"Are you from Argentina, you speak Spanish so well but I can`t place your accent," says a dark Spaniard to me.
I smile, "No, Chicago but I´ve been speaking all my life."
We start chatting on the beach casually. The sun is setting over the ocean and he says that this is paradise. How can I possibly disagree?
"Mexico is so beautiful, Spain gave up such a beautiful country and handed it to the Mexicans and look at what a disaster they have managed to make of it."
Jen´s Brain: Oh, no he did not just say that to me...
Jen´s Mouth: As I recall, Spain didn´t exactly hand it over. There were wars fought and Mexico won. Also, they stole the land from its original inhabitants so the possession of Mexico by Spain, in my opinion was a mere occupation.
Him: Well, the Maya and Aztec were constantly fighting as well. The way I see it you are either the conquistador or conquested. So do you have a boyfriend?
Jen´s Brain: FUCK! Of course, I should have known that this was why he pulled me away to chat. Ugh, I am so naive sometimes...I never know. I can never tell...
Jen´s Mouth: No.
Him: Oh, such a pretty girl like you, not having a boyfriend. Why is that?
Jen´s Brain: Shit, do I have to justify this question? Pretty maybe but I´m thinking a more appropriate word might be lucky at the moment.
Him: I don´t have a girlfriend.
Jen´s Brain: Can I go now? I thought we were discussing conquests...well I guess this is kinda the same thing.
Him: So, Yenni, how do you like your men? What is your type?
Jen´s Brain: Not you.
Jen´s Mouth: I don´t know...I guess the most important thing is that they know themselves.
Him: Yes, that is good. I like women who know themselves too.
Jen´s Brain: Okay...exit line, Jen, exit line!!
Jen´s Mouth: You know I am just so exhausted. I need to go to bed. It has been a really long day.
Him: (looking disappointed) Oh, it´s still quite early. You should hang out more. What are you up to tomorrow. Maybe we can go to the beach together or something.
Jen´s Brain: Nope.
Jen´s Mouth: (smile) Goodnight.
Since this exchange the gentleman in question has been following me around the hostel, trying to talk to me and I have been trying to look incredibly busy, as incredibly busy as one can look on an island and at a hostel with hammocks at every corner. I´ve been avoiding him like the plague the Spaniards brought to these lands. The time has come for me to get off this island.
The Spaniards have however, redeemed themselves in the form of an adorable, intelligent young woman named Eli. She is a writer, artist and traveler and we spent a whole night talking about life, spirituality, travelling and global social issues. We exchanged pictures of artwork and per her lovely recommendation I am leaving Isla Mujeres and going to Isla Holbox, a much less visited and touristed island. It is a fisherman`s port and sounds like some lovely quiet for this writer to get some work done.
As a sidenote my father would not forgive me if I didn´t mention my own Spanish blood, of which I am composed of half. A quarter from Galecia and a quarter from Islas Canarias.
I smile, "No, Chicago but I´ve been speaking all my life."
We start chatting on the beach casually. The sun is setting over the ocean and he says that this is paradise. How can I possibly disagree?
"Mexico is so beautiful, Spain gave up such a beautiful country and handed it to the Mexicans and look at what a disaster they have managed to make of it."
Jen´s Brain: Oh, no he did not just say that to me...
Jen´s Mouth: As I recall, Spain didn´t exactly hand it over. There were wars fought and Mexico won. Also, they stole the land from its original inhabitants so the possession of Mexico by Spain, in my opinion was a mere occupation.
Him: Well, the Maya and Aztec were constantly fighting as well. The way I see it you are either the conquistador or conquested. So do you have a boyfriend?
Jen´s Brain: FUCK! Of course, I should have known that this was why he pulled me away to chat. Ugh, I am so naive sometimes...I never know. I can never tell...
Jen´s Mouth: No.
Him: Oh, such a pretty girl like you, not having a boyfriend. Why is that?
Jen´s Brain: Shit, do I have to justify this question? Pretty maybe but I´m thinking a more appropriate word might be lucky at the moment.
Him: I don´t have a girlfriend.
Jen´s Brain: Can I go now? I thought we were discussing conquests...well I guess this is kinda the same thing.
Him: So, Yenni, how do you like your men? What is your type?
Jen´s Brain: Not you.
Jen´s Mouth: I don´t know...I guess the most important thing is that they know themselves.
Him: Yes, that is good. I like women who know themselves too.
Jen´s Brain: Okay...exit line, Jen, exit line!!
Jen´s Mouth: You know I am just so exhausted. I need to go to bed. It has been a really long day.
Him: (looking disappointed) Oh, it´s still quite early. You should hang out more. What are you up to tomorrow. Maybe we can go to the beach together or something.
Jen´s Brain: Nope.
Jen´s Mouth: (smile) Goodnight.
Since this exchange the gentleman in question has been following me around the hostel, trying to talk to me and I have been trying to look incredibly busy, as incredibly busy as one can look on an island and at a hostel with hammocks at every corner. I´ve been avoiding him like the plague the Spaniards brought to these lands. The time has come for me to get off this island.
The Spaniards have however, redeemed themselves in the form of an adorable, intelligent young woman named Eli. She is a writer, artist and traveler and we spent a whole night talking about life, spirituality, travelling and global social issues. We exchanged pictures of artwork and per her lovely recommendation I am leaving Isla Mujeres and going to Isla Holbox, a much less visited and touristed island. It is a fisherman`s port and sounds like some lovely quiet for this writer to get some work done.
As a sidenote my father would not forgive me if I didn´t mention my own Spanish blood, of which I am composed of half. A quarter from Galecia and a quarter from Islas Canarias.
Haha you seemingly never see it coming. You give people the benefit of the doubt more times than not. By way of reasoning you are an optimist, in a world gone to hell, congratulations!
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