell and fiber in my body. At that moment I wasn't anxious or fearful, I wasn’t anything or anyone….
I was just…..PRESENT!
The next day I met the Houston couple, we went horseback riding looking for a waterfall. My horse was funny to say the least lol when leading the pack he HAD to be first, I can’t count how many times we both almost fell of a cliff because he wanted to speed up and jump over rocks to get in front of other horses lol like Ricky Bobby said if your not first then youre last lol. After horses we all went on an excursion to “Islas Marietes” island which was beyond beautiful, but I because you have to swim to the cave and then go under water to get inside I had to leave my phone (rolls eyes).
Boat ride from hell..
the boat ride back started off fun because the water was a little choppy, well 30mins later the fun had gone out of the boat and so did one of the passengers. He flew right overboard because the waves were so strong every bump sent us all a foot in the air. Everyone was holding on to something for dear life lol This was the scariest fun i’ve ever had, out in the middle of the ocean, nothing in sight this is very intimidating. But we made it though, and my butt was sore for days lol.
Danny Gomez
Sooooo my last two days I stayed at a different Airbnb. One with real AC lol. Once I got settled I decided go explore a few beaches. As I walked to the dock I heard someone shout “HEY BEAUTIFUL WANNA GO SNORKELING WITH ME AND MY FRIENDS ON MY BOAT?” lol This guy was about 6’2 in white muscle shirt with tattoos all over just like on tv with a HEAVY California/mexican accent. A part of me was soooo nervous, but then he came over talked to me and I decided to go on the boat with him. (solo travelers don’t do this) Turns out I needed to speak to Danny.
As we sat by the beach he told me how he feels guilty for not being with his grandmother when she passed away. He told me that his family treated him badly since he wasn’t there and how he would have given his life for his grandma. He explained how being distant was his way of dealing with the grief.
This resonated with my spirit so much because I too was carrying so much guilt, guilt that was given to me and wasn’t even mine to carry. My dad died the same year as Danny’s grandma and I felt just as guilty for not being there for him like I could have been. Danny and I bonded through our pain in an hour. I needed him and I believe he needed me.
From that day he looked out for me, whatever I needed he made sure I had. I met some of his family and friends and ate with them on the beach. These are the divine interactions that guide me along my journey.
Get back to NATURE!
Leaving this place wasn’t the easiest, I believe the talk I had with Danny made me feel even more connected to everything and everyone around me. I was literally in love, singing and dancing while walking. I was on a cloud and I was beyond grateful for my journey.
