5C's Que Pasa

After our morning walk Wednesday morning we were given the ultimate treat.

Juan and Chris made us huevos rancheros and served us at our site. A perfect way to start the day.

It was a very busy day on the beach today. A few of us think it is the busiest we have seen it here over the holidays, well at least in the six years we have been coming here.

We however spent most of the day preparing for yet another very very happy hour.

We had 20 some odd folks over to snack, chat and just have a great time.

Another great end to the day....

...and to the beginning of a fabulous evening!

Not my best photo but no matter...

We had music and lots of singing.

...and more singing!

I have to say that this was one of our best evenings yet.

More music yet, from classical to blues to the Beatles, we did them all.

No party at our place is over until there is some dancing involved.

The best news of the day is that Dad got moved to a private room! Finally. Poor guy, he has really had a rough two weeks.

We still are doing our daily morning walks. We let Carmeh walk a bit and then we carry her for a bit but she is mostly being carried. She seems to be healing and we want to keep her that way. We never get to see the horses anymore unless we are on the beach. The road beside us remains blocked and I happily have less dust. Hopefully come the New Year we will be able to start doing afternoon walks also.

This horse was quite far behind the rest of the herd and this jogger pulled up beside it. It was funny watching them 'trot' side by side until finally the horse overtook her and ran ahead.

A few days ago Bella and Carl came to visit. They used to RV here and now they rent in Mazatlan. The last year that they were here we were camped beside them and Caeli fell in love with them. That was five years ago and she just squealed when she saw him, she was so happy. She just wanted to be held and hugged. She used to go over and have afternoon naps with them or just sit on Carls knee. Carmeh also remembered them but we would not let her down to the beach nor be picked up because of her back issues.

We went to dinner at El Velero last Saturday, the 27th. Half of the restaurant had been set up to celebrate a quinceanera ( a celebration that happens when a girl turns 15, her coming of age ). It is often celebrated with a huge party. We got to listen to the music. The funny thing is that we had been invited to the party last week and I had totally forgotten so we sort of ended up there anyway. It was meant to be.

Yesterday there was a wedding next door at the same restaurant. They actually got married on the beach. Another party and another band. This one was quiet and we enjoyed the music and had a few dances in our yard. However once it was bedtime the music seemed quite a bit louder. This party was over by 2AM. What can I say, this is Mexico.

While the wedding ceremony was going on we were having an educational meeting at our site. Chris and Juan had brought down a pile of books to help Nancy and Larry with some ideas on teaching English here on the Isla. A community centre has been built in the Colonia and this couple have volunteered to teach one hour, three evenings per week. Right now they have a class of 12 ranging in age from 15 to 55 years of age with many more wanting to take the class. There are even 4 computers that will be available to the students to take home and to continue studying though the Rosetta Stone program. The next challenge is going to be to find someone bilingual who can come in at least one hour per week over the summer when we have all headed home.

After the meeting and sunset the boys and us headed out to dinner. Someone took our photo but he never pushed the button hard enough to make the camera click. Possibly too much tequila!

Back to our place to enjoy the fire, the sounds of the ocean and the music of the wedding.

The wind was very calm so Colin along with Chris set up a hot air balloon lantern for launch. We have had these before but these are 40" high and went much higher and further. This one just hovered for several moments before floating off. We watched it for a very long time.

Then of course if one was so much fun, why not do another? Jurgen from next door came over to see what was going on.

The first one was green and this one was red but the wind had picked up a tad so it took three of them to steady it in preparation for take off.

Our Christmas group plus friends from RV2.

The clouds were in the perfect position at sunset.

The reflection of the light lit up the sky.

I have seen a few photos of this particular sunset and the colours are all slightly different.

I like how my camera captured the sunset. This is as it was taken, all natural. No added saturation.

The sky glowed for a long time after the sun had set.

This is what Colin's camera captured.

Tres Amigos 🙂

Colin and I no longer exchange gifts, so it was fun to spoil the boys a bit. Carmeh was more interested in the parcel and the paper.

Our neighbors presented us with a lovely fruit platter for a Christmas morning snack. After that the four of us along with the girls walked down the beach to check out where Kevin and Ruth were boondocking. A nice area but not for us. Being here for so long we need a more permanent set up.

Colin called his Mom and played for her 🙂 I eventually got to speak to Dad later in the evening. I have to wait until someone is there with a cell phone. No point in his having a phone as he won't hear it ring.

Soon we were preparing for our Christmas dinner.

Juan taught Ruth how to make a fancy napkin that looks like a Christmas tree.

It would look better with a linen napkin plus you can add a tiny bow made on a fork to the top. Very creative and festive.

There was more food than we could eat as we all brought several items to share including turkey, ham and smoked salmon.

A great meal with friends.

We didn't have time for a before dinner photo as everyone was hungry. That is Marjorie and Bob at the top left.

We had some dancing, some music, some singing and even more dancing. Our neighbors joined us after their Christmas dinner at RV2 adding to the merriment.

Another wonderful sunset...the rest of us finally called it a night about 11AM. Another Isla Christmas to remember.

We thought this was all who were attending but.....

...we had a last minute attendee who fit us in between her social engagements.

Entertainment was provided by Mother Nature....

...and two departing cruise ships. In the first photo you can see this ship to the left of the shot just going behind the island. Great zoom on that little camera of mine. See all of those tiny people in the right of the shot viewing the sunset.

We sat, enjoyed food and wine and each others company.

I was the only one who had previously met Maria and this was the first time anyone had met Rae.

Lola, our neighbors dog dropped by for a visit. Her parents were out and she was unhappy with the firecrackers the kids were setting off. Juan soon had her relaxed.

Meanwhile Dad is very slowly recovering from his fall. Various members of the family dropped by during Christmas and the past few days with a variety of treats. His new room looks rather crowded to me.