Life in Bacalar

**Point of view:Athena**

"Hi, my name is Athena. I am 24 years old. After completing my studies, I started a YouTube channel called 'Nerdy Bird' where I usually  posts the video of me being an environmentalist. Though I hardly have 100 subscribers, I still love cleaning nature. Now you must have guessed why I have less subscribers. Well I'm from India, Tamil Nadu, but after university, I applied for a job in Bacalar, Mexico .Because Bacalar is my dream town , I have always wanted to visit it. Being a YouTuber is just a hobby; actually, I'm a software engineer. I work at an IT company in Bacalar. At first, learning Spanish was tough, but I've gotten used to it since I've been here for 2 years already.

Once, I visited a park near my dorm, and it was covered with plastics and trash. My heart couldn't take it, so I decided to clean it myself. It took me nearly 9 hours to clean the entire park. Bacalar is a place full of tourists, so things like this happen. After that, I started doing it regularly. Cleaning and keeping away hazardous plastic from Mother Nature gives me a sense of peace and pleasure.

Right now, I'm at my office, winding up my tasks so I can go to my dorm and rest. My best friend, John, who is a year older than me, came and asked whether I'm ready to leave. One of the best things that happened to me in Bacalar, other than nature's beauty, is John. John is such a sweet and caring guy. He is from the States. We met shortly after I arrived in Bacalar, and our friendship blossomed quickly. Despite the differences in our backgrounds, we found common ground in our love for adventure and exploration.

John and I made our way to the most famous 'Jinny Kitchen' in Bacalar to have our favorite Indian and  Korean foods. Yes, you guessed it right; it's a Indo-Korean restaurant. The aroma of the familiar dishes and the friendly atmosphere of the restaurant always make me feel a bit closer to home. Though all john had in his life was burgers and pizza after meeting me he has been addicted to the Indian cuisine. After having dinner, John dropped me off at my dorm and went to his home, which he had rented near the beach. I couldn't help but envy his proximity to the tranquil shoreline.

Back in my dorm, I did my regular skincare routine and FaceTimed my family. The virtual connection with my loved ones provided a comforting reminder of the bonds that transcend geographical distances. With a sense of contentment, I drifted off to sleep. In my dreams, I was on a boat alone in the middle of the ocean with strong waves and a cold night. I was scared, feeling isolated amidst the vastness of the sea. But then, a glittering tail emerged from the water, approaching me with a gentle grace. It offered me the light I needed in the darkness, a beacon of reassurance.

And then, the alarm rang, shattering the dream. I woke up, the remnants of that comforting feeling still lingering. I have this dream often. I don't know why, but whenever I go to the beach, I have this calm and warm sensation, as if the breeze itself is soothing my spirit, embracing me in its tranquil embrace. And whenever the waves delicately brush against my feet, I feel a love I have never felt before. It's both invigorating and unsettling, this deep connection with the water element. Though the ocean is the thing I love the most, it is also the thing I am scared of the most. I don't know why; I just feel an undeniable and indescribable bond with water. In my dream, whenever I was scared of the darkness, loneliness, and vastness of the sea, that luminous tail would appear, guiding me through the uncertainty. What could it signify?

Lost in my thoughts, I didn't notice that it's already past 8 am, and John will be here any minute. With a sudden realization, I hurriedly completed my morning routine and made my way out of the dorm, making sure to send a kiss in the direction of my 'BTS' poster – my seven gems. Well, I can only kiss them on the wall poster. Just at that moment, John arrived, his cheerful presence dispelling my ponderings. We exchanged greetings and headed to the office, looking forward to another day of challenges and discoveries."

[End of Chapter 1]

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