I was headed to a local spot called El Camello owned by a fisherman, and was prepared to wait for a table as I was advised I would need to do, plus it was a Sunday afternoon so it would be even busier than usual. Conveniently there was a sign attached to a hostess type podium that faced me as I walked up which read ‘Place down your name for a table’ or something to that effect.

A lady got there right before me and I glanced at the 5-6 names in front of me on the list and saw the lady had just entered 12 as the person count! I didn’t think I was going to get in. But I made eye contact with one of the servers who was standing out of the street near me, seeming to be overlooking the goings on inside (this was an open air restaurant) so I approached him and asked the wait time for uno. ‘Uno?!’ He clarified. Uno, I confirmed. And within minutes I had a table for 4; I was grateful. Maybe it was the cute dress?

When the server came over he started to open the menu in front of me and I began how I typically do with ‘What’s the best, what’s your favourite’. Recommendations are everything to me! Though I can normally tell if I’m getting a heartfelt answer or not and I’ll adjust accordingly and review the menu options further if needed. Anyway, we quickly settled on grilled fish with vegetables. I really confused him by asking for what I thought was cucumber in one of the pictures on the menu, so I was happy with whatever vegetables I got and he added in rice and refried beans. Bueno! I was pumped.

Within seconds a huge plate of fried tortilla chips and various dips was laid out in front of me. By far the best pico de gallo I’ve had yet! Within minutes of that my fresh fish was in front of me. I’m blown away at how quickly these places get the food out in front of you, it’s impressive. Understanding that a quick grilled fish didn’t take long and the rice and beans were ready and waiting. The fish was hot and fresh and melt in my mouth soft. It was exactly what I had been wanting. No cucumber but one piece each of broccoli, cauliflower and carrot, no joke, one piece each. It would do for today! I was a happy camper. The place was bustling with locals and I melted away into the Spanish chatter, my fish and the soccer highlights on a tv in front of me.

I was contemplating how to spend the rest of the afternoon/evening knowing that the beach was too far for the timing without the bike I still needed to rent, so I started slowly wandering back thinking maybe I’d hit the mercado for some produce to keep at home.

The sky was getting really dark so I checked the weather and in about an hour it was supposed to storm. But my gut made me turn back from the mercado and head straight for home and I called my sister instead who was expecting my call. Within minutes massive winds had come up blowing dirt, dust, garbage and tree branches everywhere and I stood stopped on a corner squealing into the phone with my hands covering to protect my eyes.

I tried to keep moving and saw that all the locals were running and frantically tearing down shop fronts and I thought shit, I should be running too! I hung up the phone call and ran the last two blocks to my place literally seconds before the rain started. I was covered in dust and dirt and went straight for the shower.

Before I could even get the hot water coming, boom. The power was out. I continued with my cold dark shower anyway and found a candle and my flashlight. The storm stopped about an hour later and the temperature dropped about 10 degrees. It’s now three hours later and the power is still out, so I sit here with a single candle and my words. Hopefully by the time you read this all is well and light is back in the world!

Looking forward to day 2, beach bound.

Goodnight,  From Tulum