Cancun, Mexico “Silence, Solitude, Serene, Peace, Bliss”
Cancun means snake nest. If I had known that before, I would have never gone there. But, this trip was definitely a divine calling. I had no plans, no maps, no reservations, no GPS, no directions, no habla espanol. All the values I possess were not only not valued here, but also people did not know why I was the way I was [again validating my point USA is the best place for an NRI]. I don’t drink even when the 5 star hotel full-bar was all-inclusive complimentary (I did enjoy coconut water in real coconut and not from a can, pineapple juice filled in a carved pineapple), I am a Vegan (Lady, you Indian/Texan/Vegan??), and I don’t dance or lie around the pools or bars (I am either swimming/baby-sitting - surprisingly to a large number of kids whose parents were nowhere to be seen. A security guard once brought a kid to me at 10.30pm for a hand over since he thought I was the mom, I did not know if I should just take the kid or call my husband or just say no). I was totally in an unknown place. The previous statement applied to me at different levels. I have been that way for quite some time now - spiritually lost, meta-physically burnt-out.
My daughter and I went on a vacation to celebrate our birthdays, both of us being cancerians. Crabs love beach. We will also be hitting Hawaii this year. Beaches are one thing I never get bored off. I have lived on ocean-front residence for nearly 2/3rd of my life.
Cancun and Cozumel Beaches were the best I have ever seen among San Diego, LA, NY, Houston, South Padres, Madras, Mangalore, Bombay, Singapore, Hongkong, Kanyakumari, Thirupullaani. I cannot include Florida in this, since I only saw Florida after dark
. Later some great Italian world-traveler informed me that these beaches were the best in the world for many reasons. He also told me to go to Australia since the reefs there too are good. As always, by the time I left Cancun I was already itching to go to El Salvador/Chile/Brazil based on Mr. & Mrs. Berbiari’s advice. Australia, later with hubby, since he has some friends there.
The hotel resort we stayed at was a 5 star and a leading hotel of the world. Staff were waiting at the beck and call of the guests. I was worried they were spoiling my daughter. I kind of hated all this pampering: handing the towel as soon as you step off the pool, fixing your chair when you go in for a casual breakfast, opening & closing doors, taking my hand to seat me in a jeep, cleaning the room everytime we left (this scared the hell out of me the first time when we returned from beach at 12pm and saw the TV on with classical music and a lady in the bathroom - my immediate thought: is she meeting with her lover in my room when I am not there? Or is she trying to steal my most BELOVED american passport?). People were dressed upscale for the restaurants, and here I was wearing my most casual swim slippers. I could not care less.
I read a book, Mount Vernon Love Story recommended by Vidya, wowed at the reefs and the beach, amazed at the natural state of such a popular destination.
My daughter enjoyed swimming with dolphins, hugging nurse sharks, holding live sea anemones, collecting real starfish….
But the most important thing was that I was placed in IMMENSE solitude and silence. The first day, I was very uncomfortable. It made me look inward and I am not used to that. I was beginning to question the purpose of existence. I mean, WHY are we here? For making money, enjoying the pleasures, being good to others??? AND I am not good at any of these, would that make my life a failure?
WHAT is the point?
But, by the time I left, I realized that solitude and silence are the ultimate ways to be one with the Infinite. After all, Buddha, Jesus, and all the great ones had to go through years of it to maintain their serenity, peace, and bliss.
I have definitely not got answers to my questions. It is okay, I will keep seeking. It took the great Enlightened one 39 days in a forest. I am a mere mortal, I can wait longer. Most important thing is, I feel initiated on this spiritual journey. Cancun vacation turned out to be my pilgrimage. I am so glad I went alone to a place where it was a chore to talk, even for me
, with native spanish.
I am beginning to think the reason for life is to seek this ultimate truth. To be one with nature. To feel the great bliss of being one with the Infinite, being the infinite.
I am going to do this travelling once a year without my husband. My daughter proves to be a great travel companion.
On my birthday, I have promised myself a few gifts:
1. slow down,
2. 1 hour of silence and solitude everyday in the morning,
3. being humble enough to pray for what I seek everyday, being grateful is not enough, aspirations are necessary.
4. I am only accountable to myself.
Also, I was surprised at how my last blog on Carly’s last 2 paragraphs applied to me to the point. We did have 2 hour breakfasts!!!!












