With feet outstretched on the sidewalk, we lazily drink our morning coffee, sitting on what has recently become our front porch, the town square curb. Directly behind us are the public bathrooms we've partially commandeered and down the street, at a fishmonger's house, is where we pay ten pesos to use his outdoor shower.
When we showed up in San Pancho three days ago we were unenthused with the overpriced camping option in town and the owner's attitude. After a little investigating we decided to park our homes on the street. Boondocking on a town thoroughfare is a first for us and I'm not sure we would've had the nerve to if not for the encouragement of our caravanning pals.
Knowing nothing about this small seaside town we've been pleasantly surprised with it's brightly colored homes, appetizing eateries, multiple juice bars, funky art stores and super chill vibe.
Our days are spent meandering the streets, devouring barracuda tacos, sipping on fruity mezcal cocktails and lounging in the golden sand of the not comfortably swim-able, but still very appealing town playa.
At sunset a back-to-the-futurish looking buggy drives down the beach and stops in front of us. After the sand is raked, a barricade is made using ropes and stakes and a sizable crowd assembles; several containers of baby turtles are overturned on the beach. With cheers from the spectators (and the occasional gentle hand redirecting them) they saunter towards the water. Such a cool pilgrimage to witness.
With some luck we've managed to be around for a weekend music festival. The town square, almost overnight, transforms into an entertainment venue full of food and art stalls. None of us seem to mind since delightful cuisine and tunes are now literally on our doorstep.
During the festival we meet Alex and his daughter Jasmine. They catch our eye because it's always adorable to see a dad and daughter dancing. Eventually we end up beside them and they show us some steps. There's lots of laughing....mostly at our lack of rhythm. A couple of songs later Jasmine lets me cut in and Alex showed me a few more moves.
When the late night street band started playing I ask Jasmine to dance with us. She's shy, like any little girl would be, but has a huge smile on her face.
We eventually lose sight of her, until I feel a light tap on my back. It's Jasmine holding her earrings in her hand. She gives them to me so I give her mine.
These little moments that seem to happen when you least expect it, the ones where people from vastly different places and cultures, who speak different languages, meet and you realize that we are all so similar; these are our favorite moments and the reason we love traveling.