Descanso - Respite

So there I am. I have to be at San Diego State by 4:30pm but instead I’m stuck in traffic. God, I hate traffic. Naturally, I’m not going to make it to class on time, and even worse, I’m stuck in my car with an empty stomach. The hunger pangs are getting to me and I am getting really grumpy. I haven’t had time for much of anything lately with the tax deadlines and school work, and the stifling bumper to bumper traffic is a reminder of how badly I want to escape my daily routine.

My whole rant on urban lifestyle may seem kind of depressing, and it can be sometimes. But summer is not far away, which means rest and relaxation draws near. After all, what we all desire is getting away from our worries and enjoying ourselves; having little pleasures like sleeping in or staying up late without having to worry about anything else. No worries about being late for work, school, or avoiding traffic. I really hate traffic.

As I was thinking about all these things, I suddenly remembered that as a part of my duties with LEI Mexico, I had the opportunity to explore Rosarito the next day. I was finally getting a chance to glimpse one of the developments that the company works with: Descanso Homes. I was eager to see if the ocean views were that beautiful, if the houses had such fine details, and if the mood was truly so soothing.

That Friday, after meeting Isaac (my colleague at LEI Mexico), we began our drive south toward Baja. Passing by the multitude of brightly colored artisan shops and charming small restaurants, we witnessed a glimpse of Mexican culture. We also couldn't help but laugh at the absurdly decorated donkeys proudly displayed by the street vendors. Luckily, the ocean view as we drove by was not bad.

Weaving through the various shops and the streams of tourists, we cruised beyond Rosarito and closer to Descanso. It was a fairly short trip, passing by Fox Studios Baja and the famous lobster town of Puerto Nuevo. The conspicuous Descanso billboards guiding us ever closer, we finally darted around a bending road and curved up the welcoming security entrance. From the first glance, I was very impressed. Neatly trimmed patches of grass and radiant flowerbeds lining the paved entrance cordially greeted our arrival. After a brief conversation with the courteous guard, we were waived ahead.

In front of us, a climbing road led up to an array of residences. The structural design and placement of the homes made it clear this was a master planned community. This wasn't a winding loop of houses sprinkled across a roughshod landscape. Instead, one could observe the houses blending with the natural surroundings. It was particularly pleasing to note that Descanso was encased on a rolling hill with a sprawling valley on both flanks, but it was even better to turn my gaze due West and feel the vastness of the ocean envelope my senses.

Looking inside the model homes only confirmed my hunch. The interiors were spacious, full of intricate details, and rich in color. The floor tiles, the stylish lamps, and the paintings, were all of first class quality. The chandelier and the chimney, although quite striking, harmoniously blended size and shape without disturbing the open space of the room. The carefully adorned table in the dining area was partnered with distinctive handmade chairs. Whenever I thought I could no longer be impressed, I found a new detail to admire. The architecture and overall style of the houses was exquisite. Here is a photo of the kitchen so you can judge for yourself.

Aside from the aesthetic beauty the house offers, we knew that the next step was going to the roof and admiring the view. As soon as my feet clambered up the last step, I was ecstatic. I had that dumb little smile in my face that people have when they imagine something happy. The elegant layout of the patio sofas and centerpiece table invited me to grab a seat; however, I was too busy musing, daydreaming about countless hours I could spend here. The view itself elicited the most wistful of sentiments. With ample inspiration, I absorbed the cooling breeze deeply into my lungs.

Just look at the picture and imagine the dazzling array of reds and yellows cast by the sunset.

Imagine the sun setting into the calm ocean while fresh gusts of wind gently massage your face. Imagine what it feels to be there enjoying this exceptional view, and to know that it could easily belong to you.

I have officially been sucked into this whole luxury real estate thing. I mean, who wouldn’t want to live in a place like Descanso Homes or the many other first-class residences across Mexico? No wonder there were so many people there to view these homes that day. If I plan things right, I too will have my own piece of Mexico. Till then, I'll have go bear with school and traffic, the routine. Until I plan my next escape to Rosarito...