It’s been a relaxing couple of days on El Medano Beach. Yesterday I stuck to the north end of the beach near the marina where there were less people but found myself saying, “No gracias” every few minutes to the locals trying to sell me hats (even though I’m wearing one), silver jewellery, wool blankets, sarongs, colourful woven bracelets and t-shirts with “Ass Muncher” or “Sit On My Face” in bold letters on the front. The one person I did buy something from was Miguel who was selling fresh pineapple, papaya and watermelon in a plastic cone.
Cabo San Lucas reminds me of Cancun where the beach is lined with all-inclusive hotels that are battling who can play shitty club music the loudest, the tourists are burnt to a crisp and drinking alcohol for breakfast. That being said, I kind of like that it’s not trying to be anything else but what it is…a place that caters to people escaping the winter weather and looking for a good time.
This morning I’m up early and wander down to the marina thinking it’ll be fairly quiet. Despite the hour I’m getting bombarded with offers of glass bottom boat tours, jet ski rentals, fishing charters and sunset cruises. I politely decline all of them and opt to put on my resting bitch face so I’ll be left alone for a bit. I locate the public beach at the end of the path and it’s beautiful. Palm frond umbrellas dotting the soft yellow sand, calm waters for swimming and only a young family and myself on it.
I head back the way I came and see a giant seal sitting in the shallow water at a boat launch. I ask a local if the seal is lost and he explains that he’s been in the area for years because he gets fed the scrap bait from fishing charters at the end of the day. The pelicans hover near him to scoop up the bait that he misses.
It’s beach time and today I decide to walk the full length of El Medano Beach to the south end where it looks deserted. There are no resorts at this end and I find peace and quiet with very few people. This is much better. Oddly it also seems a few degrees cooler than the north end so I get some respite from the intense heat. I spend the day wading in the water (it’s too bloody cold for my scrawny body to go swimming), listening to podcasts and napping. Another tough day at the office.
I go for a late lunch at a restaurant along the marina and while I’m waiting for my food and reading, a local strides up to my patio table and begins to strum his guitar while singing at top volume. I am absolutely mortified and studiously avoiding eye contact, but he’s still singing! After several verses he finally stops but continues to stand beside my table, and out of the corner of my eye I see he’s staring at me intently. Jesus H, take the 100 pesos and get away from me before I die of embarrassment!
