Where there's a will...there's a way

Another week has passed.  I'm trying to keep things interesting, but Yelapa is really just a 

 sleepy fishing village, and there hasn't been a lot to report. It rained overnight !  The 

front and side deck were wet when I got up this morning, as sometimes happens with the

dampness, but i can see rain marks on the screen in back.  A welcome gift for me and my 

yard, not so much for the tourists.  Another Yoga group arrived yesterday, on a chartered

boat, and the Painting Group is still at the Point.  There must be another Drumming Group

too, as I heard them loud and clear last night, from across the bay.


The Elementary School is working hard, with the new PTA Director to raise funds for the

school.  Most of the teachers come here to work from other places and are living at the

school, some have their kids with them. They are sleeping on old cots, cooking in a make

shift kitchen, etc.  We donated our old DVD player, as it was on the request list, and a

blanket.  I will offer to be the replacement ESL tutor, again.  The PTA Director is

volunteering now,( spanish her first language ) but it is something I can help with too.

I have tried before, but it's worth trying again. My students, elementary kids, haven't shown

up since New Years !


I was living here when there was no bridge for the kids to cross the river, to get to school.

They would have to cross on sand bags.  Then a bridge was built, but it collapsed after only

2 years, ( most of which crumbled on the river's edge ), but now a new bridge was built

about 4 years ago, No ATV's allowed, and the school and soccer field are directly on the

other side.  I was here when Pegge was still teaching and the First Ever Grade 8 class was

preparing to graduate.  It was and is a big deal.  Within one generation, Yelapa has gone

from Grade 4 to Grade 8.  I'm not sure if they also offer an extra year for preparing for

High School, or not.  If you want to continue your education, you have to leave Yelapa.

I have stayed friends with one of the first graduates, Perla.  She is 24, and has been working

part time in PV and finishing College.  She graduates this spring.  She is very inspiring.

As you can imagine, a lot of kids stay put right here, and fish, or work in restaurants, clean

houses, or are 'Cargadores ' ,  loading and unloading boats and delivering luggage or water or

gas.  A lot of people survive on tips from tourists. 


Mimi's has been slow the last few Fridays.  SO much competition, and people flock to see the

live music elsewhere in town.  I'll have to get a group together for next week. Maybe I'll be

first on the open mike, reciting Robert Service !!  The library is coming along, slowly.  We

may need to call in our visiting Librarian to help us work out a catalogue system.  It has to

be very flexible, and simple.  


I am enjoying my Spanish classes every Monday.  A lot goes over my head at the time, but

I know from 2 years ago, that everything she teaches me, sinks in eventually.  I saw my

neighbour on the trail the other day, and asked him if he would only speak Spanish to me

this summer.  " I have a better idea " he said." I'll start speaking Spanish to you, right now!"

Yikes.  Maybe I can ask him to speak in both languages, then I should be able to manage !

I need a new antenna to listen to the local radio stations, since I don't have TV hook up.

Satellite radio is the way to go, then I could listen to CBC too.  I can no longer buffer it

through my computer, which is a big disappointment.


I have been researching my ancestry again, with the help of Hugh & Em.  Very interesting,

and time consuming.  Living in Yelapa it's easy to notice the family connections and shared

traits.  Not only do siblings often look so similar, but so do cousins, and nephews and half -

siblings.  Who is who, and from where is always an interesting story.


I have accomplished half of my sewing projects this week, half of the easy stuff.  Now it's 

on to making drawstring pants, to sell at Mimi's Bazaar.  I know of two, very accomplished

seamstress living here, who I would love to employ.  We could make mmosquitoes nets

together as well.   I haven't given up on pickles !!  Finding jars is the issue.  More research

needs to be done.  I may need help.


It is a grey, quiet Monday.  I have to go, meaning walk, to the beach for my class.  I may

have to walk up and cross at the bridge as the lagoon is full, but the mouth is open. 

It's ok to get wet when it's sunny and 30 degrees, but not when it's cloudy and damp and

20 degrees.  Especially not on your way to school  ....


Querer es poder amigos ....


k