Fragile Things January 31

I woke up with West Africa on my mind.

After a humid, slow, soft, warm rain early morning, I got on with my day. Today I thought of fragility- starting with shells on the beach,

and my butterfly visitor who came to stay for awhile.


Spanish Language Learning
I completed the 5 episodes. I am pas mal satisfait avec moi-meme. (con mia).

Overcast Cooler Silk-on-Skin Air Day

Out on bike to shop and bank. I felt like I was back in Montreal on the Plateau or in Rosemont. Shopping on my bike. Overcast, humid, cool breeze, strong legs, off and on my Norco. Yes!



My first visit to the Lavanderia- and a couple of hours later Maria gives me a my package of Clean, folded sheets, towels and washcloths. Delightful.
Later D & B introduce me to the local used book library and then to the boardwalk or was it stones? along the lagoon. Lush. Crocodiles are spotted.


To finish off the outside part of this day, a brisk (if one can walk briskly on deep sand) 40-minute beach walk, and supper on my balcony. And even as I conclude to day, I hear the wind in the palm trees. There will be more colorful blooms to sweep up from the ceramic deep orange floor of the bungalow tomorrow.

A Significant Day

Today,  choose to come back here someday.

Today, also, Dijie, Bob and I visit the Crocodile Refuge in La Manzanilla.

We start with a coffee. 

 Try and say crocodile in Spanish: cocodrilo /cocodrillo. Cendrillon (French for Cinderella) keeps mixing me up. Imagine a Cinderella crocodile!  The Refuge is like a bayou mangrove swamp. Amazing! in Mexico?!  We wander in a mangrove-looking forest along a wooden slat trail that traverses the lagoon. We climb a wooden tree house-type lookout - crocodiles and birds, birds- species I have never seen. A muggy perfect day for this adventure. Thank you, Dijie and Bob! 

We follow the Crocodile Refuge walk by a swim in the Ouch! cold ocean. Then, we feast on vegetable burritos and delicious tacos. The burrito wrap, and the tortillas are super!

Upon our return, after mopping my home, I take my evening stroll. This time, to a new vantage point looking from a street end to the sea. A family comes and sits: father, young son, and daughters. We strike up a conversation in Spanish. I learn the three strange looking boats in the bay are shrimping boats, the boy is in school and learning English, the oldest girl in kindergarten, the youngest must wait 2 more years. The mother will come; she is a dentist. The father has worked already 4 times in Ottawa, Ontario, cleaning a cemetery (el cemetorio). I checked to be sure I had this unusual occupation correctly. He liked his work and it paid well. He will be returning, he thinks soon. As the family left, the boy shyly and proudly said: Bye! :-)

So, my daily hobby of Spanish learning is paying off. Accuracy, no! But a small beginning towards fluency. Very small.

This short interlude was the icing on the cake.

Grand finale: 

Abundance

I have made my peace with this year 2018. For those who know me well, you know my lack of love for certain numbers: 8, 3, and 5.  However, I have been reminded that 8 symbolizes abundance.
This year is, and I expect will  continue to be, a year of abundance.
To celebrate this 'largeness' and generosity of the 'the universe', mira! Color!

Ebbs and Flows

Today I wake up a bit down. I even feel lonely. Then, chatting with neighbors, Tina and George, about this and that, and activities, I learn one can walk (or ride) to Cuastecomates, or hike up a mountain (genre Mont Royal) that is only a few minutes from this small town.  Well!
Spontaneously, Tina invites me to accompany her brother and her who are about to to hike the hill. Why not!? Por que no? We set off.

I am pumped! Movement! A hike. Back in town, Tina takes me to a seamstress with a little shop, with the tin door rolled up. We are Berta's (Perfecta's) first clients and for 20 pesos, she sews on (pegar) new Velcro onto my sun hat. 20 minutes later, we are on our way. Great work. 

Next, a walk into town and I buy a steak with enough for 2 days from a butcher ( 16 pesos), and vegis and fruit - yeh! cilanthro- for 170 pesos. This includes a whole wheat grain bread made no doubt for the tourists- visitor clientele. I stop off at a cafe and sit on a small table facing the hardin (center square) with my single expresso ( I thought to bring a small small jar along with cream so as to avoid the canned cream). The coffee is perfect. I note my new words. 

Home to an invitation to play a card game of  'hand and foot' cards (3 rounds- I lose with style) with my Dijie and Bob, and then out for a chicken burger served with delicious hot vegetables on the side at Oli's right next door. And, of course, I go for a walk and sit on the beach as the sun goes down. 

Beach Day

Biked around town in early morning.

Late morning, Dijie and I take a taxi to another town  (Cuastecomates) - in cove reminded me of Bermuda's coves. Lunch of nachos on the beach. (Cuastecomates becomes the first inclusive beach in all of Mexico, a place in Jalisco where people with disabilities can enjoy.)

This evening I elect to watch the sun set on the Melaque beach.

Two Verb Sites- time to memorize some verbs
1. Spanish Dictionary (thanks Karen)
2. Linguasorb

A Day of Walking and Reflection

Today, I stride out to Barra in the early morning, meander around Barra,

sitting on the wharf during the rain, enjoying the humid, humid air,


chat with my mom,







i

Tianguis (Market) I buy a bowl knowing I am paying more than I could but happy with price (70 pesos)

 walk out on the beach to take a beach plastic table and chair and and sun umbrella at Las Palmas, chat with the camerero (waiter), Omar, sharing French and Spanish phrases. I teach him an expression and he teaches me a casual way to say "OK" - chido!, and a informal and formal way to ask what time a restaurant opens: A que horas abren el restaurante? A que horas hay tienen servicio del restaurante?  I am sure there are errors, but it was fun. Omar says, about one funny thing, "I'm crazy" and I say, "Yo verlo", and he says, "But I love my madness". I could not agree more- an excellent approach to living.

Then home and then out to buy flour tortillas- finally learn the word for flour tortillas: tortillas de harina. I refind a restaurant my sister has referred to me for its enchilladas. Another fun conversation around ordering ensues. It is still humid!!! Dio mio! Me alegro!

Market Day

Today is the weekly "mercado" or tianguis 

I purchase (in pesos): two large-yogurt-sized containers-one of raspberries, and one of blueberries (140); two clay oven-baked bolillos (10); a plastic spatula to replace my rusted one (20); a tiny colorful bowl to hold a teabag (50); bulk cayenne pepper (40); a light-roast coffee (70); a key chain with a ceramic square and the design of a rooster (35); and a glass bowl (15). From the town: sugar-free, plain yogurt (40), and 4 huevos (20). These all come to about 400 pesos – $27 Canadian).  

For supper to celebrate Dijie, Bob and I go out for a full meal of ribs, salads and mashed potatoes in a place called Scooby. Delish. The meals about 120 each - about $8. This is one of the more 'expensive' meals in Melaque. 

There! That is an idea of prices here. 

Courage Comes in Many Forms

Today, I braved
a solo bike ride
 to the nearby town
 of Barra.

I did my first dip in the ocean. And, Hallelujah! not cold.

I took a map and walked about Melaque trying to orientate the map with my internal map. Not successful, but can just go by faith, habit and with a map!


A New Video

1. Not having slept well, I watch the first 30 minutes of a YouTube video at around 5 am. I get the story!!! Yes! Without subtitles. My goodness! Fantastico!
2. Thanks! Karen. I will get to some of your favorites, I hope soon.

To Barra la Navidad for Breakfast

A Fabulous Start to the Day




Up early, 4 of us set off for what is to be a breathtaking sunrise walk to Barra through Melaque, then along the beach, and into Barra for breakfast and then finally for an excellent coffee and treat at a French Pastry shop and out to the point. Estupendo!


I learn how where to get the bus back to Melaque and see the bike path I hope to take to do a return trip by bike. It will mean a short 5-10 minute ride along a narrow shoulder on a busy highway, but it looks manageable.

This one is for you, Ewa. 

La Laguna - crocodiles are spotted here. That's my daring sister sitting in their path. 

Memory of Panama City, Terry and Cindy.

 Back in Melaque, I pick up vegetables and cheese at two small shops, get turned around as usual and walk fa few extra blocks and then return to my cute, serviceable bungalow apartment.

Sigh of tiredness from all of today's walking - mostly on deep sand. I'd judge about 12 k.  Several conversations with gringos and Mexicans - friendly, amable, open. Ending tonight with a strong milky day talking to my mom on Skype. :-)