Weekly News

I delayed publishing this week until Diana and I could attend a major pueblo event last evening; more on the particulars in just a bit. First, there are several news items which require attention:

The sunshine in Yelapa is honored and ascribed the status of a natural resource. Its absence is universally considered an ill-omen. Allow me to explain. Late last week a storm front moved into the area and delivered two afternoons of rain. We then enjoyed three spectacular (typical) sun-filled days.  Shopkeepers grinned, children sang “hola” to all who passed and the local clutch of canines actually smiled as they napped in patches of brightness. Then BAM!!! We were cast into three days of clouds and mist. Shopkeepers snarled, children hung their heads while babies and dogs howled as if to beckon the return of some lost companion. Occurrences of SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) approached epidemic status requiring the local clinic to extend normal hours as well as provide emergency housing for husbands who felt their lives were at risk should they be caused to return home. We became a village in turmoil.  

In perhaps an unrelated incident, one of our local water taxis was en route to Puerto Vallarta and experienced an up close and personal encounter with a visiting hump back whale. Apparently the thirty foot, multi-ton water mammal breeched just as the taxi was passed; causing a minor collision between boat and whale. Damage was sustained by the taxi resulting in it being towed to Yelapa. No human injuries were reported. Numerous attempts to contact the whale for comment have not proven successful.

Yelapa’s social calendar is limited to high decibel music originating twice a week from one of three sources. Aside from that, the village is quiet. This week was a significant exception on two fronts. Sunday afternoon brought people together to share the baptism of Fernando and Kendra Garcia’s daughter Kayden. Naturally food and drink followed to properly punctuate the occasion. The upper level of MiraMar Yelapa served as the gathering site for good people, good food and beverage.  Paternal (Enrique/Emma Garcia) and maternal (John/Becky Knoll) grand-parents joined countless cousins to celebrate.

The second event requires a modicum of background material. Yelapa is proudly home to a pre-school, elementary school, middle school and high school. This grants a pre-k through 12^th grade educational experience to all the local children. The system engages nearly one hundred and eighty children. Sounds good so far, right? Enter Pamela Rojas; Mexico City trained veterinarian, restaurateur, mother of two (3 & 7), activist and Yelapa resident. Two years ago when her daughter Naia entered kindergarten, Pamela volunteered to teach nutrition, socialization skills and ultimately English. She befriended the staff and discovered that three of them, including the principal, slept on mats in their classrooms at night. One teacher tended her three children nightly. Bathing was limited to washing in a sink. Pamela went into action and last night was the project launch. A fund raising dinner (garden salad, chicken alfredo, cake) was held. Locals, ex-pats, visitors and a handful of village canines pushed the attendance easily past the three hundred mark. Each grade level performed to the delight of parents/teachers/friends and visiting humanity in general. One anonymous visitor offered a $10,000 USD matching contribution. Pamela you are our hero.  It was a great night to be a Yelapan!

A slide show high-lighted the faces of our innocent children eager to learn. It also illustrated areas of deferred maintenance and pathetic teacher living conditions. I will gain access to this collage and reference a link as soon as possible. Should any of you stateside elect to contribute, I will investigate that opportunity as well. Please share this posting. Thank you-memo