Walking Rules

Discovering ourselves by connecting with Nature

What do we do in Mexico? Recharge our batteries. Escape to the Sun. Live simply. Connect with Nature, the Universe, and Ourselves. And for me, write.

One of the ways to do this is a daily walk. Whether in Mexico or Michigan, a walk with Nature is the best cure for almost anything.

I didn’t fully appreciate how much I was dependent on my daily walks until our guests arrived. My daily 3-4 hours of battery recharging got interrupted. I found myself sneaking away from the group for my walk.

Finally I understood.

There are only two people that I can include in my Nature walks here in Mexico, and they’re both named Tim, and both best friends. Yesterday Tim F wanted to go up to Casa Abandonada, so off we went.

“What kind of tree is that?” I asked, stopping to take some pictures. (Papaya, I think, iNaturalist ID pending).

It’s hard for me to walk with other people. I don’t like to talk about things in the past, or in the future. I’m not interested in sports or politics or current events. I don’t care about relationships or psychology, or old memories. I just want to focus on the moment. I want to connect with the spirits of the Ocean and the Mountains. I want to let my curiosity take control and see where it leads.

I want to take pictures of Papaya trees! And whatever else I come upon.

Like a bucket of fish! I know, very weird. I’m always curious to see what they’ve caught.

It was a Sunday, so there were lots of people on the Beach.

I stopped to take a picture of a cute dog, and ended up in a nice conversation with a man now living in Colima. He spoke excellent English, and was pleased when I complimented him on his language skills.

When he asked where we were from, I apologized. He said, with a big smile, “Don’t worry! It’s People that are important, not Politicians. We all as People need to get along. Our job is to be Happy!”

Mexicans have such big hearts and wonderful insights into the important things in life. They seek to connect with the human spirit in others.

For the most part Mexicans maintain a separation between themselves and their politicians. They aren’t rabid fans of anyone. They’ve been disappointed too many times by dictators and corruption. Instead, they focus on each other. On their families and friends. As in China, “The Emperor is far away. And we are all in this together.”

We crossed the bridge and started up the mountain. There were lots of folks on the Juluapan, most coming down from their ritual Sunday morning walk to the top, many of them families.

“Buenos Dias.”

Three teenagers, heads down like teenagers everywhere, still responded.

“Buen Dia.”

It is a polite society here. Everyone likes to be acknowledged and respected, and they do so.

The walking distance from the ship wreck of the SS San Luciano on the beach to the first overlook, Quetzal, is about 2.5 kilometers, and takes about 45 minutes to an hour, all uphill after you cross the bridge. It’s a great introductory walk on the Mountain. I covered it in my blog post last year, The Walk to Mirador Quetzal. Count on no more than an hour and a half from La Boquita up and back. Try it!

You can listen to a podcast on the way up if you like, or some interesting music. But if you go with me, you must abide by certain rules.

Walking Rules.

I know this sounds weird. Rules to relax by. But it is hard to transition from the hustle and bustle of everyday life sometimes. To enjoy the moment on the mountain on a walk with me, there are certain rules that apply:

1. Go at a slow pace. Or slower. Especially UP hill. The journey is the destination. Enjoy every step. Don’t walk any faster than me.

2. Smile at people. Most will smile back. If they do, or make eye contact, offer “Buenos Dias” or “Buen Dia.” Smile. Teenagers with heads down will usually respond, except in the hard core cases, just like at home. Don’t force yourself on others, just go with the flow.

3. Enjoy the views. Focus on Nature.

4. Be prepared for sudden detours and lengthy delays (usually caused by a spurt of note or picture taking on my part).

5. Live in the moment. Bugs, snakes, lizards; birds, flowers, rocks; trees, vines and ocean views: these are our focal points.

6. Do NOT discuss, or attempt to discuss, anything other than the moment.

7. Go at a slow pace. You can go slower than me, but no faster. See Rule #1.

You have to love yourself first. Not by worrying about yourself, but by connecting with the spirit of the earth; by focusing outside yourself.

Bright yellow flowers on a leafless tree. Turkey vultures and black vultures. Magnificent frigate birds. All glide effortlessly on the currents of air that rise up the windward side of the mountain. Their universe must be so much different than ours, based on smells and updrafts, their days spent soaring aloft.

On weekends the Tourista Policia have a 4x4 ATV that they drive up to the top. We had seen them earlier coming down the mountain with a load of young people, one of whom had “sprained” her knee, so they all got a ride. They offered us old guys a ride down, but we graciously declined.

It’s all about the journey.

Have you discovered any rules for walking that help you get in the moment? Are you able to do so with others? How do you connect with Nature?

Thanks for walking along~!