Popoyo dreaming… on a windy day
Life here is an ebb and flow like the tide: rum is king, sunsets are queen, the wind blows off shore, power is optional, beer is cheap, sand is an every day accessory, salty is fragrance and no shirt, no shoes, no problem totally flies here.
Everyone here effortlessly moves around this beach paradise with more purpose than we give ourselves credit for. A harmonious community of like minded people working together to make each day a little better than the last while squeezing in all the other things that make us tick. This creates a vibe I can’t describe, it’s something you have to experience to understand. Bonus, we have miles of ocean here and it’s been proven to be a natural healer. It has soothed me more times then I can count and if I miss a day swimming in it, which is rare, I notice. So, it’s no surprise that many people come for a week, leave wanting more or feel the need to stay. I am one of them.
Most know that my first week in Popoyo this year was kind of a fluke. While my trip to Nicaragua was planned for three weeks of exploring my original plans never included this tropical paradise. It was the lack of snow, no sunshine and dark days at home paired with just having spent close to 6 weeks plus in Costa Rica and some time in Panama that easily convinced me to change my ticket, not once but twice, to incorporate a stay in Popoyo. The rest is history.
In total this year I have spent about 17 weeks here which is more than I’ve been at my place in Pemberton and am staying until early March (at minimum). When you’re drawn to a place this much you need to explore why and for me this means staying. Por qué no?
Friends have quickly become family and beyond. There are so many things here that draw me to life here but this has been the biggest reason. The Nica people are also so lovely and are helping me learn Spanish quickly. Everyday more connections are made and opportunities are arising for me to do what I am passionate about as I put myself out into this community as a chef and lover of all things food. It’s helpful having an amazing organic farm down the road that has provided beautiful boxes of locally grown fruit and veggies allowing me endless inspiration for new dishes to create. Again, I’m not fully sure how to explain what I feel here but it’s crazy; crazy good buena onda aquí. Being genuinely happy is a strange feeling for me and I’m learning to accept it.
What my future holds here I don’t know. It’s safe to say I’m loving the simplicity of life here more and more every day by just going with the flow, learning to trust the process, trying to listen a little closer to my heart and that sometimes at the end of the day… happiness trumps everything.
M.