Wishing you all a very Happy New Year! ¡Feliz año nuevo! ¡Prospero año nuevo!
Finally drank that bottle of Cava!
We had a late afternoon and evening of appetizers and drinks with friends.
Monday 31 December 2018
Sunday 30 December 2018
Chiliquili - (Chee lee kee lee)
It is a rainy day so I'll tell you a story about a cat named BC or maybe ......Chiliquili.
A few days ago, I heard an ATV stop by our RV and a very excited Mexican lady saying "Chiliquili, Chiliquili". The first time I didn't go out until it crossed my mind that she may have been talking to the cat. By the time I went out, the ATV was long gone.
The next day she was back while I was away and Cam heard her. Yesterday I was home and she returned. I went out and she asked if she could pet the cat and I said hopefully "Sure, is he your cat?" She was busy talking to him and calling him by name and so happy. She spoke very good english. She told me that they came to the park for Semana Santa this past Spring. This was just when we left so the cat went over to their RV. They have a big Class A and also several other trailers for their friends and relatives to stay in here in the trailer park. In fact, Gary and Cindy stayed in one of those when they were here.
The cat even got to sleep in their RV. She wanted to take him home to Puerto Vallarta but her husband (like mine) told her that this was the cat's home and she must leave him here. She was worried about him and glad to see him again at our place. I told her she can come and see him anytime since they will be here for the next 3 months. They will be moving their RV up near us for Semana Santa so hopefully I can leave his bed with her when we go. However, he'll probably move into their RV again. She already has 3 cats in Puerto Vallarta so she does not think she can take him. They are good friends with friends of ours in the park and were away traveling in Argentina most of last season. So we will see how this all turns out.
A few days ago, I heard an ATV stop by our RV and a very excited Mexican lady saying "Chiliquili, Chiliquili". The first time I didn't go out until it crossed my mind that she may have been talking to the cat. By the time I went out, the ATV was long gone.
The next day she was back while I was away and Cam heard her. Yesterday I was home and she returned. I went out and she asked if she could pet the cat and I said hopefully "Sure, is he your cat?" She was busy talking to him and calling him by name and so happy. She spoke very good english. She told me that they came to the park for Semana Santa this past Spring. This was just when we left so the cat went over to their RV. They have a big Class A and also several other trailers for their friends and relatives to stay in here in the trailer park. In fact, Gary and Cindy stayed in one of those when they were here.
The cat even got to sleep in their RV. She wanted to take him home to Puerto Vallarta but her husband (like mine) told her that this was the cat's home and she must leave him here. She was worried about him and glad to see him again at our place. I told her she can come and see him anytime since they will be here for the next 3 months. They will be moving their RV up near us for Semana Santa so hopefully I can leave his bed with her when we go. However, he'll probably move into their RV again. She already has 3 cats in Puerto Vallarta so she does not think she can take him. They are good friends with friends of ours in the park and were away traveling in Argentina most of last season. So we will see how this all turns out.
Stormy weather
Fishermen's motor quit and had to land on our beach
They took the engine and went back to town
Thursday 27 December 2018
Catching Up
It just keeps getting busier in La Peñita and the trailer park. More tents continue to come into the park. Lots of beach activity and the occasional dog ruckus. There is a temporary fruit drink stand on the way down to our beach.
We had Christmas dinner up by the park pool. It was prepared by volunteers and the Mexican ladies from the park restaurant. We had a good time and the weather was perfect as usual.
The big news is that La Peñita El Centro (Main street) is open to traffic. Yes, through some Christmas miracle the recent prediction of Easter turned out to be wrong. As we walked into town yesterday morning at 7:00 a.m. a mostly empty and open main street was before us. Was it the elves, what the.... It was a mess 2 days ago. Not all of the sidewalks are done and some side streets are still pretty rough but it's looking good.
Park staff put this guy up at the entrance to slow down traffic.
We had Christmas dinner up by the park pool. It was prepared by volunteers and the Mexican ladies from the park restaurant. We had a good time and the weather was perfect as usual.
Our table pool side
The big news is that La Peñita El Centro (Main street) is open to traffic. Yes, through some Christmas miracle the recent prediction of Easter turned out to be wrong. As we walked into town yesterday morning at 7:00 a.m. a mostly empty and open main street was before us. Was it the elves, what the.... It was a mess 2 days ago. Not all of the sidewalks are done and some side streets are still pretty rough but it's looking good.
La Peñita El Centro
Of course, the peaceful scene of early morning did not last long as everybody woke up. Guadalajara tourists were gathering outside of hotels with their suitcases, children, dogs, boxes, etc to wait for buses. These huge behemoths were indeed wallowing in the side streets attempting to pick up passengers and turn around in places I wouldn't want to take our CRV.
Get those avocados into town, lots of guacamole being eaten here
Must be in season here
Today was market day. People everywhere. Still, the little old man with his wheelbarrow of pineapples recognized me and waved with a big smile, telling his wife that he knew me. I said it was good to see him again and bought a pineapple. We bought strawberries, oranges and bananas and I made fruit drinks when we got home. We knew family had just flown in yesterday and of course we ran into them at the market.
It was so busy, Teri and I couldn't get a cab when it was time to leave. After a 15 minute wait and still no sign of an empty cab we walked home.
We had an interesting thing happen while we were on our patio visiting with a friend today. Cam said he smelled something that he wanted to blame on BC (Black Cat). Then Kirk was pulling at his lead towards the back of the RV by the electric post and water taps. We saw BC sneaking about there so we said "oh its just the cat". Then when our visitor left I went to see what caused the brief smell. Well, there was a snake laying there. BC had defended the home turf whilst the rest of us sat oblivious and Kirk tried to tell us BC needed him for backup. It was a Mexican Vine Snake. A fairly harmless snake which can grow to 5 ft long and has a mild venom which would make a human itchy.
BC was unscathed. This snake gives off a stink when attacked so that was the smell. When I went to throw the snake into the jungle below our patio it started to move. I knew what kind of snake it was and was using the broom so no big deal. It had one bite mark from the cat about 5 inches from its head so perhaps it will survive. Ware! all you things that crawl about, for BC is on guard.
Mexican Vine Snake
Too many touristas, cats, and dogs living together, this lizard is out of here
Monday 24 December 2018
Feliz Navidad
Well, here it is, Christmas eve. We have been busy talking to friends and family on the phone and taking part in some of the park activities. Our beach has a fair number of people on it, mostly Mexican families camping in the park. Lots of kids and dogs and even a few pampered cats.
Christmas eve is the major celebration in Mexico. Tomorrow is a day to recover.
Here in the park, the Mexican, Canadian and American campers gather at the park office to sing Christmas carols in English and Spanish. Then comes the best part. The bashing of the piñatas!
First the little kids then the bigger ones. When the piñata goes down all the kids rush in and grab candy and small prizes. It was loads of fun.
Singing accompanied by a trumpet
Singing a Spanish carol
Santa giving out treats
Hanging a piñata
Little ones first
The candy rush
The line-up
Small but effective
We wish you all a Merry Christmas and to all a Buenas Noches!
Saturday 22 December 2018
Christmas Lights
Many campers decorate their RVs and tents for Christmas. More Mexican campers arrived in the park today and sites are filling in.
Nativity scene
Our site
Every year a group of ATVs from the park go to give candy and gifts to children in a small village. The money comes from various fundraising activities in the park. ATVs are decorated and the kids love it.
Santa's team gathering at the Oficina
Santa
Santa and Mrs Claus
Friday 21 December 2018
It's getting busy!
The Mexican holiday break began yesterday, December 20 to January 4. Everyone is preparing for the onslaught of tourists from Canada, the U.S. and especially from Guadalajara. Traffic has increased, there are more tents popping up everyday in the park, huge buses are seen in places they can hardly fit, and the number of vendors has increased in town.
There is a festive atmosphere amongst everyone trying to work, shop, socialize or gawk on the still unfinished streets of La Peñita. Best guess they say, is that it will be finished for Semana Santa (Easter - April) clearly this Christmas wish was not to be. Oh well, we leave our cars at home and walk to town then get a cab to find a way out of the mess for 30 pesos, split usually between 3 of us that's about 70 cents each. The other day I was still getting into the cab when he didn't notice this and started to move. I said "Espera uno mas!" and he stopped. We all had a laugh "Wait one more". Those Spanish classes are paying off.
The Mexicans can really take advantage of a truck as a display vehicle. Or a cart, or a wheelbarrow. It's a shop as you go along the street kind of place. The department of health would have a coronary. It takes me back in time to the 60's when butchers cut the meat, wiped the counter with the dish rag, and our immune systems were in better shape. The vegetables are washed but many are not the perfect shapes found in stores at home. You learn to smell your fish and shrimp before you buy. We squeeze the mangos, smell the bread, and taste the fruit that vendors peel for us to sample. It's food, it's fresh, it's good, someone got it or made it this morning for us to buy. Eggs are sold by the kilo in plastic bags and are not refrigerated although most are washed. If you want parts of a chicken, other than the breast, you buy it from the "Chicken lady" on the street. There are gizzards, livers and feet in bags. It is kept fresh in your standard "Canadian Tire" like coolers. She will hack you off whatever portion you like, pop it in a plastic bag with a smile, a Gracias and wish you a good day. It's great, it's personal. You get to know people.
(You can click on photographs to see a larger version)
There is a festive atmosphere amongst everyone trying to work, shop, socialize or gawk on the still unfinished streets of La Peñita. Best guess they say, is that it will be finished for Semana Santa (Easter - April) clearly this Christmas wish was not to be. Oh well, we leave our cars at home and walk to town then get a cab to find a way out of the mess for 30 pesos, split usually between 3 of us that's about 70 cents each. The other day I was still getting into the cab when he didn't notice this and started to move. I said "Espera uno mas!" and he stopped. We all had a laugh "Wait one more". Those Spanish classes are paying off.
The Mexicans can really take advantage of a truck as a display vehicle. Or a cart, or a wheelbarrow. It's a shop as you go along the street kind of place. The department of health would have a coronary. It takes me back in time to the 60's when butchers cut the meat, wiped the counter with the dish rag, and our immune systems were in better shape. The vegetables are washed but many are not the perfect shapes found in stores at home. You learn to smell your fish and shrimp before you buy. We squeeze the mangos, smell the bread, and taste the fruit that vendors peel for us to sample. It's food, it's fresh, it's good, someone got it or made it this morning for us to buy. Eggs are sold by the kilo in plastic bags and are not refrigerated although most are washed. If you want parts of a chicken, other than the breast, you buy it from the "Chicken lady" on the street. There are gizzards, livers and feet in bags. It is kept fresh in your standard "Canadian Tire" like coolers. She will hack you off whatever portion you like, pop it in a plastic bag with a smile, a Gracias and wish you a good day. It's great, it's personal. You get to know people.
(You can click on photographs to see a larger version)
Toys, little trees and plants for sale
Limes, a tub of beans, avocados and Chayote squash
Breads, donuts, pies, jams, muffins, etc.
The prickly fruit on the left are Rambutans (like a Lychee), delicious.
I bought a half kilo of Rambutans
Peel them
The spines are soft
Tastes like a grape
Don't eat the nut
This fellow is setting up to sell Tasty Snacks - Pickled Pork Rinds (in the pot)
We bought shrimp, a kilo for 160 pesos
Fresh juice and cut fruit
Piñatas
Food carts
Sugar Cane
Green beans, cabbage, squash, poblano peppers, etc
Nuts, candy, dried fruits
Yay, a free bag when we bought bacon and riblets
Stores display on the street
I realize that in my reluctance to take photos of people when they are working and not be such a Tourista, I miss an important piece of this experience. The smiling faces of the people selling you these things. The laughter from the butcher's son when the other 3 ladies with me also want bacon and riblets so they too can get that Carniceria Nayarit bag! Even though he would probably have given it to them anyway and they really liked what they saw me buy. We practice our Spanish, he helps us with that. Yes, there are occasional grumpy store clerks but not usually amongst the street vendors and family owned stores.
The National General Minimum Wage will be going up on January 1, 2019 to 102.68 pesos per day.
That is about $7 Canadian a day. Yes, that's right, a day not an hour. Remember this if you feel reluctant to tip after a meal or a cab ride. We tip within reason just as we do at home but it's good to know in case you ever wonder if you should ask a cabbie to give you your 2 pesos change.
Today, we gave the park staff their Christmas gifts in the form of a card each with pesos which nearly everyone in the park chips in on. The 2 salaried staff get 2 weeks pay from the owner as per Mexican law but the others do not qualify. Everyone gathers at the office and the gifts are presented then hand shakes and hugs all around.
Well, its been a long blog, Buenas noches.
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