On the far side of town, away from the beach, the majority of the residents in Akumal live peacefully away from the tourists. It's not a fancy area.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8xPqopMqSiCcziUJ2-2TtFz37JeONZAP2jHiYLKytJLC_Sr0hcERDXBcJn_T4-VQLi424jBGcFCEfQUmRUoU8mKzh-3l8ScZR8VXg3KIODPsui3N0dFACrQqDhsTMe-dpfG3zcMIxB9s/s400/akumal1.jpg)
In fact, one man told us that we were on the "wrong side of town." Without the ocean views, most tourists don't make it over here.
When I first arrived, I felt nervous about busting out my balloons to twist for the kids.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG_Bf9YN9rkTHKeTDfzO38QSKYPWgonKV_jx7Ciqxt6UoHcGcR6G2gTNkW9xYryJIg_BV153_Wb707JMNjMlMyEz8BxgyuXWDs8vfXv3xA8PMfYuMVkCpUspOMxbITuoFCHuIBkPcwcCw/s320/akumal5.jpg)
However, it just took one hat before the kids came running.