On the road to Shambhala

Zipolite Beach, Oaxaca
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This location boils, and memories seep out of me in the heat of the sun. Zipolite is the spot I trekked furthest to on my first sojourn to Mexico 32 years ago. I was 23 and Zipolite was a destination for those seeking a perfect beach at the end of a mexican road ... a place to hang a hammock, and maybe something more. As best as I can recall, John and I on our limited budget, spent $6 bucks a day for a place with a shower in the hamlet of Puerto Angel. We walked a sand road out of town and across a rocky point. Zipolite lay before us. It seemed a long expanse for the walker, but I doubt it is quite a mile in length. At the end of the beach you had another rocky point. Along the beach you had a few dilapidated palapas that seemed public property of a sort. Just off the beach was a woman with an adobe oven that made small breads filled with pina. One could not forget them. At the far end of the beach carved out of the rocky point was a magical village of open Palapas. It was a final destination... A place called Shambhala. This was a haven of wanderers from all corners of the globe who had also heard of Zipolite.
I have lived, and traveled widely to discover that the journey has as much to do with what resides inside, as what physically lies in front of me. This is the only reason to sojourn. On occasion a moment comes when the place delivers you to a feeling of what it means to be human in the fullest sense.
So, 32 years later I return. The beach has seen change... and so have I. Many places to eat, sleep and buy things line Zipolite from one end to another. Still it is comforting to see Shambhala still there and filled with sojourners now both young, and old.

I had to Wiki Shambhala for a clearer understanding.

Shambhala (Tib. bde 'byung) is a Sanskrit term meaning "place of peace/tranquility/happiness".... Shambhala is believed to be a society where all the inhabitants are enlightened, actually a Buddhist "Pure Land"

The Dali Lama says;

Shambhala is not an ordinary country:
Although those with special affiliation may actually be able to go there through their karmic connection, nevertheless it is not a physical place that we can actually find. We can only say that it is a pure land, a pure land in the human realm. And unless one has the merit and the actual karmic association, one cannot actually arrive there.

And last but by no means least ... Three Dog Night said:

Everyone is helpful, everyone is kind
On the road to Shambala
Everyone is lucky, everyone is so kind
On the road to Shambala