Part One: The Turning Tide V

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Jorge had secured an exceptional hotel deal—a place that is likely quite expensive now, but was a steal back then. Our room was on the first floor and featured a balcony that opened directly onto the beach. The moment I stepped onto the balcony, I was captivated by the magnificent view: the ocean stretching out before us and the broad, golden sand. I distinctly remember the overwhelming sense of gratitude. Here I was, essentially backpacking along the Oaxaca coast and enjoying this incredible place and view for next to nothing. It made me realize how much wealth people would spend—endless money—to attain this very scene, and yet it was still bestowed upon me through grace.

In comparison to Puerto Escondido, Zipolite is quite small but quaint—I love it! You cannot get lost in this place. Everything is so conveniently close. The food market, together with the most famous hotels and hostels, are all situated close to one another. It displays various gourmet cafés and restaurants, most of them owned by foreigners.

The local people were, for the most part, friendly and welcoming, making the area feel relatively safe at that time. As it was near lunchtime, we immediately headed to a renowned restaurant called "Piedra de Fuego," famous for its fresh seafood and the day's catch. Our seafood lunch was exceptional, largely because the fish was so fresh, having been caught that very morning!


To walk off our lunch, we strolled through the center of Zipolite. As the sun was beating down fiercely, we quickly sought refuge. We found an Italian bistro where we bought a few glasses of wine. We enjoyed chatting and relaxing there until the sun finally set.

Back at the hotel, we quickly changed into our bathing suits and stepped out from the balcony straight onto the beach, determined to take a sunset dip in the ocean. The scene was epic, a moment I'll never forget. With the water up to our waists, we soaked in the beautiful scenery: seagulls hovering over the waves and the sun melting into the distance. We were overjoyed to be there, absorbing every last bit of that unforgettable moment. Living in the present hadn't felt so real to me in years until then.



As dusk settled, we retreated to our room, eager to finally experience the local nightlife. The timing couldn't have been more perfect: this memorable trip already included a rare blood moon sighting, and it happened to be on my 33rd birthday.

As we walked along the bare sand toward the center, we came across a beach party. We bought some beers and found a spot on the beach close to the lively scene. The event looked crowded, packed with a diverse mix of people from everywhere. It was exactly the kind of vibrant crowd we wanted to join for some fun!




Approaching, we were enveloped by a soft, aromatic haze of cannabis smoke, a visible sign of the easygoing atmosphere among the gathering. Though we typically didn't partake and often found the smell off-putting, our adventurous spirit this particular night prompted us to step outside our comfort zones and give it a try.


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