Dec 18, 2013
Moonrise
Tuesday evening one of the RVers at Tres Amigos kindly arranged a bonfire to welcome the full moon.
The wispy lines over the moon are from a jet stream! Thanks for the fab photo Colin.
Dec 17, 2013
Guest blog post by…
Lucas with Contessa’s help!!!
Lucas is nine and is visiting his grandparents Val & John, our neighbors here on the Isla. His Mom Sarah is here with him and they are here for 13 days.
One of his favorite things is boogie boarding and as you can see he is good at it. He never goes out too deep and his Grandfather is with him every second.
Last night Lucas entertained us with a joke…..pretty good for a nine year old.
You are American when you go into the bathroom and you are Canadian when you come out of the bathroom!
What are you when you are in the bathroom?
You are European…….your a peeing!!
Lucas your joke is as cute as you are 🙂
Sadly just before I wrote this post Lucas was flicked by a sting ray while boogie boarding, so we were in first aid mode.
Yes it hurts but you are going to be okay.
See...just a flick, not so bad.
Feel better soon dear Lucas.
You just never know how the day is going to go but you always know how it will end.
Dec 16, 2013
Special Saturday and happy hearts
It all started with the observation of a family, walking back and forth along the beach several times a day usually carrying heavy bags of food and sometimes water. This family lives a long way down the beach, over a mile or more. It is the furthest point on our daily walk and that is enough for me to walk never mind carrying my groceries. We were chatting with some neighbors here at the RV Park and discussing their difficult life. They had found a place to live on the beach, an old deserted restaurant, away from the crowded and noisy conditions in the colonia but were very far from everything. Bob suddenly said “what they need is some transportation, maybe a bike” !
Suddenly the solution became clear. We had 2 bikes just sitting in our storage area here on the Isla. Colin and I discussed it and decided that we would unlikely ride them down here. I just don't want to chance falling and damaging my hips. So Colin & Bob brought the bikes back here to the RV Park.
Bob spend hours taking everything apart and re greasing, re lubricating and checking both bikes over in great detail.
Our neighbor John also helped and provided 2 bikes locks. He and Bob went into town to buy new bike seats and new baskets. I can't say how many hours went into the project but it was done with love.
When the bikes were ready ( including a coat of clear lacquer to prevent rusting ) I contacted the family to arrange a visit to their casa ( home ). This was no easy feat as I had to wait and watch for one of them to be walking down the beach. Finally arrangements were made. All the family knew is that we wanted to come to their casa to bring them a gift. They are simple folks and we didn’t want to insult or offend them but we really wanted to help this family. It took weeks before they would look at us as we walked the beach and simply nod their heads to us. I finally made a breakthrough with the matriach one day when she stopped to admire my flowers. For the delivery of the bikes we asked a couple who live on the Isla to come with us. Alexis speaks better Spanish then we do and we just wanted to be sure everything went smoothly.
Ernie & Alexis led the way down the farm road with our bikes in the back of their trailer.
All 7 of the family members were gathered waiting for us. We were not invited into their casa area but made the presentation next to our 2 vehicles. They did offer us coconut water to drink but we declined.
Bob did his best to explain the gears and some of them seemed to grab the concept. Alexis did a great job translating words like gears, etc.
Marjorie and I just stood back and watched. She and Bob came up with the idea to color coordinate each lock with the respective keys and put them on a lanyard to wear around their necks. A second set of keys is to left in the casa just in case. We tried to think of everything to make this gift a long lasting one.
Mamma was very happy for her family. The bikes will make a huge difference in their daily lives.
The entire family is here from the patriarch to the tiny 4 year who was too shy to face the camera.
We all felt so good to have been able to do this. Nice to have a home for our bikes.
Later just before sunset the one who is the fisherman peddled past on his way to work. He works all night fishing for Sierra from one of the tiny pangas. We see him walking back about 7:30AM. He says it is very cold out there at night. What a long shift! He always comes back carrying fish for the family. He was smiling and waving. We just made his life that much easier.
Later the next morning we saw 2 of the girls on the beach coming back from the tienda ( store ) with packages in the baskets. It wasn't an easy peddle as the tide was in and the sand was soft but they were doing it and they smiled an waved to us.
Sunday afternoon we saw our fisherman go back up the beach with a bundle in the basket, his 4 year daughter sitting on the bar in front of him and his tiny wife sitting on the back rack on top of the back fender. You can’t see the smile on his face in the photo but it was huge. Those of us involved in this project had reciprocating smiles and full hearts. How great it is to see this family so happy and to know we made a difference. Of course now we all all taking about bringing more bikes next year.
There was more to our Saturday. We had guests over for sunset.
We had Evelyn and Lynne for dinner, in the end it was pot luck and very good.
Evelyn is married but her husband is working at home in Colorado so she and her dog Molly hit the road seeking sun and heat. She writes a blog and her and Steve have shipped their RV to Europe and travelled extensively there as well as Mexico. This is Lynne’s first trip to Mexico and so far she loves it. She travels with her dog Millie and loves to boondock. You can find her blog here. Of course they are here on the Isla because of my blog.
We have a lot of catching up to do. Initially they were coming here for a week or so, now they plan to stay a month. Perhaps they will stay longer!
We listened to Colin play for a while but got back to talking while he played for us. Thanks for the photo Evelyn.
Caeli was inside in bed but Carmeh is a true camper at heart.
Sunday was supposed to be a quiet day but it ended rather busy with visitors and such. One of the fun things was giving Lynne & Evelyn a tour of the Isla. We saw lots of neat things and you will have to check their blogs for the photos as I had not brought my camera. It was also a very sad day for me as Mom would have turned 82 on Sunday. Her birthday was always the start of Christmas for our family. We all miss her so much.
Dec 14, 2013
It is great to be able to move around and enjoy life!
Friday morning we went into Centro and shared a pulmonia with another couple from RV2 who we met on the launcha. Colin had a great chat with Jorge the driver. He has travelled across Canada and driven the West coast from Alaska down to Mexico and speaks perfect English.
The mercardo ( market ) area is full of energy and activity.
Do you need something to decorate with for the holidays?
We were looking for this particular shop. Colin wanted to fins a pair of inside slip in shoes.
This is the same shop that Colin got these shoes from.
However he could not find what he was looking for.
Just across the street and down a bit he found what he wanted.
By now we had been walking many many blocks and I was still good to go. We stopped here to buy shoelaces and help this fellow with a sale. He was selling a lot of things in this tiny area.
Looks like we walked into the wrong door at the mercardo. Normally we try to avoid the meat area.
It was a very busy Friday. Lots of people everywhere.
Our favorite queso ( cheese ) booth!
You can choose just one or as many as you like. Most Mexican pastries are not very sweet.
We found this very sweet girl just wandering around the mercado! Who did she belong to? I found her owner and asked if she had just had pups. Indeed, on Nov. 2nd she had 4 females and 2 males. I just could not get over her being free to walk among all the people in the market.
Just two aisles over we found one of her sons. He is obviously being well cared for. Not only does 'Rocky' have a blanket to lay on but a sweater, a toy and a leash to keep him in the shop. Apparently his Mom comes over to check on him from time to time. Only in Mexico! Sorry for the blurry shot but I was not going to get down on the floor nor wake him up. Next time we go we will bring him some smaller dog toys.
By now I had been walking for 2.5 hours and needed a break. I still can't get over how free I am this year. To live in constant pain is so exhausting. So we stopped for a queso and mushroom quesadilla and some Jamaica to cool our throats.
Saw this gorgeous flowering tree as we sped past in the pulmonia on the way to the lancha.
One of the may Isla shrines set up for Dec. 12th, the celebration of the Virgin de Guadalupe. This is a day in Mexican history where thousands of Catholics celebrate the Saint.
Less than 20 minutes after getting back to Tres Amigos we had 2 new RV's pull in. Here Marjorie is helping me welcome Evelyn and her dog Molly.
Right behind her was Lynne and her dog Millie. Welcome to the Isla! Hope your first trip to Mexico is all you hope it to be.
The girls needed food and I needed refreshment so off we went to Lety's. All three of us write blogs and follow each other and of course we were bound to meet eventually but where better than in paradise here on the Isla.
...so ends another fabulous but very busy day. I am so thankful that I can once again fully enjoy each and every moment of every day.
Dec 13, 2013
Christmas Hamper fund raiser party
The day started with our usual beach walk. Lots of wave action. It got quite warm yesterday with temps hovering around 28C. We always have a lovely ocean breeze to keep us cool. If you want it hotter you just walk to the back of the RV where in a few moments it will be almost too hot. Works for us. The girls are always moving from sun to shade and back again. We have dog beds spread throughout our site. We love to spoil them.
They also love to hunt for geckos. Can you see the girls on the other side of the fan palm? Yesterday they spotted a small iguana and went crazy. It is sitting on top of the curved rusted pipe on top of the white pole. They girls wanted to climb up.
Not a clear shot but it certainly blended well with the surroundings.
As I moved around to get a photo from the other side the iguana became startled and went into the curved tube opening head first. Just it’s tail was sticking out and it looked like just another wire hanging there.
The tube is short and open at the bottom as well. Colin thought we would grab the iguana by the tail and remove it from out yard. There was no way that critter was being removed from the tube. It must have been using it's claws to brace itself. So the girls sat and watched for several hours and when we finally looked again it was gone. I wonder if it is the one eating my flowers?
For at least nine years now the Tres Amigo RVers have been supporting the poorer families here on Isla de la Piedra at Christmas by providing food hampers and toys. This year we are helping 32 of the neediest families chosen by locals ‘in the know’. What is extra special is that last year as well as this year, Estrella del Mar, a condo/golf resort at the south end of the Isla has joined in our efforts to raise funds. Also this year many other gringos on the Isla have participated.
These are all raffles prizes that we have donated. Then we buy tickets to win them back.
We also also all bring an appetizer to share!
Did anyone count how many we were? Certainly a huge bunch of us!
...the first draw!!! Colin's name was called! Overall we got 2 great raffle items but most important was the cause of the evening.
I just found out that approximately 26,000 pesos have been raised. There was 5000 pesos left over from last year so a total of approximately 32,000 pesos has been raised to help the less fortunate on the Isla. That is close to $2500.00 USD 😆 Fantastic! If any of you my wonderful readers wish to contribute, please send me an email. I know that this total means that more families will be helped and hopefully the children that need eye glasses will also benefit. I understand that each child on the Isla that needed shoes last year received some. We do try to make a difference here on the Isla.
Please forgive the lateness of this post but we had six new arrivals to RV 1 today!!!