November 16, 2008

Yesterday veritably flew by! It was the first day that I felt real surprise when I found out it was time for night to fall and I really didn't do anything at all yesterday.

Lynda and I walked along the beach in the a.m. and she ran in to several restaurants along the way to say hello to old friends while I was introduced to new ones. We watched the pellicans dive for fish along the ocean's edge for a while and then made our way back to Roberto's for breakfast and well......yes......a margarita to wash it down. As bad as that sounds we did wait till after noon to have our margarita though :)

The rest of the day was spent lounging in the hammock or floating in the pool.

Viri started working behind the bar at Roberto's this afternoon and so once night fell, Lynda and I made our way back there to order another drink from the new bartender. I taught her a new drink (Tequila & Kahlua con leche) that she made for us. Mmmmmm good! When I told her and Roberto that the drink is called a Dirty Mother they laughed and laughed and it won't surprise me to learn that the drink has made it's way onto the menu as one of the nightly drink specials that they're planning to implement this season.

Once we'd finished our drinks, Lynda and I headed out down the road. As simple as this sounds...you have to get the full picture of exactly what that means. There are no street lights and the road is dirt with very large pot holes...well they're not even really pot holes.....they're more like ruts that occur during the rainy season and then once the rains stop the road get hard as rock and the ruts are baked into place. There are bats flying overhead and frogs underfoot so maybe its just as well there are no lights :) Okay, now that I've freaked you all out....I saw one bat and was happy to see him as it's good to know he's eating the mosquitoes and a couple of frogs that really aren't underfoot on the road but rather hopping in the gardens or along the edge of any water. It is a bit of an adventure but not bad at all so I don't want to scare anyone away from wanting to come here for a visit. I have no problem recommending this place to anyone interested in finding a place where it feels "right" to be.

Our first stop was at the community basketball court where virtually the entire town had turned out for a fundraising party. I don't know what they were raising funds for but I understand it is very common for them to use that forum when someone in the community is in need. They have food for sale, music, dancing, and of course there were one or two cervesa's in sight.

From the community party we moved along to the store as I was looking for some bug spray - I've given up on thinking that they might not be as bad the next day but the itching is beginning to get to me. It's not the mosquitos that are really bothering me all that much...I think they're more like flea bites but unless the fleas are invisible....I haven't seen any of them. I think they're some little kind of no see 'ems that have one vicious bite!

At the store we ran into a guy who had been at the party the night before and who I had met several times....he is the guy who produces the noni liquor that I think I mentioned in an earlier blog. He owns a commercial building near the store and has just finished building himself a house behind it too. What a nice man with great english. He gave us a tour of his house that is absolutely gorgeous. It is not huge but it is so well thought out and incorporates nature into every corner. The only thing that is indoors is the bedroom and the outdoor kitchen is both functional and beautifully done. Even the tile floor is raised from the ground with it's base set back a few inches from the edge so many bugs and small creatures won't be able to get up onto the kitchen as they'd have to be able to walk upside down. He had hidden all pipes under sinks etc behind tree branches or trunks that had been strategically placed to keep everything to the theme of nature. The material used for building is all cement or stucco and it was painted a natural shade of beige to complement the wood so.....as you can see.....I liked what he had done with it a lot! In addition, we were able to learn some important information from him about the Monarch Butterflies so it looks like we may be hitting the road before too much longer.

From our tour of his home we made our way back down the street to Roberto's to grab a bite. Our "bite" turned out to be enchiladas that included shrimp - I could get really used to the food here!! We sat with Roberto and his friend Victor, who turned out to be the Mayor of Troncones. From him we learned that the official population of permanent residents here is 80 people. He said there are probably as many more who are not permanent so the total is closer to 200 but....I'm guessing for election purposes.....the best he could ever do would be to get all 80 votes. You'd think in a place so small that everyone would know everyone and everything about everyone....but it seems they don't. Go figure?!

Well....that was yesterday and here it is Sunday the 16th already. As of today, I'll have been here a week already!

There was a new sound this morning at 7 a.m. I'm not sure, but am guessing it might have something to do with the fact that there is likely church today. There was a bell clanging in what appeared to be a set rhythm so I'm guessing it is a regular thing on Sundays since I haven't heard it any other morning. It sets all the birds to singing (or squaking in the case of Chuck A Luck A the parrot down by the kitchen).

Looks like another gorgeous day in Mexico - hope this finds you all well.....gotta go see what gifts today will bring.

Hasta luego,
L