tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-239818682024-03-13T14:15:44.906-06:00Jerry and Karen move to MexicoWe are Jerry and Karen Knapp, a couple from Portland, Oregon, and we have chosen Mexico as our retirement home. In early 2006, we both retired, sold almost everything we owned and moved to Mexico. We have settled in a lovely seaside puebla about 12 miles north of Puerto Vallarta. Because so many others are interested in making similar life changes, we've chronicled our adventures, from the hectic days of preparation to the serene days of retirement in Mexico.Karen and Jerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10199515288188613417noreply@blogger.comBlogger78125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23981868.post-41730325470872778322011-01-16T20:27:00.007-06:002011-01-16T21:28:32.136-06:00Milo the Magnificent<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/TTOr98Ynb4I/AAAAAAAAAiM/c_fhlEyXbTI/s1600/003%2B%25282%2529.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/TTOr98Ynb4I/AAAAAAAAAiM/c_fhlEyXbTI/s400/003%2B%25282%2529.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562979045402439554" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Milo's first picture</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/TTOr9ZTWB9I/AAAAAAAAAiE/eQfpoBt3jik/s1600/009%2B%25282%2529.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/TTOr9ZTWB9I/AAAAAAAAAiE/eQfpoBt3jik/s400/009%2B%25282%2529.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562979035985086418" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">He loved to sit on our heads when he was little.</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/TTOr9PkQ9fI/AAAAAAAAAh8/_UO4uyevvRA/s1600/018.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/TTOr9PkQ9fI/AAAAAAAAAh8/_UO4uyevvRA/s400/018.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562979033371702770" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Giving his papi a kiss</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/TTOr85wIeXI/AAAAAAAAAh0/ZyR6XIvnn_c/s1600/DSCF0909.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/TTOr85wIeXI/AAAAAAAAAh0/ZyR6XIvnn_c/s400/DSCF0909.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562979027515898226" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">He STILL loves to sit on our heads! He grooms and grooms our heads, leading us to wonder if there is a market for "opposum mousse."</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/TTOr8ko6SYI/AAAAAAAAAhs/rmKtTdgkO2w/s1600/DSCF1004.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 307px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/TTOr8ko6SYI/AAAAAAAAAhs/rmKtTdgkO2w/s400/DSCF1004.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562979021848463746" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Sitting with Dad in the bedroom tonight, </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">helping him read the news on his computer</span><br /><br /><br /></div>About six months ago, a new little critter made an appearance in our lives. He has been a constant and delightful presence, who has moved from a tiny cardboard box to an elaborate enclosure that is 10 feet long, three feet high and two feet wide. But mostly, he inhabits a really big special place in our hearts.<br /><br />Little Milo showed up courtesy of our most precious cat Millie, who, despite her diminutive size, is an expert mouser. When I saw him on the floor just inside our front door, I thought he was another mouse "gift" and prepared to take him by the tail and dispose of him (these mouse gifts are always deceased.) But he moved. And when I took a closer look, I realized he didn't look like a mouse. "Jerry!" I called. "We have a opossum!"<br /><br />How to save this tiny opossum? We started by giving him a cc of evaporated milk through a hypodermic syringe. He graduated to 5 ccs at a time. I scoured the internet for recipes for "opossum formula" and actually found loads of information - there are lots of eccentric people like us out there, who love opossums. We were continually amazed that Milo was surviving, and I especially credit a kind man named Stephen Lyn Bales, a naturalist from Knoxville, Tennessee, who gave us much good advice on feeding him.<br /><br />Soon, he was growing and gaining weight...the first time we weighed him, he topped the scales at about 25 grams. He now weighs about two kilos.<br /><br />We've learned alot of interesting things about opossums since Milo arrived. Most of all, we learned that opossums are sweet, gentle, affectionate creatures. That hissing thing they do? Purely defensive. If they get really cornered, they never attack - they just fall over "dead", which Milo has done a few times when he's scared. Very impressive.<br /><br />He is an omnivore (eats everything) , and likes dry cat food as his staple diet. He also eats fruits and vegetables, but his favorite treat is a freshly caught beetle - too bad that there are not many of them this time of year (too chilly). Neither the dogs or the cats scare him, which is why we can never release him. He'd rather have a snuggle than a banana. He is learning to go for walks with a halter and leash (and yes, our Mexican neighbors think we are "loco", but they have known that for years.)<br /><br />We feel special, having Milo as our pet...opossums only live about three years (even in captivity), so we will just enjoy each day with Milo the Magnificent.Karen and Jerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10199515288188613417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23981868.post-35615801810453487262010-06-26T10:33:00.009-06:002010-07-09T21:19:19.559-06:00Tending to a friendship<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/TCYt8vAs--I/AAAAAAAAAf4/BlC90UL0h1Y/s1600/john+and+lisa.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/TCYt8vAs--I/AAAAAAAAAf4/BlC90UL0h1Y/s400/john+and+lisa.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487123717432343522" border="0" /></a>Those of us who migrate to Mexico in search of warmth and comfort share the characteristics of all immigrants who go to a new place to seek a good life. First generation immigrants seldom completely assimilate into their new culture; instead, they tend to obtain their support from others who are in similar circumstances. Accordingly, the expatriate community in our town may be small, but we form friendships quickly and socialize often. Isolated from our north of the border families, we tend to develop close family-like affiliations with our friends here.<br /><br />When we met our friends John and Lisa Ozzello a few years ago, we knew that we had found a couple with whom we shared common beliefs, values and experiences. John and Lisa came here from Santa Fe, New Mexico to establish a home health agency and a hospice service. Lisa was a nurse and John, like Jerry, was a bit of an eccentric - he had made his living painting houses, advocating for the disabled and managing a number of nonprofit agencies.<br /><br />During the month of May this year, many of our friends (and us) came down with unusual upper respiratory infections that were difficult to shake. Not only did we have sore throats and stuffy noses, we all felt tired and achy and miserable for about three weeks. But we all recovered. Except John.<br /><br />We saw John on May 17, when he stopped by our house to return a flash drive with some movies on it that I had downloaded for them. He stood back from the gate and told us not to come too close - he was really sick and didn't want to spread it.<br /><br />The next morning, John had a terrible headache, which progressed rapidly to uncontrollable vomiting and collapse into unconsciousness. On the advice of our local doctor, Lisa rushed him to Amerimed Hospital in Vallarta, about a half hour's drive. The doctors there first suspected a stroke, but a CAT scan ruled that out.<br /><br />Within a few hours, the doctors confirmed that John had bacterial meningitis, a severe and often fatal infection of the tissues that surround the brain and spinal cord. Apparently, the infection in his sinuses found a breach between the sinus cavity and the brain, reaching through the thin membranes and spreading into his spinal fluid. This was likely a result of an injury he suffered while climbing mountains in the Himalayas back in the 1970s.<br /><br />The doctors gave him a 50-50 chance of living through the next 48 hours. He made it through that critical window, and in the weeks that followed, he survived several other crises as the acute phase of the illness passed and one complication after another occurred, including additional drug-resistant infections, an inability to breathe that required a tracheotomy and leakage of cerebrospinal fluid from his sinuses, allowing his cranial cavity to fill with air.<br /><br />I started out sending regular email updates to John and Lisas' friends and family members. When the number of addresses exceeded 100, I started a website on caringbridge.com to keep everyone informed and allow them to leave messages for John and Lisa. A detailed account of everything that has happened to John is posted in the "journal" section. You can find John's website here: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/johnozzello<br /><br />For the last several weeks, our lives have basically revolved around trying to provide support for Lisa - cooking meals, providing transport to the hospital and giving her support and comfort. Justine has been a really special help - sitting many, many nights with John in the hospital.<br /><br />After 39 days in the hospital, most of it in intensive care, and several emergency surgeries, Lisa brought John home, where he could continue his journey in peace and greater comfort. On July 7, John ended his journey.<br /><br />Tonight, July 9, we gathered to pay tribute to John and to celebrate his remarkable life. As I looked about at the people gathered there, I realized how fortunate we are to have landed here, among so many kind and giving people. I realize that we are, indeed, a community. And we are at home.Karen and Jerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10199515288188613417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23981868.post-48455314839558112442010-04-22T08:10:00.006-06:002010-04-22T08:35:01.566-06:00The Unexpected Rewards of Blogging..new friends and riches from Chicago!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/S9BaAHdQnSI/AAAAAAAAAfw/SZXCb7q7X2A/s1600/DSCF9584.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/S9BaAHdQnSI/AAAAAAAAAfw/SZXCb7q7X2A/s400/DSCF9584.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462965306048683298" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/S9BZ_2VoYII/AAAAAAAAAfo/l--tnBxYBsY/s1600/DSCF9586.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/S9BZ_2VoYII/AAAAAAAAAfo/l--tnBxYBsY/s400/DSCF9586.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462965301453283458" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/S9BZ_TNC1zI/AAAAAAAAAfg/8XJfXeBmrl0/s1600/DSCF9582.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/S9BZ_TNC1zI/AAAAAAAAAfg/8XJfXeBmrl0/s400/DSCF9582.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462965292022028082" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Grateful kitties playing with their new toys</span><br /><br /></div>I guess that "serendipity" is the best word used to describe a thoroughly lovely, humbling and unexpected experience. That is what happened to us last night - when we actually had the chance to meet some wonderful people whom we met through this blog.<br /><br />Some months ago, I heard from a delightful Chicago woman named Annie. She had been reading our blog, and had some kind words to say. A bit later, she sent an email saying that she was on her way to Bucerias in April, and would we like her to bring us anything from the states. I made a request for baking parchment paper - I use it for baking cookies and bread, and was down to only a bit of a scrap. If it is available here, I have never been able to find it.<br /><br />Last night, we met Annie and her friends Kristine, Julie and Jeffrey at one of our very best local restaurants, Roga's, which sits on a hill and has a panoramic view of the entire bay. Just a lovely setting. We intended to enjoy a drink with them, but ended up staying for dinner, as we chatted enthusiastically with our new friends.<br /><br />Julie handed us a gift bag filled with GIRL SCOUT COOKIES and <span style="font-style: italic;">toys</span> for the kitties! Annie handed us a huge bag filled with gifts - FOUR boxes of parchment paper, T shirts from Chicago, wonderful toys for the dogs, and (drum roll please) a generous length of <span style="font-style: italic;">smoked Polish sausage</span>! Oh my gosh, Jerry has been longing for Polish sausage, and it is simply not to be found in Mexico. How did she know???<br /><br />To top it off, Annie insisted on paying for our dinner, and we ended the night with a shot of smooth and warming tequila courtesy of Roga, the restaurant owner, who also happens to be our neighbor!<br /><br />Thank you so much Annie, Julie, Kristine and Jeffrey. We had a thoroughly enjoyable evening, and your generosity is overwhelming. Who would have thought, when we began this electronic journal, that we would be rewarded with such rich new friendships?Karen and Jerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10199515288188613417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23981868.post-77251979290406274622010-03-11T21:08:00.011-06:002010-03-11T23:00:05.704-06:00The place where everything blooms - Visiting Michoacan Part 4<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/S5m1CuWaeaI/AAAAAAAAAdw/XGLAMw2BNko/s1600-h/DSCF9343.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/S5m1CuWaeaI/AAAAAAAAAdw/XGLAMw2BNko/s400/DSCF9343.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447584282687732130" border="0" /></a>The picture above shows the highway between Patzcuaro and the beautiful colonial city of Uruapan (ooh-roo-AH-pahn), a distance of about 52 kilometers. In Purepecha language, Uruapan means "where the hearts of plants bloom like the flowers and enjoy a perpetual spring." With a population of about 250,000 people, the town’s environs are lush, subtropical, and as its name suggests, wonderfully fertile. Predictably, it owes its wealth to agriculture, especially the production of avocados, for which Uruapan is proudly known as the ‘World Capital of the Avocado’. They are also renowned for production of macadamia nuts. But if you ask any Mexican about Uruapan, they will first tell you about the remarkable Cupatitzio Gorge National Park, a treasure that encompasses more than 1300 acres, right in the city of Uruapan. It is the only city in Mexico with a national park in its boundaries.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/S5m1DPoYfjI/AAAAAAAAAd4/yhgqGcoQkJ4/s1600-h/DSCF9357.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/S5m1DPoYfjI/AAAAAAAAAd4/yhgqGcoQkJ4/s400/DSCF9357.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447584291621469746" border="0" /></a>The view from our hotel balcony...and<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/S5m1EOSk2dI/AAAAAAAAAeI/i8K4_qJEFdU/s1600-h/DSCF9355.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/S5m1EOSk2dI/AAAAAAAAAeI/i8K4_qJEFdU/s400/DSCF9355.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447584308441438674" border="0" /></a><br />...just down the street from us to the right, one of the many decorative plazas in Uruapan. Just behind this plaza is an old textile factory that has been converted to a huge and diverse market, where you can buy everything from straw hats to electronics to delicious <span style="font-style: italic;">antojitos</span>, or snacks. And Uruapan is famous for its wood carving. The wooden carved figure below greeted us in the lobby of our hotel:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/S5nCWCN4QcI/AAAAAAAAAeY/-fiSFLD1rBY/s1600-h/Random-+wood+female+sculpture1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 372px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/S5nCWCN4QcI/AAAAAAAAAeY/-fiSFLD1rBY/s400/Random-+wood+female+sculpture1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447598908089319874" border="0" /></a>We walked from the hotel to the park (uphill all the way - huff, puff - at about 6,000 feet elevation, it was a challenge, but we made it.) At the entrance to the park, we were greeted by this magnificent mural:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/S5nCVyfpxoI/AAAAAAAAAeQ/vEy-HSL5ibw/s1600-h/DSCF9366.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/S5nCVyfpxoI/AAAAAAAAAeQ/vEy-HSL5ibw/s400/DSCF9366.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447598903868900994" border="0" /></a>Several springs join together here to form the Cupatitzio River. Streams rush alongside cement and dirt paths or are channeled into dozens of fountains. Large trees support clinging vines and shade tropical flowers. You can feed the fish at the trout farm, or eat them at the adjacent café.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/S5nCXq9C1YI/AAAAAAAAAeo/hVoWaH7ha6o/s1600-h/DSCF9374.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/S5nCXq9C1YI/AAAAAAAAAeo/hVoWaH7ha6o/s400/DSCF9374.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447598936204432770" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/S5nCWxXoxZI/AAAAAAAAAeg/J_bCP_COQUM/s1600-h/DSCF9405.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/S5nCWxXoxZI/AAAAAAAAAeg/J_bCP_COQUM/s400/DSCF9405.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447598920746714514" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/S5nH5-9nhcI/AAAAAAAAAfY/CUQQ9lHYxOQ/s1600-h/DSCF9390.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/S5nH5-9nhcI/AAAAAAAAAfY/CUQQ9lHYxOQ/s400/DSCF9390.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447605023249237442" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/S5nH5VTNyqI/AAAAAAAAAfQ/eHf7FNYg-z8/s1600-h/DSCF9409.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/S5nH5VTNyqI/AAAAAAAAAfQ/eHf7FNYg-z8/s400/DSCF9409.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447605012065536674" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/S5nH49rqIxI/AAAAAAAAAfI/DszHwgduU-0/s1600-h/DSCF9392.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/S5nH49rqIxI/AAAAAAAAAfI/DszHwgduU-0/s400/DSCF9392.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447605005725606674" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/S5nH4GeujUI/AAAAAAAAAfA/uIHXuCuvibQ/s1600-h/DSCF9370.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/S5nH4GeujUI/AAAAAAAAAfA/uIHXuCuvibQ/s400/DSCF9370.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447604990907419970" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/S5nH337TNbI/AAAAAAAAAe4/bRfyBGJzfws/s1600-h/DSCF9388.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/S5nH337TNbI/AAAAAAAAAe4/bRfyBGJzfws/s400/DSCF9388.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447604987000731058" border="0" /></a>As we were leaving the park, we encountered a parade celebrating Shrove Tuesday (the last day before the beginning of Lent).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/S5nCYKPqZpI/AAAAAAAAAew/iIDtQM5kLBE/s1600-h/DSCF9419.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/S5nCYKPqZpI/AAAAAAAAAew/iIDtQM5kLBE/s400/DSCF9419.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447598944604022418" border="0" /></a><br />As anyone reading this can probably conclude, Jerry and I were absolutely smitten with Uruapan and hope to return there soon for another, longer visit. All in all, our trip to Michoacan was a grand adventure. I took 328 pictures, and have shared just a few of them here - we highly recommend taking a closer look at this magical region of Mexico.Karen and Jerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10199515288188613417noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23981868.post-76107659003709480312010-02-23T20:29:00.012-06:002010-02-24T09:26:59.604-06:00Ah, Patzcuaro, un pueblo magico! Visit to Michoacan - Part 3The original name for Patzcuaro<span class="Estilo7"> (PAHTZ-kwah-roh)</span> is <span class="Estilo19 Estilo15"> "Tzacapu-ansucutinpatzcuaro" that is translated as "door to heaven." </span>Situated at 7200 feet elevation and home to about 80,000 people, this is the cultural and artitstic center of the area. We would have happily stayed in Patzcuaro for several nights. but only had one night devoted to this beautiful little city on our tour itinerary. One of our high priorities is to return and get a better feel for the city.<span class="Estilo7"><br /><br />A multitude of churches, plazas and shrines make this a truly great historical destination. </span><span class="Estilo7"> </span><span class="Estilo7">Patzcuaro is famous for its sidewalk cafes and great restaurants. Small and large marketplaces line the plazas and ancient side streets. Woven tablecloths, trays, carved and finely painted furniture, and gold laminated handwork are among the treasures to be found in this colonial setting. Patzcuaro hosts one of the most active Day of the Dead observances in Mexico, and is perhaps the best place to find "Catrinas" - the wonderful skeleton figures that I love to include in my paintings.<br /><br />The day we arrived in Patzcuaro was a market day: there were many more items for sale than I can possibly mention, and we purchased some huge hand-woven colorful baskets, a hand-carved mask, a sheepskin, some jewelry and assorted children's toys.<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/S4SdCxdT2MI/AAAAAAAAAbs/RSfaF5hA6Wo/s1600-h/DSCF9303.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/S4SdCxdT2MI/AAAAAAAAAbs/RSfaF5hA6Wo/s400/DSCF9303.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441646920731973826" border="0" /></a>But I thought our readers might be most interested in the display of medicinal herbs, which are found in our local weekly market as well. Some of them are probably very effective. Valerian/<span style="font-style: italic;">valeriana</span>, for example is a great natural sleep-inducer. But it smells <span style="font-weight: bold;">terrible.</span><br /><br />We also found these pretty little...uh...uh...does anybody know what they are?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/S4SdBCn4voI/AAAAAAAAAbU/wgGIFaYafqk/s1600-h/DSCF9314.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/S4SdBCn4voI/AAAAAAAAAbU/wgGIFaYafqk/s400/DSCF9314.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441646890979999362" border="0" /></a><br />They are <span style="font-style: italic;">papas rojas</span> - that's right, red potatoes. If we hadn't been traveling, I would have bought some to bring home and cook. They must be a local product; I've never seen them here. We did buy some woven straw cat toys from the beautiful native woman in the picture below. She and I were sharing a little joke about <span style="font-style: italic;">mi esposo guapo</span> (my handsome husband) ...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/S4SdAUxYSMI/AAAAAAAAAbM/uCgLVR9RjKs/s1600-h/DSCF9322.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/S4SdAUxYSMI/AAAAAAAAAbM/uCgLVR9RjKs/s400/DSCF9322.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441646878671784130" border="0" /></a>Before we left the market, we encountered a lively parade, raising funds for the victims of the earthquake in Haiti:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/S4Sw_59kKxI/AAAAAAAAAb0/6UwmrmLnQJY/s1600-h/DSCF9212.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/S4Sw_59kKxI/AAAAAAAAAb0/6UwmrmLnQJY/s400/DSCF9212.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441668861707692818" border="0" /></a>Then it was into the shops, looking for Catrinas. I bought the small one in the lower center, proudly holding her blue dancing dress for everyone to see.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/S4SdCQO2mcI/AAAAAAAAAbk/QVxteHD6bks/s1600-h/DSCF9307.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/S4SdCQO2mcI/AAAAAAAAAbk/QVxteHD6bks/s400/DSCF9307.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441646911812966850" border="0" /></a><span class="Estilo7">There were other beautifully hand-crafted items:<br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/S4SxCAjR55I/AAAAAAAAAcM/ZH1kFzBjm38/s1600-h/DSCF9298.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/S4SxCAjR55I/AAAAAAAAAcM/ZH1kFzBjm38/s400/DSCF9298.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441668897836230546" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/S4SxDGONylI/AAAAAAAAAcU/7UNt9DuH3d4/s1600-h/DSCF9294.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/S4SxDGONylI/AAAAAAAAAcU/7UNt9DuH3d4/s400/DSCF9294.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441668916538362450" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/S4SxAmLL_qI/AAAAAAAAAb8/cqELPoHBRZQ/s1600-h/DSCF9309.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/S4SxAmLL_qI/AAAAAAAAAb8/cqELPoHBRZQ/s400/DSCF9309.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441668873575988898" border="0" /></a>We also took the opportunity to visit one of the most extensive mask museums in Mexico, right here in Patzcuaro...<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/S4S6_uvg73I/AAAAAAAAAcc/I-Zz-CnO8zI/s1600-h/DSCF9285.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/S4S6_uvg73I/AAAAAAAAAcc/I-Zz-CnO8zI/s400/DSCF9285.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441679853812248434" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/S4SxBTlQY6I/AAAAAAAAAcE/7BWeE0z25eI/s1600-h/DSCF9215.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/S4SxBTlQY6I/AAAAAAAAAcE/7BWeE0z25eI/s400/DSCF9215.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441668885764924322" border="0" /></a>And they also had TOYS!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/S4S7AeonZBI/AAAAAAAAAck/_gtBSFtZsD4/s1600-h/DSCF9281.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/S4S7AeonZBI/AAAAAAAAAck/_gtBSFtZsD4/s400/DSCF9281.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441679866668213266" border="0" /></a>We ended our day in the hotel courtyard, having a great cup of coffee with friends Marcia and Noble. The next stop was Uruapan (ooh- rue-AH-pahn). Many treasures and pleasures there./ To be continued....<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/S4VB8Aw9j3I/AAAAAAAAAc8/wcL8Yb9LXmU/s1600-h/DSCF9340.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/S4VB8Aw9j3I/AAAAAAAAAc8/wcL8Yb9LXmU/s400/DSCF9340.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441828224000429938" border="0" /></a></div>Karen and Jerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10199515288188613417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23981868.post-40245728643681456132010-02-20T14:33:00.013-06:002010-02-21T11:34:29.377-06:00Visit to Michoacan - Part 2Our next adventure led us to three outlying villages - Quiroga, Tzintzuntzan and Santa Clara del Cobre. A brief history lesson is necessary here: prior to arrival of the Spanish conquerors, the Purhépecha tribe dominated much of Western Mexico, including Michoacan. They initially welcomed the Spanish. On a visit to Mexico City, in 1524, their king, Tangoxoán II was baptized with the Christian name of Francisco, and he subsequently requested that Spanish missionaries be sent to Michoacan. Unfortunately, King Carlos V of Spain, sent Nuño Guzmán de Beltran to govern the new territory, who turned out to be ruthless in his plundering of the Purhepecha empire. He sold the indigenous people into slavery, ransacked their temples searching for treasure, and kidnapped women. Eventually, Guzman tortured and killed King Tangoxoán.<br /><br />Guzmán's cruelty had destroyed the relationship between the Spanish and the Purhépecha. In a short time, the grand and powerful Purhépecha nation had been completely devastated. Had it not been for the effort of one man whose ideals, good judgment and ability to put into practice the morals that he preached, it is possible that the Purhépechas would not have survived this catastrophe. This man was Don Vasco de Quiroga, who at the age of 60, arrived in Mexico in January 1531, with a mandate to repair both the moral and material damage that had been inflicted upon Michoacán by Guzmán. Quiroga was an idealist who embraced the concept of a utopian society, which he attempted to establish in Michoacan.<br /><br />While there is controversy concerning Quiroga's role, there are tributes to him throughout the region, and he was known for educating the indigenous people in all the villages around Lake Patzcuaro. He taught the villagers of each area a different craft. These practices persist to this day, and the area is famous for artesanial variety and excellence.<br /><br />The first town we visited was named for Quiroga, and enjoys a reputation for lacquered wooden products. The first thing we encountered as we sat in the town plaza was this group of children dancing:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/S4BYuuAM3fI/AAAAAAAAAaE/zamN7YGY4Rk/s1600-h/DSCF9156.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/S4BYuuAM3fI/AAAAAAAAAaE/zamN7YGY4Rk/s400/DSCF9156.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440445909509660146" border="0" /></a>The child on the right is wearing a "vieja" (old woman) mask, a mask that is featured in the popular "vieja y viejo" dance in Michoacan.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/S4BewzihTcI/AAAAAAAAAaM/L1O9Q-1RMoo/s1600-h/004.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/S4BewzihTcI/AAAAAAAAAaM/L1O9Q-1RMoo/s400/004.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440452542425288130" border="0" /></a>The lovely wooden tray we bought in Quiroga for only $100 pesos - about $7.50 USD.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">From Quiroga, we moved a few miles on to Tzintzuntzan, which still retains its indigenous Nahuatl name, meaning "place of the hummingbirds." We were charmed by this lovely village, which offered a wide variety of attractive crafts at very reasonable prices.<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/S4FlvG-vpdI/AAAAAAAAAaU/ayixNmJNsFI/s1600-h/DSCF9169.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/S4FlvG-vpdI/AAAAAAAAAaU/ayixNmJNsFI/s400/DSCF9169.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440741684842309074" border="0" /></a>An assortment of clay dishes in the Tzintzuntzan market<br /></div><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/S4FlwBGtLmI/AAAAAAAAAak/Ff4qhp6U1KU/s1600-h/DSCF9170.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/S4FlwBGtLmI/AAAAAAAAAak/Ff4qhp6U1KU/s400/DSCF9170.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440741700444958306" border="0" /></a>Useful pottery in the Tzintzuntzan market<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/S4Flvit9TuI/AAAAAAAAAac/r1SE7Wy_JEU/s1600-h/DSCF9171.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/S4Flvit9TuI/AAAAAAAAAac/r1SE7Wy_JEU/s400/DSCF9171.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440741692288093922" border="0" /></a>A pair of attractive masks<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/S4FlwrAsSYI/AAAAAAAAAas/r_jranWyhVg/s1600-h/DSCF9174.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/S4FlwrAsSYI/AAAAAAAAAas/r_jranWyhVg/s400/DSCF9174.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440741711694023042" border="0" /></a><br />While we were enjoying a delicious cup of coffee, a wedding procession came by. Yes, the bride wore GREEN.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Our last stop of the day was Santa Clara del Cobre, the town in Mexico that is famous for copper crafts. I got so excited here, that I failed to take very many pictures, so I've had to import a few from other sources. Note that ALL of the copper items here are hammered/shaped from a single sheet of copper. Here is a picture I took of the town square, which features a huge copper pot.<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/S4FrsbsNe4I/AAAAAAAAAa0/7FQlWKevvZs/s1600-h/DSCF9186.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/S4FrsbsNe4I/AAAAAAAAAa0/7FQlWKevvZs/s400/DSCF9186.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440748235931876226" border="0" /></a>Notice the beautiful blue sky! Temps were in the mid-70s.<br /></div><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/S4FruJ61WHI/AAAAAAAAAbE/wP0SrXTJ8zI/s1600-h/2374111493_d52493e894.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/S4FruJ61WHI/AAAAAAAAAbE/wP0SrXTJ8zI/s400/2374111493_d52493e894.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440748265521109106" border="0" /></a>Incredibly beautiful images of the ubiquitous Virgin of Guadalupe<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/S4Frt13tDWI/AAAAAAAAAa8/X6IPwwkV10g/s1600-h/3443454300_ff4e3473dc.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/S4Frt13tDWI/AAAAAAAAAa8/X6IPwwkV10g/s400/3443454300_ff4e3473dc.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440748260139273570" border="0" /></a>A sampling of copper selections<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Our next stop deserves an entry of its own - the next day we were on our way to Patzcuaro, designated "<span style="font-style: italic;">pueblo magico</span>" by the government and one of the most beautiful villages in Mexico. To be continued....<br /></div></div>Karen and Jerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10199515288188613417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23981868.post-62699469183095041482010-02-18T22:07:00.008-06:002010-02-19T21:57:25.781-06:00Visiting Michoacan - Part I<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/S39aFEY_OCI/AAAAAAAAAZM/OmigVZj1QFE/s1600-h/DSCF9021.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/S39aFEY_OCI/AAAAAAAAAZM/OmigVZj1QFE/s400/DSCF9021.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440165918011242530" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Colorful balloons everywhere on the streets of Morelia<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center; font-family: trebuchet ms;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/S39aEhVoi8I/AAAAAAAAAZE/H2ElNw7A-NM/s1600-h/DSCF9014.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/S39aEhVoi8I/AAAAAAAAAZE/H2ElNw7A-NM/s400/DSCF9014.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440165908601932738" border="0" /></a>Stunning colonial architecture in Morelia<br /><br /></div><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >We have spent the past week traveling on a comfortable luxury bus with a group of amiable companions through one of Mexico's most beautiful states, Michoacan (meesh-wah-KAHN). Nestled in the central highlands of Western Mexico, Michoacan is full of history and magic. </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:arial,helvetica,modern;font-size:100%;" >Michoacan's countryside is a vast expanse of rolling hills, deep lakes, winding rivers and green valleys. </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:arial,helvetica,modern;font-size:100%;" >The state has few large cities, but rather a collection of small villages and towns that have changed little since the 1800's. It's pace is leisurely, its people friendly, and its Spanish colonial and indigenous heritage rich.</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" > The change of pace from our beach town (full of tourists this time of year) was refreshing, although the cool weather was something we were not used to: we wore clothes that have been packed away since we arrived in Mexico almost four years ago!<br /><br />The first destination on our itinerary was Morelia (elevation 6,399 feet), a colonial city of almost a million people that is a </span> <span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >UNESCO World Heritage Artistic site. The city was founded in 1541 by Antonio de Mendoza and its original name was </span><i style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Valladolid</i><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >. The name was changed after Mexico's War of Independence, in honor of one of its heroes, Jose Maria Morelos de Pavon, who was born in the city in 1765.</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center; font-family: trebuchet ms;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/S34U79XR0bI/AAAAAAAAAY0/k_8lLs_zHDQ/s1600-h/DSCF9097.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/S34U79XR0bI/AAAAAAAAAY0/k_8lLs_zHDQ/s400/DSCF9097.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439808420227174834" border="0" /></a>A painting showing revolutionary hero Juan Morelos at his birthplace. He is almost always pictured wearing a headband, apparently because he suffered from migraine headaches.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center; font-family: trebuchet ms;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/S34U7HAfklI/AAAAAAAAAYs/TVZ89IafVm4/s1600-h/DSCF9198.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/S34U7HAfklI/AAAAAAAAAYs/TVZ89IafVm4/s400/DSCF9198.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439808405636092498" border="0" /></a><span style=";font-size:100%;" >Sunset view from our hotel window</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; font-family: trebuchet ms;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/S34U6SFcKEI/AAAAAAAAAYk/bG6Bis_60J4/s1600-h/DSCF9145.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/S34U6SFcKEI/AAAAAAAAAYk/bG6Bis_60J4/s400/DSCF9145.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439808391429761090" border="0" /></a>Across the street from our hotel, Superman was keeping a vigil.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center; font-family: trebuchet ms;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/S34U5tp_H7I/AAAAAAAAAYc/DvC-SuFUIl8/s1600-h/DSCF9061.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/S34U5tp_H7I/AAAAAAAAAYc/DvC-SuFUIl8/s400/DSCF9061.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439808381650935730" border="0" /></a>Sweet selections from the famous Morelia <span style="font-style: italic;">mercado dulce, or </span>candy market<br /></div><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:verdana;" >With our good friends Marcia and Noble Dunson, we explored the city, marveled at the beautiful colonial architecture and browsed the many markets. We savored some of the regional offerings: </span><span style="font-style: italic; font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:verdana;" >Sopa Talasca</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:verdana;" >, a bean/tomato soup with bits of tortilla, garnished with <span style="font-style: italic;">cotija</span> cheese and <span style="font-style: italic;">crema</span>; </span><span style="font-style: italic; font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:verdana;" >Enchiladas Moreliana</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:verdana;" >, chicken enchiladas in a red sauce, garnished with diced carrots and potatoes; and </span><span style="font-style: italic; font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:verdana;" >huechepos</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:verdana;" >, a sweet tamale-like masa dish, shaped into tiny loaves and garnished with <span style="font-style: italic;">queso fresca</span> and <span style="font-style: italic;">crema </span>(for breakfast - yum!). </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >We walked for miles through the city, finding friendly people and lots of good coffee. The elevation didn't bother us a bit, but our feet got tired. We slept like rocks in our comfortable hotel. Because of recent unusual storms in the higher mountains, we were unable to take our anticipated side trip into the Monarch butterfly reserves, where ALL the monarch butterflies in North America spend the winter. There were mudslides and floods and closed highways in the butterfly reserve areas, and many many hundreds of people displaced from their homes. In spite of the local needs, we encountered an organized effort in the city </span><span style="font-style: italic; font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >zocalo</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:trebuchet ms;" > (plaza), raising funds for Haiti.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >After three days in the city, we boarded the bus again and made our way to some smaller towns</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">, </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >on our way to Patzcuaro, one of the jewels of Mexico. (To be continued)</span><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div>Karen and Jerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10199515288188613417noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23981868.post-77641927341961607332010-02-03T19:17:00.005-06:002010-02-03T19:26:51.691-06:00More pictures of our tormenta (storm)...<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/S2ohRTQ0O6I/AAAAAAAAAYU/lGiqHAVcpdo/s1600-h/dsc04089.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/S2ohRTQ0O6I/AAAAAAAAAYU/lGiqHAVcpdo/s400/dsc04089.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434192481488223138" border="0" /></a><br />The recycling lot up the street from us where Jerry volunteers his time. They'll need a new sunshade before summer.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/S2ohQxwwFII/AAAAAAAAAYM/md08vQ7yy7E/s1600-h/dsc04056.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/S2ohQxwwFII/AAAAAAAAAYM/md08vQ7yy7E/s400/dsc04056.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434192472495363202" border="0" /></a><br />Ah, this is why you reinforce the bricks with steel rebar! We've never seen anything like this in Mexico before.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/S2ohQTtn-jI/AAAAAAAAAYE/wIxzTBbu-AI/s1600-h/dsc04029.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/S2ohQTtn-jI/AAAAAAAAAYE/wIxzTBbu-AI/s400/dsc04029.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434192464429185586" border="0" /></a><br />Power lines caught in a downed tree. Amazingly, we had power restored about 4 o'clock this morning.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/S2ohPyixxDI/AAAAAAAAAX8/P_7CiV7oMQs/s1600-h/dsc04002.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/S2ohPyixxDI/AAAAAAAAAX8/P_7CiV7oMQs/s400/dsc04002.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434192455525319730" border="0" /></a><br />Lots of damage at the local tourist market, where sheet metal roofs are the norm.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/S2ohPkC0_KI/AAAAAAAAAX0/ayemOF8cbiQ/s1600-h/dsc04001.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/S2ohPkC0_KI/AAAAAAAAAX0/ayemOF8cbiQ/s400/dsc04001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434192451633216674" border="0" /></a><br />This is the roof from our favorite beach restaurant, Gordos. It blew off and landed on this guy's market stall. Mucho dinero damages here.<br />Thanks to John, Christie and McKenzie Forget for these great pictures. Good job guys! Unfortunately, our poor town didn't need this...when the tourists finally begin to arrive agin after last year's flu, drug cartel fears and the bad US economy, many of the local vendors are temporarily or permanently out of business.<br /></div>Karen and Jerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10199515288188613417noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23981868.post-39343974652155982582010-02-03T17:54:00.003-06:002010-02-03T18:20:54.301-06:00WOW! WHAT A NIGHT!<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/S2oO74TRebI/AAAAAAAAAXs/L8k_0iOGD9Y/s1600-h/DSCF8980.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/S2oO74TRebI/AAAAAAAAAXs/L8k_0iOGD9Y/s400/DSCF8980.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434172322264218034" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">A new look for our front yard...<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/S2oO6uMnVaI/AAAAAAAAAXk/UC6ax8y_WLc/s1600-h/DSCF8977.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/S2oO6uMnVaI/AAAAAAAAAXk/UC6ax8y_WLc/s400/DSCF8977.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434172302372066722" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">this limb crashed down on the cyclone fence.</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; font-family: verdana;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/S2oO5tdvgjI/AAAAAAAAAXU/oLyB36kju3w/s1600-h/DSCF8976.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/S2oO5tdvgjI/AAAAAAAAAXU/oLyB36kju3w/s400/DSCF8976.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434172284995600946" border="0" /></a>Other broken limbs remain in the tree, awaiting some help to remove.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center; font-family: verdana;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/S2oO6BiWysI/AAAAAAAAAXc/QrUrfXf-hkc/s1600-h/DSCF8981.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/S2oO6BiWysI/AAAAAAAAAXc/QrUrfXf-hkc/s400/DSCF8981.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434172290383661762" border="0" /></a><br />Our neighbor Demetrio found a young iguana that had apparently blown out of a tree...<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center; font-family: verdana;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/S2oO5NfYEcI/AAAAAAAAAXM/M6fUZEegWR8/s1600-h/DSCF8983.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/S2oO5NfYEcI/AAAAAAAAAXM/M6fUZEegWR8/s400/DSCF8983.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434172276412518850" border="0" /></a><br />...and Jerry gave him a new home in our poor broken tree.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Was it a hurricane? A tornado? A waterspout? No one seems to know for sure, but about 11 o'clock last night, the gently falling rain turned into a howling storm, with wind gusts estimated at 100 mph or better. The thunder crashed, the lightning flashed and the lights (of course) went out.<br /><br />Our weather this winter has been puzzling for long-time residents of Bucerias. Our rain usually ends in October, and does not revisit the area until mid-late June of the next year. This winter, we had several days of heavy rain in November, again in December and again in January. Right now, it has been raining steadily for three days. Because most of the streets in town are either cobblestone or dirt, there are deep ravines everywhere, and many are impassable. People who have lived here all their lives are shaking their heads in wonder. Their explanation? "<span style="font-style: italic;">Loco</span>." Works for me - it's as good as any explanation I've heard so far.<br /></div></div>Karen and Jerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10199515288188613417noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23981868.post-67532256338948462662010-01-16T10:39:00.005-06:002010-01-16T11:24:11.791-06:00Things you will never see in the USA<div style="text-align: center; font-family: verdana;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/S1HstPvswzI/AAAAAAAAAWc/yVCb-NsW_QA/s1600-h/castillo.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/S1HstPvswzI/AAAAAAAAAWc/yVCb-NsW_QA/s400/castillo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427379288023024434" border="0" /></a>A fireworks "castillo"...<br /></div><div style="text-align: center; font-family: verdana;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/S1Hss30KDDI/AAAAAAAAAWU/sRh04I490hk/s1600-h/2152599034_68ca3203c8_o.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/S1Hss30KDDI/AAAAAAAAAWU/sRh04I490hk/s400/2152599034_68ca3203c8_o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427379281599269938" border="0" /></a><br />the "Passage of Kisses"...<br /></div><div style="text-align: center; font-family: verdana;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/S1Hssrrj8AI/AAAAAAAAAWM/U14h7ukTvYU/s1600-h/393444411_68bfb3ad7a_o.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/S1Hssrrj8AI/AAAAAAAAAWM/U14h7ukTvYU/s400/393444411_68bfb3ad7a_o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427379278341992450" border="0" /></a><br />blessing of the boats...<br /></div><div style="text-align: center; font-family: verdana;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/S1HssJTIY1I/AAAAAAAAAWE/kgAKfsg6TvI/s1600-h/308781394_b988315fbb_o.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/S1HssJTIY1I/AAAAAAAAAWE/kgAKfsg6TvI/s400/308781394_b988315fbb_o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427379269112718162" border="0" /></a>a thatched roof truck...<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a style="font-family: verdana;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/S1Hsr1weJ4I/AAAAAAAAAV8/KhffTVDHjtQ/s1600-h/393335336_852f4df85e_o.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/S1Hsr1weJ4I/AAAAAAAAAV8/KhffTVDHjtQ/s400/393335336_852f4df85e_o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427379263867070338" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-family:verdana;">...and a vendor selling candy and nuts in the street.</span><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Mexico loves celebrations and most towns and cities have annual festivals to honor their patron saints. We are lucky to live in a town whose patron saint is Our Lady of Peace, and today begins the annual fiesta in homage to her. Lasting eight days, this is a raucous and noisy fun time, with the entire downtown area full of carnival rides, vendors selling delicious snacks and booths full of wonderful things to buy, from the exotic (handwoven rugs from Oaxaca) to the mundane (a new pitcher for your blender).<br /><br />The highlight of tonight's events is a three-story tall<span style="font-style: italic;"> castillo</span> (castle) of fireworks, right in the middle of the plaza. Can you even imagine the liability insurance premiums for such a thing? The sparks shower down on the crowd, and children rush to get closer with pizza boxes on their heads to protect themselves. Yes, people get scorched, and NO, nobody files a lawsuit.<br /><br />To reach the festivities from our side of town, it is best to park on the south side of the arroyo and walk across a pedestrian footbridge that crosses the arroyo which divides our town east and west. Just after you cross the bridge, you approach the <span style="font-style: italic;">Paseo del Beso</span>, where it is obligatory to stop and kiss the person who is with you.<br /><br />Another highlight of the festival is the blessing of the fishing boats. At the northern end of the Bay of Banderas, Bucerias began as a fishing village: <span style="font-style: italic;">bucerias</span> means "place of the diver." Fresh oysters (<span style="font-style: italic;">ostiones</span>), octopus (<span style="font-style: italic;">pulpo</span>), shrimp (<span style="font-style: italic;">camarones</span>) and small red snappers (<span style="font-style: italic;">huachinangos)</span> are available for sale in the plaza every day.<br /><br />The red truck with the <span style="font-style: italic;">palapa </span>roof can always be found parked on <span style="font-style: italic;">Calle Lazaro Cardenas</span> - one of our main streets and the one that leads you over the foot bridge. We hired this truck to clear construction debris from our yard a few years back and the driver is still there, ready for hire every day.<br /><br />And if you fancy a treat, you can grab a delicious snack from the guy who sells candy and peanuts (<span style="font-style: italic;">cacuahates</span>) from a wheelbarrow. Yes, they are right out there in the open, no hygienic sneeze shield to protect the candies from the hands of children who long for a taste. But I don't know anyone who has ever become sick after eating these great candies...who can resist them?<br /><br />These are just a few of the things that make us grateful that we live in this amazing little town in Mexico. We begin the new year with resolve to enjoy each day of health and well-being in this wonderful place.<br /><br /><br /></div></div>Karen and Jerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10199515288188613417noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23981868.post-36715631817125754402009-09-04T10:15:00.013-06:002009-09-05T15:36:16.525-06:00How we are spending our summer vacation...<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/SqE_K1mNQSI/AAAAAAAAAU0/m87NLVonwrI/s1600-h/Aug+27++2009+014.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/SqE_K1mNQSI/AAAAAAAAAU0/m87NLVonwrI/s400/Aug+27++2009+014.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377648885475655970" border="0" /></a>Poor little Maggot the day we rescued him.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/SqE_LSOJSCI/AAAAAAAAAU8/Let83Iea7vU/s1600-h/Aug+27++2009+022.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/SqE_LSOJSCI/AAAAAAAAAU8/Let83Iea7vU/s400/Aug+27++2009+022.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377648893159360546" border="0" /></a>Ten days later, feeling much better.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/SqE_L-q3qrI/AAAAAAAAAVE/BblrfKwSFVM/s1600-h/Aug+27++2009+012.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/SqE_L-q3qrI/AAAAAAAAAVE/BblrfKwSFVM/s400/Aug+27++2009+012.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377648905091001010" border="0" /></a>Lucky and her babies.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/SqE_MqaeYUI/AAAAAAAAAVM/VuVsJXSWw54/s1600-h/Aug+27++2009+024.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/SqE_MqaeYUI/AAAAAAAAAVM/VuVsJXSWw54/s400/Aug+27++2009+024.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377648916833395010" border="0" /></a>Diego, all grown up, playing with Milly. who doesn't think so.<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">WARNING: SOME GRAPHIC DESCRIPTIONS FOLLOW.<br /></div><br /></div>The long, lazy and humid summer is punctuated by moments of drama. Our next door neighbors, who have had their share of problems, are probably the extreme worst example of the difference in the way people from the US regard their pets and the manner in which the average Mexican views pets. Most likely an artifact of the difference in socioeconomic progress, Mexicans generally do not treat their pets as members of the family, like we do. Our neighbors, who take excellent care of their children, seldom feed their two female dogs, and even in the long dry season, do not provide them with water. So Jerry has taken in upon himself to make sure these poor doggies get fed and watered. One of them, after all, is Diego's mom.<br /><br />In the last month, both dogs have had yet another litter of puppies, about a week apart. No shelter was provided for them, despite frequent torrential rains. The property has no fence, wall or gate, so the dogs live in the street. Then, a few weeks ago, the couple decided to part. He moved to Puerto Vallarta; she moved in with her parents, leaving the dogs and puppies behind. We could hear the puppies crying and Jerry went to investigate. It was a scene of true horror. Most of the puppies that were born most recently were being killed by the mother of the first litter.<br /><br />The next morning, following a heavy rain, we could still hear some puppies wailing. In the yard next door, Jerry found three puppies from the first litter that had been abandoned by their mother, lying in a puddle of water. Two were near death and we put them out of their misery. They were completely infested by maggots that had burrowed deep into their skin, and they were screaming in pain. One little puppy seemed reasonably alert, especially after we fed him some cold milk through a syringe. We washed him thoroughly, flushing away thousands of maggots. He had one area near his neck that had been breached through the skin and we had to purge it clean of maggots. Off to the supermarket for baby bottles and following an internet search, we put together a puppy formula.<br /><br />Maggot (what else could we name him? I know, we have a dark sense of humor.) turned out to be a fighter. He thrived on the formula and has doubled in size in just two weeks. Never having raised children himself, Jerry has learned what it is like to feed a baby with a bottle every few hours and he turns out to be a great dad.<br /><br />Out of 12 puppies, three remained alive. The neighbors were nowhere in sight. A neighbor around the corner took one of the larger puppies home to care for him. The mother of the first litter appeared to want to care for her remaining puppy. And we were taking care of Maggot. Then yesterday, Jerry walked to the corner store for some milk. When he came back, he was holding a puppy, saying "Missus, I found this puppy at the tienda. Can I keep her?" This little 4-week old puppy had wandered away, almost three blocks from home, and was stumbling around in the street. Guess her mom decided not to care for her after all. We named her Beatrice, and now we have another puppy. Life is never dull here><br /><br />On a happy note, our little wild kitty who was born in the nursery next door had two baby kittens about a month ago. She won't let us touch her, but did trust us with her babies, who were born in the bottom drawer of our armoire.<br /><br />And Diego and Milly are growing fast. We'll find homes for Maggot and Beatrice, as well as Lucky's kittens, and life will return to normal soon. In the meantime, we found out more about ourselves and each other as we struggled to protect the young lives.Karen and Jerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10199515288188613417noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23981868.post-81158999012235038202009-06-02T13:08:00.004-06:002009-06-02T13:24:53.986-06:00Why we don't have a garden...<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/SiV5x2i77FI/AAAAAAAAAUs/pWZrAMgmh_Y/s1600-h/MAY+2009+046.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/SiV5x2i77FI/AAAAAAAAAUs/pWZrAMgmh_Y/s400/MAY+2009+046.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342810430307560530" border="0" /></a>Bananas from our own tree, hanging to ripen from the lichi tree in the back patio<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/SiV5xngn2RI/AAAAAAAAAUk/-9y9burtZMg/s1600-h/DSCF8370.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/SiV5xngn2RI/AAAAAAAAAUk/-9y9burtZMg/s400/DSCF8370.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342810426271324434" border="0" /></a><br />Fresh, clean vegetables delivered to our door for about $3 USD<br /><br /></div>Friends and family back in the states have asked us why we don't have a garden. Certainly, everything grows here very quickly...and we do have several tomato plants growing this year. But our region has abundant truck farms, with tomatoes, beans, chiles, corn, pineapples, bananas, papayas, mangoes, guavas, on and on and on....So the availability of fruits and vegetables that are fresh and vine/tree-ripened is amazing. They are sold in the open-air markets, in the corner <span style="font-style: italic;">tiendas</span> and in the supermarket. But best of all, is our vegetable seller Ricardo, who peddles up to our front gate on his bicycle weekly, with his basket full of fresh, clean, delectable vegetables, like the ones pictured. The mixed vegetables have corn, carrots, beans, chayote, nopal, broccoli, cauliflower and zucchini. I will mix all of the pictured vegetables together in a casserole tonight to take to a potluck...other friends are making meatloaf, garlic mashed potatoes and blackberry cobbler. And we are meeting at our friend Marlene's house, which is right on the beach. We will have a feast, for the tummy and for the eyes. Life is so good.Karen and Jerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10199515288188613417noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23981868.post-10422490922144798402009-05-26T16:34:00.007-06:002009-05-26T17:36:06.527-06:00A Study in Contrasts<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/Shxyde4pUTI/AAAAAAAAAUc/7xDEyw1IOno/s1600-h/MAY+2009+041.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/Shxyde4pUTI/AAAAAAAAAUc/7xDEyw1IOno/s400/MAY+2009+041.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340269108986990898" border="0" /></a><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:times new roman;">A section of the new patio Jerry is building in the front/side of the house</span></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/ShxydNOmGKI/AAAAAAAAAUU/3yvLabqikNI/s1600-h/MAY+2009+037.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/ShxydNOmGKI/AAAAAAAAAUU/3yvLabqikNI/s400/MAY+2009+037.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340269104247216290" border="0" /></a>Our neighbor Demetrio covering the conduit in the upstairs bathroom<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/Shxyc60I2vI/AAAAAAAAAUM/I4NhElsIM-Q/s1600-h/MAY+2009+033.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/Shxyc60I2vI/AAAAAAAAAUM/I4NhElsIM-Q/s400/MAY+2009+033.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340269099304409842" border="0" /></a>Mael and Ismael (cousins) installing the new breaker box. Why do they seem so happy<br />about cutting a BIG hole in the wall?<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/ShxycVHlfTI/AAAAAAAAAUE/w30BltjI8zk/s1600-h/Mascotas+021.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/ShxycVHlfTI/AAAAAAAAAUE/w30BltjI8zk/s400/Mascotas+021.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340269089185430834" border="0" /></a>Little Millie/Milagra on alert in the front yard. Hiding behind a bag of cement.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/ShxycPsoWwI/AAAAAAAAAT8/WcPMU4Q1kp8/s1600-h/MAY+2009+004.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/ShxycPsoWwI/AAAAAAAAAT8/WcPMU4Q1kp8/s400/MAY+2009+004.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340269087730195202" border="0" /></a><br />Diego is growing up...he considers a treat from Papi<br /><br /><br /></div><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Our life here lately has been a study in contrasts: as the long, humid summer season develops, the tourists here have always become scarce, and residents of our sleepy beach town learn to pace themselves,always wearing the ubiquitous "sweat cloth" over their shoulders and drinking lots of water. But this year, the slowdown was sudden, as the entire country of Mexico ground to a halt to combat the spread of H1N1 influenza. Schools, government offices, restaurants and all nonessential businesses were ordered closed for several weeks. No movies. No soccer matches. No church services in this Catholic country. Checkpoints were established at both Nayarit and Jalisco state borders, which we pass on our way to and from Vallarta. All cars were screened and passengers were questioned about their health status. Do you have a fever? Are you having any pain? Information was distributed by state health personnel wearing masks.<br /><br />These extreme measures were effective: we never had a confirmed case of flu in our state of Nayarit and their were only two or three in Vallarta. Mexico has been applauded by international health authorities for containing the outbreak so well. But the Mexican people paid an enormous cost. From business owners like Carlos Slim who lost millions, to the ordinary working people who suddenly lost their incomes, <span style="font-style: italic;">all of Mexico is suffering. </span>Cruise ships have stopped docking and airlines have stopped coming here. The streets of our tourist town are empty. The beach vendors, even the time-share salesmen, have given up.<br /><br />But at our house, the air is filled with the sounds of hammers and chisels. Cement is being mixed and carried upstairs in huge buckets on the sturdy shoulders of our neighbor Demetrio. Our modest attempt to stimulate the local economy consists of re-wiring our entire house and continuing work on our upstairs addition, including - yippee! - electricity! The wiring is complete, the lights are installed and the plumbing is in place. The bathroom is tiled and the bathtub is where it is supposed to be at last. Because all construction in Mexico is cement and bricks, in order to lay electrical wires, grooves must first be chiseled, the conduit placed in the groove, the wire pulled through the conduit and the channels refilled with fresh cement.<br /><br />At the same time, you can hear the sounds of "Como se llama?" and "Vivimos en Bucerias" and "Caminamos a la plaza cada dia." Four mornings a week, our friend Sean holds his Spanish classes on our patio. And in the midst of all this activity, we actually had a courageous and most welcome houseguest for a week.<br /><br />I continue to find some time to paint and Jerry is busy laying bricks for the patio that will cover most of the front and side yards. Our papaya trees are heavy with fruit that is as sweet as honey and we have just harvested our first bananas. Diego and Millie are growing fast and delighting us each day.<br /><br />It is becoming to warm to cook ambitiously, so last night, we enjoyed chorizo and carne asada (grilled beefsteak) tacos at our corner tacqueria, along with some wonderful fresh <span style="font-style: italic;">agua fresca </span>made from guayabas (guava). We join friends at <span style="font-style: italic;">Tacos Itzel </span>at least once a week for Alejandra's wonderful <span style="font-style: italic;">pollo enchiladas con mole</span>. Justine continues to flourish in the warmth and serenity of Mexico and works with our friends Patricia and JoAnn at their bookstore.<br /><br />Life continues to be unbelievably good for us while our friends and neighbors face a long and difficult summer. PLEASE consider a trip to Mexico: it is absolutely SAFE here and we need your company.<br /></span></span>Karen and Jerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10199515288188613417noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23981868.post-7590078788014499092009-03-20T16:36:00.003-06:002009-03-20T16:55:30.186-06:00Dice "hola" a Diego (say "hi") to Diego!<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/ScQb7VRYqGI/AAAAAAAAAT0/nz5I2kXjrdk/s1600-h/Diego+limpiado.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315404166340323426" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/ScQb7VRYqGI/AAAAAAAAAT0/nz5I2kXjrdk/s400/Diego+limpiado.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/ScQb7HRo5kI/AAAAAAAAATs/_viZ6dgODRI/s1600-h/Mascotas+006.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315404162583291458" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/ScQb7HRo5kI/AAAAAAAAATs/_viZ6dgODRI/s400/Mascotas+006.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/ScQb62XfVvI/AAAAAAAAATk/m-wdqaWPij0/s1600-h/Diego.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315404158044428018" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 322px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/ScQb62XfVvI/AAAAAAAAATk/m-wdqaWPij0/s400/Diego.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div>After losing our sweet dogs in December, we have been reluctant to become dog owners again. There is no shortage of needy dogs here in Bucerias - every few days, it seems, someone tells us about a dog that needs a home. This time of year is especially difficult - many of our Canadian/US "snowbird" residents are preparing to fly home as the weather warms up, and they often leave behind the dogs they were caring for while they were here. But we have said "no" many times and waited for the right dog. Now, we have found him.</div><div> </div><div>Diego was born to a dog that lives right next door. She had eight puppies and he was the last remaining puppy after seven were given to new homes. Jerry has had his eye on Diego for several weeks - we like his markings and think he will grow up to be a handsome dog...not too big, either.</div><div> </div><div>Diego is a sweet puppy who learns very quickly. He adores Jerry and follows him everywhere. He gets along (pretty) well with the cats. Bienvenidos a nosotras casa, Diego.</div></div></div>Karen and Jerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10199515288188613417noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23981868.post-60622598823522443212009-02-27T20:56:00.013-06:002009-02-28T18:17:55.539-06:00Discovering the diversity and beauty of Mexico<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/Saiu8gqXfmI/AAAAAAAAASY/AL-IbTfMZBM/s1600-h/SAN+MIGUEL+2+029.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/Saiu8gqXfmI/AAAAAAAAASY/AL-IbTfMZBM/s400/SAN+MIGUEL+2+029.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307684515439148642" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/Saiu8S0e9aI/AAAAAAAAASQ/RGZB6y84AHg/s1600-h/SAN+MIGUEL+029.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/Saiu8S0e9aI/AAAAAAAAASQ/RGZB6y84AHg/s400/SAN+MIGUEL+029.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307684511723484578" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/Saiu8Bt9BqI/AAAAAAAAASI/_VcKIsRi9Qs/s1600-h/FEBRUARY+14,+2009+075.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/Saiu8Bt9BqI/AAAAAAAAASI/_VcKIsRi9Qs/s400/FEBRUARY+14,+2009+075.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307684507132692130" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/Saiu7-sxi2I/AAAAAAAAASA/Zkar5YsrNSQ/s1600-h/FEBRUARY+14,+2009+162.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/Saiu7-sxi2I/AAAAAAAAASA/Zkar5YsrNSQ/s400/FEBRUARY+14,+2009+162.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307684506322439010" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic;">From the top: (1) My handsome caballero in the doorway at Starbucks in San Miguel de Allende - in a 300-year-old building! I defy you to find a more beautiful Starbucks. (2) the monument to Father Miguel Hidalgo in Dolores Hidalgo; (3) The MUMMY MUSEUM in Guanajuato; and (4) the beautiful homes on the hills of Guanajuato.</span></span><br /></div><br /><br />Despite our best intentions, we have not traveled much within Mexico, mostly because we quickly acquired so many pets to care for! Now that we are down to three cats, we found a friend who would house-sit for us, and took off on a bus tour to the central highlands of Mexico - a trip with our friends Harold and Sue (and 28 Canadians!) to Guanajuato, Dolores Hidalgo and San Miguel de Allende. We discovered a very different and enchanting Mexico.<br /><br />Our first stop was Guanajuato, high (6500 feet) in the arid hills of Central Mexico. A UNESCO World Heritage site, Guanajuato means "hill of frogs" in the language of the indigenous people there, and is considered by many to be the most beautiful city in Mexico. It is a colonial town, settled in the 1500s because of rich gold and silver deposits. It is a sister city to Ashland, Oregon, my home town!<br /><br />The city is built on rock, and was originally built over <a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guanajuato_River" title="Guanajuato River"></a>two rivers, which flowed through tunnels underneath the city. However, after years of raising buildings to accommodate repeated flooding, in the mid-twentieth century, engineers built a dam and redirected the river into underground caverns. The tunnels were lit and paved with cobblestones for automobile traffic, and this amazing underground road network carries the majority of cars driving through the city today. It is one of the most notable features of the city.<br /><br />While it is famous for many things, especially the site of the first revolutionary battle, most people who knew we went to Guanajuato asked us if we saw the Museo de la Momies, or mummy museum. A bizarre place - these mummies are here because their families failed to pay their burial taxes and they were disinterred. A few were added as recently as 1984! Some are wearing tennis shoes!<br /><br />From Guanajuato, we traveled to Dolores Hidalgo, about an hour's drive. This is the true birthplace of the Mexican revolution, where Father Miguel Hidalgo made the first cry for freedom (<span style="font-style: italic;">el grito</span> - a practice which is now repeated at midnight every September 17 in every town in Mexico by the town's mayor). Dolores Hidalgo is also famous for ice cream, colonial architecture and talavera pottery. We had only a few hours here, and it is a place we yearn to return to for a longer stay.<br /><br /><span class="content">Just 15 minutes away from San Miguel de Allende, </span><span class="content">we stopped at the Sanctuary of Atotonilco, another UNESCO World Heritage site. </span><span class="content">This extraordinary spot has been a place of pilgrimage since colonial times. The church was built between 1746 and 1810. The walls and domed ceilings of the church are filled with 18th Century murals depicting the life of Christ, which are in the process of being restored, a process that has already taken 12 years. Many <span style="font-style: italic;">milagros </span>(miracles) are attributed to this beautiful place, which is a treasure often missed by tourists.<br /><br />We then proceeded to San Miguel de Allende, another breathtaking colonial city. Following WWII, a core of US veterans settled in San Miguel to attend the art school there, and it has been attracting "gringos" ever since. About a tenth of its 95,000 inhabitatants are foreigners, which makes for a rich cultural mix. The town is full of winding streets and tiny shops and restaurants, begging you to explore them. The colonial architecture feels just like Europe, and the climate (unlike Bucerias) is cool and dry.<br /><br />We are already planning additional trips to this magical part of Mexico...and considering how we might stay in San Miguel or Guanajuato during the hottest summer months....<br /><br /><br /></span>Karen and Jerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10199515288188613417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23981868.post-32498346503827318032009-01-17T21:04:00.005-06:002009-02-28T18:16:27.250-06:00BIENVENIDOS A MILAGRA<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/SXKdyrFaR-I/AAAAAAAAARY/CbYqlfa62uw/s1600-h/JANUARY+16,+2009+031.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/SXKdyrFaR-I/AAAAAAAAARY/CbYqlfa62uw/s400/JANUARY+16,+2009+031.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5292466005998192610" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/SXKdyGtA8zI/AAAAAAAAARQ/kzm-4Kh0qyw/s1600-h/JANUARY+16,+2009+016.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/SXKdyGtA8zI/AAAAAAAAARQ/kzm-4Kh0qyw/s400/JANUARY+16,+2009+016.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5292465996232192818" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/SXKdx2GimmI/AAAAAAAAARI/ecS5aolmSTE/s1600-h/JANUARY+16,+2009+009.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/SXKdx2GimmI/AAAAAAAAARI/ecS5aolmSTE/s400/JANUARY+16,+2009+009.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5292465991775853154" border="0" /></a><br />OK folks, time for some GOOD news. On my birthday (January 15) a little miracle (milagra) came into our lives. Some friends found a tiny starving kitten in the middle of one of the busiest streets in town. They knew we needed some new pets in our lives and called us...we went right over and brought her home with us. She is very small and malnourished, but full of spunk and affection. She loves to snuggle and purrs like a little motorboat. Just what the doctor ordered. Isn't she pretty?Karen and Jerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10199515288188613417noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23981868.post-50385557411699380162008-12-08T22:58:00.003-06:002008-12-08T23:22:59.766-06:00A NEW KIND OF CHRISTMAS SHOPPING!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/ST3-JjwQfTI/AAAAAAAAARA/cokCtMf0488/s1600-h/DECEMBER+6+2008+052.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/ST3-JjwQfTI/AAAAAAAAARA/cokCtMf0488/s400/DECEMBER+6+2008+052.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277653778518015282" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/ST3-JIHNH8I/AAAAAAAAAQ4/lFIVb4owpN8/s1600-h/DECEMBER+6+2008+208.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/ST3-JIHNH8I/AAAAAAAAAQ4/lFIVb4owpN8/s400/DECEMBER+6+2008+208.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277653771098070978" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/ST3-IuRp1pI/AAAAAAAAAQw/Lb2Mpd9st-k/s1600-h/DECEMBER+6+2008+190.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/ST3-IuRp1pI/AAAAAAAAAQw/Lb2Mpd9st-k/s400/DECEMBER+6+2008+190.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277653764162573970" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/ST3-IbMe3eI/AAAAAAAAAQo/IIytg5qXx04/s1600-h/DECEMBER+6+2008+166.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/ST3-IbMe3eI/AAAAAAAAAQo/IIytg5qXx04/s400/DECEMBER+6+2008+166.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277653759040609762" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/ST3-IFamVRI/AAAAAAAAAQg/zoucIYRHnXA/s1600-h/DECEMBER+6+2008+030.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/ST3-IFamVRI/AAAAAAAAAQg/zoucIYRHnXA/s400/DECEMBER+6+2008+030.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277653753194239250" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">From the bottom up: (1) entrance to the cuota (toll road) to Guadalajara; (2) Guadalajara Christmas market; (3) fine art galleries in Tlaquepaque; (4) the famous Sunday market in Tonola - hundreds of artesanial vendors; and (5) candleholders waiting for new homes in the Tonola market.</span></span><br /><br /></div>Last weekend, Justine and I had a wonderful adventure: a bus trip to Guadalajara, Tlaquepaque and Tonola to do some Christmas shopping. With a group of 15 friends and soon-to-be friends, we left early Friday morning in a luxury bus. We stopped along the way to tour a tequila factory in Tequila - a surprisingly interesting experience. The factory we toured (Herraduras) is the only tequila factory left in Mexico that is actually owned and operated by Mexicans, and it has been in business for over 150 years. The grounds were beautiful and the process was fascinating. Although I am not a big fan of tequila, even the obligatory tasting at the end was great - helped me take a nice siesta until we arrived in Guadalajara. We walked a few blocks to the annual Christmas market, which filled an entire city block, met some nice people there, and then had a very special dinner at a former convent in the city.<br /><br />Ever since we came to Mexico, people have told us that prices and selection are the very best in Tlaquepaque and Tonola. They were all right about that - lovely fine art and lively folk art in every price range. We had a fine time, filled our shopping bags, and didn't spend a fortune.<br /><br />It was nice to get back home to Bucerias, however - Guadalajara is a mile high, and very cold this time of year (high 30s at night; mid-70's during the day.) I guess I have really acclimated to the tropical coastal weather.<br /><br />Next trip? A bus tour to Guanajuato, Dolores Hidalgo and San Miguel de Allende. Justine will be here to care for the menagerie, so Jerry and I will be free to travel a bit. Dolores Hidalgo is the home of Talavera pottery...we are looking forward to it.Karen and Jerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10199515288188613417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23981868.post-72028913242401998082008-11-23T12:24:00.006-06:002008-11-23T15:25:31.936-06:00<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/SSmiknLOJDI/AAAAAAAAAQY/KMMspm0mJgA/s1600-h/New+day+coming.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271923588688913458" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 294px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/SSmiknLOJDI/AAAAAAAAAQY/KMMspm0mJgA/s400/New+day+coming.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div align="left"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/SSmikdy-ToI/AAAAAAAAAQQ/OUFnBr7V10c/s1600-h/November+22+2008+032.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271923586171293314" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/SSmikdy-ToI/AAAAAAAAAQQ/OUFnBr7V10c/s400/November+22+2008+032.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/SSmikLIEsyI/AAAAAAAAAQI/14SfcOlL71M/s1600-h/November+22+2008+035.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271923581159519010" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/SSmikLIEsyI/AAAAAAAAAQI/14SfcOlL71M/s400/November+22+2008+035.jpg" border="0" /></a><em> (1) A picture I painted the week before the US election, as an offering of hope. </em><em>The writing says,"Not only is a different world possible, she is on her way. On a quiet day, </em><em>I can hear her breathing." (Ahrundati Roy); </em><em>(2) Blanca and Lucky; </em><em>(3) Our patio on this warm November morning, dressed for a fiesta</em> </div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;font-size:130%;">As we begin this week of Thanksgiving, we sit on our lovely patio on a warm and friendly morning, drinking rich and aromatic coffee grown right here in Nayarit. The sun is shining; the sky is cloudless; the temperature is a perfect 72F; and the tropical breeze is gentle. We watch the mama kitty play with her kitten. And we reflect on the many reasons we have to be thankful:</span><br /></div><ul><li><div align="left"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;font-size:130%;">Daughter Justine is on her way to visit, and will arrive tomorrow. I haven’t seen her for eight months, and having her with us for Thanksgiving is a special gift.</span></div></li><li><div align="left"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;font-size:130%;">Our little family of <em>personas y mascotas</em> is blessed with the addition of Blanca and her baby, whom we have named “Lucky.” Watching them play together has provided us with many many hours of pleasure.</span></div></li><li><div align="left"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;font-size:130%;">There is a new feeling of hope in the world. New leadership in the United States has filled everyone, even those here in Mexico, with a sense of optimism.</span></div></li><li><div align="left"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;font-size:130%;">We continue to believe that we made the best possible decision to make Bucerias our home, and that we are the two most fortunate people in the world.</span></div></li><li><div align="left"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;font-size:130%;">I have a special sense of gratitude for the opportunity to express my respect and affection for Mexico through my painting and drawing - and that I have sold five paintings and a drawing in the past few weeks. I am especially grateful for Jorge and Blanca, who have faith in me, and who have chosen to make their gallery a showplace for my work.</span></div></li><li><div align="left"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;font-size:130%;">We have found so many delightful new friends, who fill our lives with laughter and purpose.</span></div></li><li><div align="left"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;font-size:130%;">In the midst of so much economic uncertainty for so many, we have a modest and dependable income stream that is not affected (so far) by the crisis in the US. In fact (for some arcane reason we do not understand) the peso has gone from 10 pesos to one dollar to 13:1, giving us a temporary pay raise.</span></div></li><li><div align="left"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;font-size:130%;">We are both strong and healthy.</span></div></li><li><div align="left"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;font-size:130%;">We look forward to the holidays and the coming year, with hopes that more of our friends and family will find the time and resources to come here and share our corner of paradise for a time. </span></div></li></ul><p align="center"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;font-size:180%;">So Happy Thanksgiving to all, and </span><span style="font-family:lucida grande;font-size:180%;">may all your days be full of hope and promise.</span></p></div>Karen and Jerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10199515288188613417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23981868.post-37004849749060973202008-10-28T18:24:00.005-06:002008-10-30T17:47:28.959-06:00Adios to rain and humidity; hola to Blanca<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/SQewdG3WHBI/AAAAAAAAAQA/w2az-Ui9DcY/s1600-h/October+26+2008+012.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/SQewdG3WHBI/AAAAAAAAAQA/w2az-Ui9DcY/s400/October+26+2008+012.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262368703711157266" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/SQet-jIs2zI/AAAAAAAAAP4/d8r-Wg17qY0/s1600-h/Blanca.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/SQet-jIs2zI/AAAAAAAAAP4/d8r-Wg17qY0/s400/Blanca.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262365979700943666" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Top picture: our last storm of the summer. I was lucky to get a picture of a good lightning strike...although it seems like daylight, this <span style="font-style: italic;">tormenta </span>occurred about midnight and lit up the night sky. <br />Bottom picture: our newest kitty, Blanca (not a very original name, I know). She is another "rescue"; she was living as a feral cat in the field next to our house.<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />Although we love the summer storms, the heavy rain (about 140 inches in the last four months) takes its toll on the little dirt roads in our town. Most of them (including our own street) look more like ravines than roads right now, and navigating them is a challenge. Now that the rains are over, the municipality will grade and fill them all, one at a time. No more power outages or fried electronic equipment for another 8 months or so!<br /><br />The humidity "switch" got thrown sometime during the night last night, and we awoke this morning to a dry warm wind blowing from the mountains. It almost felt like fall - and the humidity was down to 60% .... yesterday at the same time, it was 95%! Although the day was warm (around 90-95F), the wind kept blowing, and soon it was down to about 40%. Longtime Bucerians have told us that the humidity leaves in one night, shortly after the rains stop, and they are right. My paint is finally drying better and we will be able to turn over in bed tonight without sticking to the sheets. Hooray! Seven months of perfect weather ahead!<br /><br />"Blanca" is the newest member of our family. She is a truly feral cat, having been born and "raised" in the field of palm trees that borders our back and side yards. A few months ago, she began coming in our cat door in search of food. We noticed that she was pregnant and began feeding her. Polo is very smitten with her - Negro not so much. She now has one little kitten and spends most of her time on our patio. She is becoming very approachable, and likes to play and be petted. She still has her baby in hiding, but I imagine that he will soon be joining our family as well. Isn't she pretty?<br /><br /><br /></span></div></div>Karen and Jerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10199515288188613417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23981868.post-22298677464215356512008-10-11T12:39:00.007-06:002008-10-11T14:09:36.245-06:00Some good things that are happening in our community...<p><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/SPDz-fIzqUI/AAAAAAAAANA/ksxrIAj_ggQ/s1600-h/October+10+2008+023.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5255969019977247042" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/SPDz-fIzqUI/AAAAAAAAANA/ksxrIAj_ggQ/s400/October+10+2008+023.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/SPDz-pO3GXI/AAAAAAAAANI/RGAH_xPNHrA/s1600-h/October+10+2008+025.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5255969022686992754" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/SPDz-pO3GXI/AAAAAAAAANI/RGAH_xPNHrA/s400/October+10+2008+025.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><p>The picture at the top is <em>Casa Hogar (literally, "a house that is a home"), </em>the orphanage/children's shelter that is being built here in Bucerias, entirely with donations. Please take a few minutes to look at <a href="http://www.manosdeamor.com/">http://www.manosdeamor.com/</a>and read the story of this phenomenal effort, which is being led by local resident Valiene Heckart. From now until the end of the year, a generous local architect has offered to MATCH each donation. AND, the organization has US 501(c)(3) status, so your donations are US tax deductible. I know that money is scarce and times are uncertain, but please consider a donation to this wonderful organization. You can even donate using PayPal from the <em>Manos de Amor</em> (hands of love) website.<br /><br />The bottom picture is a wondrous treehouse that is being built at the public swimming pool for the children to play in...it will be a magical thing when it is finished, and I'll keep you posted with photos of both projects as they progress.<br /><br />Now, for the good news/bad news item: the good news is that the rainy season is almost over. The bad news is that the rainy season is almost over. We love the storms and the cooling rains, for this is the most uncomfortable time of year for heat and humidity. But when the rains go at long last, so does the humidity, and gradually, the heat. We enter six months of ideal weather: cool nights (50F-55F) and warm days (75F-85F). We bid goodbye to the rains reluctantly, and we will certainly welcome them when they return next June.<br /><br />The US presidential election is the main topic of conversation everywhere we go. Because we now have a SKY TV satellite dish, we are able to watch the US news and the debates (But NO annoying commercials or political messages). Everyone we know from the US is casting an absentee ballot (ours were emailed to us and we will mail them to Oregon on Monday). We are members of Democrats Abroad, a worldwide organization that has produced this wonderful video, showing support for Barack Obama from expat Democrats all over the globe. This will make your day, I promise. It may even bring a tear to your eye if you are like me and cry at Hallmark commercials... <a href="http://blip.tv/file/1338283" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://blip.tv/file/1338283</a><br /><br />That's it for now - <em>mas tardes</em>.<br /></p><p></p>Karen and Jerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10199515288188613417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23981868.post-25057667412346500992008-08-24T17:54:00.005-06:002008-08-24T18:35:08.240-06:00The right place at the right time<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/SLH9SnBMg1I/AAAAAAAAAM4/97lYjSs20EQ/s1600-h/little+iguana.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0Y808noDCEE/SLH9SnBMg1I/AAAAAAAAAM4/97lYjSs20EQ/s400/little+iguana.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238246337762067282" border="0" /></a><br /><br />It is not unusual to encounter moments of breathtaking beauty here, and we were lucky to come across one this afternoon. This baby iguana posed just inside our front gate atop a blooming bird of paradise...what a wonder he is, with his long, delicate fingers and long, subtly-ringed tail. With luck, he'll grow up to be a 4-5 foot long adult, like the ones we enjoy watching in our big mimosa tree, and who herald both the sunset and the dawn with their whistling...Karen and Jerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10199515288188613417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23981868.post-23693254686795106692008-08-01T10:51:00.003-06:002008-08-01T11:14:43.477-06:00Puff Earns Her Wings.....<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_0Y808noDCEE/SJM_xECbCsI/AAAAAAAAAGs/P14vRFt0XBg/s1600-h/Merkitties2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_0Y808noDCEE/SJM_xECbCsI/AAAAAAAAAGs/P14vRFt0XBg/s400/Merkitties2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5229593704437320386" border="0" /></a>When we came to Mexico, we brought our two cats, Puff and Polo. They endured 12 hours in their carriers, and when they were finally released, they found a whole new world. They loved their new world, especially Puff. She developed an uncanny facility for tracking down and catching the enormous cockroaches that lived around the condo we rented in Vallarta. And when we moved to Bucerias, her hunting prowess extended to little field mice and lizards. She had a wonderful life, enjoying the warmth of Mexico.<br /><br />Puff's Mexican adventure has come to an end. She was (we think) about 15 years old, and for the past few months, her age had begun to show. She was having trouble eating, and Dr. Wenceslao carefully cleaned her teeth and removed the few that were abscessed. He discovered a small bony growth on her jaw that he suspected was a tumor, and it grew rapidly. Finally, she could barely open her mouth, and I had to feed her by hand. It was time to say goodbye.<br /><br />Her passage was gentle, thanks to Wenceslao. When it was done, we asked him "how much?" and he shook his head, tears in his eyes. "No charge for Puff."<br /><br />The picture above is a tribute to brave Puff, as a merkitty, watching over her brothers and ready to rescue Polo from the giant squid.Karen and Jerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10199515288188613417noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23981868.post-11197398459796935992008-07-27T13:25:00.004-06:002008-07-27T14:01:54.685-06:00Driving in Mexico...confusion, but no road rage<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://images-cdn01.associatedcontent.com/image/A3592/3592/300_3592.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://images-cdn01.associatedcontent.com/image/A3592/3592/300_3592.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />When we first arrived in Mexico, I didn't drive much. Jerry is an adventuresome driver and I like to tease him that he was "born to be a Mexican driver." Mexicans, who are sometimes painfully polite and courteous, apparently lose those qualities when they sit behind the wheel of a car. Driving here is an adventure, and despite the fact that I am a confident driver who has had a license since age 16, I was reluctant to take it on. After we moved to Bucerias, it occurred to me how foolish it was to depend on Jerry to go everywhere with me, and so I gradually began to venture out on my own. Now, I am a pretty confident Mexican driver, and I even have a ticket to prove it (running a red light - yes, I did it. The fine was $110 pesos, or a little over $10 USD.). Last week, The Vallarta Tribune, a local English language weekly paper, published the following tips for driving in Mexico. I know this smacks of stereotypes and generalizations, BUT they are ALL TRUE. Really.<br /><br /><ul><li>Turn signals will give away your next move. A real Mexican driver never uses them.</li><li>Under no circumstances should you leave a safe distance between you and the car in front of you, or the space will be filled in by someone else putting you in an even more dangerous situation.</li><li>Crossing two or more lanes in a single lane change is considered going with the flow.</li><li>The faster you drive through a red light, the smaller the chance you have of getting hit.</li><li>Never, ever come to a complete stop at a stop sign. No one expects it and it will inevitably result in your being rear-ended.</li><li>A right lane closure is just a game to see how many people can cut in line while passing you on the right as you sit in the left lane waiting for the same jerks to squeeze their way back in before hitting the orange construction barrels.</li><li>Speed limits are arbitrary figures, given only as suggestions.</li><li>Remember that goal of every Mexican driver is to get there first, by whatever means necessary.</li><li>It is traditional to honk your horn at cars that don't move the instant the light changes.</li><li>Just because you're in the left lane and have no room to speed up or move over doesn't mean that the driver behind you won't flash his high beams, thinking you can go faster.</li></ul>Now here is the amazing part. Despite the fact that drivers cut in front of each other constantly, run stop signs and red lights and often park in the middle of the street, they never get visibly angry. They don't exchange rude hand signs. They don't yell at each other. There is NO road rage.<br /><br />A few months ago, our friend Salvador came to visit us, parking his car in the middle of our street, even though there was plenty of room for him to pull over to the side. We were sitting on the patio having coffee when we heard someone calling from the front of the house, "Buenos dias. Buenos dias!" We went around to the front. There was a pickup behind Salvador who could not get by. Did he honk? No. Did he yell? No. Did he ram Salvador's car? No. He politely called "Buenos dias" until Salvador moved his car. Then he waved happily and went on his way.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >What a place. Reason number 416 "why we love Mexico."<br /><br /><br /></span>Karen and Jerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10199515288188613417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23981868.post-57213460035286342162008-07-14T17:12:00.003-06:002008-07-14T17:37:02.788-06:00Meeting with El Gobernador!<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.laexplosiva.com/341/Gobernador%20de%20Nayarit,%20Ney%20Gonz%C3%A1lez.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://www.laexplosiva.com/341/Gobernador%20de%20Nayarit,%20Ney%20Gonz%C3%A1lez.JPG" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Governor of the state of Nayarit, Ney Gonzalez<br /><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></span>This morning, the officers of the Amigos de Bucerias had the pleasure of meeting with the governor of our state, Ney Gonzalez . Following a general meeting of our group a few months ago (in which many questions were asked regarding future development in our area), we requested a meeting with the governor. A few days ago, the American Consular Officer for Vallarta, Kelly Trainor, called and said we were "on" for this morning.<br /><br />Meeting with Governor Gonzalez was pretty much like meeting with Governor Kulongoski in Oregon (or any other governor, for that matter, I'm sure). Except, of course, Governor Kulongoski speaks <span style="font-style: italic;">Ingles</span>, would likely <span style="font-weight: bold;">not</span> have invited us to his family's vacation home in Nuevo Vallarta (three miles from us), and would not have given us almost two hours of his time.<br /><br />I was very impressed with the level of knowledge Gov. Gonzalez has regarding the details of the plans being made for our state, and especially the coastal area that runs from the state border north to Rincon de Guayabitos (including Bucerias) - an area that has recently been christened <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Riviera Nayarit.</span> An impressive amount of state and federal money has been pledged for development of this area.<br /><br />Our immediate area has been targeted for a number of new health care facilities, including a new 30-bed hospital, outpatient clinics for mental health, alcohol and drug addiction and HIV. Outreach and prevention programs are also planned, along with a cardiac and diabetes center.<br /><br />Most reassuring to us, was that Bucerias is slated to remain a <span style="font-style: italic;">puebla tipica, </span>or typical small Mexican village. Plans do include an expansion of our town plaza and construction of a <span style="font-style: italic;">malecon, </span>or boardwalk, along the ocean front downtown.<br /><br />Ney Gonzalez is a charming, well-educated and amiable man, with a good sense of humor. It was a privilege to meet with him, and a bit reminiscent of my working days. <br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></span></div></div>Karen and Jerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10199515288188613417noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23981868.post-81083290422565120602008-06-21T16:58:00.003-06:002008-06-21T17:25:58.753-06:00Lichees, lizards and lovely visitors...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3010/2599042502_87a9ec538d.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3010/2599042502_87a9ec538d.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2267/2599052572_1d80ba8dd9.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2267/2599052572_1d80ba8dd9.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3014/2598212229_741b934a3b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3014/2598212229_741b934a3b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Top picture: a pile of lichees harvested from the huge tree in the middle of our patio; Center picture: a lovely Brown Anole Lizard showing off his dewlap; Bottom picture: Kim, Amelia, Josie and Jeff at The River Cafe in Puerto Vallarta<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></span>We've had a wonderful week, with glorious summer weather. For the last eight days, we were especially excited to have VISITORS FROM CHINA! Son Jeff, his wife Kim and their two daughters Amelia and Josie got on the plane this morning, heading for the US for a few weeks before they return to China, where Jeff and Kim teach in an international school in Wuhan, Hubei Province. They enjoyed being tourists: scuba diving, boogie-boarding, going to the Splash Park, swimming at the beach, shopping and eating great Mexican food. It was so hard to say goodbye...<br /><br />So many wonderful fruits are coming into season right now - we are inundated with fresh mangoes...so many friends bringing us large bags of sweet, sun-ripened mangoes. Fortunately, we can reciprocate with bags of <span style="font-style: italic;">lichees, </span>a walnut-sized fruit that is not native to Mexico, but actually was introduced from China. It is a huge favorite of Mexican people, who love their spicy sweetness. They are also pretty expensive - about $10 ($100 pesos) for a kilo bag. So we have become pretty popular in our neighborhood, as Jerry goes from house to house with gifts of <span style="font-style: italic;">lichees.<br /><br /></span>That pretty little lizard is called a Brown Anole, and they scamper all over our patio, jumping from tree limb to tree limb and post to post - they can jump about 2-3 feet. They love to show off their bright orange dewlap. To us, they are a metaphor for beautiful and mysterious Mexico - they look very modest and ordinary, blending quietly into the background until they throw back their heads and surprise us with such an extraordinary display of beauty. <span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"></span><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></div></div>Karen and Jerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10199515288188613417noreply@blogger.com0