#1 Getting There, Walmart, Beach and The Family Party

As we prepared to leave home on Tuesday, January 4th, it became a little tense as Ray started producing things to go into the cases that had been in the car for over 24 hours and being packed in the bedroom for the last 5 weeks. There was a hat, belt and a couple of books. Nothing else arrived after I suggested anything could come as long as he could fit it into his pockets.

Rodney arrived promptly at 7:30 a.m. to drive us to the info centre which is 10 minutes away. As most of you know, I am not a last minute person!!! The airport taxi was to arrive at 8:05. Suddenly Yvonne arrived to see us off and it was such a thrill to have someone there giving hugs and reassurances. At 8:15 I start checking with Rodney to see if he was comfortable driving in the city as I needed a plan B. Finally at 8:20 the taxi arrived and we were off to Four Points Sheridan right across from the airport for the night. 

Arriving at the airport early, no surprise there, we were directed to C31. Wow!!! That was a long way away. Luckily there was a really nice restaurant near the gate and we enjoyed a relaxing breakfast until it was announced that we were now leaving from gave B3. Did you know Pearson has a basement? Well, you do now. We were everywhere. Must have taken us days before we finally arrived at B3.

For the first time we couldn't get priority seating as I booked later than normal. WELL!!!! When the guy in front of me put his seat back, his head was in my lap. I stroked his bald head and whispered in his ear, "Looks like this is turning into an intimate situation...." Never again. Never. Never. Never. I'll walk first..... That might be a slight exaggeration..

Arriving in Puerto Vallarta, I can't see Sandra. She suddenly comes rushing through the outside door beside me and "Hey Lady!" got her attention after lots of hugs we were on our way.

Sandra is the manager of the San Blas Social Club and we needed to stop for watermelons and especially pineapples as her pina coladas are made from fresh pineapples. Doesn't that make you just want to come to San Blas for that?

Once out of the city, the country side opened up with these fantastic views of crops of watermelon, beans, papayas, bananas and lots of others that we enjoy in Canada. This is all to a back drop of mountains. We were up and down the Sierra Madre Mountains and through jungle like hollows. It is really a lovely trip.

It was getting on dark and we had been talking about where we could eat before we got to San Blas when we turned a corner and there was the jewel Casa Manana. One of my absolutely favourite places to eat. Ray and I had shrimp and octopus in a cream sauce over spaghetti and it was so delicious. What a wonderful start to our three month stay. It couldn't be better!!!

We usually come here for a couple of nights now and again for a change and stay in one of the bottom rooms with a little balcony and the sound of waves every morning when we wake up. 

Oh Yvonne, you were here in spirit. I told Sandra all about you in the tide pools until we had to drag you off of the beach as it was getting dark!!!

There have been so many changes in San Blas since we were here three years ago. The square has been totally revamped and I'm not sure I like it. When you can't find a huge Christmas tree, you simply build one!!!

This is the new square centre with all of this metal latice work. I loved the old one with lots of iron and concrete. This is where the nativity was for 2022 and there were no elephants this year!!!

I've never been so close to the baby Jesus in the manger. Note....they aren't white. Perfect. They got it right.

And the first King is black. Loving it!!!

Such an exciting day on Thursday. I got to go on the new hwy to Tepic. It is a toll road. I needed a fridge for our room so Martha was willing to buy the fridge and I payed for the taxi. I really wasn't expecting it to be $100 but it was. Lovely fridge. Does just what it is supposed to!!!

We went to Walmart. I almost lied and told you we went to some other store but that is the truth. I don't go to Walmart in Canada but I have been to one here. I buy somethings I couldn't find in San Blas and we head out to the car. I had bought myself a bottle of water as I was parched and as I got into the taxi I couldn't get me in, my purse, my water and my purchases so I gave the water to the taxi driver. He said, "Gracias." Walked around the cab, sat down and proceeded to drink my bottle of water. I was sitting beside him biting the inside of my mouth so I wouldn't burst out laughing. Martha was squished into the back seat with the fridge in about a foot of space. I suddenly realized it probably was a good idea for Ray to stay at home!!!

Now to the picture above. The new highway is two lanes soooooo to pass, on a hill like here or going around a curve, the guy in front of you pulls over and you go ahead hoping, believing, having faith that the guy coming towards you will also pull over his white line and avoid the head on collision that you are anticipating. 

Yes, Yvonne, the first time it happened I started yelling, "NO!! NO!!! NO!!!" but as you well know from the taxi through the river that time, they just don't listen!!!

Yes. I know. Terrible picture. My camera is just like me. Doesn't like to go out at night. We went across the street from Martha's to the sushi/pizza place to eat our second night here. We are sitting there watching San Blas go by when Juan appears on a motorcycle with his lovely wife. I taught him English in the past. He is no longer working at Martha's on her pool and now has his own business. "Did you see on Facebook that we were back?" "No, I just heard it around town." Really.....hard to believe. Really small town....

The service is very slow so you don't go when you are hungry. You go before. There was a sign on the wall for Corona so I said I'd like one. ''We don't serve Corona. Just Pacifico.'' Gotta smile at that one!!! Welcome to Mexico.

The sushi involved salmon and had been cooked. Strange. Welcome to Mexico. The pizza was great as always.

It is incredible to go shopping and have the vendors come around their counters to hug us and welcome us back. It has been three years and they still remember us. Just gives me that warm and fuzzy and juicy eyes. 

Saturday was the big day. Two babies to be christened who had traveled from Kentucky for the occasion and one older child to take his confirmation. Ray came upstairs and said I had better get down as there was lots going on.

There was a make up person.

 

There was a hair stylist.

And sitting on the sides watching the goings on for now is the precious grandmother, aunty and the two women who help Martha. Quite the preparation!!!

This year our room is on the front of the hotel. The road side. There are lots of interesting things happening all day like this guy selling his cans to the can collector and getting paid.

Back to the big event. There was food. Delicious food. Of course.....This is Mexico.

This woman was making tortillas by hand. Cooking them to the left. Pressing them in the middle of the picture.

Flowers on every table and now....one on mine here at home.....

Baby Momma and her Momma

Meanwhile, while everyone is dancing and taking pictures...this little guy found something much better to get into.

Now here is an interesting custom. The guests started yelling something that sounded something like, "Bogo, bogo, bogo." I do not believe that is correct. Carlos, the godfather and owner of this party place that I'd love to make into a home starts throwing handfuls of money at the people and they are all down on their knees scrambling to get paid.

After awhile it gets even more interesting as this other guy pulls out a money gun, I kid you not and starts shooting bills over the crowd. I thought it best to step back, way back and take in the local scene from a distance.....a safe distance.....

Precious Guadaloupe who lives here with Martha right now and we have breakfast with.

The last few days have been really hard. First I answered one of my id questions wrong on my online banking. That was Friday. Finally talked to an RBC angel this morning and got access to my money again. Then went to town and couldn't get any money out of any bank. It is right after a holiday weekend. Hope that is the reason. Anyway, the credit cards still work so we won't starve.

If you enjoyed this read, please pass it on to others. I'll be back here next Monday reporting on this coming weeks happenings. I start teaching English tonight. Busy, busy...God/Goddess bless!!!