Playa del Carmen: Letting Go Of Control

Mar 14, 2025

Gradually, I loosened my grip on planning every little detail and learned to surrender to life’s daily surprises. Turns out, it’s only when we truly let go that life really begins. Here are five excerpts from my travel journal that capture this shift.

📍 Playa del Carmen, Mexico | October 11, 2022

The Mexican pace of life taught me to dance to my own rhythm.

Everything here feels like speed dating—and not just in a romantic sense. People come and go at lightning speed; everyone is here to relax, and by tomorrow, they’re gone. Living in the moment is the whole point.
Meaningless? Shallow? Or maybe the most meaningful thing of all? I believe that the people we meet don’t just cross our paths by chance, and they don’t leave our lives randomly either.

It happens to me so often that it’s almost jarring—I start a conversation with someone, and suddenly, I realize something about myself. A lightbulb goes on, a new perspective clicks into place. And it goes both ways. So many people tell me, “Wow, I really needed this conversation,” or “You just helped me figure something out—I know what to do now,” or “You just gave me an idea.”

Has that ever happened to you?

Here, everyone is on vacation. Everything is temporary. I find myself having the same conversation multiple times a day—it’s exhausting. It feels like standing in the middle of Times Square while the world rushes past. Maybe that’s why, every now and then, I feel the need to just sit in my room, watch TV, and enjoy the quiet.

Unlike the tourists, I’m traveling differently. I want to experience Mexico—and the world—from a different perspective than just a "flash-attack" of a few days.
It changes everything when you stay, even if it’s just for a few months and not forever.

I’ve met locals here who’ve shown me the less touristy, more authentic sides of this place. Exactly what I wanted. Exactly the people I needed to meet.
The ones who taught me how to let go.

I expected it to be different, but I’m still surprised by how different it is to work in a hostel bar in Mexico after working at the highest levels of Tel Aviv nightlife. They give me a task and are shocked when I finish it quickly.

From their perspective, they got an ace. (Yes, I’m bragging a little.)
From my perspective? It’s therapy. Over time, I realized I was wrong—this hustle mode of mine isn’t helpful here. In fact, it takes away from the atmosphere.

Things here happen at a certain pace because that’s the pace of Mexico. People from all over the world come here specifically to feel this rhythm. If they wanted to stay caught up in a fast-paced world of stress, pressure, and madness, they would have stayed at their daily grind—no matter which continent they’re from.

I’m learning that I need to slow down. To go with the flow. To embrace Mexican Time with love. A lesson in letting go. If until now I believed that the small details matter most, here, the only thing that matters… is simply enjoying.

📍 Playa del Carmen, Mexico | October 18, 2022

How One Street in Mexico Became My Best Adventure

The past few days haven’t been particularly exciting—I’ve been resting a lot because of my new tattoo. No sun, no pool, antibiotics, so no alcohol either. Honestly, I’m just glad this is happening now and not a month from now.

I knew October wasn’t quite the season yet, and you can tell—most places aren’t at full capacity, and the attractions aren’t at their peak. But for me? It’s perfect. I didn’t come here for a two-week flash attack, half of which would be rainy. I have time. I have patience. And with the right planning, everything will fall into place just right.

In the meantime, I’ve found a new hobby—something I can do instead of beach volleyball in the sun, something that works for the evenings.

It’s called Fifth Avenue.

The Fifth Avenue. Sounds fancy, like Manhattan, right? But really, it’s just the coolest street in Playa. A massive, endless avenue packed with shops, restaurants, bars, cafés—you name it.

You’d think I’d be tired of seeing the same street over and over, but that’s where the magic is. I can walk up and down this street a hundred times, and every single time, it’s a different experience. Different people. Different stops. New little worlds to discover.

There’s something addictive about it.

No plans, no expectations—I just head out, knowing the street will take me wherever I need to go. I step out of my hotel and think, "I wonder what’s going to happen tonight?"—and I’m always surprised by the answer.

📍 Playa del Carmen, Mexico | November 18, 2022

I Don’t Need Extras—My Life Has Enough Drama on Its Own

Every day here is full of surprises. I’ll leave the house thinking I’m just going out for something specific—getting my nails done, for example—then a friend will ask, "Wanna grab something to eat?" (As if I’d ever say no to food.)

Next thing I know, we’re having drinks. One thing leads to another. We end up at a party. This spontaneous energy in a place that has so much to offer—that’s what makes you fall in love with it.

Yesterday, I found myself getting all dressed up just to go to the supermarket. I was literally putting on makeup, thinking, "Who knows where today will take me?"

Not that I wear a ton of makeup—just my eyebrows and lashes. In the winter, when my tan fades, maybe a little blush. That’s it. Whenever I see Facebook videos of girls layering a thousand products on their faces, it makes me uncomfortable.

I think the moment I realized I hate makeup was somewhere around age 10, when I dressed up as the sun for a costume party, and my mom painted my entire face yellow. (The photo is priceless—buried deep in my mom’s collection of embarrassing albums.) I remember how itchy and uncomfortable it was—I hated every second of it.

Today, I’m grateful that makeup never became a hobby of mine.

The second time in my life that I wore full makeup was at my brother’s wedding—and that ended in disaster too. I went to a salon, and the makeup artist threw every product she owned directly onto my face. It felt so heavy and unnecessary. But hey, it’s a wedding, so I figured that’s just what you do.

"Would you like false eyelashes?"

Why do I need false lashes? I have my own.

"Umm... okay, I’ll try something new."

Fast forward two or three days after the wedding—one lash came off with a little help. The other? Still stuck to my eye, refusing to budge.

Anyone who remembers this is probably laughing just as hard as I am right now—it was absolutely ridiculous. I had to go to a pharmacy and get a special solution to remove it. That was the moment I realized—this whole makeup thing? Not for me.

📍 Cozumel/Playa del Carmen, Mexico | December 24, 2022

A Snorkeling Tour and How to Handle Things When You Have No Choice

Yesterday, I finally went on the El Cielo snorkeling tour. I had been waiting for this for a long time since it’s the most famous tour in the area. And, as usual, I postponed it until almost the last minute.

Of course, I did a full price comparison beforehand—gathering offers from every so-called "salesman" on Fifth Avenue. I say so-called because I’ve worked in sales myself, so I know exactly how it works… but apparently, they don’t. They’re terrible at it—disorganized, arguing in front of me over who talked to me first (for the commission, of course).

Finally, the big day arrived. They told me to be at the Cozumel ferry at 8:30 AM, and even after nearly four months here, I still showed up early. I checked in with the agent, who handed me a wristband and said, "Come back at 9:15."

…But why say 8:30 if it’s actually 9:15?

On the way to the ferry, I met a retired couple from Canada. They told me about their scuba dives, ATV rides, and all kinds of things that honestly surprised me—things I didn’t expect people their age to do.

We arrived at the catamaran, waiting in line to board, looking around, wondering how all these people were going to fit.

Just as we were about to get on, one of the crew members stopped us and said the boat was full. He directed us to another boat instead, and I joked, "Maybe it’s for the best—what if that one was going to sink?"

"Don’t say that!" the older woman gasped.
Guess Canada is way too wholesome for dark humor.

After a long wait, we finally set off. Wind in my hair, the sun warm on my skin, the sky and ocean impossibly blue. We stopped at three different locations, saw starfish, massive stingrays, and a few fish.

The boat crew was incredibly friendly and fun. For a moment, I thought I was getting VIP treatment—until I realized they were just like that with everyone. They noticed when I was almost done with my margarita and immediately brought me a new one. They constantly walked around, checking if everyone was okay, asking if anyone needed anything.

One of our stops was a shallow beach with crystal-clear water up to our waists—like a giant natural pool. Later, we visited Mia Beach Club, where there was an open buffet, water slides, pools, and a great atmosphere.

By the time we returned to the ferry, I was exhausted from all the sun—and so was every other tourist heading back to Playa.

So this is what peak season looks like. Wow. So. Many. People.

At first, I waited politely in line. But when I saw people ignoring the queue, I realized there were way too many of us. There was no chance we were all getting on the first ferry—I’d have to wait.

I was dead tired. And I’m Israeli. So, I apologized in my heart… and just started walking toward the ferry. When I got to the front, I saw tons more people ahead of me—there was no way I would have made it on in the next two hours if I had stayed in line. Sorry, but not sorry.

Maybe that’s why I woke up feeling sick today. My last few days in Playa, and here I am, stuck in bed, coughing. Ugh.

📍 Playa del Carmen, Mexico | December 29, 2022

On Goodbyes I Struggle to Say Out Loud

I meant to write about how I went to the legendary Coco Bongo club last night.

But then I got caught up in this instead.

Yesterday was my last night in Playa. I’ve heard this phrase from others so many times before, always wondering how I’d feel when my time came.

Now, it’s me who’s leaving.

Even as I told myself that, I still didn’t fully process it—total denial.

I wasn’t sad. Not until I had to say goodbye to a close friend.

I hate goodbyes.
Especially when I’m the one leaving.

I don’t know why, but it’s an incredibly uncomfortable situation for me—accompanied by this awkward, restless feeling in my body. So, in many cases, I just… disappear. No goodbye. Just avoiding it altogether.

I know it’s terrible.
Especially when the connection was real.

I know it hurts the other person. So, I try to explain myself in a message—because writing is easier for me. But deep down, I know I’ve disappointed them.

I want to learn how to say goodbye properly.
To not hurt people in the process.

But I also wonder—maybe I just need to accept myself as I am?
And maybe others should accept me this way, too?

For now, I make an effort where it truly matters to me.
It’s a start.

I debated for a long time: Should I say goodbye or not?
"What’s there to debate? Of course, you should!"
"Yeah, but it’s hard for me."
"Why is it easier when others leave, but harder when it’s you?"
"Because the responsibility to say goodbye is mine. And with it, the responsibility for how the other person feels."

Which brings me right back to the dilemma:

Should I do what’s expected, even when it’s uncomfortable for me?
Or should I prioritize myself?

I don’t know if this answer is right, but it’s what I’ve come to through writing.

It’s something I’ve struggled with for a long time.

Maybe one day, I’ll figure myself out.

At first, I fought it. I tried to impose order and structure onto Mexico’s chaos. But slowly, through aimless walks on Fifth Avenue, random encounters with strangers, and even the frustrating moments of dealing with disorganization— I learned to let go.

The irony? The moment I stopped trying to control everything… That’s when I found real freedom. And that’s the most important lesson Mexico taught me.