After a quick 4 hour flight I have arrived in sunny, 29 degree San Jose del Cabo. As soon as I exit the airport I see an outdoor bar serving margaritas and beer swarming with tourists. Unlike Canada, it’s encouraged to walk around with an open alcoholic beverage here.
My driver, Ulysses, drives me to my condo in the centre of town in air conditioned style with a cooler full of beer and water included. We have trouble locating the entrance of my accommodation so once I think we’re at the right place on the map I tell him to drop me off and I’ll figure it out. All the doors have locked barred gates except for one so I poke my head in and find several young people sitting at computers. Clearly not my condo, but in broken Spanish I ask for their assistance. When I show the address to one of the them, he says that’s his bosses place and it’s right next door. Perfecto! I locate the lock box and find a key waiting for me.
After dumping my bag I head out to explore the centre and find an artist’s market in the main square, souvenirs shops and restaurants. All the streets are decorated with colourful flags overhead, bright murals and whitewashed buildings. Alvaro Obregon street is shut down to cars (every Thursday) and is full of amazing art galleries. The most impressive and unique one is Ivan Guaderrama’s. It’s an interactive gallery where you view the pieces through a free app on your phone and the art comes alive to music. Some of the pieces you touch in certain spots and music begins to play. Another painting plays music when two people hold hands and touch either side of it. I don’t know how it works but I love it!
I find a little bakery to stock up on some snacks for the morning before heading back to the condo to put on some warmer clothes before dinner. As soon as the sun goes down the temperature drops significantly.
Across the street from my accommodation is Abby’s El Chino Seafood which happens to be on my list to try for their tasty seafood tacos, so I head in. While it lacks a beautiful view from the outdoor rooftop, the staff are friendly and the food is fantastic. Six dollars Canadian gets me two tacos and a Coke. I can actually afford to eat here!
As I relax with a full belly, I hear the neighbourhood dogs doing a back and forth barking challenge and see a group of kids playing soccer in a dirt parking lot. Canadian winter feels very far away…
