I first visited the Riviera Maya in 2003. At 18, I saved enough money from working at a garden nursery and spent a week in Cancun. For many years, Cancun was my only memory of the RM.
Just before my 30th birthday, I took an agonizing 12-hour flight from Germany to Cancun. Before meeting my dad, I spent a couple nights in Playa del Carmen, which is a step up from Cancun.
Crowded streets chocked full of Australian and European backpackers that hung out at street side taco stands, sipping on the good life, a Corona. Where am I? Thailand?
Just before my 30th birthday, I took an agonizing 12-hour flight from Germany to Cancun. Before meeting my dad, I spent a couple nights in Playa del Carmen, which is a step up from Cancun.
Crowded streets chocked full of Australian and European backpackers that hung out at street side taco stands, sipping on the good life, a Corona. Where am I? Thailand?
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Normally, Mexico is the big and exotic destination for Americans, but I had no idea that young backpackers also flocked to the RM. Young at heart, I felt alive, not worrying about turning the big 3-0 and remembered my backpacking adventures around Asia. Oh the life to be young and free….
I instantly fell in love with Playa del Carmen (though my love affair deepened once I got to Tulum) as the air had this sultry sensation between man, earth and guacamole.
Jet lag, I arose close to five in the morning where I made way to the beach. Not surprised, I as well as many other techno-loving partiers enjoyed the sunrise while dancing and still drinking beer. If there is such a thing as heaven and earth, I think I found it. My eyes gazed at one of the most dramatic skies I've ever seen. I peeled my eyes to the sky waiting for some Mayan God to burst from the dark and stormy rain clouds.
I instantly fell in love with Playa del Carmen (though my love affair deepened once I got to Tulum) as the air had this sultry sensation between man, earth and guacamole.
Jet lag, I arose close to five in the morning where I made way to the beach. Not surprised, I as well as many other techno-loving partiers enjoyed the sunrise while dancing and still drinking beer. If there is such a thing as heaven and earth, I think I found it. My eyes gazed at one of the most dramatic skies I've ever seen. I peeled my eyes to the sky waiting for some Mayan God to burst from the dark and stormy rain clouds.
My soul felt at home and my pocketbook yearned for further exploration.
Blistering my feet in flip-flops, I paced up, down and around every street in Playa del Carmen. Broke and unemployed, I needed to control my inner “consumerisitic” warrior from shining. From handmade necklaces that draped over one’s backside to la-la-luxurious $250 swimsuit wraps, I found an entirely new wardrobe and apartment décor collection. Sadly, I had to walk away from any "bad" decisions.
Blistering my feet in flip-flops, I paced up, down and around every street in Playa del Carmen. Broke and unemployed, I needed to control my inner “consumerisitic” warrior from shining. From handmade necklaces that draped over one’s backside to la-la-luxurious $250 swimsuit wraps, I found an entirely new wardrobe and apartment décor collection. Sadly, I had to walk away from any "bad" decisions.
Hand painted pots called my name and misogynistic cat-callers whistled to every “chica bonita” who walked past.
Playa del Carmen is a place for partygoers and the young at heart. Here, visitors can rent affordable guestrooms or apartments that are neatly decorated with tropical flowers and Mexican-style tile.
Playa del Carmen is a place for partygoers and the young at heart. Here, visitors can rent affordable guestrooms or apartments that are neatly decorated with tropical flowers and Mexican-style tile.
I visited during the annual bpm festival where world-famous DJ’s from around the world play in beach clubs and bars from sunrise to sunrise. It’s a nonstop party palace, which also attracts the euro-trash beefcakes who strut their shit shirtless with beer in their left hand and fist-pump to the beat of the music with the right.
But, let’s not forget about the “Americanas”…
To me, Playa is a fusion between the trash of Cancun and the class of Tulum. I took a beach walk one afternoon since I wanted to photograph the beach. Near the ferry dock is the popular Senor Frogs establishment. At about 1pm, drunken beer-belly American men grounded the shit out of women to 1992 “big butts” hip-hop music just like a local trying to mortar some cumin. In fact, they had about a 10-person dry-humping train that choo-choo’d for more shots of tequila.
But, let’s not forget about the “Americanas”…
To me, Playa is a fusion between the trash of Cancun and the class of Tulum. I took a beach walk one afternoon since I wanted to photograph the beach. Near the ferry dock is the popular Senor Frogs establishment. At about 1pm, drunken beer-belly American men grounded the shit out of women to 1992 “big butts” hip-hop music just like a local trying to mortar some cumin. In fact, they had about a 10-person dry-humping train that choo-choo’d for more shots of tequila.
Onto more prominent things, if you head to the gated Playacar community you will secretly find some old ruins. Well, I don’t know how good their security is because all you have to do is walk through someone’s backyard from the beach to get into the community.
But, the Mayans must’ve noticed the magnetic energy that surrounds this area. With broken ruins and bursting palm tree-like leaves, a little peaceful sanctuary exists away from Playa’s main drag.
Such roots. Such history. Life is amazing. At one point of human existence, intelligent tribes came here to discover the “x, y and z’s” about life. Now several blocks away, over-intoxicated drunkards pissed on the palm trees near these very ruins.
But, the Mayans must’ve noticed the magnetic energy that surrounds this area. With broken ruins and bursting palm tree-like leaves, a little peaceful sanctuary exists away from Playa’s main drag.
Such roots. Such history. Life is amazing. At one point of human existence, intelligent tribes came here to discover the “x, y and z’s” about life. Now several blocks away, over-intoxicated drunkards pissed on the palm trees near these very ruins.
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What the fuck is going on with the world? I didn’t have the answer and I knew consumerism played a roll into the dramas of life. Until I knew the answer, I cleansed my soul in this powerful ocean and looked forward to heading south.
For some reason, a small part of me felt at home. Playa is the perfect mix of peace and quiet and party-time bars that remind me of my study abroad trip to the Gold Coast, Australia. It's amazing how memories are stirred from a place's sight, sounds and scenery. Although playa can be expensive, at least the guacamole is tasty and affordable.
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For some reason, a small part of me felt at home. Playa is the perfect mix of peace and quiet and party-time bars that remind me of my study abroad trip to the Gold Coast, Australia. It's amazing how memories are stirred from a place's sight, sounds and scenery. Although playa can be expensive, at least the guacamole is tasty and affordable.
Want to Connect?
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