Monday 11th February 2019...home again!!

Well hello again after the beach trip..the Internet was very slow so here I am going to try to fill you in on the trip which was relaxing and wonderful...

It was a good drive down here it took seven hours which included three stops for the dogs.....after getting past the big industrial city of Ceylia the views change to lovely mountains and great Lakes!!!

We found the Airbnb easily enough and our room is on the first floor with a small kitchen and it is very nice.

...a view to the back is pretty

And we are only a short one block walk away to the beach..which is where we headed for the dogs to get their first glimpse.....

We walked along this bay and to be by the ocean again was special for me!!

The village is very laid back with very few tourists and no traffic almost like  going back  thirty years in time....

All the restaurants are dog friendly and we went out for dinner which was just OK!!

Friday morning I had the dogs on the beach for their morning walk by 7.30am and already it was getting warm....

Gracie made a nice breakfast and around 11 am we drove down to a lovely beach where we stayed for a couple of hours, reading, swimming and walking the dogs!!!

Explored the village checking out different places and then at 5pm we went here..

To participate in the turtle release program..whilst waiting there was entertainment!!!

Gracie getting the babies ready..

And then the walk to the ocean..

Happy to report both of Gracie’s made it safely and swam away...

We then went to the number one rated restaurant in the village and had a really lovely inexpensive meal!!

Although it is hot the room is cooled by two big fans or the ocean breezes out on the patio!!

A lovely day!!

Saturday morning I was picked up at the hostel by the company where I had booked to go on a kayak trip to the local lagoon...

Great fun for me to be back in a kayak and some amazing birds!!!

Then it was time to meet a local legend, the iguana whisperer....we got off the kayaks and he took us up to his camp and got a big bucket of cut up papaya and started banging the bucket and calling out and soon enough they came ....

Never quite seen anything like this before and of course I just had to try...

The lagoon was very peaceful only another couple and the guide Omar was extremely knowledgeable..a good outing!!

Gracie had stayed behind and she took the dogs to the beach....

We relaxed in the afternoon and then I took the dogs on a long beach walk before we went out to dinner.....the restaurants are not busy and we dined right by the ocean a good cheap fish dinner!!

So now Sunday our last day...and a great one.

I asked Gracie if she wanted to see another little part of Mexico and we drove about thirty minutes to the big city of Zihuatanejo..we found the beach where I had stayed in Ramona many years ago called Playa de Ropa...we started to walk on the beach but we both realized it was not our scene..too many tourists and we were stopped saying no dogs allowed.......it was a pretty bay though.

We then went a little further south another twenty minutes to the little magical beach town of BARRA de Potosi!!!

We loved this place..the lagoon comes right down into the ocean and you can float from the lagoon into the ocean....wonderful.

The dogs both had there first swim...Einstein could not wait to get out!!!

We took a really long beach walk..this was the hottest day and the ocean was cool to the feel!!

Then had a snack at one of the ocean side restaurants before coming back home.

If was not enough Einstein and I did our long beach walk again in the afternoon before we relaxed and then back to the favourite restaurant we went to the other night and another perfect meal.

The only sad thing about the whole trip is that I lost so badly at cards yet again and now owe Gracie three dinners...law of averages say I should win once in a while but I guess Albert Einstein was indeed wrong!!

Monday and time to head home....all packed up and another good drive home just under seven hours....

Well it was a great time and the main reason was that Gracie could have her dogs at the beach and the place we stayed was so perfect for that....

Now back to our lives in beautiful SMA!!!!

Yashi Kochi!!!

Saturday 9th February 2019...quick update!!!

Beautiful sunset last night after the turtle release

This morning I went on a kayak trip into the lagoon...

Met the iguana whisperer..

more photos and write up when I get home...

Yashi Kochi!!

Friday 8th February 2019..arrived safely

Everything is great.. a good drive through the mountains and lakes and the beach is wonderful as is the accommodations..went for a beach walk and the dogs loved there first step on the sand and in the ocean...Internet very iffy.....all is well

Yashi Kochi!!!

Wednesday 6th February 2019....beach baby beach!!!

Spent the morning getting ready for the beach trip..we leave tomorrow and come back Monday evening.....this is the route..

...I have done this drive years ago in Ramona and I am sure there are by now new by passes around the big city of Morelia!!

Gracie is excited especially as we managed to get an Airbnb that allows dogs

..her dogs have never been to the ocean!!

This afternoon was poker afternoon and the pesos just keep rolling in.....another win....this time  95 Pesos!!

Straight from there to the gym and my session with Aaron...it was a good workout I am feeling almost like I am back after the two weeks of not feeling great....

Then it was back home a quick change and off to school for my English class...

4   Students attended and we played word games most of the time which they enjoyed!!

I think there is Internet at the beach so I should be able to post but if not....Tuesday stop by and catch up an the beach trip!!

Local TROCONNES beach

And finallybthe forecast for the weekend...

Yashi Kochi!!!

Tuesday 5th February 2019...Happy New Year!!

I have tried to find a way to say “great two hours of tennis this morning under blue and sunny warm skies” without sounding like a broken record but it is just the truth...it seems right now every day is the same warm and so pleasant!!

After tennis went to meet a person who is house sitting here in town...I have not met Georgia before but she has helped me on line with routes through Mexico many times...when she let me know she was in town I wanted to meet her in person.....

So I went to the house where she is house sitting, which belongs to another friend of mine....it was lovely to meet her..we had a good conversation and she has given me some tips for my road trip at the end of the month!!

From there I went to Gracie’s CASA and we got ready to go out to a friends house where there was going to be a huge Chinese New Year Party!!

More than a billion people around the world have begun celebrating the Lunar New Year and the start of the Year of the Pig.

In China that means millions of people have travelled to their hometowns, in the largest annual human migration.

Also known as the Spring Festival, the Lunar New Year is celebrated by countries across Asia.

Fireworks, special clothes, red lanterns and lots of food will mark the occasion.

The pig, one of the 12 signs of the Chinese zodiac, is believed to be a symbol of optimism, enthusiasm and hard work.

Part of the instructions apart from bringing some food was that fancy dress must be worn.....you don’t have to tell me twice!!!!

Gracie in the pea nut eating contest...

Sorry both these photos are not the greatest!!

It was a fun party lots of great food, laughs and games..

Yashi Kochi!!!

Monday 4 th February 2019...... a National holiday!!!

Today is a holiday in Mexico!!

Constitution Day: February 5

Constitution day is observed as a public national holiday in Mexico.

The 5th of February marks the celebration day in honor of Mexico’s Constitution which was drafted during the Mexican Revolution on 1917 by Santiago Queretaro. The constitution is officially known as the Political Constitution of the United Mexican States or the Fundamental Law of Magna Carta.

History of Mexico’s constitution

From the time it achieved liberty from Spain in 1810, Mexico was able to outline quite a number of constitutions. However during this early stage of regaining its independence, the country has suffered from a lot of economic instability and downfall. Unemployment was very rampant, affecting almost 50% of the country’s male population. It’s during these stages in Mexico’s history that the people went through racial chaos and disorder that economic progress was just so impossible. With Mexico’s determination to rise back and to get on the right economic track, the country never stopped in reshaping and re-drafting the constitution.

On 1824, the first ever Mexican Constitution promoting absolute sovereignty was passed. It was a regime based on the United States’ government, which was for the people and elected by the people.

The Constitution of 1957 was proclaimed as they battle against the attack of the French nationals and Emperor Maximiliano de Hasburgo to prevent foreigners from ruling the land.

The Constitution of Mexico was organized into 4 territories and 19 states up to the present day. One of its significant bills was the authorization and rights given to citizens to participate in Catholicism which is the country’s official religion. The rights of the press and media and the freedom of speech were also given much attention on their constitution.

On 1916, a project to reform the constitution of 1857 was presented into congress by the first leader of the constitutional army and in charge of the administrative branch, Venustiano Carranza. After a number of changes and reforms, it was on February 5th 1917 that the official Magna Carta was finally presented, thus the Constitution Day.

Constitution Day Traditions, Customs and Activities

Every year, the Mexicans look back and reminisce on their historical journey that made them one whole nation today. This is a time for Mexico to hold its head up high and be proud that it is unique and indivisible. As a public holiday, the people celebrate with parade and special gatherings all over the nation.

The Centro district is very busy with tourists and the traffic is crazy even on the scooter and today I had the car!!!

At 11 am this morning I had arranged to meet Paola and take her to the dentist...I used to take her here all the time.....she was waiting for me with her younger Brother Andreas, I know him from a few years ago he used to come to the pools with us.....he is a good kid 13 years old but sadly he too has dropped out of school....he is working on the local buses collecting fares and calling out the stops.....I wish they were both in school but I am sure the family needs the income!!

The dentist cleaned her teeth and she does have one molar that may need to be removed if it grows inwardly any more.....Paola will keep an eye on it and let me know......the dentist gave me a prescription for some pain pills in case she needs them.

I then asked her where she wanted me to drop them off and she said at home....so I drove out into one of the campos and dropped her and Andreas off....

It was hard to see where she lived it can only be described as a shack and I am sure they have no running water and not sure about power......part of me wishes she was still in CASA Hogar as at least there she was safe...had good nutrition.....access to showers, computers..English lessons and a small community...but I also understand her wanting to be with her family!!!

At 4.30pm I went to the gym for my regular session with Aaron and because of the holiday there is no English class..so I have the night off!!!!

Yashi Kochi!!

Sunday 3rd February 2019...a little trip down memory lane!!!

My blog same date five years ago!!!!

Well a change today going to outline my travel plans for this summer…some of the dates are tentative but others are firmly booked with flights and accommodations!!!!

Leave here 1st Aril and am taking my car and driving to palm Springs where I am hoping that my young friend Ashley will be playing in the Easter Bowl tennis tournament if she is this will be the third year in a row I have supported her there…. according to her Mum although Ashley is only 14 years they are trying to get her entered in the under 16 age group and will not know till March if she is in or not but hopefully she will be and I shall there the time she is in the tournament.

 

From there I shall drive up to Nanaimo where I shall stay with my lovely family on the Bank….Heather and Kirby and their three boys and I shall stay till 6th May.

 

I then drive down to Seattle where I get on a flight to Iceland where I am staying for 7 days!!!

 

Iceland is on my bucket list and although it is a very expensive  island I have managed to get a privte car rental at a great rate and also a wonderful small apartment in a house with a family for 30 dollars a night.

The number of waterfalls in Iceland is supposed to be staggering so stay tuned on this one!

So after Iceland I fly to London on 14th May and stay with my family in Hull.

 

On 19th May my Brother Malc and my lovely SIL Janet will leave in their car towing the caravan and we will spend 2 weeks travelling through France.

On the 4th June they will drop me off in a town called Brive

and I will then take a train to Irun in Spain!!

 

On the 5th June I begin my pilgrimage from Irun to Santiago following the northern coast of Spain a total of 550 miles!!!!

 

I have no idea how long the walk will take me so I have booked a flight from Santiago back to London on 17th July.

I will then stay at my brother’s till I leave England and fly back to Seattle on 28th July..where I will get in my car and start the long drive back to SMA.

So there you have it most of the planning is in the process and it will be a journey of a lifetime…watch this space in future weeks for updates!!!

Yashi Kochi!!!

Saturday 2nd February 2019.....garden day!!!

Wow what a warm and sunny morning, sorry to you in the north east!!!!

Great for two hours of fun tennis

..I feel better each day and hopefully I am on the mend......just relaxed the rest of the day.

Then decided it was time for a haircut...I go about two blocks away where a very lovely young lady cuts hair in the front room of her house.

...it is a fun place her children play in the other room and they laugh all the time.

So for a great haircut and shave.....40 pesos...just incredible price even with a nice tip!!,

Yesterday was the start of Candelaria....

February 2nd may be Groundhog Day in the United States, but in Mexico, there is a completely different celebration on this date. This is the religious holiday known as Día de la Candelaria (or Candlemas in English). Throughout Mexico on this date, people dress up figures of the Christ Child in special outfits and take them to the church to be blessed, and they also get together with family and friends to eat tamales, as a continuation to the festivities of Three Kings' Day on January 6. This is mainly a religious and family celebration, but in some places, such as Tlacotalpan, in the state of Veracruz, it is a major fiesta with bullfights and parades.

Presentation of Christ at the Temple

February 2nd falls exactly forty days after Christmas and is celebrated by the Catholic church as the feast of the Purification of the Virgin or alternatively, as the Presentation of the Lord at the Temple. The origin of this religious feast day comes from ancient Jewish custom. According to Jewish law, a woman was considered unclean for 40 days after giving birth, and it was customary to bring a baby to the temple after that period of time had passed. so the idea is that Mary and Joseph would have taken Jesus to the temple to be blessed on February second, forty days after his birth on December 25.

Candlemas and Groundhog Day

This date is special for another reason as well. It marks the mid-way point between the winter solstice and the spring equinox, which aligns with the pagan holiday of Imbolc. Since ancient times, this date was thought to be a marker or predictor of the weather to come, which is why it is also celebrated as Groundhog Day in the United States. 

In many places, this is traditionally seen as the best time to prepare the earth for spring planting.

Día de la Candelaria

In Mexico, this holiday is celebrated as Día de la Candelaria. It is known as Candlemas in English, because from around the 11th Century in Europe there was a tradition of bringing candles to the church to be blessed as part of the celebration. This tradition was based on the biblical passage of Luke 2:22-39 that says that when Mary and Joseph took Jesus to the temple, a particularly devout man named Simeon embraced the child and prayed the Canticle of Simeon: "Now thou dost dismiss thy servant, O Lord, according to thy word in peace; Because my eyes have seen thy salvation, Which thou hast prepared before the face of all peoples: A light to the revelation of the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel." The reference to the light inspired the celebration of the blessing of the candles.

As mentioned above a great time for planting so one of the beautiful parks here in the Centro transforms into a huge garden market with hundreds of vendors here for nine days selling amazing plants, flowers and pots!!!

So I went down and just had a look around..so many beautiful plants and flowers and decorations!!!

Hope you had a good Saturday!!

Yashi Kochi!!!

Friday 1st February 2019....rabbits..rabbits...rabbits!!!

So why do I say it.....

According to a reliable source (ahem, Wikipedia), the magical phrase originates in Britain and North America, and its variants include “rabbit rabbit,” “rabbit, rabbit, rabbit,” “rabbits” or “white rabbits” and must be uttered upon waking on the first day of the month in order to ensure good luck for the rest of the month.

While the exact origin of the superstition is unknown, the oldest record of it dates back to children, according to a 1909 edition of the quarterly scholarly journal Notes and Queries and notated in A Dictionary of English Folklore:

“My two daughters are in the habit of saying ‘Rabbits!’ on the first day of each month. The word must be spoken aloud, and be the first word said in the month. It brings luck for that month. Other children, I find, use the same formula.”

Apparently the girls thought saying this phrase would result in the delivery of a gift before the month’s end, although the word “rabbit” at the time was also commonly used in conjunction with curse words and may be part of the ancient custom of swearing to ward off evil. Yet another belief is that speaking the words is a link to seasonal fertility.

Two books of the twentieth century, Robert Wilson Lynd’s Solomon in All His Glory (1922), and Trixie Belden’s The Mystery of the Emeralds (1962), mention the phrase. More recently, Nickelodeon helped popularize the phrase in the 1990s as part of its “Nick Days” campaign. The kids’ cable channel celebrated “Rabbit Rabbit Day” as a holiday on the last day of each month, reminding viewers to say it the next day.

Perhaps most importantly, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt is said to have believed in the power of the superstition. Supposedly, a news article from 1935 notes, “Even Mr. Roosevelt, the President of the United States, has confessed to a friend that he says ‘Rabbits’ on the first of every month — and, what is more, he would not think of omitting the utterance on any account.”

Have a great first day of the month!!!

Yashi Kochi!!