Mexico 2008/2009

October 28, 2008

When I last wrote in the Travel Blog, I was in Arizona saying good-bye to Rocky and Jewel.  It was so hectic, that I was writing in “short-hand”…just the bare bones of the trip. 

Thanks to Linda Ranweiler, I had a full set of instructions for crossing the border and traveling through Mexico to Puerto Vallarta.  I was so nervous about my first experience driving into Mexico, that I don’t know what I would have done without her sharing her experience.  I got my required Mexican auto insurance from her agent in Nogales,  Don Smith, who gave me a set of instructions complete with photos of the highway signs to watch for!  That guided me through the permit and visa process as well as the check points I needed to stop for.  He instructed me to enter Mexico by way of the Truck Route, thereby avoiding any contact with the troubled city of Nogales, Mexico.   Linda had recommended the book, RV Guide to Camping in Mexico, and I  had already chosen the Colonial town of Alamos for my first night’s stay.  I had an uneventful drive through mostly desert scenery and by the second afternoon, had arrived in Mazatlan.  In the book, I had found a park that was only one block from the beach and spent a quiet night. Photos from this trip:  click on the hot link   DRIVE TO MEXICO

 By 2:30 in the afternoon on the third day, I was pulling into Puerto Vallarta.  I had become a bit comfortable with driving in Mexico by then, and was not overwhelmed by the congested roadways in PV.  I knew the way to my new home in PV, the RV park on Francia in the Versailles neighborhood.  I was almost alone in the park, all grassy and blooming.  I set up against my own little brick patio, and spent the night. 

I spent the next few days at the Ayurvedic Spa at the north end of the Bay of Banderas.  Was cleansed through fasting and colonics.  Massaged at least once a day with scrubs and oils, sometimes with two masseuses at a time. Very interesting experience.

Photos at the Ayurvedic Spa:   click on the hot link   Ayurvedic Retreat

I was yearning for my home in Yelapa.  For many years, I have arrived on the first of October, a time when it is still rainy, humid and very very quiet.  I would usually be the first “international” returning for the season.  This time, it was already November.  The weather was quite comfortable, lots of friends had already settled in, and instead off a month of meditation, I found that I was diving right into the social whirl. 

To see photos of my arrival and first days in Yelapa 2008, please click on this lot link:   First Days Back In Yelapa

I enjoyed the kindergarten (jardin des ninos) dancing performance. My neighbor, Viane, chickened out.  Photos of the “stars”:  jardin des ninios

With the camper van parked in Puerto Vallarta, I had a place to stay when I visited PV.  Plus it was a gorgeous setting:  Photos – PV RV Park

 

In no time, it was November 20, Day of the Revolution.  School children parading on the beach, families with cold drinks and cameras.  Kids tumbling, diving through burning hoops, piling up on human pyramids.  Children in costumes of the revolution dancing in the sand.  Teenagers, in costume, on horseback.  The honor students in snappy dress, carrying the flags in a color guard.  Admiring the festivities are the gringo friends. At the end of the beach, a circle is formed, flags are presented, speeches are made, the national anthem is sung to much shouting of “Viva!”.  A fine day. Photos:  Dia de Revolution

There was the usual Thanksgiving “pot luck” at April’s:  Yelapa Thanksgiving

I am blissfully happy with my mornings spent out on the patio, drinking my coffee, reading my book, watching the fishermen, the water taxis coming into the pier and the dolphins and whales playing out on the bay.  Photos at home:  my Yelapa house

Monday night at the movies at April’s, Wednesday and Saturday night Disco’s at Elena’s Yacht Club, Friday night jam session at Mimi’s, and Sunday morning brunch at Susan’s.  I added a new tradition of Wednesday night Art Walk in Puerto Vallarta.  Because I now had a “pied a terre”, my van to sleep in, I was able to spend the night, if I liked.  Every Wednesday night, most of the art galleries in town are open from 6-10pm serving wine and often having the featured artist present.  I loved being able to attend, visiting with Cordell and Artemisa at their Corona Gallery, Gary Thompson at Galeria Pacifico and seeing my friend’s paintings at the Loft and the Galeria des Artistes.  Gloria Elias has her bronze sculptures in a couple of galleries now.  The night I arrived in PV was a Wednesday, and I was so hungry for a sight of a Yelapa friend, that I toured the galleries with my eyes open for a familiar face.  I couldn’t believe my luck when I ran into Dana, Karidwyn, Paul, Gail and  !  Old home week.

I also stayed in PV for the 5-day film festival.  Saw 9 films in 4 days!  The last day, was the Guadalupe Festival finale and as usual, Dave and Roger were in town in their hilltop condo above the church, and together we watched the processions, enjoyed the mariachis, entered the church to listen to the music and was blessed with the holy water sprinkled by the priests at the entrance to the church.  A yearly tradition.  Photos:  Guadalupe Festival PV

I had a visit from Ed and Cornelia Gould who sailed into Yelapa Bay!  Photos:  Ed and Cornelia sailed

Christmas Day dinner at Maria’s with friends: Christmas at Maria’s

Some days I just took photos of what seemed typical, or special or of friends. around town and on the beach and then also more birds and lizards

This year, I also spent New Year’s Eve attending a party at Roger and Dave’s.  What fun!  All dressed up, eating and dancing and watching the  midnight  fireworks from the rooftop perch.  I missed the Yelapa disco, but enjoyed the Big City Experience.   

I interrupted my Yelapa stay, with a trip to India.  I flew back to Berkeley on New Year’s Day in order to have time to pack for the trip.  While I was in India, I learned of the death of the wonderful Isabel.  Yelapa’s matriarch, inspiration, Huichol confidante, social leader and teacher.  Very hard to believe that we could have lost her in the prime of her 82 year-old life.  But, I guess she would have preferred to “die with her boots on”.

In March, Isabel’s daughter and brothers came to Yelapa and we had a memorial.  Chris and Beverly flew down from the mountain scattering ashes and flower petals.  It was an inspiring sight.  There were verbal tributes, tears and smiles, food, music and dance.  Isabel would have loved it.

Photos from the memorial day: Isabel’s memorial

I received the news from my acting landlord, Jorge, that next year when his daughters take over the ownership of my house, they are thinking that they would like to have a “vacation home”.  The writing was on the wall for me and I began to think of alternatives.  With the help of Maria Pina, I was able to arrange to build an apartment on the roof of my next door neighbor’s, Agustina and Pancho.  Maria suggested speaking with Emelio, the very artistic builder, about helping me and I was able to persuade him to take the job.  He speaks English which makes communication so much easier.  I’ve drawn up a floor plan and am dreaming of the finishing touches.  We’ve signed a 9-year lease and I’m beginning to save up the money to begin construction next November.  It should be ready to move my belongings in by the time I leave at the end of March.  My current  lease will be up on May 1st.  Hopefully, all will go smoothly.

Photos of my beach:   my beach

I had to fly back to Berkeley to fill another apartment vacancy the last week of March.  When I returned to PV, I picked up my van, made arrangements to come back to the RV park again next year, paying up in advance, and took off for my return drive to the US.  I more or less retraced my steps, but this time I stayed in a different RV park in Alamos.  It was delightful.  An oasis just outside of town with bougainvilleas climbing the trees, a stately line of palms and a lovely view of the valley below.  The route to reach it was a challenge, including fording a river and skirting a cemetery.  But worth it.  Easy border crossing and arrival in Arizona. 

Back to the Road Trip!

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