Jingle Bells

Another Christmas in Mexico.

I do my small part with decorations, and smaller part with gifts and cards.

Pamela Arthur's Annual Boxing Day Party has top billing on my Christmas List.  Not sure which year this is, but at least 20, probably more.  I've been participating for 12 or 13 years, and she was going strong before I arrived. 

Tea and sandwichs at 4 , with sweets of cource, and Tequila
at 6 pm.  I try to be the first one there and the last one to leave, and it usually works out that way. 
I love to help her out and appear much like a Pam Arthur Groupie!, but I am of sorts !  

It's easy to see, that not that very long ago, she could pull of a grand soiree as such, backwards, in high heels, with one arm in a sling !  and maybe she has, but time passes, and she welcomes the help of her many many friends.

People from around the World celebrate Boxing Day, often for the 1st time at Casa Blanca, with Pam, Jimmi, and
the Whippets ! 

They were robbed 2 weeks ago, of large amount of cash.
It just makes us all sick to watch this destructive behavior here in Yelapa, but why do we think we are so different anymore ?  Violation, theft, runs rampant across the globe.

More people have been robbed since then, and we can only hope there will be severe intervention from top Police Officials, but we've been there before.

Yelapa unique in the terrain, bad boys at an advantage running through paths in the Jungle no match for city cops and their uniforms ! There are so many places to hide, and likely many accomplices. 
It's a huge problem that may threaten to ruin the Season for everyone !

This past weekend was Luckey Gillett's memorial.  Long time Yelapa Resident.  Got his name in Vietnam, and I've heard the whole story. Very Luckey indeed.  Died of a heart attack at 77 years, in Northern California. 
He reminded me a lot of my Dad , old school Gentleman, 
with a red bandanda and cut off jeans !!

It's been a somber few weeks.

I'm a week late with this Post.  I'm trying to finish up a few
other projects, and still fit in housework, and shopping and naps !  

More updates to follow.  Any comments or suggestions are always welcome ....

Most Happiest of Holidays ....  

Photos Yelapa Life 2

                                     
                                                          Suzanna the Dancing Queen

                                             
                                                            Bryon loves to dance ...

                                            Queta, Maestro Pedro, ( her husband ) M. Yadira,
                                                           Elli, M. Angelica, .... and me.

The year I was Godmother .... 2016

                                                                  Damias y Naire
                                                       Christmas Brunch at the Yacht Club

                                                      Paulette with Grandmother Mimi.

                                                                          Silverio

                                                 Patricia Winchester of the Beach
                                                            aka  Peppermint Patti

                                                         Blue eyed maiden Isabel
                                                       Gone to rest but Watching over us

                                                                    Maria and Jim
                                                                           2007

                                               James Winchester of the Lagoon
                                                                 aka Jimmi

                                                              Maria by the Sea

Photos Yelapa Life 1

                                                          Katrina's .... B I N G O !

               
                                              He makes new friends wherever he goes

                     
                                              Cynthia .... She sells sea shells by the sea shore

                                               Two Cobaej Basketball Champions and me !

                               
                                     Nicole Graduation into Grade 1. 1st of 6 years at Primeria

                                                  The Queen and her Princess !!
 

                                      More Champions ..... practice practice excel !!

Happy Halloween y Todo !

So much going on .. Thanksgiving in Canada for one, ...
long over now, but we all have so much to be grateful for everyday.

Thanksgiving in the U.S.A coming up ...

I've been lucky enough to enjoy quite a few of those ... 
of cource the 2 are very much the same ... but different !

Yelapa Day of the Dead Celebration was a huge success.

Sponcered by the Cobaej .. which is what the High School System in all of Mexico is called... which is an acronym for something I still need to understand.  

I have all my photos still on my phone and will try to get them up here ASAP ... I'm having technical difficulties ...!!

November 7th was one year since Maestro Pedro died and a High Mass was celebrated at the Catholic Church.  All the Secondaria students, Grades 6, 7 and 8, 

were there in their uniforms.

Not many dries eyes.  His son was married there the Saturday before, and not many dries eyes then either.  Life goes on and I am inspired by his memory. 

Which also comes with a warning,  not to over work ones self. On that note ... I'm searching for more Volunteers for the English Program and have already received some enthusiastic responces !

High season is here and it'seems great to see the locals working again, at the restaurants reopening in town, water taxis, house keepers, builders, yard workers, ie:
Jungle Maintenance  !!

Cafe Bahia kicking off the season with Sunday brunch tomorrow,  Yacht Club to night, dinner and dancing, live music, Mimi's Traditional Friday night Jam next week, and Pollo Bollo BBQ 5 days a week, after Revolution Day ,
which is Monday, November 20th.

Always great photos there ... an inspiring dis playing of 
Patriotism. 

I'm cutting this short to attend to chores and errands and getting my photos and my poems posted on this blog !

I can't give it up now ... 

Keep up the gratitude ... Our Lady of the river suggests a whispered prayer of encouragement and support to our Mother , Planet Earth ... She sure needs it right now .

Maria poem

                                   


     

Maria's in her hammock

no need to be surprised

She had it woven to her likeness

it's a fabulous disguise

Maria in her hammock

swaying by the sea

Her eyes may be deceiving

but those lips are brass can be 

photos

September // Good Riddence

Yelapa, September 2017 ... a month best put behind us. 

I can compare it to the last slushy days of March, in the North of Canada, waiting for the final banks of dirty snow to melt.

Heavy rain for over 2 weeks now, every day. A blessing, but
makes everything more difficult. I turned back from going to school last Friday, so much mud along the trail it's very slippery, and you either walk through the creeks with your shoes on, or off, or try and traverse make shift bridges and sand bags !!

We are a month behind our normal climate. I expect it will rain well into October.  If you are coming before Halloween, be prepared !   

So much tragedy in the world. Las Vegas. 
Frightening.
Devestating.
Yelapa is still so removed from the outside. 
But we know; we are aware, and take greater comfort in our community when catastrophe happens. The basics of life.
Connection.

Speaking of ...

Internet connection has been impeded due to weather, both Yelapa wifi and Infinitum Telmx. That why I'm late.
As of today, so far so good.

Most every other day the power goes off.
28 hours straight last week.

Thunder storms that wake you up trembling and smirking.
The echo in this bay has got to be some of the ultimate acoustics. It's mind mending !!

Light shows. A summer extra, free of charge. 
Lightening so close you can't look with your eyes closed.

No hurricanes. or earthquakes or tsunami. For that, and more, I'm grateful. 

Rain keeps us cool, or cooler than without.
Leeks in palapa roof to be expected.

Two tiny frogs seeking shelter, and 2 lizards have disovered cat food ! 

If it's not one thing it's another ! 

School is going great.  Google yelapaschoolproject.com or visit the facebook page. We are just getting going.

You can check on updates and areas where Yelapa students need your help.

Full moon we will not see in Yelapa tonight.
I can't even see Puerto Vallarta !

It's time to break out the lentils, and light the candles.

Power is on, for now, but in Yelapa, this time of year, you have to be prepared. 

One  ex girl guide signing off, with photos to come asap.