Perceptions, by Gerry Warner

Op-Ed Commentary

So, there we were on our way to Mexico for a little R&R and some tropical breezes along the beach and instead we meet a king. A King Tide that is.

And it never left us the entire time we were there and tore up a chunk of the beach the night we arrived and toppled a big coconut palm just down from our all-inclusive suite next to the bar about two hours after the last margaritas were consumed.

One of the resort regulars told me the next day that a whole string of giant palm trees lining Banderas Bay met the same fate the last couple of years and more were expected to fall in the future. Taking no chances, the next day, resort staff cut down another palm a few steps away from the one that fell the night before. But it had no effect on the menacing waves that kept rolling in incessantly. It also attracted some itinerant surfers that normally ignored the site in favour of higher waves further up the bay to the north.

I found out later that King Tides usually occur twice a year when the gravitational pull of the moon, the sun and the earth interact in such a way that it supercharges normal tidal swells into great surges of ocean water that can overturn ships, tear up beaches and destroy shorelines. They certainly show the awesome power of nature at its most exciting level. But we went to Mexico for relaxation and not for excitement.

Be that as it may, the landscape at Guayabitos on Mexico’s central west coast was lush and green and somewhat isolated from the larger riviera playas to the north and south of us. Guayabitos also has more of an authentic, small town ambience to it than the more glitzy – and noisy – resort belts on either sides of us. Yes, you’ll see poverty and garbage too, but the warmth of the people and the delicious Mexican cuisine more than makes up for the few shortcomings.

And the great beach community that follows the wide arc of Banderas Bay for miles of golden sand is simply magical. Picture people of all ages strolling along the lazy shoreline with torrents of deep blue water curling up into formidable waves topped by white caps rushing dangerously towards them only to break harmlessly at their feet until the riptide pulls the foamy water back out to sea again for a repeat performance. I could – and I did – watch this performance for hours and never got tired of it.

Yes, you can down your cervezas in the numerous bars along the shore, but it’s not the same. Trust me. And when I say beach community, I do mean “community.”

The atmosphere is more like an old-time carnival with hundreds of people doing their thing in the sun and the surf. Some just walk the shoreline and barely get their ankles wet. Others swim out as far as they dare then pivot and let the rolling waves carry them back to shore joining the throngs frolicking on the beach. There they eat their picnic lunches or partake of the numerous sea food stands of fresh fish, prawns and delicious oysters lining the sandy shore. In fact, you can buy almost anything from the beachside vendors including cold drinks, indigenous artwork and gifts for the folks back home.

Lying on my towel after yet another foray into the warm waves, the realization suddenly hit me. The beach is a community unto itself in Mexico. You can eat, sleep, dine, shop, read a book, people-watch, build a sandcastle, make music, play volleyball, fly a kite – you name it.

And no one does this better than the Mexicans themselves who flock to the sand in droves – la familia – to enjoy themselves. This is very healthy for one’s mental health don’t you think? How often do you see families enjoying themselves together publicly in Canada?

Be honest when you answer that question. No wonder the Mexicans say, “México no hay dos.” (Mexico is second to none). After a Cranbrook winter like this, I’m inclined to agree with them.

Gerry Warner photos

– Gerry Warner is a retired journalist that will never turn down a chance to visit Mexico.

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