Octavio was supposed to be a doctor, like his brother, or a scientist, like his mother. Something cosmopolitan and academic, befitting his well-to-do upbringing in Mexico City. He most certainly was not supposed to be a Cozumel adventure guide leading tourists on secret bike trails through the mangroves and snorkeling off tucked-away beaches. He was not supposed to let his hair get so long, so curly. He was meant to be wrapped in a white lab coat, peering into a microscope, not leaping from a sea wall in his swim trunks, diving for turtles.

Octavio was the black sheep of his family. Sometimes it occurred to him that maybe he should feel bad about that.

He didn’t.

He was having too much fun jumping sand dunes on his bike while the fresh-off-the-boat tourists scrambled to keep up. He never tired of seeing their wonder the moment they spotted a parrot fish in the impossibly clear blue water, or tasted real, authentic Mexican guacamole from his favorite local beach haunt. There were plenty of doctors, scientists, professors and academics in his family. This was Octavio’s calling: To show visitors his Mexico.

Octavio’s Mexico was a place of action and activity, full of people who thrived on being outdoors and saw themselves as passionate caretakers of the country’s natural beauty. His mission was to show tourists that Mexico was so much more than the tacos and tequila stereotype. After all, just a 10-minute bike ride from the party-all-the-time cruise ship port-of-call was a quiet haven where sea turtles nested and a good diver could swim through an underwater series of caverns full of untold marvels.

We met Octavio 13 years ago, when my husband and I were on our honeymoon. There were only four of us — including Octavio — on that day’s bike-and-snorkel tour. But rather than being disappointed, he said the small turnout was a good thing because it meant he could show us the best parts of Cozumel — something he didn’t have time to do with larger groups.

In the course of our few hours together, Octavio told us about his life and his family and his tremendous love for Mexico. Through his stories, we got to know him. By the end of the tour, he felt like a friend and we found ourselves loving Mexico too.

I’ve been thinking a lot about Octavio and his family lately, hoping they’re okay in the midst of all the hardships that beautiful country has faced, including two horribly tragic earthquakes in the past three weeks. The Mexico Octavio showed us all those years ago is resilient and strong, just like its people. We’re thinking of you, we stand with you and we’re sending our support. Viva Mexico.

© 2018 Rachel Martin. All Rights Reserved.