Yelapa Rediscovered!

A few days back I received an e-message from Patrick, a sometimes Yelapan, but reluctant resident of Chicago. He states that two friends will be visiting Yelapa. I am to act as guide and extend the opportunity to kayak the bay. A quick mental scan of my calendar reveals that I can accommodate just such a request. On the identified day, Brad and Dan arrive at the town pier having departed Puerto Vallarta roughly an hour earlier. While the morning remains overcast; they revel as the mid-day temperatures flirt with 80 F. Their mid-western turf currently “enjoys” its third major snow storm of the season. Daily temps crisscross the freezing mark.

The pair is easy to spot as they depart the water taxi. Like other visitors to Mexico, they spend the first day or two lounging around the pool or at the beach only to acquire a certain glow which wll remain uncomfortably over the balance of their stay. Spirits undaunted, they launch into a day of discovery in Yelapa with Memo. Our first destination is the town waterfall, an easy ten minute walk from the pier. They chat about their ride on the water-taxi and the various passengers. The path up to the waterfall quickly envelopes hikers in lush jungle foliage. Off the left side we hear the sounds of the creek which just seconds earlier dropped fifty feet into the pool at the base of the falls. We stop at the rosewood workshop and view, with appreciation, the crafts of the Rodriguez family. Our journey overtakes a sidewalk display of necklaces, beads and handmade shawls. We stop, we speak, and we smile as the woman details, in her best English, the time involved in creating the various crafts. We arrive at the falls well ahead of other travelers. A few moments watching, listening and absorbing are serenely special.

My guests retrace their steps; greeting oncoming traffic with a smile and an “hola.” A right turn at the corner of Leticia’s market returns us to the main path/road-Marlin Street. There are no street signs in Yelapa although most streets do possess some  label. The names are long forgotten due to lack of use or need. Only the elders of the village recall such trivia. For the ensuing three quarters of an hour, our trio ambles along, stopping to investigate some plant or flower, or to glance between buildings to gain a bearing on the bay. Unoccupied tables adorned with flowered clothes plus the disarming smile from Angelica beckon us to lunch at El Manguito. We offer no resistance. Nourished and thirsts quenched we return to the path. There is a required stop at Patrick’s house to “ooh and aah.” Debbie, a friend and local massage therapist who is currently house-sitting, grants the visitors a tour and extends her unique blend of expat hospitality.

The last leg of our journey summons us. It is a half hour stroll from Patrick’s house to the main beach. Ancient guanava trees create trellises where vines blend and offer shade. Passing small neighborhood stores, we enter one of the many beachfront restaurants. We are politely ushered to a table, my guests enjoy a margarita and I a Pacifico. Moments later I bid them “adios” and we part company. As I head towards my home, I realize that somehow/sometime I became muted by the visual beauty which surrounds me. It was reset today through the act of sharing with others. Dan and Brad discovered Yelapa with genuine appreciation through fresh eyes. Thank you, gentlemen for a most enjoyable day.                    

Commercial Break

March roared in with high tides and strong currents. Generally, not a good thang for beginning kayakers. If you are thinking of renting kayaks during your stay, please allow some flexibility as to when you wish to rent. If the surf is too active for your skill level, then I will urge that we reschedule for your safety and enjoyment.  You can reach me here in Yelapa via my cell 322 146 5064 or email: billrisdon@gmail.com. Hasta luego.