Posted by Gayle (unedited!)
One sure learns a lot about their partner while on an adventure such as this one. My shy, self deprecating, talented BF has become a PERFORMER! Who'da thunk?! (..and he's Mr. popularity, i might add.) Not only that but his talents are IN DEMAND! Just months ago it was difficult to get him just to play his guitar in front of me. Now he's on stage, numerous times, playing outstanding guitar and singing his heart out. And what a voice! I've always liked his speaking voice, smooth and soothing, but you put it to music, it's pure joy. He's having the time of his life, but it's hard work. He also plays and sings with his friend, Heather, and she's helped him build some confidence. Some people he's never met came up to him at a local restaurant, called him by name, and told him how much they enjoyed his music. Took a good 10 minutes to get him up off the floor after that one.
We have jam sessions going on a lot around here, as well as performance sessions. Some of the talent that turns up is outstanding. And I'm actually picking up my own guitars again, remembering the joy they brought me for so many years.
There was a party held nearby recently, with performers entertaining for free, which was being held to raise funds for the town. Eric was asked to perform. There were nearly 200 people there, and this is such a small town you rarely see that many people in one place together. Eric was a nervous wreck (just him and his guitar onstage all alone with everybody looking at him! Um,...yeah..) but he did a great job and I know every time he hears that applause, and all the compliments, he's getting more confident in spite of himself.
There was a young woman at the fund raiser who lives in L de M during the Winters, who came up to sing some jazz and knocked everyones socks off! She sang with other musicians who were equally outstanding, and they ended up doing a couple sets. They also had one of the local Mariachi musicians do a few numbers. I couldn't believe the caliber of musicians and talent that pops up around here. What a blast!
Then there's Karaoke! We've now formed a Sunday evening karaoke program around our campfire every week. We had about 25 people last week. Amazing how many are willing to give it a try. I think it's the mentality, what happens in Lo de Marcos stays in Lo de Marcos. Eric's first solo performance was singing an oldie but goodie karaoke in front of a group of about 60, and the women swooned. It was great. (0: So now he's coming up with songs he's sang for years, and singing them publicly!! (including a rendition of "Hello Dolly," Louis Armstrong style!) Anyone who knows Eric will understand how amazing it is that he's become willing to share this part of himself. Weather he'll be so willing when we return to Madison remains to be seen.
Besides music, we've had some great whale entertainment! After seeing them on the horizon a few times we decided to go out by boat and check them out. Unbelievable! We saw 5 or 6 different ones, and a couple came within thirty feet of us. We got a lot of pictures of the splash after they'd breach and land in the water, showing yet again the value of a camera with decent shutter speed. Jeeeez... But we had a great time, then went to a small island nearby and did some snorkeling, before heading back and sharing our whale adventures.
Boogie boarding remains our favorite activity and we never seem to be able to do it enough. Conditions always change, not just the size of the waves or clarity of the water. Sometimes it's sandy, flat and shallow for a long ways out, other times it's rocky and uneven and much deeper. Sometimes the waves come evenly, almost in a pattern, other times it's like a super rough lake and waves are everywhere, every size, and totally inconsistent. Last week we had the best of everything and spent hours on the boards. Yesterday was a bit more challenging but still a joy. It's so much fun, one of those things you have to actually do to understand. We're hoping next year to add a stand up paddle board/ kayak to the water toy collection.
Some of our fellow campers have moved on to new adventures and we've agreed to stay in touch and meet up again next year. Now new potential friends are moving in and we're getting to know them as well. You meet such a variety of people, ones you never would have occasion to know or befriend otherwise, and it's great! (But you can also be completely isolated if that's your preference.)
Our fellow travelers are good at communicating travel and camping experiences, concerns, suggestions, updates, traffic and Q & A. Caravanning is common across the border and on down the coast, and everyone watches everyone elses back, not that there's been any reason to do so. We all feel very safe, and we are treated extremely well wherever we go.
Our particular park is turning into a dog park, which we love. Doggies everywhere! At times you see them all lined up at the gate, ready to slip out to the beach the second it opens, and of course Wilsons right out in front.
We did some major grocery and supply shopping a couple days ago. We went with friends who drove to Puerta Vallarta and spent some time loading up at the market and Costco. Restocking takes hours, but we've only done it 2-3 times since we've been here. For some reason it's a heck of a lot more exciting than doing it at home, maybe cause its more of an adventure.
Our major form of transportation around here is biking. It takes just minutes to ride into town, and you never know what you're going to run into. People still ride around on horseback, and today a truck went by loaded down with 2 Shetland Ponies, a pig, and a huge possum hanging on to the side. There are usually a few homeless dogs hanging around, all well fed and usually very sweet, and you start to get to know them after awhile.
Yesterday we rode around outside of town into some of the residential areas. The streets are in desperate need of repair, and some of the homes are so small and house several family members. Then there's the occasional home that has been cleaned up and remodeled and looks like a modest standard middle class house sort of stuck in between the smaller houses. There are only a couple of really nice villas up in the hills, probably owned by wealthy Canadians who rent them out.
It's baffling how cheaply one can live in this adorable little town. Our spot in the park here (in a prime location just a few yards from the waves) is $500/month, and that includes utilities. We can buy a great dinner, with everything fresh, for $6, and that includes a beer or cocktail, and several courses. Breakfast and lunch might be $4. And it's all my favorite kind of food! Groceries in town here are about a 1/2 the cost at home. Eric got a haircut for 40 Pesos (about $3.60) and I had an amazing pedicure (a very important life necessity) for $16. Most importantly, a recent doctor visit cost me about $60 for the doctors time and 2 medications. This is why people retire here, or do what we're doing and live here during the winters.
I'll be home later this month to visit my family, friends and animals. Im going up to Oshkosh to stay with my kids for a few days. Then back to the beaches of Lo de Marcos. Am I lucky or what?
Whale breaching from beach.
Whale breaching from beach (zoomed)
Whale watching from boat. Dang camera too slow.
(or was that me?)
Gayle & Eric having great time whale watching.
Some new friends. Victor is professional singer
and says Eric is very, very good.
Sunset from our campsite
Rough water today.
A true "waterfront" restaurant
Now this is the life
Cheeseburger, fries, Huevos Rancheros, beans, coffee, coke, 2 large
waters, guacamole, chips & salsa, tortillas...all for
$120 pesos. Approx. $10 dollars
