Curious Traveler | C.J. Fitzwater Feb 29, 2024
Last week was winter break for most Massachusetts schools. I feel it’s my duty to create lasting memories for my child, offer learning experiences and expand his horizons.
Due to work commitments, the chance for slightly cheaper flights, and an opportunity to stretch our vacation to a full seven nights, we opted for a Wednesday-to-Wednesday trip.
Currently, I’m penning this column from Cancun, having chosen to disconnect from my daily routine. Yet, writing this column holds as much importance to me as breathing itself. Each week, I’m unsure of the story that will emerge, but invariably, a story makes its way onto the Google Docs page where I draft my tales.
I am constantly observing, driven by curiosity about the lives of people I meet in my travels. Typically, we take an Uber to Logan Airport, favoring the first flight in the morning, though my wife prefers a later one to catch up on sleep.
Sleep, to her, is essential, while I view it more as a nuisance. Our disagreements are rare, largely because she’s usually right, and a first ballot Hall of Fame sweetheart, but when they occur, it’s often because I’ve encroached on her cherished time of rest.
Joseph Ndungu was our Uber driver, arriving early in his very clean but older Hyundai Elantra. We loaded our bags into his trunk, I took the passenger seat to let my wife and son sit together in the back. I noticed a Kenya keychain and that he was listening to motivational speaker Jim Rohn through his Bluetooth.
His love for learning was evident. Before even leaving my driveway, I’d already met the most interesting person I would likely converse with all week. Joseph, originally from Kenya, moved to the U.S. after college in 2009, settling in Danvers and then Seabrook.
A father of four, he started a transportation business that struggled during COVID-19 due to lockdown restrictions and the closure of schools for his primary clients, high-needs children. Despite the setback, it was clear Joseph remained determined to succeed, now making ends meet through Uber.
Our trip to the airport was swift, thanks to the lack of traffic during school vacation week. We breezed through security at Logan, the only inconvenience being the lengthy walk through the newly remodeled international Terminal E to Gate 15, past the Delta club reserved for the more seasoned travelers.
En route to our gate, we indulged in overpriced muffins and coffee, and unexpectedly crossed paths with Marty Walsh, the former mayor of Boston and now executive director of the National Hockey League Players’ Association, on his way to Toronto.
Boarding the flight, I deliberately stored my phone away, striving to detach from my auto auction work. Yet, my observations continued, watching as others tried, with varying degrees of success, to leave their own worlds behind. Sporadic arguments broke out among couples over the need to disconnect and be present.
A quick four-hour flight to Cancun, a destination directly south of Alabama, in the Caribbean. Surprisingly, the city nearing a million people has only been around since 1970.
It was modeled after Miami, and the Mexican government invested in the first nine resorts. It sits in the Yucatán Peninsula, the easternmost point in the country close to the Mayan city of Chichen Itza, the World Heritage site that dates back to pre-Columbian America.
I set boundaries for myself, like leaving my phone in my room, a piece of wisdom shared by a co-worker. This getaway came just when I needed it most, after enduring a stretch that had nearly depleted me. It was time for a much-needed reset.
My son Max, now 15, is at that stage where impressing him has become a rare event. Gone are the days when he would gleefully shout, “Daddy” upon my return from work – an unparalleled joy.
Nowadays, coaxing him to spend time with me is a challenge. Nonetheless, we planned several adventures, including a visit to Chichen Itza, exploring a cenote – a natural underground reservoir of water – and swimming with dolphins, hoping these experiences would forge unforgettable memories.
Most of our time, though, has been spent relaxing at the resort, lounging by the pool or swimming in the luminescent blue sea of the Caribbean. The weather has been nothing short of perfect. Unfortunately, I did encounter Montezuma’s Revenge, but a call to Cheryl Papandrea, a friend and frequent visitor to this area, led me to a “farmacia” to fix my upset stomach.
Inspired by a verse of James Taylor’s song “Mexico,” “Oh, down in Mexico, I’ve never really been, so I don’t really know, Oh, Mexico, I guess I’ll have to go,” and Cheryl, who often raved about her winter getaways here with her partner Lou, complete with dark, golden tans and fun stories. We plan to join them later this week at the brand new Isla Dorada Casino.
The people of Mexico are proud, and each one of its 31 states has its own beautiful, colorful story. It is one of the six cradles of civilizations.
We have not felt unsafe in Mexico, despite the country’s recent negative portrayal in the media due to violence. The locals are incredibly friendly, and we haven’t been subjected to the usual pressures from street hustlers.
Interestingly, Mexico boasts a lower unemployment rate than the U.S. and its infrastructure is undergoing significant improvements. One notable project is the El Tren Maya, a brand new, high-speed train that is nearing completion. This train spans the Yucatán Peninsula, designed to enhance tourism, covering 966 miles and capable of reaching speeds of 100 mph.
At the resort, we’ve encountered a variety of people, including a retiree who feels uneasy about how his career ended, a happy butcher from Minnesota, a waitress who was a doppelganger of a departed friend, and a notably tall family from Utah.
Observing perhaps a hundred others, I’ve pondered their stories, what they do for a living, and our own self-importance. It’s also become clear how attached we are to our phones.
The phenomenon of “paparazzi boyfriends” trailing their girlfriends around the resort for photo shoots was a common sight. While I miss my dog and my pillow, the opportunity to disconnect and press the reset button in this tropical paradise is precisely what my family needed.
Salisbury resident C.J. Fitzwater is a curious traveler, perpetually on the lookout for fresh frontiers. With each journey, he blends historical threads into his stories. Email him at: cfitzwater@ymail.com.
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