Summer 2021

Hurricane Narda. September 28, 2019

A day to remember. 

And there were a number of firsts this rainy season.

First time I had to hang on to the tarp over my swinging bed, while strong gusts of wind blew through the house !

 I could hear the wind, Nora, building strength, then screaming through the arroyo, and then through my palapa. 

Between times I could take a sip of my wine, for nerves, but you have to stay sober, you have to stay alert, you have to be prepared.

There was some serious damage up river, but not like we had with Narda ! Two boats sank, one being the Parachute boat, but as of yesterday, October 10th, they are back !

We have a jet ski addition to  the bay, but it's not a rental, so far, just someone's for fun.  

One of the magnificent things about Yelapa is the weather. Especially October to May, though everything is changing.

The wind and rain pass over the hills, through the canyons and out to sea, not usually hanging over us for too long. You can feel the wind building strength, getting closer and closer, then feel it as it moves over us. The thunder and lightening sometimes right over our heads, deafening and blinding, or a light show over Puerto Vallarta. I swear I saw all the lights go off over there, after one bolt came right down to earth !

There are many times I just plug my ears and cover my eyes !

There seems to be more bugs then ever before this summer.

Land crabs, the size of my fingernail, or the size of my hand. There are not as many now, as the beginning of the rain, but they are still around.  The dogs like to play with them, but I find it a little distressing ! There are crabs legs all over the floor.

Living in Yelapa requires a lot of sweeping, and mopping !

More mosquitoes, and no seems, and moths the size of your hand, and ants, and ants and bats and bats and bats. The mosquitoes and crabs will go away, but not the ants and bats ! It´s been a while since I've seen a Scorpion, but they'll be around. 

Hummingbirds the size of my little finger, flapping between me and my book, and butterflies checking out my tea cup. 

Nature in your face, and in your tea cup, 24/7. Especially now, during the rainy season, but count down to winter, and everything changes, continuously, and you see it here on a pin head !

River is big and full. Little rapids just a little up from the bridge. Kids having a blast. Women washing clothes, men washing horses.

It's hot, and getting hotter, every year. Like everywhere !            One day at the end of August humidity was 99%, with clear skies.

I check my Facebook page less and less, especially after seeing the movies Social Network and The Social Dilemma ! but I do see comments of people saying they will never come to Yelapa again, because she has lost her magic.

If nature and beauty and isolation and community brought you here, some version of the wild, wild west, where there is no police, no cars, parking lots or parking meters , basically everyone is family, e but gets about their own business, as best they can, usually...!?

I wonder what bothers them so much ? Electricity, telephones, internet, ATV's ? It's a curious thing.

No matter what you or I or we think about it, Yelapa is still Yelapa, the same way NYC is still NYC !

If you want to be 22 years old again, well that is gone, forever,

Covid, covid , covid. So many people have gotten sick, so many people have died. It keeps going on and on. We had another death just 2 weeks ago, or so. An American woman, who had been living up the town waterfall. She came back from Florida, and died in Yelapa shortly after.

Thankfully many people have gotten both their shots. I got mine back in March! If a booster is available, I won't hesitate .

A storm is brewing out to sea. Expecting heavy wind and rain to hit Wednesday, October 13. Hurricane Kenya hit the end of October. 

We aren't in the clear yet.

Hortencia is back, from 3 months recovering in Vallarta. Gorgonia is doing well, still washing her clothes in the river, despite taking a tumble a few months ago. Your " corazons " will be waiting ...

Ray´s place moved to the Oasis at the Lagoon, but they moved out of there after a few months. Not sure where, or if they will re open. 

Nothing happening at the Hotel. There is a " snow fence " all around the property. Very sad and sad looking. Los Abuelos was open most of the summer, but closed now. I'm sure he will be open again by early November, and Pollo Bollo open 3 days a week all summer.

Everyday there are hundreds of fish jumping in the bay below my house, but fishing has been off and on, as per usual. 

I hope to re open my English school this Friday. I've had the inside re painted, with completion of the dry wall on the ceiling, so I hope that will keep us a little cooler in the summer months. One thing is the cats can't get in anymore, I hope !

We have had lots of babies born, and more on the way.  A few weddings, big and small, and numerous Quincenaras, big and small.

I hope we all make it through this, I hope Covid disappears, and I hope you all can make a trip down to see us ! 

Until then, I hope you, like me, have a lot to be thankful for.

Bright Light Rolling Thunder

 My first blog of the year .... how time flies in my

Palapa in Yelapa !

We had the party on June 1st, Dia de la marina.

Just half the crowd as other years, due to Covid,

and I was able to watch from a distance on high. 

Live band was great ! I stayed for a few Coronas and 

a dip in the ocean. The day before so many horses, 

including from Chacala, came dancing and prancing 

through town,with one little cowgirl among them, 

daughter of Horacio, riding her own horse next to 

Grandpa! 

Many people were here for the gathering for Philippo

on his 62nd birthday. It was a packed agenda for the 

family, with the finishing of the mural of Philippo, 

Luncheon at April´s Passion Flower Garden, full moon 

fire, Yacht club, and Mimi´s live Thursday night , 

which was very fun, and Philippo was deeply felt, by 

all. 

There is a wonderful tribute to Don Tambor, on 

Facebook and Youtube, created by his son Aaron 

Whidtley, spelling may not be correct, but search 

either name and you will find it. 

He died 9 days after Philippo.

Don Poli died just over 2 weeks ago. Patriarch of the 

Garcia family, Erik, Alfonso, Queta, Lay, Luis, y mas. 

His wife Alicia. We won´t see him out front of his 

house reading his bible anymore. Like his cousin 

Primo, who had a favorite spot to sit on the wall, but 

Primo wasn´t reading the bible ! When not watching 

the boats in the sea, he was waiting for the girls to 

come by. We know that for sure !

Life is rolling along here, and so is Covid 19. Yelapa is

on strict protocol and Vallarta is enforcing more 

restrictions as of today, July 30th. All bars and 

nightclubs have to shut down, completely ! See 

PVnews.com ! I have my 2 shots, but it´s still scary 

out there, and I´m staying pretty close to home. 

School is out until August 30th, but it´s iffy, and my

little school is closed, till further notice. Hopefully not 

too long !?

I did manage to get the stucco completed around the 

outside, and inside the patio area.

A job that was to be Chaparro´s, had he not died on 

cinco de mio.

I had 2 generous donations, that helped get that job 

done, and I have the paint, and am ready to get 

started asap ! Plus I bought a piece of drywall from 

Trine, and it´s waiting to be installed in the unfinished 

half of the ceiling, which will cut the heat down 

tremendously.  

It is very hot here, like everywhere else. 

The sun is more intense every year, for sure. But it´s

been hotter in Vancouver and in the Okanagan then 

here lately, and we aren´t fighting fires !

It´s very very sad to hear and see the news of towns, 

homes, and communities destroyed.

At this moment at 9:30 am a storm is brewing up the 

canyon. Raining lightly for the moment, but darker 

clouds on the way ...

9 hours later, we had just a sprinkle of rain. We have

had about 16 inches so far this rainy season ... 

another 60 or so to go ... At the moment humidity 

sits at 90 %. The thunder and lightening have been

super intense ! I´ve given Yelapa a Canadian 

Algonquin First nation name ---

Bright Light Rolling Thunder.

No matter where you have been in the world, it would

be hard to match the echo of the thunder in our little 

bay .  

I attended the baby shower for Maestra Nadya, at the

yacht club, just the day we knew about the outbreak 

here in Yelapa. Baby showers here are too funny, with 

games played through the evening...how many 

marshmallows  can you fit in your mouth ??

If and when school returns, I´ll cover her English

classes while she is on leave . 

I´m short on news since I´m stuck pretty close to

home. Maria Von Bolschwing is maintaning, at 87 

years. Her old friend, William Leonard Pickard, has 

made contact, and eager to visit as soon as he is 

able . Look him up on Wikipidia ! Facinating story !

I understand Sue Dirkson now on morphine, unable to 

communicate, and her son is there in Santa Cruz with 

her till the end. We wish her Gods speed. She was a 

great friend of Maria´s for close to 60 years !

I hope all is well with my Northern amigos, and look

forward to seeing you all back here, safe and sound.

 

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 !

Rain rain come again ....

Welcome to Yelapa Town .... as they say on the tourist party boat !! 

Rain or shine it pulls into town, usually 2 or 3 of them,
and there are people still coming to visit this growing Yelapa town. This is low season, but the most tourists for this time of year that I remember ! 

It has been all sun and no rain these last 30 days. Many overcast days, but sunny breaks and full sun most days, although we received 1 inch at 6 am 3 days ago.
It was like a blizzard of rain rolled though the house.
A baby tornado, that lasted 30 minutes.
And that has been it, besides 1/3 of an inch yesterday.
That is all the rain we have had, for 7 months, give or take !!
We are very much on the edge of our seats.
Nothing to be done but wait, for rain, to come. 

We all depend on it, to replenish the rivers and reservoirs and streams and waterfalls. Without rain there is no water in the lines that supply our houses, and that could turn into a gigantic problem. 

Yelapa is a perfect place to practice patience, and gratitude.
Our connection and dependence to the planet is impossible
to ignore. 

Hot Hotter Hottest ! I carried an umbrella to Prepa graduation on the beach last week, to protect against the blazing sun !! First time I have done that, ever ! 
I attended all 4 ceremonies, and had a great time, and met some new people ! Always an exciting time, especially because school is now over until the end of August !!

There were many serious moments, many laughs and many tears too ! An enormous amount of work is needed to prepare for Graduation. The teachers here must work 2 or 3 times harder, then PV or even Boca. 
There are photos and commentary on Yelapa School Project Web page !

I opened a GoFundMe page, to support mi escuelita English Program, and have received $750.00 so far!!
Thank you friends !!
I am going to start mi escuelita Instagram, as recommended by JD, a high tech / graphic design graduate, of the 
University of Chicago,who dropped by ! 

The program will continue until August 8th, then a 3 week break, to begin again September. That will be the 2.5 year mark of the program ! 

Yelapa Student Scholarship Fund is still being created, by me, with advisers. The documents are being translated to Spanish, and next step to establish the best way to receive and be accountable for donations. 

In the meantime we mop and sweep and siesta and read, 
and repeat. Dream of and pray for and try not to think about
RAIN !!

Stay calm. Be patient. Remain grateful .

Photos

                                 
                                       Group Marlin Champion Dancers at annual area competition
                                                      held in Boca de tomatlan this year !

                                                 Group marlin girls new dance and costumes

                                             Dia del nino 2019 at new town square.

                                                    Look at all those happy ninos !

                                                 Phillipo LoGrande painitng for mi escuelita.

                                                            New roof just in time.

Welcome June

Welcome to foggy, damp, and pleasant June for Residents of Yelapa. Not so sweet for vacationers I suppose, but it feels good to me ! No measurable rain yet, but a few drops in my rain Gage the last few mornings. 

Please please let it come down soon, but not before this afternoon when I can get the tarp over my bed, just in case !

I love my new roof, so clean and bright and smells fantastic,
if not a little over powering the first few days. 
I am confident there will be no leaks, but just as a precaution, I'll leave the tarp up until the roof expands and settles.

I can see on my home page this is my 200th post !  
Wow. That gives me a nice feeling difficult to explain.
That takes us back 7 years, I believe.
I was 52 years old, and my Dad was 85.
Because he was having difficulty breathing, talking on the phone was becoming a chore, so I started the blog as a way for him to keep up with my life in Yelapa, and when we did talk on the phone he could engage a little more, after reading my blog. The last year, my step mom read the blog to him.
I was writing every week for a few years !
Five years next month since he died.

And here I still am, once a month, checking in !

June 1 , Yelapa, Dia de Marina. Biggest party of the year, with Rodeo and this year a huge band played both weekend nights.
No major injuries to report which is good !
It was first day back to mi escuelita when the bulls for the rodeo were run through town, right past our doorway, by 8 or 10 cowboys on horses, calling "whoa whoa whoa" !!
We know they are coming, and the paths are cleared, but
kids to old folks stand back to watch them come through.
It's very exciting.

I counted 22 boats in the morning procession out of the bay, to throw wreaths in the ocean paying tribute to those who lost their lives at sea, Fishermen essentially.

The Playita was jam packed as per usual, with more people coming from Vallarta and area every year, and always family members home from States or Canada, and more food being sold, if you didn't want to wait for the pulled pork that comes free with a price of the bracelet.
A messy, greasy, fatty, experience, not to be missed, if you are into that kind of thing !

DJ started at 10:20 am and shut down at 7:30 pm.
Non stop super charged shake your booty dance music.
I danced ..... not on the beach, in the middle of the circle of wild people dancing around me, and the dj calling my name !!! like some people we know ......
Paloma ......

One gigantic beach party where almost everyone knows your name, or face !!

Now low season is here, let the rains begin.

Palapa in Yelapa

Good morning.

The bay of banderas enjoys 300 days of sunshine, so says the tourist bureau, but today is not one of them ! The first day of rain last year was June 5th, and we may be on track to repeat or beat that !
I'm ready with a new palapa roof  !! Looks and smells organic ! and I love it.
I hope it lasts 8 years , that brings us to 2027 !!!! OMG !

I am lucky to have a casita on the property I could stay in during  the 6 days it took to do the work , but now I'm ready to begin the clean up and moving back in,which will take another 6 days, with help on the weekend .

I didn't get one photo of the Festival of the Virgin Guadalupe, the Patron Saint of Mexico . Nine days of processions, with each neighborhood taking a turn.
Sunday was Confirmation at the Catholic church, with a fiesta at the basketball court later in the evening but I missed that too !

A Folklore Dance group visited Yelapa last week. Dancers from Italy, Panama and Columbia. It was a great event, with vendors below the basketball court in the new town square. It started very late, as they had to wait for the other half of the stage to arrive, and I  lost my stamina,  but it was a full house.

I must go and attend to my house.

More news and photos to come.

Spring

Buenos Dias one and all and ....
Happy Spring Forward !

At Yelapa's first Farmers Market on March 29th, a tourist asked me if it was Spring in Yelapa, since it does look more like fall, with leaves scattering and every surface dry and dusty. 
It is Spring, because next will be summer, but really there are 2 seasons, wet and dry. 

We changed our clocks last week and I  can't decide  what time I like better.  Fishermen need their flashlights in the morning now, but the evenings are brilliant, with the sun's evening light reflecting off the hillside. Beauty. 

Still trees flowering, Primavera maybe,  which may be the one that changes colour !? And my Plumeria has more flowers then ever before, and the Nopale cactus are beginning to flower pink ! 

A little too early to anticipate the rain, but soon.
Yard work goes on and on but watering banana trees will soon be pointless. The sun is so intense, with the dry sandy soil it will time to cut them all back, and they will grow again when the rains come. 
I've macheted a few already, myself !!  

Life on a pinhead, is how one person described Yelapa Life. Life and Death so close when ( practically ) everyone is related. The births not as easy to keep track of, as the deaths. 

Santiago. Dead at 93. Give or take a year or two.
A Yelapa legend, good and bad. 
He lay in his bed dying, for a long time.

Twenty years ago, at my first Full moon fire on the beach, I saw him dance around  it.
Swirling his cape and his face lit by the firelight.
His eyes, black holes, piercing up from under his hood.
I included it in my YELAPA poem, because for that moment, I saw my dead Mother, dancing there, under his hood. 
And now, some of his family, are like family to me !

Matilde. Younger brother of Gorgonia, Margarito, and more. Died 3 days ago. Maybe 80 years young. Cancer. 
He took to his bed and died within the month.
Shock and disbelief ! But, he was spared, and his family
were spared, the long sufferring pain and agony Cancer can bring.  

Mày they rest in peace. 

One thing I learned through this is, one bell from the church means, the walk to the Cemetary begins. 

Babies and pregnancies out number the death by a good margin. Not sure when the next census will take place but I'll bet we are over 2500 inhabitants now !

The Farmers Market was fabulous,  although there wasn't a lot of farm produce ! Cupcakes and Margaritas, the ever popular french fries with cut up weiners on top!
Yelapa art students work was on display and for sale, plus jams and jellies, including mango, which I want a continuous supply of ! 

I believe the plan is a market the 29th of every month, in high season only maybe, not sure , but great idea, and it will grow by leaps and bounds ! 

The event is held below the stairs leading up to the new Yelapa Museum ! It's been open about a month, sharing space with the Sheriff's office . It is so impressive, and that's just from the outside ! I'll be making my first visit over the Easter Break !

Today is the last day of school for 2 weeks. 

Students will be in full gear when they return as Regional competitions, in all areas of study, will begin mid May for Secundary, Cobaej early June. 

Group Marlin Folkloric dancers, and Cobaej Basketball have high hopes and expectations to do well !
Practice Practice Practice

I hosted the Canada Chapter of Young Leaders Youth Network, based in Vancouver, with special guest from
Isa Mundo foundation ! 
It happened that Primary and Kindergarten had their Spring Festival on the beach at the same time, so it was great timing for them to see all the kids together !
We visited the schools and installed soap dispensers in the bathrooms, and distributed all the books and school and office supplies, wastepaper baskets, and etc. etc. etc. 

It was a great experience to connect with them, and look forward to more networking in the future ! 

Thank you GLYN and ISA MUNDO !
Check out their websites !!

Communication opens so many doors !!

I will be back to posting the 1st Monday of the month.
That's my plan.

Life will get back to pin head size when high season comes to an end, and the hot weather slows us down.

Gracias a dios !

Feliz ano nuevo !!

Time is flying by ... this is my first post since Christmas !

High Season is in high gear !! But it's a cold winter, overcast and rainy weather, but the swimming is good, so I'm told ! 
Just be sure to time your swim to sunny breaks !

There has been more then one whale coming right into the bay as of late. One was very close in front of the house slapping its fin on the water, over and over again !
For a few moments I thought it may be in distress, but 
it wasn't, to my relief .
I had to leave for  school, but later I was told there was another whale behind, giving birth !!
No way to confirm that exactly, but wonderful to think of it !

Life, death aging . 
Santos, who worked for Isabel 20 years plus at the time of her death, and continued working for a few years after, but then retired and promptly got sick and died within 2 years ! Dementia. And his son Mario,
who returned to PV from San Jose,California, in a stretcher and paraplegic, 3 or 4 years ago, died within a month of Santos passing .
Sisters and daughters and Ramona, Wife and Mother, had dedicated years to the care of these men, and now they are both gone. Bitter sweet release .

And the world keeps turning .

Small town living, life on a pin head, someone said .
So evident how everyone and everything is connected.

Especially with Mother Nature all around. 
The moon and stars hang over my palm roof, as close as if my fingers could reconfigurate. 

The sun moves over my shoulders in a way I don't remember from anywhere else I've ever been.
The month of June, the sun comes up through my toes .

Not so much anymore, only because I have curtains now to block the horrid security flood light on the beach, but still, the sun comes up betwèn my toes, I just have to open the curtains !

So many changes in Yelapa and it's hard for a small town to keep up, but ...

One new project come to Grand Opening, is the Yelapa Museum ! Located below the town basketball court, above the Hardware store. I have not yet been to visit, 
but I must see and will report. 

What I have seen, is the slate wall installed at the path entrance on hardware store side. 1000% improvement .
This is also the office of the Deligado, this election term, 
Three years we have,Deligada, Feminine! 

This is our representative to the County/Municipal Delegation of Tuitò. They who give money !! This is also , in my mind, a Sheriff sort of position, and it feels good, to me, to have a woman in the job. Right on, right on.

My focus now on mi escuelita English groups,  and Yelapa School Project, and once a week teaching at Prepa. 

I'm preparing for March 21st visit from representatives from Isa Mundo Foundation and GLYN;  Global Leadership Youth Network, operating of Vaancouver BC

Please check in with Yelapa school project website or facebook page !

Also on Facebook is 
more poetry please ,
where I have started, and hope to continue,
posting my original collection of poems !

Best wishes to all , for a joyful  2019 !!