A Reader’s Perspective: Sofia from Mexico!
[Periodically, I publish curated comments posted by readers over a period of time. At least between 800 and 1,000 words are reached. After I have made the choice, I ask the author/reader for their written permission. I make sure that the final piece retains the original thoughts and style as I received them. There is not much editing, except to tailor it according to SEO (Search Engine Optimization) standard.]
This post is from comments submitted by Sofia from Mexico, for a period March 30 to May 15, 2023. This is published with her permission.
On: Young Olive Ridley Sea Turtle
(Comment posted: March 30, 2023)
A friend of mine from the resort sent me the link to your post that also got my interest. This is the post of your encounter with a baby sea turtle. You even have a name for it.
I am an avid beachcomber myself, and, yes, I have grown so familiar with encounters of sea turtles along the beach. These may be adults as well as their babies. During nesting season, I involve myself with volunteering in the conservation and protection of these wonders of the sea!
I tell you, the thrill of witnessing the awe-inspiring sights of adult female sea turtles coming out of the huge ocean. The sight is surreal, they pop up one after another. And they methodically come up in the sands, looking for their preferred spot to lay their eggs.
Yes, I feel your emotion when you describe how it was when you saw that baby turtle. At first, that was my instinct, to intervene when predators are disturbing the nesting ground. But difficult as it is to think, it is the wildlife’s good that they are left alone. But once they are done, and they are on their way back to the ocean, we are allowed to gather the nest. We bring them to protected hatchery in the area, where the eggs stay for the incubation period.
I look forward to you coming back to Puerto Vallarta. Soon and not in 13 years. Nos vemos!
On: The Belief In The Afterlife
(Comment posted: April 10, 2023)
It is a good contemplation the topic you wrote about afterlife. I thought it interesting to comment on it.
You know, in Mexico we have a culture very rooted in religious traditions and customs that revolve around death and life hereafter. These are a part of our cultural heritage. This goes way back before the Spaniards came to influence the whole gamut of our lives. At least they tried to.
You may be familiar with Dia de los Muertos, the Day of the Dead. The whole community all over the country is flooded with colors so vibrant you do not associate death in negative picture. This event becomes so alive for two days, November 1st and 2nd. You should come experience this yourself.
However, I believe our belief in the next life goes deeper than any outward celebrations. It is in our psyche, not exactly from religious influence, that our soul continues its journey toward a place beyond our human understanding.
Thank you for telling your own story in your post. Sometimes we need to be prodded to think about what matters here right now. So, we are ready to embark on that journey. Keep it up.
On: Losing Friends In Midlife
(Comment posted: May 2, 2023)
Yes, it is so true. As we journey through life, we experience some changes that are just part of life itself. This is part of what shapes us. We change, other people change too. No wonder we lose friends along the way.
I must admit I am not in midlife yet. But I already heard these things from my Mama, together with her very few circles of amigas. When I was younger, I could not understand why it must be so. But I do not intend to lose my good friends.
As I continued to read your article, I agree with your own experience. No one’s experience is right or wrong, correct? At first, I felt sad when you admitted you lost some friends. And I have some thoughts that they were once good friends. Right?
But if we agree that we change and other people change, then it just makes sense. But it also is true that we still meet other people, who become our new friends, and good friends. In our culture, friends are so dear they are like treasures. Once we have friends, we do all we can to keep them.
So, keep the friends you have now.
On: Easter Celebration
(Comment posted: March 30, 2021)
Easter celebration is another colorful and joyful celebration in the life here in Mexico. It is part of our cultural heritage, as well.
Easter is so rich because it is a deeply rooted blending of Catholic influences and indigenous spirituality. The Spaniards may have brought Catholicism to our land, but long before then our people were already deep in their belief in the powerful Creator. And suffering and death, then victory of new life, is very much a part of that.
If you have not done so, I invite you to come and visit the vibrancy and beauty of this particular part of the year. If not for the religious rituals, then come for the delicious Mexican specialties that have been long associated with this observance. Viva la Mexico!
On: Mother’s Day
(Comment posted: May 15, 2023)
We celebrate our Mother’s Day every May 10. El Dia de la Madre!
When I was reading your article about your own mother, tears fell down my cheeks. Our culture is so centered around our mothers. I am so close to my own mother. She lives with me.
I believe every day should be Mother’s Day. Life does not exist without mothers. Agree?
Oh, by the way. You know why we in Mexico celebrate Mother’s Day on May 10th, and not like in the US which is second Sunday of May? Story goes that over a century ago when Mother’s Day came to Mexico from the US, the 10th of the month was a “pay day”. We make our mother so special, and we needed money to celebrate it.
And I got a tip for you. When you are anywhere Mexico, and you want to go out dinner on Mother’s Day, good luck to you. You need a reservation way in advance!
[Thank you, Sofia from Mexico, for your engaging comments. I hope you continue to enjoy the contents of this blog, Turtle(s)Pace. Si, nos vemos! Feel free to send more of your comments anytime. Viva la Mexico!]
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