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Mexico

Is peace even possible? Diane's story

Returning to my table after dancing on my impromptu dance floor, an older woman sitting alone asked me where I was from. “Canada,” I replied. (I take note of greetings as I travel around the world. “Como esta (how are you)?” would be the usual Mexican greeting, but here everyone’s first question to me is where I’m from. Perhaps it’s because so many tourists visit Puerto Angel, Mexico, I’m so pale, or everyone can recognise each other in the small town.)

Life needs more dancing!

After I met Ian and José Carlos on the beach, I took the shortcut over the rocks to the neighbouring beach. Rain and waves had churned up the water on this beach, and I sought calmer waters for a swim. I love swimming in the ocean; the buoyancy, quiet, and peacefulness are calming, and when there are waves I love body surfing. I always bring a mask and snorkel so I can float in a natural "serenity tank," or see whatever sea life is there to be found. But today, even on the calmer beach, I could barely see my hands in front of me.

Inner and outer harmony - Ian Miguel's story

In my recent post, God has blessed us to bless others, I told you about meeting Ian and José Carlos on the beach while they were doing an environmental survey to track global warming. After talking for a little while about their project, I told them about my passion for peace, and the storytelling project that I was conducting around the world. When I asked Ian what peace mean to him, I was struck by the answer.

A little bit crazy, a little bit happy – José Carlos’ story

In my last post I told you about meeting José Carlos and Ian on the beach. When I asked José Carlos what peace meant to him, I didn’t fully follow the answer, so Ian translated for us. “Peace is the perfect combination of being a little bit mad and a little bit happy, he said.

Mad like angry, or mad like ‘loco’ (crazy)?, I clarified.

Mad like crazy, locito.

 

God has blessed us to bless others

Today is my first full day on retreat. I awoke eager to begin well and use this gift of time wisely. Although I don’t usually drink coffee, I brewed an organic Americano to counteract the fatigue of work and travels. I brought my coffee and Bible onto the patio. The boats in the bay, the wind, waves and butterflies spoke so eloquently no words were necessary for the start of my morning mediation. Nor can I put into words the peacefulness in my soul; you’ll have to feel between the lines to comprehend it.

Flavio, the Fisherman

On my tour of Puerto Angel yesterday, I said hi to many people, who responded with smiles and greetings: women pushing baby strollers as their toddlers ran ahead laughing; women sweeping porches, men at work, or looking for passengers for their taxis; shopkeepers, youth and waiters. But yesterday I promised to tell you about Flavio, the old fisherman who was mending his net when I walked back home. I’d said “good day” to him and his two friends on the way past, but didn’t recognize him alone when I returned. I simply stopped to say hi and ask what he was doing.

Finally, I've arrived (in Puerto Angel)

It’s my third day at the airport trying to get a flight out of Mexico City. This morning has started with its own frustrations. Moving from [non-working] kiosk to [wrong] line to [non-working] kiosk to [correct] line, I finally checked in my bag and found the gate. But my flight’s been delayed again. I’m taking the opportunity to write. It’s not in the setting that I’d planned, but I’m able to tune out the bustle of the airport to concentrate.

Finding Peace in Life’s Detours

Yesterday I landed in Mexico, a week in advance of the Baptist Peace Fellowship conference I’ve been looking forward to all year. Planning to meet a friend in Mexico City before proceeding to a writing retreat at the ocean, I booked a one day stopover in the city. When his plans changed last minute and he canceled our meeting, I tried to cancel my layover, anxious to start my retreat. When that proved impossible, I hailed a taxi to the city and looked for something to do near my B&B.

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