As soon as I arrived here in La Paz, Baja California, I knew my decision to travel to Mexico was a good one. Something about it felt right. And very quickly, things fell into place…
My first night here, I saw this arch, which says, “Bienvenidos a La Paz, Puerto de Ilusión” (Welcome to La Paz, Port of Illusion) and fell in love with it–and then with the town (actually, it’s a city, but it feels much smaller).
The words got my attention, as did the people walking under the arch. Some were on their way out to the end of the walkway and the water; others were on their way back to the malecón, the promenade that runs alongside the beach.
Trippy shot of La Paz arch shot with iPhone (filter: ‘Clarity’)
Now that I’ve been here for about 2 weeks (1 week of which was spent sailing and 1 day in Todos Santos), I’m thinking that my trip has a deeper purpose that what I imagined.
I thought it would be a simple ‘vacation’ or a timeout from life back home. Sure, I’ve relaxed on the beach and strolled the malecón many times–and found a certain peace in that–but…
…I’m also finding that I’m re-evaluating my life in general.
I’m wondering about some changes I might need to make–and although I’ve been living in the moment a lot here, paradoxically, I’ve also been thinking about the long-term future. About things like where I might want to retire when that time comes (this sure seems like a great spot).
Life: How It Seems and What It Might Actually Be
I’ve met a few people here who have directly and indirectly challenged me to look at certain aspects of my life and lifestyle and during this process, I’ve begun to strip away some of my illusions about it–how it actually is vs. how it seems and what it can/could be.
I know–that sounds kind of deep, but I do think that is what’s happening.
La Paz arch during the sunset (photo shot with Olympus X-Z 1; edges blurred in iPhoto)
‘Port of Illusion’–the Song
After Googling the arch and its phrase, I learned that a song was written about it. When I found the lyrics, I felt their meaning profoundly. Here they are in English and Spanish. I prefer them in the latter, but the meaning comes through either way.
This song “tells a beautiful love story about a place where, as the title suggests, you can find peace in your being and your soul,” according to Aurelio Reyes, El Gallo de Chiapas (I believe he’s the leader of a Mariachi group, the one in the video below).
I think I’ve found some of this peace here and I’m grateful.
Lyrics in English
The Port of Dreams Composer: Rosario “Chayito” Morales English translation by Sally Hawkridge —————————————-——
The night is already far gone,
The sun is already coming out
And the seagulls are coming from far away
Searching for seas, searching for love.
Just as the heart,
Weary of sailing,
I washed up on your warm and clear beaches
I anchored my anxieties so I could dream.
I came from far off, deceived
By a love which betrayed me,
And your port was the hope
in the shipwreck of my pain.
La Paz, port of dreams
Calm waters of light and love
Like a pearl that the sea locks away,
Thus I hold you in my heart.
Videos of the Song
Photo Collage
Mariachis Singing Together
Lyrics in Spanish
La noche se aleja ya,
empieza a salir el sol,
y las gaviotas vienen de lejos,
cruzando mares, buscando amor.
También con el corazón,
cansado de navegar,
llegué a éstas playas tibias y claras,
y anclé mis ansias para soñar.
Vine de lejos,
decepcionado por un amor que me tricionó,
y fué tu puerto una esperanza,
en el naufragio de mí dolor.
La paz, puerto de Ilusión,
remanso de luz y amor,
como una perla que el mar encierra,
así te guarda mí corazón.
Como una perla que el mar encierra,
así te guarda mí corazón.
La paz, puerto de Ilusión,
remanso de luz y amor,
como una perla que el mar encierra,
así te guarda mí corazón.
Como una perla que el mar encierra,
así te guarda mí corazón.
Your Thoughts? Reactions?
Have you ever visited a town or city and felt right at home–as in, instantly? If so, where and why?
And did being there affect you in a profound way? Did it make you want to stay for months on end or longer? Or did it make you question your life, as I’m doing now or otherwise? If so, how?
What do you think of the song lyrics?