Poetry at Acqua
We visited a new restaurant in Merida last night called Acqua. It's a hip place with an unusual menu where young, beautiful people come to see and be seen. We had the chipotle fondu and tried not to look too old. On the paper placemats (sponsored by Coca Cola), was printed a fragment of a poem by Jorge Luis Borges. It was in Spanish, but it was easy to get the drift. We reprint it here in English as a reminder to ourselves of why we live in Yucatan. Thanks, Jorge, wherever you are...
Instantes
If I were able to live my life anew,
In the next I would try to commit more errors.
I would not try to be so perfect, I would relax more.
I would be more foolish than I've been,
In fact, I would take few things seriously.
I would be less hygienic.
I would run more risks,
take more vacations,
contemplate more sunsets,
climb more mountains, swim more rivers.
I would go to more places where I've never been,
I would eat more ice cream and fewer beans,
I would have more real problems and less imaginary ones.
I was one of those people that lived sensibly
and prolifically each minute of his life;
Of course I had moments of happiness.
If I could go back I would try
to have only good moments.
Because if you didn't know, of that is life made:
only of moments; Don't lose the now.
- Jorge Luis Borges
Comments
Yucatan Living - Acqua 15 years ago
[...] pm to 2 am; Sunday: 1-5 pm and Monday: 6pm to 1 am; Website: Facebook: Notes: We wrote about it here and Casual Restaurant Critic wrote about it [...]
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Sandra 17 years ago
To Kaye and Sallie: Thank you for your inspiration! I am a poet/writer and envy those of you who live in that part of our world. Oh, the writing I would do and the wonderful people I would meet. Perhaps one day I will be able to at least visit there. Happiness and blessings to the both of you. Thank you again!
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SALLIE 17 years ago
To Kaye: I also lost my husband by heart attack--on vacation in the casa of friends in a small village in the south of Yucatan. I am planning to live in Merida. The time is now. Thank you for your message.
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Kaye 18 years ago
My point exactly. I lost my husband on July 18 of this year, just as we were scheduled for flight on July 15, to come to Mexico to look for a place to retire, he suffered a heart attack & subsequently, a massive stroke...he was only 54!!! I have decided to move to Mexico and live out the dream we had. I wish we had done sooner what the poem says & I hope that all those of you out there who dream of doing something people will think you are crazy for doing, go for it. Don't wait until it is too late.
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bob 18 years ago
I will probably never get to Mexico so I wait for your blogs please keep them coming.
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kimba 18 years ago
Another restaurant you have to steer me to on my next visit to Merida! You didn't write about the food, but hey, who doesn't want to be seen? And Jorge Luis Borges on the menu? Coolio.
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Kim Galle 18 years ago
This is a very Zen poem.... interesting to discover on a Mérida menu. Please keep up the blogs. I can't get enough.
Cheers,
K
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