| Geofish Dive Shop in Playa del Carmen |
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| Friday, 26 January 2007 | |
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Paulo Macarico was born and raised in Lisbon, Portugal, but actually moved to Playa del Carmen from London where he had spent the past 19 years. From Lisbon he originally went to London to study photo journalism, but was initially distracted by the bright lights and fun of the bustling city of London, so school was put on hold. He moved around various jobs over the next few years; first as a bouncer at a London club, then as a research officer for the Portuguese Tourist Board, and then he landed a job with a Portuguese wedding photographer.
An avid diver since 1981, he decided to visit his brother in Mozambique in 2002, and caught the MAJOR diving bug. The stress from working within the court system was wearing on him, and he decided a life change was necessary. When he saw all of the poverty in Mozambique, and the strong will to survive, he decided he had so many more opportunities then the local people of Mozambique that he could certainly survive any life change. He wanted to own a dive shop and live a relaxed beach life rather then the high powered city life. He knew the diving was phenomenal in Mozambique, but once on dry land there was not enough for him to stay.
When asked if he has any regrets, or what he misses the most about the bright lights of London he exclaimed. “No regrets, I have all the loves of my life here; diving, underwater photography, and my wife Claire.” He does, however, miss good book stores, his family, live classical music, and good Indian spices, but not enough to give up the tranquil beach life in Playa del Carmen.
If you would like to go and chat with Paulo, and find out further information on diving and water sports, visit the shop located on 8th Street between 5th Avenue and the beach, and tell him the Playa Maya News Team says hi! Comments (0)
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After 2 years of working with the wedding photographer he
decided to enroll in school, and immediately was offered a job doing freelance
photography for The Independent, a prominent London paper. This was a great fit for Paulo,
and he thrived in his position, but in 1995 he was diagnosed with viral
conjunctivitis, and lost his eye sight, being virtually blind and unable to
take photographs for more then 2 months, he had to come up with another career.
He then fell back on his extensive language back ground; English, Spanish,
Portuguese, French, and Italian, and worked as an interpreter for the London government. Following
this path he then became a certified legal interpreter and worked within the
criminal and family court system.
He then called on a childhood friend from Portugal who actually lived in Playa del Carmen,
and he decided to take his instructor development course here rather then in Mozambique. He
first arrived in Playa del Carmen in 2005, and got his dive certifications
needed to own and operate his own shop, and then he moved here full time in
February 2006. On January 2nd 2007 he opened the doors to his dream;
Geofish Dive Shop with co-owners Micky Roy, from France, Jeff Johnson (J.J.)
from Texas, and Steve Regalado, from Colorado. Once you add Captain Marco
Antonio, from Veracruz, Mexico you get a great team of
divers, and water sports aficionados to guide you on your way.
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