Theory of Evolution

Yelapa is situated in the jungle; not adjacent to, not nearby, and certainly not just a short distance away but in the jungle. The ocean which occupies our little bay merely adds a dimension not typically present. Those of us who came of age during the original Tarzan series recall warrior pygmies, rivers teaming with alligators and the ever popular pet chimpanzee, Cheetah. Our jungle in Yelapa includes none of these implants. What it does contain is an ever changing variety of migratory birds displaying gorgeous plumage; an endless raft of flying-crawling-climbing insects whose body structures frequently replicate miniature dinosaurs; an anthology full of dragonflies, moths and butterflies speckled with vibrant colors and designs previously unimagined. And amidst all this marvel and wonder, reside a pair of bushy- tailed squirrels.  They seem out of place but appear to be much at home. Alas, the jungle is a wondrous place.      

Living in the midst of this evolutionary vibrancy, I frequently wax philosophical. During one such “waxing,” I stumbled upon a thought which demanded further consideration. If man/woman, who now revels in his/her ability to control the entirety of the environment was meant to occupy this pinnacle of absolute dominion, then why wasn’t he/she the first to occupy the planet? Then all subsequent new comers could have been assigned their places early on. It would have made the entire process ever so much more efficient, right? But that’s not what happened. We were the last to join the group, why? Not unexpectedly, I have a theory.

What if at the end of the week, millennium or whenever, all the animals got together and decided that all-in-all life was pretty good but that they would really enjoy some periodic comic relief. A multi-specieal commission was formed; the concept of “man” immerged. Think about it, most of what occupies man’s time are inept attempts to imitate other animals’ behaviors. Allow me to illustrate with just a few examples:

Shelter-Animals create protective structures out of nearby materials. Man shaves off the top of a hill, hauls in timber from a thousand miles away, utilizes multi-ton machinery to construct a two story, 2500 square foot home for a family of three.

   

Employment-Animals collectively engage in work which satisfies the needs of the entire community. Man’s work has absolutely no bearing on the overall needs of the community but is designed to satiate his desire to place more “stuff” into the shelter mentioned above.

Recreation-Animals infuse play and frivolity into most of what they do whether it’s creating family housing or trying to tidy up the common area. Man remains consumed by the obsession with “stuff” and therefore has no time to play. What few exceptions exist relate to Monday’s which are designated holidays by powerful lobbyists representing the greeting card and chocolate industries.

Life-Animals realize that birth and death are cycles which they experience daily. Man supports multi-billion dollar industries crafted around both of these common activities.

Alas, we are an entertaining lot aren’t we? Does anyone else hear that hyena off in the distance?

New Link Added
I have added a new link at the bottom of the blog page. It relates to Pam Thompson's blog HealthCare Resources. Pam's blog is a wealth of information about local health care. Check this out, it could literally save your life.

Commercial Break

Summer rates remain in effect. Please be advised that I will be closed next Saturday, which is Yelapa’s observance of Mariner’s Day. Despite the celebration’s name, most activities will be land- based. There’s a reason for that. Happy paddling-memo

I've been adopted!

Volumes are penned detailing the connection between stress and physical/mental health. When our body experiences stress, our brain, via some synaptic Situation Room, begins preparing for war. The more prolonged the stress, the more extensive the preparations. Once the plans are formulated, war is declared—on yourself!!! Headaches, intestinal discomfort, sleep issues all invite some type/s of substance/s abuse. The picture deteriorates rapidly.

Flying flat into the face of logic (a practice not unknown to me), I go to the office when I am stressed. For those of you unfamiliar with my “office” allow me to create an image. Picture a raised platform roughly ten feet square. Half of the space is occupied by a skeletal rack which supports six kayaks. The other half is open. This is where I position my desk chair (Question: Can there be a desk chair if there is no desk?). The chair and I shift periodically to retain the cover provided via a massive fig tree looming overhead. All senses are drawn to the sea which lies a handful of meters before me.

A few weeks back, during one such therapeutic session, I became aware of two young girls. Their ages are perhaps seven and five. I recognize both of them as village kids. Their hands are stuffed with all variety of treasures in preparation for their adventure at the playita. Unaware of my presence, they climb into a beached panga, intricately arrange their treasures across one of the benches and commence to play out some imaginary scene replete with action and dialogue. A smile creeps across my lips. The older girl glances up and spots me. Instead of recoiling in embarrassment at having been observed, the two simply collect their props and relocate the drama in its entirety to my platform. They are no more concerned with my presence than the frigate birds carving celestial figure eights above me.

Suddenly, they break away and dash to the sea. They frolic and squeal unabashedly as kids are meant to do. They return, shell fragments in tow, and extend their little brown hands in my direction. The younger one states, in Spanish, that these are treasures from the sea and that they will provide memories of my visit to Yelapa. I am warmed by their thoughtfulness, and alert them that I live in Yelapa. They process the information briefly then return to the imaginary drama which earlier occupied them. Time passes, how much is irrelevant; my new friends gather their treasures leaving the shells for me. We bid each other “adios” as they retrace their footsteps and disappear. The smile they gave me lingers.

Since then, the three of us convene frequently. There is always a cheery “hola” which initiates our encounter and the parting “adios” which concludes it. In between are countless words which communicate all experiences since our last meeting. I understand perhaps one fourth of what they say; it is my listening which pleases them, not any oral response. The two shell fragments remain atop my platform. They serve as permanent props awaiting a future episode of “imagining.” My smile is there also, just between the shells.

Sharing is Caring---if you enjoy the blog and would like your friends to know more about you, then click on the “share” button under the picture of me and my kayaks on your FB page. Then all your buddies will receive this too.  

Commercial Break

Summer rates are in effect. Additional discounts are available for extended/multi-day rentals. It’s almost worth it to fly down for the day just to rent my kayaks. Also, for all of you FB addicts, be sure to “Like” Yelapa Visitors FB page so that you can follow current events here in the village. Happy paddling—memo

Manuel Labor (Part 1)

Who of us has walked past some skyscraper in the midst of construction and marveled at the technology of the event? Set aside, for the moment, the architectural capacity to design such an instrument of modernity. It is invariably some ground- based or roof-mounted crane which attracts and then locks our focus. This single machine forms the nerve center, spine, and musculature of the project. Without this device, the project would remain countless lines canted upward on a drafting table.   

As I have mentioned before, there are few, if any, mortgages here in the village. Construction is funded out of savings. An owner builds/improves/expands a project as cash is available. When the funds are exhausted, the project pauses. It must sound primitive to many on the northern side of the border. There are no high-rises here. Our tallest structures peak at four levels and are cantilevered down the hillside. All are assembled block by block by the nerve centers, spines and musculatures of human cranes. It is mesmerizing to observe.

A young couple resides across the street. Two weeks back, materials arrived in the open area adjacent to their home: rebar, gravel, cement, solid concrete blocks. The project, the building of a second story living space, has now been underway for roughly ten days. In that span, virtually all the materials have been deployed. Ok, I hear you saying, no big deal. Allow me to further explain that this project involves a total of two workers. One is a skilled craftsman who handles every aspect once the required materials are delivered onto the roof. The second individual functions as the Building Materials Transportation Specialist. I observe this individual stack three concrete blocks onto a platform, then shift the load to the crotch created in his shoulder by extending his arm to the top of the blocks. He walks across the yard to the rear of the house, climbs a handmade ladder (no hand rails) to the roof and delivers the blocks to some pre-determined spot. He returns to repeat the process again and again and again. He is clad in standard Yelapa attire: t-shirt, shorts and flip-flops. He has no steel-toed high-topped work boots, no yellow hard hat, no gloves nor kidney-belt. There is no forklift assigned to the heavy lifting; there is one person, a human crane. He performs this task for seven hours per day. The following morning, he returns: lifting, carrying, climbing, depositing.         

The thought of his just compensation never enters my mind. That is a matter between him and the owner; not my business. What I do think about is the physical fatigue, the pain and agony which would rack every molecule of my being from my toe nails to the hair follicles atop my head. Over the past ten days I have grown to respect this individual immensely. When the project pauses, I will miss the humility his presence exudes.

Commercial Break

Summer rates are now in effect. Even bigger discounts await those who venture into extended/multi-day rentals. Remember to keep up with what/who is happening in Yelapa on the Yelapa Visitors FB page. Happy paddling.  memo   

Off to Corrales

Ok, for Diana and me (memo) it may have been just another day in paradise, but for our new friends Dave/Laura Lueck from San Diego, it will be yet another entry into their record book entitled "Yelapa." My Yelapa brother and proprietor of Okley Activities and Excursions, Fernando Garcia, ferried us all to Corrales for the day aboard his sleek new boat. Now geographically, Corrales represents the southern entry point into Banderas Bay. It is a beautiful crescent beach with seemingly only one occupant, a primitive restaurant off to one side. Well, this "primitive restaurant" consistently crafts 5+ Star meals, most of which were retrieved from the sea that morning. Allow me to illustrate:

Courses:

#1 Characol (sea snail) Ceviche
#2 Thinly sliced scallops chilled and marinated in lime juice
#3 Freshly steamed wild rice with jalapenos/carrots
#4 Pan seared octopus, olive oil and garlic
#5 Grilled lobster garnished in butter and garlic
#6 Grilled red snapper also in butter and garlic 
the coldest beer in Cabo Corrientes

While we were all busy snapping pictures as the courses arrived, by the time the snapper found its way onto our table, we lost all self-control and cameras were cast aside. There is no menu and the presentations vary daily based literally upon what is retrieved from the sea that morning. This is a must do trip with Fernando for any of you considering a visit. This trip to Corrales is one of many offerings through Okley Activities and Excursions. Check out what others have said on TripAdvisor; don’t just believe me. In my recent review, under “Memo,” you’ll find pictures of our feast. Try not to drool on the key board.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g504234-d1977232-Reviews-Okley_Activities_and_Excursions-Yelapa_Costalegre_Pacific_Coast.html