Surreal is a fascinating word because it's a cognate, meaning it looks and sounds similar to its English counterpart, making it easy for learners to recognize.
In the song, Esteman uses "historia surreal" (surreal story) to describe a love story that feels almost dreamlike and beyond ordinary reality. This word perfectly captures the magical and unexpected nature of finding love in a place like Bahía San Miguel, making the narrative feel enchanting and unique.
"Bahía San Miguel" turns a real stretch of Caribbean coastline into a stand-in for someone Esteman can't quite place in memory. He opens on the beach itself, "Caminando por las playas alcalinas de bahía" (Walking along the alkaline beaches of the bay), "San miguel una tarde te encontré" (San Miguel, one afternoon I found you). But he's quick to admit the person he found wasn't fully real: "No eras tú precisamente era una voz que me decía que en un año te iba a conocer" (It wasn't exactly you, it was a voice telling me that in a year I'd come to know you).
The chorus keeps asking the same two questions without ever settling them, "¿Cuántas veces me miraste?, ¿cuántas veces te soñé?" (How many times did you look at me, how many times did I dream of you?), as if he genuinely can't sort the memory from the daydream. He never tries to. By the last line he's made peace with leaving it exactly where it happened: "Y con el tiempo vivirá frente al mar" (And over time it will live facing the sea).
Esteman (Esteban Mateus Williamson), born on May 4, 1984, in Bogotá, Colombia, is a celebrated singer and songwriter known for his unique blend of rock en español, Latin pop, and alternative pop. Rising to fame with his viral hit "No te metas a mi Facebook", Esteman has become a vibrant voice in Latin music, releasing acclaimed albums such as 1er Acto, Caótica Belleza, and Amor Libre.
His music is recognized for its theatrical and colorful style, drawing inspiration from his background in art at Universidad de los Andes. Esteman is also noted for his openness about his identity as an openly gay artist, using his platform to promote inclusivity and break taboos within the music industry. With a feminist outlook and a commitment to challenging traditional machismo in Latin music, Esteman continues to captivate audiences across Colombia, Mexico, the United States, and beyond.