Saturday, April 8, 2017
Happy Easter
Good Morning Yelapa, and Welcome to Semana Santa , Holy Week of Easter... the busiest,
and " highest " time of the season ! Get ready for music, and parties, and dancing and food and beer, and campers on the beach, and more music !! Lots of family reunions,
and laughing and more music, and dancing ....
Unfortunately, there has already been an ATV ( Moto ) accident involving a 10 ish year old local boy and his bicycle, down by the clinic. Don't have any details except he has
sufferred no broken bones, or severe injuries and is home from the hospital . This is a big challenge for Yelapa to deal with; relatively something " new " . The last town meeting dealt with water line ( always ) and dog population, ( almost always ).
On going challenges, that are slow to change, here in Yelapa.
The town water line will be shut down this weekend so the filters can be changed.
Water piped through town, from a " reservoir " up river. I'm not affected in this house because my water comes gravity fed from the waterfall, but this is a neccesary, routine practice for the town, and it's an accomplishment to have it completed. Special crews and equipment have to come in from outside of Yeplapa.
I hope there are no sna foos....
I'm slowly changing Chesley Chicken into a meeting, learning space, starting with ESL for
Kinder and Primary grades, Tuesday and Thursday afternoons. I'm offering Adults groups,
and there is interest, but these things take time. I would like to continue, pay the rent in
August for another year, and see what will grow.
My hope is , of all the people who spend time in Yelpa every year. love kids, and are Volunteers, a few will get involved, and tutor a group ... english conversation, art, music,
participate in Mexican Food Cooking Classes, and , or, etc. I'm asking for minimal contributioan, 20$ pesos kinder, 30$ primary and 40$ adults ... this will help cover some of the costs of operation. Totally non profit, but sustainable is the key !!
You know how to reach me, when the time comes ... but for now ....
I'm planning a 7 week vacation, Vancouver to Nova Scotia !
June 13 - August 8.
No sweeping floors !!
A chance to visit my past, and most thrilling of all, spend quality time with family and
friends.
Work continues on School Web site project. The website developer, who fell from the sky,
has aquired tons of footage and the Director of Prepa, has taken on the task of compiling content from all the schools. Wow.
Marlyn Folkloric Dance Group, representing Grades 7 - 9 , won 1st place in their 1st
competion, held north of Puerto Vallarta . They left Yelapa in the morning, and got home at
1:00 am ! The prize is new costumes for the Jalisco Traditional Dance presentation.
That's 3 new costumes in 1 season !! I will say now, if this group stays somewhat together
through Prepa, I doubt they will ever loose a competion !
The same for our present Prepa ( Cobaej ) Dancers.
I'll bet a Passion Fruit Margarita they will be repeat champions in May....God Willing ...
Sad News
A dearest friend passed away in Vancouver on Tuesday. His 58th Birthday today.
Dear Micheal Demeter. We met in 1977, and worked the waves of Vancouver Restaraunts
and Lounges, and Bars, and Nightclubs and Hotels together.
One big dysfuntional happy family. So hard to say goodbye. It'll take a little time.
He was always one of my Guardian Angels.
Sweet boy.
Good night.
Enjoy Your Life !!
And from my favorite ... Free Will Astrology ...
..... Marvel at the sunny dust ....
Thursday, March 9, 2017
photos
JOHANNA ' S QUINCINERA
A RIOT OF CUPCAKES
HER NAME IS PAULETTE
ALAJANDRO AND FELICITAS
50 YEAR WEDDING ANNIVERSARY
AVERAGE AMOUNT OF GRANDCHILDREN
FOR YELAPA .... THEN .
ON THEIR WAY TO DANCE PRACTICE
Happy almost spring ...
It's been a while ... but not for lack of trying ... we suffer from very slow internet, especially in this high high season ...
A lot has happened in 3 months, United States election for one ... It feels so far removed from here , but we still feel the effects ...
It's been 4 months since we lost Maestro Pedro.
Life goes on and so does his legacy.
The students are dancing and painting like wild fire. It's so exciting to watch the programs grow and the students are so dedicated, and talented !
The schools operate with minimal resources.
There is a staff shortage, supply storage, storage shortage,
photocopy and ink shortage, bathroom supplies and etc.
With the help of teachers, parents, and visiting professionals we submitted a proposal to the ISA MUNDO Foundation,
operating out of Vancouver Canada, to sponser the start up
of a web site focusing on the needs and objectives of all 4 Yelapa Schools.
In this way we hope to co ordinate and stream line the abundant resources that flow into Yelapa on a regular basis every winter. Finding money is not easy, but I will continue
to do the best I can.
It's been a great season so far.
Although CHESLEY CHICKEN is closed, the ESL group is going strong. It's especially popular with Kindergarten, which is challenging but so much fun.
Just a quick note to say I'm back on track, and will write
first Sundays of every month, but for now I must go;
it's Thursday morning garbage day, 7 am and first light, but
at least it's not snowing !
Sunday, December 25, 2016
Happy Holidays
May your future be Merry and Bright
.... a few memories ....
Wednesday, December 7, 2016
welcome winter
15 degree celisius here yesterday morning ... that is hot water bottle heating pad weather !!
The locals, including myself are enjoying wearing our winter clothes, at least for part of the day.
We had rain, last week, as predicted, heavy seas.
All's well now, a fantastic day .
Trees, vines, bamboo, and more, ! grow fast and tall around here.
From one season to the next the amount of direct sun on the patio and house is less and less.
Shade is good , but with the cool wind comes overcast sky and little sun .
Like Chesley Farm in Aldergrove BC, trees are in your life .. big time !
This morning I found an open package of crackers scattered over the kitchen floor.
Whatever animal it was had to crawl into the cupboard to dig them out.
Mapache, or Tajon, Racoon/Possom/ monkey like creatures .
It obvioulsy doesn't care for crackers and hopefully won't come back !
The bag of Tostadas was next to my bed, unopened.
I slept through the whole thing !
There is also a new visitor living in the pitch of the roof over the front gate.
He has to move on ...
I'm way behind on some of the winter preperations.
I've been focusing on finishing the Casita, and it's coming along great !!
Photos to follow ...
School vacation soon, and lots of activities to keep the students busy.
Very difficult to be joyful without Maestro Pedro.
But, we must and we do.
Hopefully this coming year will bring lots of positive changes to all 3 schools.
Primary School now has a full staff of 6, but the Library had to be sacrificed
for a class room.
That didn't get our Volunteer Librarian discouraged, and she continues on with
reading groups, and plans for more .
It takes devotion and energy and time to be a part of the Yelapa Community,
but also very rewarding !!
There is another Volunteer ESL with me at Seondary and she is here for the season.
We will definetly be working together but I plan on a little break to focus on other
progects.
I sent 15 litres of Racialla off to Mexico City, destined to a grand wedding fiesta
in Acapulco ! Yelapa visitors I met a few years back, and they were determined to
have Chacala Moonshime at their wedding. How fun is that ??!!
Glad I could help !
I haven't been paying the same attention to my blog since my Dad died July 2014 .
My goal before Christmas is post photos, many you may have seen before on fb or
instagram,, but many you haven't.
My next goal is to print copies of my Poetry Book.
I'd also like to publish it as an e-book.
My BBQ Chicken business venture took of with a bang, really exciting !!
A LOT of challenges, expected and unexpected .. many lessons to be learned ...
working relationships, co ordination, transportation and delivery ..
Business slowed down around US Thanksgiving, but building up slow and steady ...
Great Product, Great crew of people working together, doing a great job.
The rest will have to come on its own ..
Cozy up everyone ... winter is here ...
The locals, including myself are enjoying wearing our winter clothes, at least for part of the day.
We had rain, last week, as predicted, heavy seas.
All's well now, a fantastic day .
Trees, vines, bamboo, and more, ! grow fast and tall around here.
From one season to the next the amount of direct sun on the patio and house is less and less.
Shade is good , but with the cool wind comes overcast sky and little sun .
Like Chesley Farm in Aldergrove BC, trees are in your life .. big time !
This morning I found an open package of crackers scattered over the kitchen floor.
Whatever animal it was had to crawl into the cupboard to dig them out.
Mapache, or Tajon, Racoon/Possom/ monkey like creatures .
It obvioulsy doesn't care for crackers and hopefully won't come back !
The bag of Tostadas was next to my bed, unopened.
I slept through the whole thing !
There is also a new visitor living in the pitch of the roof over the front gate.
He has to move on ...
I'm way behind on some of the winter preperations.
I've been focusing on finishing the Casita, and it's coming along great !!
Photos to follow ...
School vacation soon, and lots of activities to keep the students busy.
Very difficult to be joyful without Maestro Pedro.
But, we must and we do.
Hopefully this coming year will bring lots of positive changes to all 3 schools.
Primary School now has a full staff of 6, but the Library had to be sacrificed
for a class room.
That didn't get our Volunteer Librarian discouraged, and she continues on with
reading groups, and plans for more .
It takes devotion and energy and time to be a part of the Yelapa Community,
but also very rewarding !!
There is another Volunteer ESL with me at Seondary and she is here for the season.
We will definetly be working together but I plan on a little break to focus on other
progects.
I sent 15 litres of Racialla off to Mexico City, destined to a grand wedding fiesta
in Acapulco ! Yelapa visitors I met a few years back, and they were determined to
have Chacala Moonshime at their wedding. How fun is that ??!!
Glad I could help !
I haven't been paying the same attention to my blog since my Dad died July 2014 .
My goal before Christmas is post photos, many you may have seen before on fb or
instagram,, but many you haven't.
My next goal is to print copies of my Poetry Book.
I'd also like to publish it as an e-book.
My BBQ Chicken business venture took of with a bang, really exciting !!
A LOT of challenges, expected and unexpected .. many lessons to be learned ...
working relationships, co ordination, transportation and delivery ..
Business slowed down around US Thanksgiving, but building up slow and steady ...
Great Product, Great crew of people working together, doing a great job.
The rest will have to come on its own ..
Cozy up everyone ... winter is here ...
Monday, November 7, 2016
No Words
There are no words, but I'll try ....
Maestro Pedro
The Principal at the high school, sufferred a brain anurisum on Friday October 28th.
He is in Critical Condition in Puerto Vallarta.
He has taught at that school for 22 years. He is the basketball coach, accompaning the team to Vallarta every Saturday. He is the Folklore Dancing trainer and mentor and coach, along with his talented son.
I know he has accomplished a million other things I have no idea about.
I mentioned that when the Govenor visited, The Minister of Education thanked Pedro for his years of dedication to the Students and Community of Yelapa.
He is the face of Secondary Education in this Village and well known in the School System of the Cabo Corrientes area.
He was taken to Guadalajara but has since returned to PV.
There were signs of brain activity and organ functioning, but,
I was told yesterday afternoon, he is failing.
His resporator is breathing again for him.
I know nothing more until the group of Students on their way to visit him now,
return this afternoon.
I will post any news of his condition, any change, as soon as I hear.
And so what can I say after that ...
The village waits.
Day of the Dead Celebrations were cancelled. Pedro, with his wife Keta's and students help,
organizes these events and is the MC... for over 20 years.
School was cancelled Monday and Tuesday.
Thursday was a scheduled Teachers Meeting in PV and a contingent of Teachers made their way to Guadalajara to give their support.
It will be an organized disaster without him at the school.
If he lives through this, his return to work is most highly improbable.
Too difficult to imagine, right now.
Chesley Chicken completed the 2nd week of business Sunday.
So much to do.
So fun and exciting and I have lots to eat !
Nothing is guaranteed in Life or in Business so we will work hard to deliver a consistent
delicious meal. We've already made a few tweeks and changes, based on customer feedback.
I have just received the news that Maestro Pedro died at 5 am this morning.
His body will return to Yelapa today and to the cemetary tomorrow.
Rest in Peace Maestro
Maestro Pedro
The Principal at the high school, sufferred a brain anurisum on Friday October 28th.
He is in Critical Condition in Puerto Vallarta.
He has taught at that school for 22 years. He is the basketball coach, accompaning the team to Vallarta every Saturday. He is the Folklore Dancing trainer and mentor and coach, along with his talented son.
I know he has accomplished a million other things I have no idea about.
I mentioned that when the Govenor visited, The Minister of Education thanked Pedro for his years of dedication to the Students and Community of Yelapa.
He is the face of Secondary Education in this Village and well known in the School System of the Cabo Corrientes area.
He was taken to Guadalajara but has since returned to PV.
There were signs of brain activity and organ functioning, but,
I was told yesterday afternoon, he is failing.
His resporator is breathing again for him.
I know nothing more until the group of Students on their way to visit him now,
return this afternoon.
I will post any news of his condition, any change, as soon as I hear.
And so what can I say after that ...
The village waits.
Day of the Dead Celebrations were cancelled. Pedro, with his wife Keta's and students help,
organizes these events and is the MC... for over 20 years.
School was cancelled Monday and Tuesday.
Thursday was a scheduled Teachers Meeting in PV and a contingent of Teachers made their way to Guadalajara to give their support.
It will be an organized disaster without him at the school.
If he lives through this, his return to work is most highly improbable.
Too difficult to imagine, right now.
Chesley Chicken completed the 2nd week of business Sunday.
So much to do.
So fun and exciting and I have lots to eat !
Nothing is guaranteed in Life or in Business so we will work hard to deliver a consistent
delicious meal. We've already made a few tweeks and changes, based on customer feedback.
I have just received the news that Maestro Pedro died at 5 am this morning.
His body will return to Yelapa today and to the cemetary tomorrow.
Rest in Peace Maestro
Friday, October 7, 2016
September never ending
Good Morning
Buenos Diaz
Bonjour ..... the language on the path in recent days ... I hope I can relearn it, after I get my
Spanish a little more polished.
One of the things I love about being here all summer, is my exposure to Spanish increases.
People have time to slow down and engage with me a little more, and I learn something
every time. Whether I know it or not at the time !
The energy has gone up a notch or two, ( but the heat and humidity haven't ! ) .
It's down to less than 30 days before High Season is upon us .
The smell of bleach is in the air, the sound of a pressure washer, a chain saw, or two,
machettes, the mixing of cement ....
I'm a month or so behind everyone else !!
Casa Pepe and Delfin getting the water lines upgrade and extended, so nothing can
happen till we have water.
Our favorite Nacho is on the job and it will all come together in the very near future.
The Yoga/Retreat destination out here on the point, on the hill towards Verana,
is going Gang Buster !!
Horse and mules on the path 7 days a week now .
I have an invitation to visit and must get up there and make a full report.
El Jardin, also on the point, is under new occupancy and gearing up for mid October
opening ! Lots of exciting changes, and I'll learn more in the coming weeks.
A contingent of Montrealers have decended upon us, to upgrade and repair and construct,
and they have also livened things up quite a bit.
I'm looking forward to having them in the neighbourhood, and hopefully a source for
my Saturday paper !!
In other news, I'm looking for a house cat sitter for my house next July ....
I'd like to plan a little break next year.
This year October is still like September. Strong sun, High humidity , and Rain.
We've had rain everyday for 3 days now, and if it keeps up like this for another week or so,
we should be fine for the dry season.
It's still buggy, and the bugs are getting bigger and smaller. Tiny worms are breeding
somewhere and making their way into the house.... at least their tiny...
and a mapache strolling around in mid day yesterday and a tajon up the tree this morning.
I thought it was a dog for a second, which would have been another first !
Chesley Chicken is taking all my time. Into Puerto Vallarta once a week for the next 2 weeks,
on shopping trips, not a favorite past time for most Yelapanese, us included !!
Lots to keep me busy ... and give me a bad cold !!
On that note, it's a good time for a siesta...my hammock awaits ....
Happy Fall .....
Buenos Diaz
Bonjour ..... the language on the path in recent days ... I hope I can relearn it, after I get my
Spanish a little more polished.
One of the things I love about being here all summer, is my exposure to Spanish increases.
People have time to slow down and engage with me a little more, and I learn something
every time. Whether I know it or not at the time !
The energy has gone up a notch or two, ( but the heat and humidity haven't ! ) .
It's down to less than 30 days before High Season is upon us .
The smell of bleach is in the air, the sound of a pressure washer, a chain saw, or two,
machettes, the mixing of cement ....
I'm a month or so behind everyone else !!
Casa Pepe and Delfin getting the water lines upgrade and extended, so nothing can
happen till we have water.
Our favorite Nacho is on the job and it will all come together in the very near future.
The Yoga/Retreat destination out here on the point, on the hill towards Verana,
is going Gang Buster !!
Horse and mules on the path 7 days a week now .
I have an invitation to visit and must get up there and make a full report.
El Jardin, also on the point, is under new occupancy and gearing up for mid October
opening ! Lots of exciting changes, and I'll learn more in the coming weeks.
A contingent of Montrealers have decended upon us, to upgrade and repair and construct,
and they have also livened things up quite a bit.
I'm looking forward to having them in the neighbourhood, and hopefully a source for
my Saturday paper !!
In other news, I'm looking for a house cat sitter for my house next July ....
I'd like to plan a little break next year.
This year October is still like September. Strong sun, High humidity , and Rain.
We've had rain everyday for 3 days now, and if it keeps up like this for another week or so,
we should be fine for the dry season.
It's still buggy, and the bugs are getting bigger and smaller. Tiny worms are breeding
somewhere and making their way into the house.... at least their tiny...
and a mapache strolling around in mid day yesterday and a tajon up the tree this morning.
I thought it was a dog for a second, which would have been another first !
Chesley Chicken is taking all my time. Into Puerto Vallarta once a week for the next 2 weeks,
on shopping trips, not a favorite past time for most Yelapanese, us included !!
Lots to keep me busy ... and give me a bad cold !!
On that note, it's a good time for a siesta...my hammock awaits ....
Happy Fall .....
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