Start with good news

Sama Joya is doing very very well at his physical rehab in Mexico city.

No idea when he can be transferred to Puerto Vallarta, but
sooner than later I presume . It will be a happy day when he steps back in Yelapa.

In other news, there was too much tragedy since I last wrote.

Two young men, one in his 20s, one in his 30s, took their own lives within days of each other.
Addiction knows no borders or boundaries.  
I bet all of us have been touched, or have seen in some way,
the destruction of alcohol and drug addiction.

Another young man in his 50s, dead with a brain anurism,
just like Maestro Pedro. That is the 2nd death within 9 months for Ava's family.

Another young man, murdered, in a State of Mexico north
of us ! His immediate family rushed to be with him, and returned to Yelapa with his young wife and daughter.

Living in a small town, the grief and sadness and shock are palpable. Our mortality and venerability is deeply exposed.
Tragedy and heartache touch us all, because, if not us ,
someone we know is affected personally.

The village is so interconnected.  Families coming together through marriage, or, fatherhood/ motherhood responsibilities.  Who's your Mother/Father a question
I ask regularly, and I often have to start with Grandmother
or Grandfather, since more likely they are my peers !!

The same families, supporting each other, over the course of generations is a unique aspect about Yelapa, and maybe other rural parts of Mexico, and maybe Canada's remote Northern communities.  People don't " just pick up and move out ",
or get transferred with the company after  few years, except our teachers and our doctor do ! 

The family home and property, remain so, decade after decade, sons become grandfathers, in the house they built for their families, a stone throws away from each other.

People do move out of course, but they come back as often as they can, many of them working hard away so they can return, and never have to leave, again !

This little place is obviously in need of a new cemetary.
How and when that will come about, we will have to wait and see.

Babies being born.
My ex chef Moises, and his girlfriend, Gabby, welcomed a Son, Keylev, March 25th. I wished they lived closer because I would go over to see him every day !!
I have to arrange a play day after school !!
Which starts today after 3 week break !

High season is winding down. People leaving for their other homes in the North.  Another life lived up there.
Busy busy season !  Water taxis running at maximum capacity, especially over the Easter holiday.

We may not have roads, but we certainly have traffic !,
and it's best to keep that in mind. 
Know your boats and your National Holidays !!

Lots of people have dental work done while they're here.
Great dentists in PV, but it takes time and energy to find one you like, and often takes numerous appointments, so you have to plan to stay for a while, or make an initial trip to set things up !  

School is still keeping me busy. Dancers trip to San Francisco
in May in particular.  The web site and facebook page
Yelapa school project, is where I am posting all the updates on that event, and other news and needs in all schools.

I'm also posting my poetry on my facebook page,
More poetry please. I know so many people who are not on facebook, but it was the most convenient for me, at this time.

It's cold here !!! Ocean is clear, but cold .  Doesn't stop the 
Womens group of Isabel's beach from swimming everyday.

Giant mantas close to shore the other day.
And still whales, and whales, just a week ago.
Water is unusually cold, and the breeze is chilly, enough
I'm still wearing my toque in mornings and evenings !
I pray it will warm up soon, here, and wherever it is you are !

A little rain would be nice. So dry. No rain has fallen, to speak of, since October, and none to come till June, if we're lucky.
Fishing is touch and go,  little more than usual as well !
No Chora for my cat for over a month ! 

Pollo Bollo never seems to run out of fish ! and Los Abuelos too, although Fabian was marinating a large Salmon last month ! to use in a Salad Special !! 
Restaurant days are numbered too, except Pollo Bollo stays opens Saturdays and Sundays ... and the local taqarias !

Happy spring everyone .... keep on smiling ....