Hello June

 .... GOODBYE, MAY .... 

May seems to last a while around here, beginning with 9 days of Festival of Guadalupe, then Mother's Day, Student Day, Teacher Day, ( Day of the Child on the 30th of April ).

It's also the month of First Communion and Confirmation,
with 50 kids participating. The Church is standing room only at most large events, and that day was no exception.
Many people waiting outside for the Entrance and Exit.
Food and refreshments are sold in the front, but every family 
has a fiesta planned for the afternoon, either at home or on the beach. The kids get an impressive gift of a small, white
bible, a candle, and prayer book, etc. 

May is also my Dad's Birthday,'s, (90 years ), my Mom's anniversary,( 19 years ), my 1st wedding anniversary, ( 28 years ),
not to mention the numerous other birthdays, baptisims, and anniversaries celebrated around town.

The Village also marked the passing of one of her pioneers, 
bidding farewell to Dona Beta, the mother of  9? or 12? children, many who still reside within a stones throw of each other. 
The Mother of Pollo Bollo Jaime, famous for BBQ.
No way for me to be sure how many grandchildren she had, but I would be safe to say, at least one in every grade at Secondary.
Nine days mourning, as is the tradition. 

Church bells ringing this Monday morning, at 6:30 am.
Somewhat unusual. Be sure to ask in the Village today ...

One of the things about all these special occasions, is the relatives and friends who arrive to share in the celebration.
People from Yelapa, who now live elsewhere, are SO HAPPY to be back home, and their kids are in heaven,barefoot and soaking wet.
People really take the time together, reminding us we don't know
when, or if, there will be a next time !
And people who are newly arrived ...?
They have never seen anything like it !!

Then, after all this, Dia de la Marina, June 1st.
 ( my 2nd wedding anniversary, 15 years )
Fun .... lots of fun. More shade this year, thanks YC, and  every year there are new friends to see.
It isn't for everyone, that is for sure ... the music is blasting,
the kids are screaming, the brass band is playng, there's one bathroom, the ice melts, the sun is unforgiving ... people can and do get hurt, but a great time is usually had by the majority.

I didn't get in the water this year, it was too cold !! Serious !
It has warmed up some, but even this morning, the weather is a little chilly and stormy for Yelapa June. Serious! 

We need rain. So dry. So brittle and dusty. Not many mosquitoes
bothering me, flies either. No crabs, though I saw 2 the other day, trapped in the shower ... 

It has to rain, it must rain, before I leave for my Vacation !!
 7 days from now !!! 

It's " full tilt boogie" till then. I'll be gone 7 weeks !!
From Vancouver, to Winnipeg, to Lake of the Woods, to Great Lake Superior, to Ottawa, to Sydney, Nova Scotia.
There's a lot to do to prepare for a trip like this ... 
not the least being a few more fiestas, ...
to send me on my way ...

I will be able to post in July, as long as I can get my phone working. 

I wish you all safe travels, as the adventure of life continues ....

Happy Birthday Guadalupe

Yelapa Catholics celebrate the birthday of The Virgin of Guadalupe, every year at this time, 
for 9 days.  Nine days being the amount of time morners grieve their receently dearly departed. The town is decorated with pretty flags, and the new church bell rings at 5 am, and afternoons and evenings.  Every neighbourhood takes turns in procession, with the Statue of Our Lady of Gualdalupe, carried in reverence, leading the way.  It's a beautiful, wonderful celebration.  

Confirmationa and First Communion took place this Sunday.  Everyone dressed up, and on their best behavior, including the kids, haha !  Even standing room was full, with 2 priests officiating ! The church band rocked out , and makes the whole things come alive !
So much planning to prepare for all these Festivities, as it means many trips to Puerto Vallarta, or Tuito. 

Is that why everything is , always, an hour or more late ?? No.
That has to do with time zones !

Mother's Day right around the corner .... have to wait and see what mood strikes me, if I'll dress up again this year.  Always so much fun to see these Women let loose once a year. 
Maybe a good idea this year is to take " my official photograher Davin " and try for some
classic portraits .... for prosperity and Facebook !

I've been invited to a pre- mothers day dinner at The Yacht Club Tuesday night.
Full stop Turkey Dinner !  30  Women, all male servers.
Elanita wants to say Thank You, and I look forward to saying, You're Welcome !

Life and the Yelapa School Website project and potential keep moving on ... 
excitement builds as I make the finishing reservations and prepare my suitycase for travel. I'm over the moon with the soon to be reality of being in my hometown, after 19 years ... what a gift to behold ...   
and there is always first Vancouver , the city of my dreams.
I'm there for 10 days, with no caregiving, just re discovery ...
another gift to savor ...

Hi speed internet is available in Yelapa, seperate and apart from Carlos Slim and his
Infinitum.  $ 2,500.00 pesos to install, and $ 700.00 pesos per month. 
That means I can hook up Roko or Blueray; as over 30 satisfied customers have already done. I could watch NFB Films ! or Netflix, or Ted Talks ... 
One day but not today.  I can barely keep up to Youtube right now !

After Mother's Day, and Guadalupe's Birthday Party, will be Dia de Marina, June 1st,to honoring and celebrateing the men and women who have lost their lives at sea.
In Yelapa the focus is our Pescadors, The Fishermen. 
It's A HUGE PARTY, on the little beach in town.  
Shortly after that 24 or 36 hour Fiesta, Yelapa will curl up and rest for 4 months,  and I will
be on my way to 2 months of vacation.    

Preparation for receiving the positive, healthy, connected energy, we all bring to each other in these times of gathering and celebration .... Let the music play on inside of us ...

Happy Everything May !
  

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 ....

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 !

Happy Holidays

May your future be Merry and Bright 

ay your future be Merry and Bright !!

.... a few memories ....

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 ...