Back

Life Lessons & Reflections in Playa del Carmen | Day 320 of my 2023 Journal

Cecilie Conrad·Nov 17, 2023· 2 minutes

Farewell Playa: a confession

I have been unfair.

I have been complaining a lot about Playa del Carmen.

But really. For realsies.

What I like the most about this place is it gave me precisely what I was looking for. A full stop. Soon, we will leave, and staying here at the American Playground, aka Playa del Carmen, stopped us in our tracks and saved us from ourselves.

The Unexpected Pause in Playa del Carmen

When we initially booked this place, we were walking the Camino, not yet in that place of peace the Camino finally took us to, still in the overwhelmed place our XL year had taken us to. And we knew we needed to stop, breathe, think, and relax. We needed a pause from being on an adventure to focus on health, education, and work.

Playa has been perfect for that. Having Kenia and Sophia for the first half of the time and staying here “alone” for the other two weeks was exactly what we needed.

Insights from the American Playground

Had we had a car, we would have been out on day trips all the time. Had we been in a cultural powerhouse, we would have been absorbed in museums and theatres and architecture, so being a little “stuck” was the glue that made us stop for a while.

Watch out for what you ask for. You might very well get it. A life lesson I have learned several times.

At the same time, we have enjoyed the experience. This, too, is part of The World. The overpriced organic cafe, MORE expensive than in Copenhagen, was a nice hangout with Silke, and the extreme tourism was interesting to observe. I am trying to understand. The wild animals in the NO PHOTO place on Fifth must be highly illegal, the tired salespersons in the stores, the desperate mothers selling little things - I want to give them all money, but I know I can not.

I could, before I leave, buy a bracelet I don’t need.

With love

Cecilie-Underskrift-300x133

Cecilie Conrad

Thank you for reading
I would love to hear from you. Listen to your thoughts and reflections - or praise :) It is often emotional to share our lives like this, and we get very happy when we get your feedback. So feel free to share a comment below 😋 

See more images on Facebook

I'm balancing family, work, and travel. It's a journey of finding joy in the most unexpected moments. On top, I'm trying to maintain my writing strea…Read more
I resisted the urge to take pictures and found magic in the everyday. A day's journey in local authenticity and unexpected enlightenment. Read more
Birds. Sugar. Jesus. Balance. The simple joys of life, like sharing a cup of coffee with loved ones. Discover how a mundane moment can hold profound …Read more
Delve into the heart of cultural immersion as we navigate the delicate balance between observing and participating in local traditions. Join us in re…Read more
Explore the profound traditions of Dia De Los Muertos through our personal journey of remembrance and cultural discovery. From sacred altars to vibra…Read more
Join me on my personal journey through Mexico as I navigate writing a book with a lifelong friend, unschooling my children, and embracing the vibrant…Read more
Join our family adventure as we discover the untamed remnants of Mayan culture in Playa del Carmen's exclusive community—no tickets, no crowds, just …Read more
The moon's mystique enhances the tranquility of our daily routine. From the simplicity of a beach walk to the profound beauty of a moonrise, discover…Read more
Join us for an in-depth conversation on the complexities of unschooling and the role of parental judgment, featuring Cecilie Conrad, Carla Martinez, …Read more