Almost three years ago, I took a trip with one of my best friends to Mexico. We traveled from Mexico City to Puebla, then drove to Oaxaca City, and then on to the coast of Oaxaca.
And back again.
One of many experiences worth sharing is our encounter with a group of baby sea turtles.
La Ventanilla, literally "little window"
We stopped in a small village known as La Ventanilla, on the coast of Oaxaca. The area is known for its ecotourism, specifically its lagoon tours, so we got up early one morning and set off to explore with our guide through the dark glassy waters. The lagoons were beautiful, but the unexpected highlight took place on our return from the lagoon.
Glassy waters and mangroves
Our guide was telling us about the efforts made in behalf of the sea turtles in the area. During certain times of year, hundreds of “tortugas” gather on the beaches and lay their eggs. The community then gathers the eggs and reburies them in an enclosure where they can be protected from predators and monitored. As the guide was showing us this area, some movement caught my best friend’s eye. The guide entered the enclosure to investigate.
A group of the eggs just hatched. Tiny baby sea turtles (I believe they are Olive Ridleys) were emerging, ready to head for the sea. The guide asked us (my best friend E and I, along with her parents) if we wanted to help them find their way to the ocean.
Our babies.
After some emphatic nods, we gathered our babies and took them close enough to where the waves were rolling in, then set them down. It was a major effort, even being so close to the water, for those little flippers to push them along. Some of them even needed a little extra help.
It seemed to take them forever to make the short distance. But after a lot of effort (and a little help) they made it. It was amazing to be a part of it. I’ll even admit, E and I teared up watching our newly adopted little ones riding the waves.
It’s amazing to think that hundreds of these tiny little guys do this without any help at all. They travel what must look like an impossibly long distance, despite the fact that they could be gobbled up by a crocodile or seagull. Even once they make it in the water, there will be new challenges facing them. And yet, they still do it.
When I started writing this post, my intent was to share the cuteness that is the baby sea turtle, and the amazing experience we were able to participate in (and photograph).
But as is the case with most things in life, there is a lesson.
Life throws endless obstacles our way and sometimes our goals seem impossibly far. Yet, if we are determined to get to where we want to be, with a lot of effort (and maybe a little help) we can make it.
After all, this little guy did.
