In A Corner of Mexico…

In the corner of a country lies a city known to be a place of pleasure, business, encounters, and especially a place of passage to a new life.

This city is filled with thousands of people living around the clock, struggling with the corruption, the chaos of traffic, contamination and the never-ending story of those come from afar, who wish to travel even further but never get there, and remain piled up here, invading every inch of the spaces that were meant to be green areas, schools or sports grounds.

That city which is said to be falling apart in every newspaper, in the whispers of every travel agent, in the words of every one who dares speak of it in songs, poems, books — that very city hides the most interesting secrets. Not of the creepy or terrifying kind, but secrets reminding you how wonderful it is to remember the good of human kind.

Presenting only one of those secret places is not easy, but one must start somewhere, and everything is better by the sea.

Between the Wall of Shame and the old condos is a pier, followed by a number of coconut stands, a gym, restaurants serving seafood and Italian specialties, bars in between houses of all sorts and colors, with balconies and stairways decorated with care.  While walking on the side of the road, one eventually finds an artistic, creative wooden house; behind it, another house, and below is a café, called “Latitud 32″.

In this café are served both common and exotic coffee drinks, frappes, hot chocolate, desserts, herbal teas, infusions, among other delights. The walls are always changing, various artists display their photographs, paintings and sculptures. Near the piano is a little area where musicians often play, as well as a projection screen, where a different silent movie is shown every Thursday (Chaplin nights, etc.). Dim lights on the pillars and candles illuminate the place, which is a perfect location to meet with friends. Sitting outside is a pleasure, allowing one to enjoy an exquisite view of the sea, and watch joggers run with their dogs, surfers, lifeguards in training, lovers holding hands, children making castles in the sand, strollers passing by, dolphins on the horizon, seagulls and pelicans in the sky.

Sometimes on a Sunday, a group of travelers will stop by to sell handmade souvenirs, trinkets, drawings, and dance, and breath fire, play drums or lay on the sand. A sunset will delight the eyes of anyone sitting outside. Then comes the night when the moon is on top and the sea is bright, some fish glow between the waves, and before closing time, silence lets you hear the wind dancing with the waves.

About the author