You know the song, “It’s my party and I’LL cry if I want to?” Put these words to that tune,'”It’s my blog and I’LL gloat if I want to, gloat if I want to, gloat if I want to, you would gloat too if it happened to you”.

Ok imagine this I have the satellite radio cranked up so I can hear it outside. I am in this venue with chair, English version of the local paper, orange juice and fresh banana bread have my laundry drying in the sun all this time the little white flakes are falling in Nanaimo!!!!….That is it gloating over.

Today is a huge holiday and celebration in Mexico..

- Feast of the Virgin of Guadalupe. The most famous and beloved icon in all Mexico, the Virgin of Guadalupe is the patron saint of the country and the "Empress of Latin America." To Mexicans, she is The Mother. You will never enter a Catholic church in Mexico without finding her portrait somewhere.

This is her story: In 1531, an indigenous man, Juan Diego, was on his way to church when the Virgin appeared to him on Tepayac Hill, near Mexico City. She instructed him to tell the bishop to build her a church on that spot. But poor Juan, being only an Indian, could not convince the bishop he was telling the truth. So the Virgin appeared to him again. At her feet, Spanish roses grew, even though it was winter. She told him to wrap them in his cloak and take them to the bishop as proof of the miracle. When he spilled the roses at the bishop's feet, the brown-skinned Virgin's image had been imprinted on the cloak—which is now in the Basilica of the Virgin of Guadalupe that stands on Tepayac Hill.

Everywhere are shines with beautiful flowers.  

 

 

 

 

I followed this parade

 

 

to a local school where a huge celebration was taking place.  These people sure know how to have a party.

Love this photo of the kids.

It was a great party hard to describe the music and the laughter and the sheer joy of everyone there.

On the walk back

I then met with the Director of the home where Paola lives and I learned so much about this home which is funded and run totally on the generosity of people who want to help and I have arranged to have a tour of the home next.  The Director Robin is another of those dedicated people with Angel wings!!

I had an interesting ride home in a cab the driver was teaching me Spanish and I actually understood most of what he was saying!

Now back home with a huge pan of fresh strawberries ready for the freezer then a few days later breakfast.

Now it is 9pm and guess what I am doing??

Was it a good day, well I think so….

Thursday 11th December..

My posts will probably now be a day behind as I have moved into my friend's home and they have Internet but I cannot seem to get hooked up to it so I will save this draft and publish it when I get on the internet. After leaving the RV park this morning I took Ramona for an oil change. Then drove to the house.

I am glad that Ramona was able to fit through the archway and now she is settled for about 6 weeks. There is a neighbourhood watch it consists of one burro. The house is very beautiful and I shall be extremely comfortable and happy here, thank you Linda and Guy!!     The big difference between here and the park where I was staying is that from there I could walk to my classes in 5 minutes now that walk is 45 minutes or 20 minutes on my bike.  So this afternoon I biked to school and sat in on the English class where Paola goes. 

It is wonderful to see Paola and her friends enjoying their classes and hearing them say some words in English.  She does look like she has a good sense of humour.

After biking home I had my first bath in 35 days!!!!!!!  Don’t take that the wrong way I love showers but I do enjoy an evening bath, so it was heaven.

Of course there is a 42inch TV (thanks Ken I don’t need yours now) and satellite TV so guess what I am watching?

Well I sound like a broken record but another lovely day….

THIS IS A VERY SAD NIGHT…..

These are my very last two pieces of Malt Loaf….If my handsome brother and my gorgeous sister in law really loved me they would bring some joy into my life with malt loaf when they arrive in January.  I will strive to struggle on here without any till then,  although I feel my withdrawal cravings will be incredible……….

Today was a working day..

Had my usual class this morning then came back and started to get Ramona ready for the move tomorrow.

I move into Linda and Guy’s lovely home tomorrow and Ramona will be parked outside the house.  The casa is in a beautiful area, very quiet on a cul de sac and close to the lake.

So got Ramona ready to move tomorrow, then I needed to time how long it takes to get from my class to their house.  So I biked out, took me 20 minutes and walked back and that took me 45 minutes, so I will have to leave earlier for my classes next week.

I spent the afternoon at the house getting last minute instructions and then came back for my English class.

The kids are so lovely and their English is very good, if only I could speak Spanish that well.

Then walked to the restaurant where I met Linda and Guy for are final meal, they leave in the morning.

Just a couple of sights on the walk to the restaurant.

 

 

 

 

 

 

So no “touristy stuff” today, now having a quiet relaxing evening and of course hitting the Spanish text books.

Hope the day was a good one where ever you are reading this and thankyou for taking an interest in my travels.

Another great day

started with the sun shining and it was quite warm at 8am this morning.  After breakfast went to my Spanish class.  I really feel that I am making some progress this is the first time after one lesson I am not attempting to conjugate verbs.  Already I have learned numbers so now know how much things cost.  Learned to ask and tell time, names of fruits and vegetables and today how to ask and understand directions.  Lilly is an excellent teacher.

After class is was off to the School for the deaf children for their Christmas Party. A little history first I know Linda will not be happy with this but I feel it very important to tell you what an incredible woman she is.  Where they had their restaurant in Puerto Penasco Linda, with help from Guy, organized a Christmas party for over 80 children at a special needs school and she did that for nearly 8 years.  It was such hard work, which for 7 years I was honoured to be a small part, but the rewards were priceless.

When they moved to SMA,  Linda found out this little school which is not funded except by private donations,  the children had never had a Christmas Party, enough said.  Linda took charge and with the kind donations of fellow Rotarians and other local residents presents were bought and wrapped, a cake was ordered and Santa was invited.

The end result was that this morning over 35 kids that cannot speak had their first Christmas Party, their first sight of a live Santa and to sit on his knee, cake and a whole lot of fun.  Linda you are an ANGEL!!

Sit back and I dare you not to be in the Holiday spirit after these photographs!!!!

Linda, Guy and Santa!!

 

 

 

 

The school director!

Every one had a wonderful time!!

 

I DID IT!!!!!!   After the party I came home and went for my run and for the first time I managed to run 5 laps!!!

Then it was studying and a little sunbathing and then back to school for my small help in the English class with my teacher Lilly and of course guess who is in this class????

My Paola!!

It was lovely to see her again and I got the big hug when I walked into class.

Well I guess my Spanish is not as good as I thought it was.  Whilst running in the park I saw a notice on a vendors cart advertising what I thought was a concert of African dance and music tonight at 7.30pm.

So after supper I found the studio where the event was to be taking place but it was not a concert but classes.  Now when it comes to dancing I have the proverbial 6 left and 4 right feet.  I kindly declined the offer and came home and listened to the live broadcast of the Canucks hockey game whilst doing some studying.

Yet another awesome day,,,

I don’t believe my blog

should be a venue for writing about religion, politics or personal feelings but in the past I have talked about how I am doing and about my family……well last night I knew I was coming down with a “blue period” and woke up this morning feeling quite sad and lonely.

Went to my class this morning and it was not a good class another person had joined and the teacher for him had not shown up and he joined with me but he was more advanced that I was and the lesson today was not good for me at all.  After class, Lilly, my Teacher asked to speak to me and she told me she was so sorry that it had happened that way and told me it would not happen again and offered to give me another lesson at no cost but I thanked her for understanding and talking to me about it and told her there was no problem at all, so tomorrow it will be back to our regular one on one.

I was still quite blue so decided to go for a very long walk do some thinking and away I went.

I realize I have a million things to be thankful for and I did sort out my feelings and happy to report that I am back to “NORMAL” what ever that might be.

Found this wonderful bakery tucked away in a small side street.

Yes I bought a few items, not telling you what though.

Did a little sunbathing this afternoon then went to my English class, here are a few of my kids. Isn’t he so handsome?

Linda and Guy invited me for dinner tonight so when I arrived there Linda and I went to another local bakery where Linda had ordered the big cake for the party at the Deaf School tomorrow, this is the bakery. and the beautiful plaza across the street

and a charming house.

 

 

 

 

 

So ends another great day I have been on the road now over 33 days and I have had a wonderful adventure so far.

Big party tomorrow morning for the children at the school for the deaf, looking forward to that.

Pura Vida…