The Dark Rose's Traces

  I will never regret the lessons I learned through experience, even the difficult ones. Because of those rough times, I am more knowledgeable now and understand what to expect from the tourism industry. After breakfast, we flagged down a taxi on Zicatela's main road and set off for the airport. During the drive, I gazed out the window at the beautiful Pacific coastline, taking in the sight of its golden, sandy beaches and the colossal waves crashing onto the shore. "I will surely miss it," I whispered. Honestly, I can't imagine my life without the ocean. I absolutely love it! Having lived in Slovakia twice, with several years separating those periods from the sea, I have to admit that while my time in Slovakia was incredible, the long distance from the sea was a significant personal challenge. The ocean always offers an invitation to regenerate, acting as a fresh start that restores what was lost. We finally made it to the airport. Since Puerto's airport is very ...

 A sense of melancholy hung over me on our final day in Puerto Escondido. The adventure was over, and the inevitable return to "normal life" loomed. With our flight scheduled for noon, we had to start early. I skipped my run that morning, concerned I might forget something important—like a misplaced passport, a mishap that actually occurred on later trips to this very destination. We packed our bags and headed downstairs, where we encountered our host. He looked dejected, having slept the night beneath the open sky. We paid him the remainder of our stay, which brought a smile to his "hazy" face. I shared a sarcastic grin with Jorge, who was looking at me with a similar expression. Grabbing our bags, we descended the hill toward the beach. We slipped off our flip-flops to walk on the sand one final time, feeling the wetness beneath our bare feet. We inhaled the crisp, fresh air brought in by the tide, let the ocean breeze gently caress our faces, and shouted, "F...

 Though I awoke feeling refreshed, I couldn't hit the beach for a run as planned because we had to return to Puerto. I quickly packed my bags and stepped onto the balcony, trying to absorb the magnificent scenery. I didn't know when I'd return to witness this stunning vista again. Breathing in the crisp air, I closed my eyes and made a solemn promise to myself: I will be back! Traveling through Mexico in this newly awakened state was a wholly unprecedented event. My eyes soaked up all the splendor they encountered, confirming the authentic charm of my country—a sight that truly captivated and amazed me. Suddenly, a heavy, intrusive thought struck me: "Our trip is coming to an end." As that idea crossed my mind, I pictured myself back in the classroom, facing all kinds of students. I worried that the renewal and peace I had gained on this journey would quickly be depleted by the stressful school environment. Checking out at 10 a.m., we headed to the nearest stop to...