A Star is Born!

Our balcony overlooks a barnyard. Its residents include; chickens, both large and small, aged and young; black, brown, white and multi-colored, roosters and hens; one mule, the occasional cow and/or calf; two groups of garrobos, three dogs, one green iguana and the odd quartet of vultures who swoop in each morning to investigate the newly deposited spread of compost. The area’s peaceful surrounds are periodically interrupted by a traversing moto, a family member disbursed to collect eggs or sweep leaves from atop the hardened soil. It is generally a picture of placidity.

Of late, two new sounds are audible from my human perch. One is the ever so muffled sound of an infant crying. A new daughter resides across the way. She is a welcomed addition to the village in general and to her parents in particular. The second of these audible events is decidedly unique. Allow me to provide but a moment of background. Roughly a week ago, the evening calm retreated as an unknown individual ascended an adjustable stool and began to brutalize a cow bell and a snare drum. The rhythm which emerged, clank-bam-bam, clank-bam-bam, clank-bam-bam proceeded for over a quarter of an hour without interruption. My distinctly polyannaish approach to life ushered me to the conclusion that whatever parent had purchased, on impulse, this musical set would instantly realize their error and have the original box neatly repacked and awaiting the 7:45 a.m. water taxi for transport and return to Puerto Vallarta. I retired that evening having encountered yet another slice of life in “Yelapa.”

The following morn, the sun arose, the birds circled and sang, and tiny waves lapped. The morning taxi departed yet I did not discern any large box upon its bow. At l:30 p.m. sharp, just as I was about to pair the first totopo laden with fresh guacamole with a sip of Pacifico, all serenity slipped away. The drum phantom returned, only it brought a friend. Another misguided, impulsive parent had purchased a beginning level electric guitar. In a small village, news travels briskly and such must have been the case here. The joining of these two musical revelers was ordained. In the interest of complete disclosure, I must add that the guitar player had already mastered two chords prior to arriving (vroom and vraam). Practice sessions arise organically throughout the day. They are typically no more than fifteen minutes in length—thank gawd! To date the connection of dulce tones remains predictable:  clank-bam-bam (vroom), clank-bam-bam (vraam). You get the picture. I am beginning to see an increase in short duration kayak trips in my near future. Film at eleven.

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Morning seas are like glass and should be for the balance of the week. Yelapa Kayak Rentals right equipment, right price, right on the playita (little beach) under the giant fig tree. Call Memo to check availability 322 146 5064 (Yelapa cell), email: yelapakayakrentals@gmail.com or ask you lodging manager for assistance. Happy Paddling.  memo

Will there be food to eat?

I have spoken to the various cycles in Yelapa. There are cycles with the tides, the moon, the crabs, the various game fish; we even have a few motor cycles although they are really only scooters.

Over the past three weeks the village has re-entered the wind-down cycle. As increased temperatures and elevated humidity cycle in, tourists cycle out. Pale faces uttering English occupy markets, restaurants and paths less frequently. The next thirty days will register even further reductions. One activity which enjoys an uptick is that of construction. Owners scamper to acquire materials and workers to employ before the monsoons arrive mid-June. Yelapa construction mantra: do not get caught with a supply of unused concrete once the rains arrive. Many an owner has scampered at the last moment in search of a tarp to avert his 80 lb. bag of concrete from converting into an 80 lb. block of cement. The process is irreversible.

Never the less, tourism trickles throughout the summer. Surfacing mid-evening after the heat has broken, some venture onto the pathways in search of sustenance. They appear anxious, unsure of where to go or once they arrive, whether it is safe gastronomically to enter. Allow me to be of assistance.

Yes, most of the restaurants do close for the summer. Fortunately, for those of us who remain, there are dining opportunities. Let me back up for just a moment. There are four grocery stores in the central village, one up-river plus one behind the restaurants on the main beach. All of these remain open year round. My suggestion is that you purchase provisions for breakfast and lunch from these establishments. If food storage is not available or an issue, then do what the majority of the world does------shop daily.

An excellent online resource is Yelapa Visitors Face Book page.Dinner out may require some advance planning.


Here are your options as of this writing:

    
Ray’s Place (next to church)    Tues thru Sun  6-10pm

(plans to be open all summer) Birria Sun        9-11am

Café Bahia (end of the pier)    Fri thru Wed   9am-1pm

    (closed)

  
Abuelos (behind the Casino)   Mon thru Fri      6-10pm

    (closing June 25)

   
Pollo Bollo                       Thurs/Fri thru Mon   6-10pm

El Manguito                             daily

Hotel Lagunita (dining area)  7 days         3 meals/day

Restaurants on the main beach     varied           varied

(If you are a restaurant owner and will be open this summer, please contact me so that I may include your information)

A number of small taquerias flourish in the evening during the summer. These pop up in virtually every nook and cranny in the village. The easiest way to find them is to just follow your nose. Travelers; here’s a heads up. These establishments are generally part of someone’s home, a patio, a deck or spare room. They will not be lavishly appointed. Move past your cultural snobbery and enjoy real Mexican home-made food. Remember to ask what kind of “agua fresca” (fresh juice) they are offering. If you have never tried agua de jamaica (hibiscus), then you are in for a treat. It is the perfect non-alcoholic thirst quenching beverage on a summer night. Trust me on this!

             

Adventures with Teo—Update

Allow me to introduce the fourth member of the Teo Team: Alfredo Reyes our translator. He is completing his Student Teaching assignment in Deming, New Mexico. He will be graduated from Western New Mexico University, School of Education this Friday. His availability and assistance, despite this unbelievably busy time in his professional/academic life has been astounding. I am deeply indebted and wish him the best on his new journey as an educator. Now, check out the dedicated FB page, Yelapa Memo, for updates and features.

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With the mid-day heat becoming intense, a morning trek is always a good bet. Yelapa Kayak Rentals right equipment, right price, right on the playita (little beach) under the giant fig tree. Call Memo to check availability 322 146 5064 (Yelapa cell) or yelapakayakrentals@gmail.com or ask you lodging manager for assistance. Happy Paddling.  memo

Happy Days Are Here Again!

Recall the repeated scene in John Huston’s classic film The Night of the Iguana, where the pathetic group of church women travels through Mexico on a dilapidated bus? Their totally delusional leader frequently cajoles the group into iterations of the above captioned song. The women sing against the backdrop of oppressive heat, sweat and grit plus the deafening mechanical groan of a vehicle near death. The juxtaposition is brilliant.

In Yelapa, we have two reasons to offer our voices in support of Huston’s traumatized travelers. Initially, yesterday at somewhere around 2:00 p.m. (CST) the “feels like” temperature crossed into the 90s F. In order to scale that seasonal milestone, the ambient humidity had to hit 70%. Temps throughout the balance of this week are expected to nudge further northward (up) by another degree or two. At slight variance with the expression of being able to fry an egg on the sidewalk, here in Yelapa you could boil one. Ok, so that is a bit dramatic. Summer has arrived/landed/befallen/burst forth; pick one. It will remain firmly ensconced until late October, punctuated by periodic deluges of rain beginning mid-June. During this same span, the jungle erupts into countless shades of green, the crabs may migrate, game fish of all nature enter Banderas Bay and streams, creeks and rivers flow with absolute majesty.

Our second cause for discomfort (that’s code for pain) arises from a nine day celebration of the Virgin of Guadalupe. Now, despite my religious affiliation as agnostic, I respect the spiritual displays of others. However, this particular “display” presents challenges. Each morning around 5 a.m. three or more M80s are detonated. Each evening around 6:30 p.m. the same artillery is re-deployed only in much greater numbers. Every six legged, four legged or no legged creature responds with blood reddened eyes, a panic-stricken demeanor and burrows deep within the ground. For a house dog like Nikki, she simply disappears under the bed for the duration. She and I will count the days together, we have no calendar, so passage of time will be measured by the morning incidence of booming.

Virtually all cultures employ some form of fireworks to punctuate their festivals. These observances last a day or two or three. Perhaps during the upcoming Vatican Council, the bishops might discuss the reality that virgins in today’s world just don’t last as long as they used to. Hence, the shortening of said celebrations in their honor might warrant re-evaluation. Just a thought.    

Adventures with Teo-update!

A new Face Book page has been established under the name of Yelapa Memo. Many of you have already visited, thank you. As mentioned in an earlier post, the page will be dedicated to my writings not only on the blog but the continuing development of the Teo series. I have posted a sample of the art work which enriches each edition. The obvious place to begin was with the image of Teo. Visit the page, "like" the page, click on the "get notifications" drop down and open your electronic door to the great children’s literature to follow.

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The sand is back. The water is a cool.  And every morning more yakers experience the bay. Yelapa Kayak Rentals right equipment, right price, right on the playita (little beach) under the giant fig tree. Call Memo to schedule your trek: 322 146 5064 (Yelapa cell) yelapakayakrentals@gmail.com or ask you lodging manager for assistance. Happy Paddling.  memo