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Lifestyles Profile - Benjamin Beja By Josef Kandoll Though he might not consider himself a man of the world, Benjamin Beja has traveled quite extensively. At a young age, he made himself a pledge to travel the world before he was 30. Travel he did, studying for two years in Japan, as well as visiting Europe and other continents. One day in South Africa, the now 30-year-old realized that this phase of his life was concluded. Deciding to finish law school at Harvard, he says, “Talk about a difference in point of view, from traveling around the world and living new experiences daily to suddenly being in a classroom where all your focus is on your studies.” Nevertheless, he added a master’s in law to his growing roster of studies. “Living in Japan was fascinating because it was there that I realized some of the similarities with Mexico that are not so obvious at the outset. Their literature, the magical realism, is similar to that of ours in Latin America but with a twist, maybe even of 180 degrees.” Finding that haiku touched truths with a soft feather, the subtlety drew Beja to Asian philosophy. “After two years, I was offered a position to remain there, but decided instead to continue my traveling.” Currently living in Puerto Vallarta, where he resettled after moving from Mexico City, Beja is director general for the new development of Punta Esmeralda. A soft-spoken, gentle man, Beja attributes his being chosen to represent such a prestigious and visionary company to his combination of skills: legal, business, real estate, international studies, culture and literature. “When I first came to Puerto Vallarta, I worked as a consultant in the Banderas Bay area. I got to know the region very quickly, working on projects in planning and business strategy. What I like about Puerto Vallarta is its distinct cosmopolitan and bicultural life. With Punta Esmeralda, I find that my understanding of things Mexican combines well with my personal experience of other cultures.” Has he settled down? “I’m at a different stage in my life now with a family, and my focus is on business. I still like to read and am interested in what is happening in other parts of the world. But my life is here now.”

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