My excitement was palpable for various reasons. First, it was Mexico and that is always my jam. Second, it was three years since I returned from my trip to Colombia and the Yucatan and I was overdue. Finally, the last couple of years I had made plans for a couple of extended trips. One was through Africa and the second was a return to SE Asia. For whatever reason I just kept putting them off. The idea of planning a trip was more exciting than actually taking the trip, and that is a very slippery slope.
Extended trips can be a challenge, and it took this trip to remind me that it is the challenges that create the inspiration. These can be as simple as trying to find food late a night in a new place, to dealing with sketch cab drivers, hotels that say they do not have your reservation to booking train or bus tickets in a language you do not know. Somehow it works out and sometimes you shrug your shoulders, curse, grab a beer or coffee to regroup. I am behind on my goal of 100 countries and the experiences I want to have. I will tell you what Zihua did for me, it has awakened the travel beast within me.
Not, back to the title of this post, "Would I Return to Zihua?" The short answer is no. If it came near an itinerary that I was planning (I do want to go to Acapulco) then yes, of course. A quick review; the beaches were great and the water was clean. The people were exceptional, the food was delicious and the beer was cold. The diving was meh but I adored being back in the water. I was fairly lazy on this trip and that is perfectly fine. Zihua is sold as just a small fishing village, but it is anything but that. The influx of Expats, both permanent and seasonal is obvious and not slowing down. That will present its own issues in the future.
