Dear Isla Holbox

by Laura Kelly (Australia)

Making a local connection Mexico

Travelling is a strange beast. It stirs things up that may otherwise lie dormant. It gives you all the time to consider the big life questions. And you don’t always have the answers. You’re seeing new things, meeting new people and constantly wondering what comes next. It can be rewarding and exhausting in the same moment. You’ll want to discover somewhere new and also crave the comforts of home. On a recent trip to Mexico, a love letter seemed the best way to express how I really felt. Dear Isla Holbox, Your promises of white sands and blue waters were met with disappointment at first. Bracing for three days of storms, high winds and flooded streets wasn’t exactly how I had imagined you would greet me. Still, I could see your colour through the rain. The smiles of the locals, the smells of freshly baked tortillas wafting into my little apartment on the street where I walked barefoot with sand between my toes. It felt good to be somewhere new. I was ready to explore and ready to slow down. Once on island time, I couldn’t have loved it more. Life was simpler. There was nothing to do and nowhere to be, the wifi signal so weak there was little point trying to stay connected. What a gift these days. As the rain cleared you revealed yourself. The sun came out and the water sparkled. I saw the care that was taken for your land. A plastic bag ban. No straws in my daily margaritas. Whole areas of the island where you couldn’t take bikes, golf buggies or even walk in parts, in a bid to protect the land. At low tide I walked along your sandbank to your fiercely protected areas that allow the flamingos, pelicans, herons and other wildlife to flourish in their natural habitat without being accosted by visitors. It really was an island paradise. Though clearly a popular destination, I was grateful to call you home for a time and to have a glimpse into the daily lives of the people who call you their home every single day. With love, x