In 2004, life was about to get a whole lot sunnier—and wilder. After five incredible years in Lake Chapala, where life moved at a relaxed retirement pace, my family and I decided it was time to shake things up.
At 41, I wasn’t ready for the golden years; I needed energy, action, and a fresh start. So, we sold our house overlooking the lake, packed up the kids, and headed to Cancun, chasing a dream of adventure.
Our first week in Cancun was like a hazy mirage—beautiful but not the paradise of energy we had envisioned. Then someone told us about a little up-and-coming beach town just south of Cancun called Playa Del Carmen. Intrigued, we hopped on a bus and headed there.
The moment we stepped off the bus, it was love at first sight. Playa Del Carmen was still a sleepy beach town, but it had a spark—a vibrant pulse that whispered, This is home. We didn’t look back.
Finding Our Playa Paradise
The first stop was a real estate agency called ONE STOP on 5th Avenue, where we met Shawn Bandick, a partner in the business and now a lifelong friend. Within no time, Shawn found us the perfect place—a three-level townhouse in Playacar, complete with three bedrooms, four-and-a-half bathrooms, and a beautiful pool. We moved in, and just like that, Playa was ours.
I bought a brand-new Honda motor scooter for $1,000, and the kids got bicycles. We were ready to soak up beach life.
Java Joe’s: The Heartbeat of Playa
As I settled into life in Playa, my Spanish was still… a work in progress. That’s when I heard about a legendary Gringo hangout called Java Joe’s. Located on 5th Avenue between Calle 10 and Calle 12, it was the kind of place where beach bums, divers, and pirates of all stripes gathered over steaming cups of coffee to swap tales and shoot the breeze.
Java Joe’s wasn’t just a coffee shop; it was an institution. Picture a laid-back, open-air café with stools spilling onto the street, the aroma of fresh coffee mingling with the sea breeze. Joe (real name Joel Gersh) and his wife Ronnie ran the show.
Ronnie served up the coffee with a smile while Joe, ever the salty character, lovingly harassed his regulars.
Joe was a classic New Jersey guy with a tough exterior, the kind of personality that needed cracking. I wasn’t sure if he liked me or not—I probably wasn’t his typical beach bum crowd—but I kept coming back. There was a magnetism to the place, like a Friends-style Central Perk but with sand between your toes and a touch of chaos.
A Connection to the Past
Ronnie was much warmer. One day, she mentioned she was from Fair Lawn, New Jersey. As fate would have it, my family had also lived there after emigrating from Lebanon in 1961. When I told her that, her face lit up. She started reminiscing about a boy from her high school wrestling team named Joe Tawil, who drove a Pontiac GTO.
“That’s my uncle!” I exclaimed.
Ronnie laughed, remembering her teenage crush on my Uncle Joe. She didn’t say if they’d ever dated, but it was clear she had fond memories of him and his iconic GTO. We laughed, shared stories, and marveled at the small-world connection. Before I left, she asked me to pass along her warm regards to Uncle Joe.
The Rise and Fall of Java Joe’s
Over the next couple of years, Playa del Carmen boomed. The once-sleepy 5th Avenue was transforming from a dirt road into a bustling tourist hub. As rents skyrocketed, Java Joe’s relocated to 10th Street, and the loyal crowd followed.
By 2011, I heard the heartbreaking news that Joe had passed away. Ronnie’s story faded from my life after that, but the memories of Java Joe’s and our connection lingered. Inspired by that serendipitous meeting, I wrote a song about Uncle Joe and his beloved GTO. Titled GTO Joe, it’s a fun, flavorful tribute to a man—and a car—that carried a little magic wherever they went.
FROM A POST I FOUND on a TRIP ADVISOR FORUM (2011)
“Java Joe’s” coffee shop over the years. It was a Playa classic for more than a decade. Back when we first came to Playa Del Carmen there were no Starbucks dotting a smaller, quieter 5th Avenue.
The morning after a wild night locals and tourists alike stumbled down to Java Joe’s to sip coffee and chat with friends and neighbors. Joel Gersh was “Joe” and ran the place with his wife Ronnie.
They were Playa pioneers and helped to create the place we have all come to love. They retired and left Playa last June. Now we have word Joel has passed. We thought some of you would want to know. Vaya Con Dios Joel. Tony and Cheri H
Memories of Playa Del Carmen in 2004
FROM A POST I FOUND online about JAVA JOE’S
He was a Playa legend. I met him when he had just arrived in Playa. He was full of life and always had an opinion. Java Joe’s has just what you need after a hard night of partying in Playa. Grab a Café Americano or an espresso with a “hangover special” on the side – a fried egg and Canadian bacon are served atop an English muffin. Java Joe’s offers 16 different varieties of bagels. If you are in the mood for something heartier, try a bagel sandwich with tuna or your meat and cheese of choice. For those hot days, Java Joe’s mixes up iced mochas. Get one to go along with a boxed lunch and eat on the beach.
Playa’s Golden Era
Playa del Carmen today is a far cry from the quaint beach town of 2004, but for those of us who were lucky enough to be there during its golden era, it will always be a special place. Java Joe’s wasn’t just a café—it was a piece of Playa’s soul. And for me, it was the spark that ignited countless adventures, stories, and even a song.
So, here’s to Playa, Java Joe, Ronnie, and the serendipity that makes life unforgettable.
GTO JOE | The Bobbysox Brigade
A 1960s Rock ‘n’ Roll Revival Written by Johnny Punish
Twist, shout, and groove to the electrifying sounds of The Bobbysox Brigade! This retro-inspired hit, penned by the one and only Johnny Punish, brings the golden era of 1960s rock ‘n’ roll roaring back to life.
With jangly guitar riffs, infectious rhythms, and soulful harmonies, this song captures the spirit of diners, jukeboxes, and dance halls. Whether you’re a vintage rock fan or new to the sound, this track is sure to get your toes tapping and your heart racing.
Don’t forget to LIKE, COMMENT, and SUBSCRIBE for more nostalgic vibes and timeless tunes!
#RocknRollRevival #JohnnyPunish #TheBobbysoxBrigade #1960sMusic #RetroVibes
LYRICS
Screamin round the corner
(GTO Joe)
Put the pedal to the medal
(GTO Joe)
Let’s go draggin’ for some C-note cash
(GTO Joe)
The strip is really where it’s at
Yeah I know!
GTO Joe!
(GTO Joe)
Come on let’s go
(GTO Joe)
Time for a show
Ripping down the alley
(GTO Joe)
There goes dirty Mustang Sally
(GTO Joe)
She’s getting down for the money
(GTO Joe)
I think it’s really kinda funny
Yeah I know!
GTO Joe!
(GTO Joe)
Come on let’s go
(GTO Joe)
Time for a show
I see Joe rollin’ up he’s got fat cash
A wild ride for a midnight splash
Under the lights I steal the show
He’s pays up look at him go
Go Go Go
Oh Nooooo!
GTO Joe!
(GTO Joe)
Come on let’s go
(GTO Joe)
Time for a show
Come on let’s go
Time for the show
Oh noooooooooooo
GTO Joe!
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Written by Johnny Punish
Produced by Punish Studios and enhanced by AI
ORIGINAL VERSION OF GTO JOE from 2013 performed by yours truly
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#JavaJoes #PlayaDelCarmen #GTOJoe #BeachTownLegends #JavaJoesCafe #Playacar #CoffeeCulture #ExpatsInMexico #SmallTownAdventures #RockNRollConnections #JohnnyPunish #GTOJoeSong #PlayaDelCarmenLife #MayanMocha #GringoHangout #MexicoMemories #CarCulture #NewJerseyToMexico #BeachBumLife #MexicoMusic
