It’s been a week of the usual ebb and flow here in Todos Santos. Not every week needs to be special—sometimes it’s just a shift in the weather, a quiet art opening, or what’s growing at the market. This week, the weather has been shifting between feel-good warmth to pleasantly cool evenings, giving us the best of both worlds and making it perfect for taking a walk around town or along Punta Lobos.
There’s something about the light here in Todos Santos, especially when the weather is just so. It’s a subtle shift, a softening around the edges that make the days feel like a slow exhale. It’s been the kind of weather that makes you want to sit outside at a local café on Calle Benito Juárez, sipping coffee and watching the world go by.
There have been whispers around town of a multinational company trying to start an open pit gold mining operation nearby. The staff of the local conservation institution are standing their ground, though, determined to protect our natural areas. It’s heartening to see such a commitment to protecting our environment.
And speaking of nature, sea turtles have been a topic of conversation this week. Did you know that a female sea turtle will mate with several males prior to nesting season, storing the sperm for extended periods of time? When the time is right for nesting, her body will allow the sperm to fertilize the eggs. It’s a fascinating aspect of these creatures that frequent our local waters.
I met a fascinating woman named Estrella Navarro Holm this week. She’s a competitive free diver who has been diving since she was a child. She shared that diving for her is a spiritual experience, likening the sensation of freefall in the ocean to flying in slow motion. It’s a stark contrast to the way many of us experience the ocean here in Todos Santos, dipping our toes in the water at La Poza or watching the waves roll in at Cerritos.
On the cultural scene, there was a small art opening at the cultural center, and I heard whispers of a rose party at one of our local wineries. The local Wine Club at Las Tinajas had a gathering with live music, a sunset cheers, and tapas. It’s always nice to see the community come together to enjoy local talent and the fruits of the vine.
As we look forward to another week here in Todos Santos, I’m reminded of how much I appreciate the rhythm of life in this small town. This is the charm of Todos Santos retreats. The shift in weather, the quiet happenings around town, the stories we hear and share – they all come together to create the tapestry of our experience here. So here’s to another week in Todos Santos, with its shifts and changes, its quiet moments and its bustle, its familiar routines and its surprises.