Please, try not to hate me.

Believe me when I tell you that I understand that there are no promises. But this is my view as I write this first post (and likely every night for the next 6 weeks):

I can also hear the ocean waves that accompany it.

I mean, sure, there were a few hiccups on the way here. My brand-spanking-new water bottle sprang a leak on flight number 1…all over the guy sitting next to me. Oops. And the humidity level here is higher than I ever remember experiencing. Ever. (After standing outside for all of 3 minutes to wait for my taxi, I got in and took my phone out of my bag to take a picture, and the screen was fogged up. Woah.) And I think I gave my taxi driver a heart attack getting me here – it wasn’t the easiest place to find, and the last few roads getting here could – ahem – use a little work (on more than one occasion, he had to roll back down a hill to get enough momentum to make it up the torn-up cobblestone roads). Eek!

But really, at the end of the day – THIS day, specifically – can I really complain? Not even a little.

Here’s a bit more chronicling of my time here thus far…

At the end of the cobblestone adventures, this is what awaited me:

I have the upstairs unit.

See?

After getting settled (and sitting in the AC for a few minutes), I ventured out a bit to get dinner and get my bearings a little before the full exploration tomorrow. I started on the beach, which was party central, as today is the first of Mexico’s two day Independence Day celebration.

Independence Day parties on the beach.

And then found this little taco joint:

Tacos on the Street – on the left

Tacos de pollo y carne asada

There was a little market across the street and I tried to get some basics, but being a little tired and disoriented, I left with olive oil, sandwich bags and peach juice. Useful, I know, but I still felt a small victory buying them. 🙂

Goals for Sayulita:

• Read at least half of the books I brought (partially for relaxation, but mostly so I don’t have to carry them on any more legs of travel…oy!)
• Learn to surf
• Try all of the casual dining joints in this town, and eat molé at LEAST once a week
• Figure out how to buy eggs (This is my main question for the day, as they were just displayed on HUGE flat cartons. Are you supposed to carry them individually home? Put them in a plastic bag and hope for the best? If this is my biggest issue here, I think I’ll do just fine.)

I think this list seems reasonable.

Yup…this’ll do

*Lest you be discouraged from following, future posts will not likely be this long. What can I say…I’m a little excited to finally be here. 🙂