Easy plane ride. We arrived about 3:30 to greetings from Leslie and Rudy. 15 minutes later we arrived at Las Moras. We had a couple hours to unpack and settle in.
Around 6, we drove into PV with Leslie and Rudy to attend a benefit for homeless dogs. I didn’t take any photos but it was held in the most lovely rooftop garden of the Spanish language school in town. Suddenly, we are transported from the teeming streets of Mexicans to the upscale, summer clad, beautiful people venue replete with entertainment, silent auctions, and pork and veggie tacos. Leslie said that tourism is booming again. It started to recover last year and this year is even better. That’s a good thing.
I feel myself relishing the unencumbered time, daydreaming allowed!
These first moments of arrival are precious, not unlike the first days of summer vacation when school lets out. We’ll grow tired of this. There will be challenges. But right now……ahhh.
Las Moras is a refuge. Birds chirp, dogs bark, children play and all feels safe and secure, as illusory as that phenomenon is. I’ll take it for the time being.
At some point during our stay, Leslie has arranged for us to do massage work again in a small town, Tuito, about 1 1/2 hours away in the hills. We did this a few years ago. I had to beef up my knowledge of anatomical Spanish vocabulary but it does allow me to document some massage training for my certificate that for some reason I still hold onto.
We tend to think about places to go, things to do but then the days unfold and the Spanish adage: "Que bonita a hacer nada, y despues, descansar” kicks in. How wonderful to do nothing, and rest afterwards. We’ll join the health club, walk, go to the beach, and just thank our lucky stars.
And that is enough.
Live and be well. And keep in touch.
Sunday, January 25, 2015
Keep on the sunny side, always on the sunny side
Thursday, January 22
3 miles plus a swim
We took a cab to Costco. Shopped for the basics. Took a cab back.
I was very tired. Body aches. An edge about me.
Came home. Unloaded groceries. Walked to the Mexican market. Shopped for the basics.
Then came the first of our weekly massages with Mina. She comes to Leslie and Rudy's house. 90 minutes. 5000 pesos. About 35 dollars. "Ella tiene manos de diós y una corazon grande." That's what I told her. It's true. Lovely to see her again. I was a much improved version of myself afterwards.
Swim. Swim. Swim. The pool feels lovely this year. Better than ever.
Nothing much. Getting adjusted.
Here's the email I sent to friends on Thursday morning.
So we have arrived.
I'm awake, savoring the quiet and welcoming the dawn. There's something to be said for leaving home, bye bye.
It’s 2 hours later here and oh so quiet now. Just like at home, though in a few minutes there will be bright sunshine and the sounds of wake up.
I’m awake early, drinking a cup of coffee, waiting for CC to rise and shine. Then we’ll venture out to Costco, probably walking there and taking a cab back home.
Massages at 4 and 5:30 today a la Mina at Leslie’s place. $35.00 American for 1 1/2 hours.
The trip was so easy. 4 hours non stop. Sonya drove us to the airport at 7AM and away we went. Leslie and Rudy picked us up, deposited us at our “home” where we found:
1. a new coffee pot
2. a new big screen TV (with our Apple TV, Slingbox, computers, iPad we are connected and ready to watch the Superbowl!!)
3. new fans in every room
4. a new water container with spigot
5. a box of chocolates on the bed with a card that said, “welcome home, Craig and Marilyn” from Benjamin, the owner.
6. a gift basket from Leslie and Rudy with a bottle of wine, some crackers, etc. and a belly dancing outfit.
It’s the little things.
3 miles plus a swim
We took a cab to Costco. Shopped for the basics. Took a cab back.
I was very tired. Body aches. An edge about me.
Came home. Unloaded groceries. Walked to the Mexican market. Shopped for the basics.
Then came the first of our weekly massages with Mina. She comes to Leslie and Rudy's house. 90 minutes. 5000 pesos. About 35 dollars. "Ella tiene manos de diós y una corazon grande." That's what I told her. It's true. Lovely to see her again. I was a much improved version of myself afterwards.
Swim. Swim. Swim. The pool feels lovely this year. Better than ever.
Nothing much. Getting adjusted.
Here's the email I sent to friends on Thursday morning.
So we have arrived.
I'm awake, savoring the quiet and welcoming the dawn. There's something to be said for leaving home, bye bye.
It’s 2 hours later here and oh so quiet now. Just like at home, though in a few minutes there will be bright sunshine and the sounds of wake up.
I’m awake early, drinking a cup of coffee, waiting for CC to rise and shine. Then we’ll venture out to Costco, probably walking there and taking a cab back home.
Massages at 4 and 5:30 today a la Mina at Leslie’s place. $35.00 American for 1 1/2 hours.
The trip was so easy. 4 hours non stop. Sonya drove us to the airport at 7AM and away we went. Leslie and Rudy picked us up, deposited us at our “home” where we found:
1. a new coffee pot
2. a new big screen TV (with our Apple TV, Slingbox, computers, iPad we are connected and ready to watch the Superbowl!!)
3. new fans in every room
4. a new water container with spigot
5. a box of chocolates on the bed with a card that said, “welcome home, Craig and Marilyn” from Benjamin, the owner.
6. a gift basket from Leslie and Rudy with a bottle of wine, some crackers, etc. and a belly dancing outfit.
It’s the little things.
The water's fine.
Friday, January 23rd.
7 mile walk
We awoke. Had breakfast of eggs and fresh tortillas. Trying to get an early start, we left Las Moras about 9:30 to walk. Last year we found the walking path that is just a short distance from our house. It's safe. Follows a river. We started walking, and decided our destination would be downtown Puerto Vallarta.
Instead of continuing down the big busy boulevard with all the hotels, close to the ocean, we veered off onto side streets, walking through the Mexican community with not much trace of the international resort destination of PV. Friendly people, lots of work going on, cobbled streets. Temperature rising, we found another Soriana supermarket and stopped there for some MacDonald's ice cream. I missed my chance to photo op CC with his first ice cream of the trip. Resting place inside the air conditioned mall enabled us to engage in our relationship adjustment banter that seems to accompany a change in our normal ways of being. Edgy yes, but somehow with the experience we have being together in this lifetime, we both knew that we would pop out on the other side with renewed compatibility and deepening understandings. This happened on the Camino.
6 miles later, we were in the Versailles section of PV and found the beach. I dipped my feet in; the water's warm. Warm enough.
On the way, we encountered a lovely little hole in the wall serving freshly made licuados and sandwiches. 2 chicken baguettes and 2 licuados cost us 150 pesos, about $10.00 The dollar is stronger, about 14pesos to the $$.
Address: Colombia No 1425 Col. 5 de Diciembre a un costado de la Funeraria San José.
Goal: To be able to walk 10-12 miles in a daily, perhaps consecutive days so reclaim our Camino persona.
We took the bus back to Walmart. That costs 14 pesos for both of us. We may do this more than cabbing it though we'll see. Either way, it's nice to not have to negotiate life with a car and we don't have the exorbitant expense of rental.
Afternoon: Swim and lounging, reading, napping.
Dinner at 7PM with Leslie and Rudy al fresco. Seared ahi tuna, shrimp stuffed avocados, steamed carrots and brussels sprouts, waldorf salad with apples and walnuts and Rudy's home made mayonnaise. Very very lovely.
We are using Slingbox and Apple TV to watch anything we would watch at home. Big TV is in our bedroom and we have the 19 incher that we brought from home.
Time slows down so wonderfully. Yes it does.
7 mile walk
We awoke. Had breakfast of eggs and fresh tortillas. Trying to get an early start, we left Las Moras about 9:30 to walk. Last year we found the walking path that is just a short distance from our house. It's safe. Follows a river. We started walking, and decided our destination would be downtown Puerto Vallarta.
Instead of continuing down the big busy boulevard with all the hotels, close to the ocean, we veered off onto side streets, walking through the Mexican community with not much trace of the international resort destination of PV. Friendly people, lots of work going on, cobbled streets. Temperature rising, we found another Soriana supermarket and stopped there for some MacDonald's ice cream. I missed my chance to photo op CC with his first ice cream of the trip. Resting place inside the air conditioned mall enabled us to engage in our relationship adjustment banter that seems to accompany a change in our normal ways of being. Edgy yes, but somehow with the experience we have being together in this lifetime, we both knew that we would pop out on the other side with renewed compatibility and deepening understandings. This happened on the Camino.
6 miles later, we were in the Versailles section of PV and found the beach. I dipped my feet in; the water's warm. Warm enough.
On the way, we encountered a lovely little hole in the wall serving freshly made licuados and sandwiches. 2 chicken baguettes and 2 licuados cost us 150 pesos, about $10.00 The dollar is stronger, about 14pesos to the $$.
Goal: To be able to walk 10-12 miles in a daily, perhaps consecutive days so reclaim our Camino persona.
We took the bus back to Walmart. That costs 14 pesos for both of us. We may do this more than cabbing it though we'll see. Either way, it's nice to not have to negotiate life with a car and we don't have the exorbitant expense of rental.
Afternoon: Swim and lounging, reading, napping.
Dinner at 7PM with Leslie and Rudy al fresco. Seared ahi tuna, shrimp stuffed avocados, steamed carrots and brussels sprouts, waldorf salad with apples and walnuts and Rudy's home made mayonnaise. Very very lovely.
We are using Slingbox and Apple TV to watch anything we would watch at home. Big TV is in our bedroom and we have the 19 incher that we brought from home.
Time slows down so wonderfully. Yes it does.
Who am I?
Sunday, January 25
7 mile walk plus swim
7 mile walk plus swim
I woke up around 9am, thinking it was only 7 since I never changed my pedometer. I think I've caught up on sleep.
Breakfast of banana, the best goat's milk yogurt and granola and coffee for me.
On Sundays the main boulevard closes to traffic for recreational activities.
In search of the best resort for a day pass, we headed south until we arrived at the Sheraton. Lunch here and then the bus back home for 15 pesos for both of us - for the bus; lunch was 400.
Here are the specs on day passes:
Hacienda Buenaventura
580pesos incl breakfast, lunch, drinks
Crystal
300 pp
150 comida
Nieta libre
Las palmas by the sea
450 pesos including drinks and meal
225 for nieta
Sheraton
350 cada persona
Libre por nieta
100 pesos para comer o beber
Still must check Fiesta Americana
Now off for a swim.
Some musings:
As we walked through the various hotels today, I was constantly reminded of Woody Allen's statement: "I would never want to join a club that allowed me." It was a very homogenous atmosphere and that translates to many many Caucasian people our age in various stages of the aging process. I struggled. My ego struggled. I had to accept that this is me. I can't disparage. Or judge. But it made me uncomfortable. And made me want to lose weight.
However, as always, when we spoke with individuals it felt better. Many people have been coming to PV to the same place for 20+ years and this is like a home away from home with many connections. People are living their lives. And the warmth of companionship, the sense of safety, the sun and the activities add to quality of life. It's time to let that go.
We enjoyed the Sheraton, however because it didn't feel like "senior camp". There were a variety of people, many Mexicans, younger people, children.
Meanwhile, I am thankful that we have each other and that we can walk as much as we do and relish this time of life.
As we found with the Camino, there is an adjustment period. But we know that already we are feeling that closeness that comes with a new adventure and being someplace different. And taking the time.
We Skyped with the Seattle clan tonight, Hazel brought us into her room where we read the Princess of Borscht book together as she held the book and turned the pages and we read it outloud. I loved that. They'll be joining us in 3 weeks. As we go places, especially the beach and the pool, we can't help but get excited about how much Hazel will love this!! She remembers everything from last time, even the fact that as soon as they arrived, she ran in the sprinkler in front of our house!! Oh the plasticity of young brains. Mi casa es tu casa.
It's ridiculous how one day just blends into the next. Without this blog, I would not recall what we've done each day. But then again, why does it matter?
We Skyped with the Seattle clan tonight, Hazel brought us into her room where we read the Princess of Borscht book together as she held the book and turned the pages and we read it outloud. I loved that. They'll be joining us in 3 weeks. As we go places, especially the beach and the pool, we can't help but get excited about how much Hazel will love this!! She remembers everything from last time, even the fact that as soon as they arrived, she ran in the sprinkler in front of our house!! Oh the plasticity of young brains. Mi casa es tu casa.
It's ridiculous how one day just blends into the next. Without this blog, I would not recall what we've done each day. But then again, why does it matter?
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