Wait for it ...2021

Greetings on this new moon in November. 

Extreme tides has changed the little beach in town, again. The playita became larger last year, after the storm, Narda and we continue to see it take on a different outline. Beach in front of Silent Jim's house again !

I can safely say winter has arrived. It was a hot, humid, wet summer, and the temperature stayed high into October, but now we are at a cool 25 to 30 degree Celsius during the day. 

The ocean was a riot and a mess a few days before the new moon, as per usual, especially in winter, then overnight turns into a soothing rhythm of come and go, here and now, like a meditation.

Mexico back on a 2 week shutdown. The border must still be open, because tourists are coming. Small yoga groups have begun, and most restaurants open. The majority of people not wearing masks, but I see more tourists with them, and I wear mine inside the store. This is really the time to stay vigilant ! I feel safe keeping to my routine, in a fairly controlled bubble. Doing all the things we need to be doing, even if others are not !

School won't return to normal till at least July, but good news is some grades in Primary School have an English teacher, who is a bi lingual native of Yelapa ! It's challenging doing online classes for sure, but it's an excellent start !

All schools have their teachers, including a Math teacher at Prepa, and Maestra Angelica returning to Secundaria, but not as Administrator. 

The Museum is offering free English class to children, as well as art and yoga !  These kids all play together and in some cases from the same family, but social distancing and mask wearing is not observed. 

One of the oldest Yelapa residents died this week, after a bad fall, and 8 days in hospital. The mother of Ambrosio, Lupe, Martita, and etc. The wife of Don Martin, who died just a few years ago, at 99 years old. History. We passed 4 years since Maestro Pedro died. 

We are on pins and needles, waiting on news of Phillippo Lo Grande, Yelapa artist in residence, recovering from radiation treatments at UCLA Hospital. He returned to United States last month, after being diagnosed with a brain tumor. He's been almost constant in Yelapa for 37 years ! 

We've had a couple of residents take bad falls, and wish them speedy and tolerable recovery. Yelapa has a bad reputation for injuries falling down stairs, or hills, or trees, or cliffs, or boats ! Walking anywhere can be precarious, and you need good legs, feet and balance to get around. Go slow and lift your feet. Even in Vallarta you must pay attention to your feet and you head, while walking. Accidents are so easy to happen here. 

The Hotel is still closed but the new year is supposed to bring new ownership, and Chicos has been dismantled to the ground, with brand new construction to begin. Most other beach restaurants open, with Vallarta Adventure and other tourists boats arriving regularly. I'm grateful, and feel very lucky to be here, always, but especially during a Global Pandemic ! Yelapa has always been it's own little universe, a little bubble, that I hope nothing comes along to burst !  

Happy Holiday Season, Thanksgiving and Christmas !!

Let us pray for Peace and for the Health of the World  !!

Covid 19

Blind Maggie died last month, in Oregon. She spelt her name something like, Maggui. Very original. Living here for years and years, just a little up river from the main beach. I'm not sure the cause of death, but quite sure it wasn't Covid 19. She was 80+ years. She will not be forgotten.

And then, just 16 weeks after his Wife died, Margarito died too. He had been  in Vallarta, and he hadn't been well. It was the saddest thing to see him walking about so fore lone and lonely. I heard he fell and broke his foot or ankle, and took to his bed and stopped eating and drinking. Like Silverio did, and Don Martin,and old Santiago, and Jim. 

What a trippy year !!

Yelapa had had numerous cases of Corona virus,it will be impossible to know how many for sure, without peoples co operation, in reporting. When people starting getting sick here, there was some confusion between the virus and dengue fever, but I think that has gone out the window by now. 

We know the symptoms of dengue, the fever is high for a prolonged time, there is usually no coughing or shortness of breath. It's been raining a lot, and I'm hopeful that is good, to keep the puddles full of fresh water, and the river and lagoon too, to decrease the risk of breeding mosquitoes and dengue. I'm sure there are some sick with dengue too, but the virus can not be denied.

Vallarta Advenures and other party boats, and private boats, and water taxis going back and forth to Boca de Tomatlan and Puerto Vallarta !! I read this morning there were just over 5,000 new cases reported in Jalisco August 17th ! We still need to play it really safe ! It is scary and surreal, for everyone around the world !! Surreal.

Schools will start soon. They stagger the dates, but Primaria will be next Monday the 24th, Virtual, which I don't think really exists in Yelapa, and so many other places.

Maestro Juan is getting ready to start Prepa, distant learning, which will be easier then kindergarten and Primaria , but still not that easy !! As far as I understand it, teachers are also working from home. I haven't had a recent update, but I believe Maestra Angelica has moved to another school, closer to her Mom and teenage son. She stepped into M. Pedro's shoes after he died, not easy !!! Her house was hit hard by Narda too ! I wish her God's speed and Good Luck in her new adventure. But how will a new Director take over under these circumstances .... is yet to be seen.

Most restaurants still open, but I have been eating my own food for months now .... expanding from the fried egg sandwich, but nothing very exciting. I have had take out pizza from Mimi a few times, but just when I think I can't take another week without Pollo Bollo, I tell myself I've gone this long, I'll wait a little longer till the Covid numbers go down. 

I'm sure many of you are doing the same. Wait and see what happens in the coming weeks. Same with travelling back to Yelapa. It's all wait and see. Some people have tickets back for late October, so we stay hopeful, everyone will Do The Right Thing, and follow the medical guidelines. 

I'm continuing on with normal life at home, but I have taken up colouring in some books I pinched from mi escuelita, great getaway ! I am watching a lot more news, and great stuff on YouTube, and watching Hamilton, over and over and over !!

Yelapa is as green as green gets, right now. The birds, the incects, the ants, are insane, makes me laugh out loud sometimes. A Huge Orange Prehistoric Iguana falling from the tree, will make you give your head a shake ! 

And then there's the the thunder, but mostly the lightening.

You can see on The Weather Bug app, it was 0.07 and 0.02 miles away from Yelapa. Approximately right over my head. I was in the shower. I definitely felt a slight jolt through my feet, and tingle up my body. Dear Lord. It was a clear, Snap, Crackle, Pop moment!! The power went off, of course, but then came right back on again !? Electricity and Telephone and Mail remain a Yelapa mystery.

Living here you sure learn to savor the dull moments !! 

Take care everyone !! Saludos !! Hang in there !!

Cycle of Life

oh boy oh boy oh boy, oh boy ....

Tough times, all around. Yelapa lost 4 elders, in 3 months, all in the neighbourhood of mi escuelita ! Five if we count Matilde, Margarito's brother who died in early November, and six, if we count one of my best buddies, Jim, on November 24th, then Margarito's wife, in March, then Eva, then dear sweet Ronco, then my boyfriend, Silverio ! He wasn't a serious boyfriend, and I'm not the only woman he had, but we all loved him, like a favorite uncle, more than a boyfriend, but you know how people like to talk !! 
April 5th my step mom died, at 91 years old/young, in Nova Scotia, just a week or so before the tragic, horrible shootings there !  Oh boy Oh boy Oh boy .
It all leaves me grateful to have had such people in my life, to be part of a community where we share the good times and the grief, and to appreciate life, every single day.
I can't even talk about George Floyd. I think I'll write about that in a seperate post.
Kinder and Secundaria are out on vacation, but Primaria and Prepa still doing exams, except for Grade 12 graduating class,
they are done ! Six students, 4 boys, 2 girls.
No group picture, no graduation ceremony. So sad for them. Entering into grade 8, 17 girls and 6 boys !!
Remember Yacht Club Elena's boy Zion ?
He is entering Grade 10 !
 Six girls and six boys entering Grade 1 ! Then didn't get a graduation either !
What a nightmare the teachers and students and school boards and administration, all over the world, have had to live and work through !  I hope there will be huge changes to Childhood and Young Adult Education moving forward. 
Reform the police AND education system ! 
Health care and politics too !
Meanwhile, I'll continue to do my small part, here, as best I can. I am more active on Instagram, and supporting the Black Lives Matter movement, with as many hearts as I can.
I'm following George Floyd's daughter, Gigi !!
The news over took my life, as with most of us, but I'm weaning myself off, and getting my little escuelita ready to open. Vico extended the small garden out front, to go to the corner of the property, and also extended the curb from Margarito's and behind Gorgonia's, along the trail, and re-did the drainage in the back patio. I learned some lessons, after Narda !  Still waiting on gyp rock/drywall to finish the inside ceiling. Not a material used here a lot, by the locals.
Restaurants have opened in Yelapa, tourist boats are arriving at the beach. Garcia Rentals is open, Pura Vida, open. 
It seems strange seeing tourists around. Cafe Eclipse for take out only, so still only place for lunch or breakfast in town is Olivia's sandwiches. Brissa coffee open 7 am- 1pm. No Cafe Bahia ! And I don't think any Vallarta Adventures here until November, but they may have Rhythm of the Night open.
It rained 1/2 inch last night !!! It has been so dry, and the sun is like an oven ! More rain and thunder on the way. I have only seen a few small crabs, kinda strange, and the flowering trees are all flowering at odd times, so I have pink and yellow in my view, and dolfins were in the bay this morning.
And Life goes on ....

Up on the hill

Dinner up Shit Creek last week. Nina and I walked up the stairs, and avoided the rocky path, named Shit Creek by someone long ago .... could have been No Neck Hank, or Jock Strap Jerry, or Orange Charlie, or any other gypsy who spent time here, before my day ! K. lives way up there, but not quite as far up as Ms. D.  I don't have permission to write about her, and we all know she is very private, so I will just call her D, and our host, K.
If you arrive in Yelapa, for the first time, and plan to spend any length of time here, it won't be long till someone tells you the story, of the woman on the hill, D. Stung 17 times by a Scorpion, cuts the head of snakes with her machette, and very rarely ever comes down to the village. I was facinated !
It took a few years for me to ever see her, and then a few more years to actually meet her, and then slowly over time, get to know her better.
The four of us, having dinner and drinks. We didn't have masks on, but washed our hands and were careful. We have all been isolated here, and I've seen K. and Nina on different occasions, so we felt very safe.
No idea how high up it is, I'll have to ask, but I'll guess ..
200 or 300 feet, Shit Rock way way out in the distance, at the entrance to the bay. 
( How do you get to Yelapa from Vallarta ?
   Turn left at Shit Rock )
We sat on the lovely small deck, just meant for 4, nested in the trees, when the mangos are ready, my long arm could probably pick one off the tree !
I'd only been up there once before, so I followed Nina.
One of the 1st places she ever stayed, was up that hill, but on the other side of the creek. That was 45 years ago. 
There weren't a lot of houses to rent, back in that day, so I've heard many other people tell stories about that place.
No electricity, no hot water, no stairs, no bridge, feed the pigs your compost, no plastic bags. Those days you still had to ride the cargo boat to get here, which took about 2.5 hours !
No power boats, until a few years later, one water taxi.    
This year Nina had an extra bedspread and pillow case set that she had brought back from India, where she goes every year, for months at a time, when she can. I bought it !
I've seen the other ones she had over the years, and finally I have my own. It's not Mexican, but my embroidered pillows are perfect match. 
Under normal circumstances, Nina wouldn't be here at this time, nor K., but they live in hot spots for Corona virus,
in USA and the UK, so they will be here a little while longer. Hopefully they are gone before it rains, because their sweet cabins are not ready for that.
No one wants to live in a house with a hole in the roof, where the rain comes in !
Ms. D. is prepared. At 67 years old, she said it's 47 years she has been on that hill ! Many people came then, and stayed 6 months, or a year, maybe 3, but they all left, or died ! She stayed. She never left, except a few years ago when her Mom died, she's been here. For a loner, she's a great talker, and I learned how to care for my teeth with salt, care for my gums with Goldenseal, and make a Vodka mash punch, using fresh basil, lime, and water. Add Anis and Lemon Grass if desired !
I'm on it ! 
I didn't ask about cutting the head off snakes !
I started writing this blog in 2012, to keep connected to my Father, who could only talk on the phone for short periods of time. He died 6 years ago, and today is his 93rd Birthday.
He was able to make one visit to Yelapa, and saw and felt how I loved it here, and had found my place.
He was very happy for me.
I'd like to think I still write to keep that connection to him, and to the Yelapa friends I've met along the way.
Happy Birthday Dad, and Thanks for Everything !
      

Good Night Eva

Sweet Eva, with the flowing hair, all the way down her back, at over 80 years old, though she almost never wore it down.
Catch her sometimes, sitting on the rock outside her house, brushing it out, the length of her arm. Stunning Eva.
She told me she remembers serving Jim Madden tacos, and beer, at her little cafe, 50 years ago. Gregorio has know her 45 years. Sweet Eva, calling your name as you walk by her place, her little cafe turned little store, turned Micheladas
Vicky !! 
Directions to the waterfall ?? Turn right at Eva's little store,
on the corner, and up the hill 5 minutes. Of course there was no sign that said Eva, and it wasn't what you would classify a store, really, but enough knick knacks and bolsas, and fishing lures hanging on the windows metal iron work, and she in her chair, next to her cat and her songbird.
After some time passed, it would be habit when walking by, to call her name first, even if she wasn't in her chair, she could see you from her room,or kitchen window, and it became a game, who said who first !  
She was ready with a laugh, and witty remark, many flying over my head, but always with good spirit ! 
Both of us trying to get Pedrito to study English. 
Her, pulling me inside the house to look for him, and he at
13 years old, trying desperately to hide ! 
Oh, she thought that was hilarious !
And a beloved Mother, and Grandmother, so close to to her grandkids. Sweet Susana, loved her so much, and cared for her so well, I feel her pain. 
A small service was able to be held at the Church, with burial following in the afternoon. She looked beautiful, in a soft print blouse, and bright pink cardigan. Her hair was up .
Nine days of prayers begin, as is tradition, but with distancing and masks needed this time.
It is a sad situation, all round.
Deligacion Yelapa posted a notice there will be applications available for government financial assistance, April 30 and  May 1 for anyone affected by the Corona Virus. 
That's good news.
Signing off, Good Night Eva, Rest in Peace Forever, xox

Happy Holy Holidays

What a disaster ! 
COVID 19 !
It just goes on and on and on. 
I have never watched so much news ! I certainly feel more connected to the rest of the world, as in other disasters that have befallen us. 

All restaurants on the beach are closed. So sad.
Restaurants in town open for take out orders only. 
Pollo Bollo still crazy busy, as usual !

153 cases in Puerto Vallarta, is what I heard the other day.
There are road blocks on Highway 200, including on the road down into Boca de Tomatlan. If you are not a resident, or have essential business, you will be turned away. Residents only on water taxis. This is good.

People from Yelapa still travelling, many wearing masks, on the boat and around town, in the stores and restaurants too. 

Schools have a tentative date of May 6th, to re open, but we ll shall see. Students are required to continue with 2 hours of reading, and other homework. My English lessons are poplular, probably because they are so comical, and not on purpose !

All our hand washing and distancing will go on for sometime.
Nothing to be done, except get good at it !
A challenge in a little village.
This feels like a safe place to be, as long as we keep the virus out of Yelapa. If anyone falls ill here, we are really in for a challenge !!

Fish are biting, Red Snapper to be exact. I hear the fishermen getting in their boats at 4:30 am, to first go catch the squid or minnows they are using, that the Red Snapper love to eat !
So Yelapanes have rich fresh food to look forward, as long as there's fish in the sea ! 

I'll do my best to stay up to date with any developments. 
In the meantime .....
Wash your hands and Don't Touch Your Face !!

Pandemic 2020

Where to begin  ....

I have been distracted and busy and pre occupied with this crazy life we have all been given !
The Coronavirus has not impacted Mexico as hard as other parts of the world, but the numbers are climbing, though still less than 1000 known cases. 
As far as I understand no cases in Puerto Vallarta at this time, but there was a death an hours drive south of Tuito, which is where the administration offices are, for our region of Cabo Corrientes.
Pretty close enough !
The biggest threat to Yelapa is/was the Party Boats and Vallarta Adventure boats coming in to tour the town and hang out on the beach for 2 hours. They stopped coming on March 19 and 20th.
Hopefully it was not too late. 
I was at a funeral on Wednesday the 18th !!
The Grandmother of all those girls at Cafe Eclipse died from
complications after stomach surgery. The wife of Margarito, our postmaster of no post office.
The next day I began my self isolation, except for necessary quick trips to the store.I'm following all the guidelines and instructions, and I believe most people are. Self distancing, not so easy, but we are doing the elbow bumps, and feet bump too !
Tourists and most seasonal residents have left town, though there are a few with their original plane tickets for mid April, but it's a just a waiting game.
I saw a some day trippers get off a small charter boat on Saturday, and Gringo had a small walking tour, but that was 4 or 5 days ago, and now the Puerto Vallarta Harbour Master
has closed traffic within P.V Jurisdiction.
Closed to all traffiic I do not know. 
Water Taxis are running to Boca, but the frequency has diminished. I don't see how there can't be a regular water taxi service every day, unless Vallarta gets shut down completly .... it is the life line here... garbage still being taken out, fishermen are fishing,( lots of red snapper ), students will complete their exams on line, and be ready for a 3 week break, or more !
I plan to send out a few english exercises to my students, via what's app and messenger. So fantastic we have the internet to stay connected, at times like these especially.
Usually when we are facing a crisis or potential disaster like this, it's related to extreme weather, and we always lose internet and phone service, and usually electricity, sometimes for days, so this is comforting, and confusing.
Like all of us, I'm spending a lot of my time very differently, 
expanding my mind with colouring books and Youtube !
Dear Yelapa has been dropped into low season, months ahead of time, losing the March Easter break, peak of the season, will hurt hard. 
There are no kids voices playing on the beach, no Sailboats
or Yachts in the bay, no Church bells ringing.   
Some local families left town for the family ranch.
Waiters and service staff who won't be working for a while
and kids whose parents are still working are often sent to Granny's house during holidays ... and pandemics !?  
Locals still moving about, 12 people or so on the morning taxi, only to Boca I'm presuming. 
Yet, I feel pretty safe here. Tempoary self isolation not a hardship for me, no job, no kids, and a lovely house with a view. Others are coping with less, and with more responsibilities. Only time will tell how we all make out.
From Wuhan, to Yelapa, we are all connected !!
Mother Nature knows no bounds. 

rainy season

Finally ...... rain everyday for the last 4 days !!

Up to and over an inch each day !
This means the electricity goes off, twice for 12 hours, once for 20 ! Fans will not work without a generator or solar panels, but the rain cools things off, at least temporarily ! Most people jump into the ocean, and stay there, but the water sometimes can get pretty nasty, depending how hard it rained and how much run off there is.
These are the days of 2 or 3 showers to cool off ! 
Without a back up power plan, its best not to fill up your fridge or freezer with a trip to Costco this time of year.
Stock up on Raid spray and coils and these few months are the only time I use personal bug spray ! The rest of the year Yelapa is amazingly mosquito, fly free.
Of course there are always ants, scorpions, beetles etc. !!
but you don't need to keep a fly swatter close by, like  
you do this time of year ! 
Very small population of land crabs this season. Usually the trail is covered with them, but not this year, only a small dusting !  I think the two dogs living with me keep them out of the house, but there has been a few thrown around between them ! 
This is planting time. Dig up baby cactus and spread them around the property, transplanting cuttings and herbs and banana trees !
I know almost none of the Spanish names for trees and flowers, but I am learning. 

The Mother of Hortencia has died at 92 years.
It has been about a month now. There was a 48 hour vigil,
instead of the traditional 24 hour, because she had so many
children and grandchildren and nieces and nephews etc.. who are spread out over the USA and Canada, who wanted to be here. She was laid out in the Casino Yelapa, the only place big enough. 
Five years since my Dad died. July 28th or 29th I can not remember, but I think today, the 28th.
I celebrate him everyday !