A VIEW FROM THE VILLAGE Cherrie Olson

I am returning to Sayulita after the holidays, and I cannot wait to arrive. A month away in the cold north is too long, and I am anxious to wiggle my toes in the warm sand again. I always feel like I am missing out on something when I am away.

After more than forty years of coming to Mexico, I have developed an inner compass that awakens at the same time each year, and I feel a stirring, a yearning, and a need to go south, The monarch butterflies, and the hummingbirds, have that built in, as they respond each year and return to the same place.

I inhale that first breath of warm, humid air as I step off the airplane, and my shoulders soften, then I am on the road north with growing anticipation. I think I know every bend in the two-lane highway that leads to the village. My heart speeds up a bit as we turn on to the little road into town. God knows how many times I have done this, but my response remains the same.
Who will I see first? What has changed? What hasn’t? Each familiar sight marks my progress, and heightens my joy.

Gina and Lalo’s building is on the right, then on the left, the cantina. I roll down the window to gather the sounds and smells, and shout greetings to familiar faces.

The smell of fresh roasting chickens reminds me how hungry I am for that meal, and those of the other local vendors who serve the delicious home cooking, which I have missed. Street tacos, pozole, pescado entero mojo de ajo, Ice cream from the palleterias, and, of course, the cake ladies across from the plaza every evening.

And then, there is the light. For me, the most magic time of day is the late afternoon, when the sun begins to set, and the sky softens to a warm coral glow, turning the ocean into a dancing kaleidoscope of reflected color. That is when I love to go to one of the little beach bars on the north end, to share a “Corona moment”, and some quiet conversation with a friend.

As we drive slowly through the street, it is warming to hear a friendly,” hola”, as I pass, and I check the shops and businesses, I have known for so long. As I arrive at the plaza, I see the taxis lined up, and the friendly drivers gathered in the square engaged in their usual amiable conversations. Yes, everything is in place, and I feel like I am home.

I suppose I am counting the blessings of being in Sayulita, and today, I am especially thankful. As I write, one of the world’s poorest countries has just become even poorer as it has been hit by a massive earthquake, killing thousands of people, and devastating, what was already a fragile nation.

We are so fortunate to be where we are, and able to enjoy each day, in our warm, easy, dot on the planet. So take a moment to send your good thoughts, your prayers, and if you are so inclined, a donation, to the people of Haiti. They will need all of that and more in the days, weeks, and months to come