ACAPULCO

After Puebla, and since the capital city was still quite cold, we decided to take advantage of family connections and visit Acapulco.  After only four hours drive – previously you could need up to a day or at least six to eight hours, we arrived to the beautiful bay of Acapulco with about 29 degrees Celsius !!!

I believe the bay of Acapulco is well-known to many people all over the world, at least in name.  It is beautiful, has always been. My maternal grandfather, once upon a time, was in charge of clearing the port, to allow for big ships to enter the bay and certainly he did  great job, now is one of the almost compulsory stops for a lot of cruises, to enjoy the views and the weather.  I have been going to Acapulco since I was a child, and of course the bay has not changed much, but the development of the area has really changed.  At one point, when my grandfather was working there, in some old pictures you can see some huts and the sandy beaches, and that is all, now, you can still see the sandy beaches, as beautiful as ever, but that is all, the land has been taken over by hotels, condos, houses, palaces and also big developments for the people living and working there.  Acapulco’s main activity is tourism, as such the service providers need a lot of staff to keep up the places, to clean, cook, order, sell and buy whatever is needed and lately one product that has become very common, unfortunately, is drugs of I guess all sorts and types and when you say drugs you also include drug lords and cartels and dirty wars and danger and shootings.  However the place still is beautiful and like in most so-called danger zones, all is relative.  Do not go into the dark corners of town alone, at night and uninvited but by all means, go to the beaches, to the nice restaurants, enjoy the great food, the fantastic hospitality and the weather, sunshine and all.  Eat as much fish and fish products as  you can, enjoy the views and try at least once fresh coconut water, the nut freshly opened in front of you, no ice, no artificial colouring, nothing but pure nature, few things can compare. it is really the best thirst quencher after plain fresh water.   

I have a friend that was invited to Acapulco, and such was the fascination and fame of the place that when I hinted I could tag along, he immediately said that “one does not take sandwiches to a banquet!” so he went with his friends, enjoyed the banquet and I remained in the city.  This happened many years ago and now I can go to all banquets on earth and do not need to tag along but the little phrase remains in use when needed.