5 Life Lessons from a Hike in Mexico

The Hike

While staying in Cabo San Lucas (Baja California Sur, Mexico), my husband encouraged me to do the hike up Mount Solmar. Notice that he encouraged ME to do the hike, he did not suggest that we do it together.

Which is just as well, it was almost too strenuous for me, and he has a much lower tolerance for physical activity.

Not your average tourist excursion – photo credit Arlene Laskey

This is not your standard tourist excursion. There was no website, no online booking page, no credit card entry, no reservation. Just a sign by the gate of a fenced-in enclosure that indicated the hike would start at 8:00 am, every day except Saturday.

I did a little research and knew what to expect. Enrique, our guide, has several dogs that join the hike, I understand that he has rescue animals as well as dogs that he is training.

Mount Solmar is private property, Enrique made it clear that if we wandered off or returned at a different time of day – then he would call the police.

Despite the lack of advertising, there were about 50 tourists, a mix of Mexicans, Americans, and Canadians, all prepared to tackle a steep climb at the end of the Baja peninsula – the very end! (Like Finisterra in Spain – end of earth)

After he laid down the rules—stay on the path, watch for snakes, don’t touch the cacti—we began the hike. The first bit was a gentle incline on a wide path.

The Metaphysical

Once we all caught up at an open area, he surprised me with a metaphysical lecture. He spoke of everything being energy—energia—the earth and the sky and the ocean. And that everything is vibrating.

He encouraged us to be quiet and listen to the energy. To live in the moment, to pay attention to our surroundings. This reminded me of my practice in Spain of experiencing the Camino through my senses! That and the Master Key Experience!

Enrique sharing Life Lessons – photo credit Arlene Laskey

As we continued the hike up to the summit, the path became narrow and steep. In many places we had to scramble up rocks, taking care not to use a cactus as a hand-hold. The dogs weaved in and out among the hikers, climbing easily up the steep terrain.

The Summit

Once we arrived at the pinnacle, we were rewarded with a panoramic view of Cabo San Lucas, the hotel corridor along the Sea of Cortez, the Marina, and the rock formations sweeping around to the Pacific Ocean.

We rested at the top for several minutes. Enrique encouraged us to leave our comfort zone and climb just a little bit higher to get the best vistas. I am not a fan of heights, so this did stretch my comfort zone, which is generally a good thing.

When I went just a bit further I could see the top of El Arco, the classic Cabo landmark, and even the resort where I was staying, which was on the Pacific side of the peninsula.

The way down was even more difficult in places than the climb. Many times I had to turn and climb down, gripping the rocks tightly. And a few times I slid down a difficult stretch on my bottom.

Once we returned to the safety of the dog compound, we were reminded that Enrique and the dogs rely on the tips of hikers. This was one of several Camino de Santiago moments.

Giving

This hike is like a donativo stop on the Camino. Enrique shared his love of Cabo, dogs, and the metaphysical with us. In return, we were asked to make a small donation. I was disappointed that I hadn’t brought more money, as it was worth a great deal more than I had in my pocket.

After all, Enrique is doing an act of service, providing an enriching experience for the tourists (haha, I almost wrote pilgrims here). It is fair for us to give something in return.

The Life Lessons

1. Be open to receive. I didn’t expect to receive a reminder of the Master Key lessons on a hike in Mexico, but I gratefully received just that.

2. Push yourself just a bit further. I wasn’t going to go any further up that hill once I reached a comfortable high point. But with encouragement, I did. And was rewarded with stunning views and a sense of accomplishment.

3. Encourage others. At first I focused on how difficult that climb was for me. But I noticed others providing encouragement and, often, a helping hand. When I started to do the same, I realized that others were struggling as well. But we all made it, together.

4. Be prepared. I had water, a hat, good walking shoes. Some walking sticks would have been helpful, and maybe some way to cool down, like a wet kerchief. As soon as the walk ended, I stopped in at a nearly OXXO store for a Gatorade to replenish fluids and electrolytes.

5. Be open to give as well as to receive. If you have read Emerson’s Law of Compensation, or the Master Key System, you might remember this lesson.

It is one of the most beautiful compensations of this life that no person can sincerely try to help another without helping him or herself. Serve and you shall be served. If you love and serve people, you cannot, by any hiding or stratagem, escape the remuneration. Ralph Waldo Emerson

I encourage you to look for life lessons everywhere, to stretch your comfort zone and do something uncomfortable. You may reap rewards that you haven’t even imagined!

If you haven’t checked out the Master Key Experience yet, that is jam-packed with life lessons – get on the list for notifications!