It's Not Without A Little Broken Heart

I'd been in Mexico for a few days now when I met this girl down in Akumal. She was a guide for an eco-org that made sure the local sea turtle eggs didn't get destroyed. I only talked to her for a few minutes, and then it was time to say goodbye. So, I did, and then it started to drive me crazy.

The next day I woke up, I went for a run, I ate breakfast, and I came back to my hotel room, all the time with this gnawing feeling that I had missed an opportunity, that I should have asked her out or something. It wasn't the first time that I had felt that way about someone, but it was the first time I felt like I was threatened by my own inaction. Sometimes I get a bit intense about things.

So, I rented a car and drove back to Akumal to see if I could find her. It was a real passion play, impetous, a bit silly, fraught with the twin perils of embarrasment and wasting time. I swear to God they were playing the latin version of the Rocky Theme music as I left my hotel.

I drove to Akumal and headed toward the turtle center, on the spare Mexican Highway that runs south from Cancun to wherever it stops running. The car had no radio, so I was alone with my thoughts on the half hour drive. When I arrived, I headed towards the turtle center to find no one, not her, not anyone else around. In for a penny, in for a pound, I decided to head towards the little office, and as I opened the door, I saw that among the 4 or so staff members, I knew no one. Excellent, now I can embarass her in front of all her co-workers with my little stalking.

Fortunately, Jose came out to help me, and after bullshitting him regarding my interest in a local lagoon, I gave him a square look, the kind that men use, when they mean business, and no they have no choice but to ask another man for help. I said to Jose, "I'm looking for a girl..."