Anyone still out here? I want to call it writers block but it boils down to being lazy ! The Summer has flown by and here we are at the end of August. One week left of my Summer Camp. Thank God for Pegge, who has been working with me. I got a chance to make a short trip back to Yelapa. It was my first time to visit , in that time of the year. I loved it ! Here's a collection of little stories and things that caught my eye.

First I must state that one week in Yelapa is only good ,when it's your first trip. I was able to do so much though. So much swimming in the flat, clear water, So much playing with my kids and friends, So much eating of wonderful food and So much of things that I cant post here.

The art of getting goods into Mexico is getting harder. My plan is to take all packaging off any new items and surround them with used ones. The sight of me with my 3 large duffel bags, jammed to the brim usually raises a eyebrow. "Are any of these items new?" asks the mexican customs agent."nope" "well, I do have a pool" "show me" she asks...You see I had this idea to bring my family a pool for getting wet during the extreme heat. I actually found a 10 ft. round pool with a filter that fit into a box in a duffel bag. "How much did that cost?" I believe that borders are appropriate for telling as many lies as necessary."All my goods are valued below the $300.00 limit" she smiled " push the button and if you get red, you're in for trouble" I quickly sped to my taxi with the happiness of the green light ! Most of you wont ever have to worry about this but for me getting goods to my Casa and Family are essential.

I decided not to go to Boca and to take the water taxi from Los Muertos. I wasn't really in touch with time and ended up getting to the pier late for the 11:30 taxi.The next boat departs at 4:00 ! It was a harsh acclimation to the heat. There I sat outside the hotel off the pier,to practice my patience for the next three hours. I was happy to see that everyone was as hot as me. It was the first time I wasn't the only one sweating. I learned alot about the different beach vendors . I got into their rhythm. I never realized they go into the hotel and drink a few beers and joke and watch a little fut ball and then fresh, they go to find their prey and then return in 30 minutes for another round. The majority of guests at the hotel were Mexican, which was a pleasure to watch. Mexicans on vacation sure know how to relax... I struck up a friendship with Juan, who sells tickets for all of the large and small boat trips. If you ever need a hand off the Los Muertos Pier, he is located between the hotel and the restaurant. The water taxi finally landed and I was so happy. When I got to Yelapa's beach, there was my cute little family. It had an awkward couple of seconds to it and then ...I was Home!!!

Casa Iguana looked so strange to me. It is really unbelievable how much the plants have grown in just three months.There were new sounds that I have not ever heard. Some kind of Chicharra that sounds like a horn going off and flying glow bugs ,of which one type is supposed to have a nasty bite. The only problem is no one knows how to differentiate between them.

The sun was strong, but by all means, tolerable. We were able to find some shade on the playita and spent my first day, swimming. The water was as nice as I have ever seen it !!! so calm and so clear and not a jellyfish in sight.The next day, we spent swimming at Isabel's beach on the point. I cant even describe how nice it was! The kid's made huge breakthroughs with the help of their new life jackets.

All week pongas were arriving from Boca, full of large plastic pipe.The government and the community are once again attempting to get a better water system happening in Yelapa. The main source is from up at the first crossing of the Rio Tuito. This is the third try... pray this one works... also the new president in Tuito has promised to repair the pier near the Hotel. Work is planned to start next year...

One night as we sat finishing our evening tea, I heard this sound getting louder and louder... "what is that?" I asked. "The wind"said Danny... with in 30 seconds all the contents of the main Casa were thrown about. It was like a comedy. All of us running around catching the falling items. As we attempted to gain control of the situation, the lightning began. I'm talking, the kind that shakes your soul ! Then rain... all of the well designed tarps on the crowns of the roofs blew right off and the water came in from all directions. I wasn't laughing now! Immediately I understood why Vero wanted me to build full walls instead of my pretty open half ones. Instantly I understood why Yelapense choose to live in closed concrete casas while the romantic gringos choose to live practically in the outdoors. An hour later and it was over and in the morning a new project of plastic windows for the topanco...Emilio put the tarps back up for the third time, this time using marbles to get a better grip in tying down the material.

While setting up the new pool, I had to laugh. The pool had little pictures of fish all over the base. The kids starting naming all the different types! Basic Yelapa knowledge... Dorado, Tuna, Bota,ect...

We had a great day and feast in Pizota. It was the Birthday of the amazing Emilio. Our whole clan, close to 20 of us spent the day on the beach near Valentino's casa. Mateo who was living with us has been living in Pizota with a friend and family. They were kind enough to bring us a huge bowl of Gora and 25 coconuts. Add that to our tacos and cevice and you definitely have a feast. The water was so flat and clear and warm.We played in the water till close to dark. It was the first time that I have left Pizota without having to jump off some rocks to the boat or some other heroic move. The day we were there, a meeting was happening with the unbelievably rich owner of a popular futball team discussing the possibility of leasing the middle beach in Pizota for thirty years to put up housing.. big changes, good or bad? I'm not sure which yet...

My visit ended quickly and before I knew it, I was on the water taxi heading to Vallarta and the States. All in all, it was a great trip. A highlight was being able to reconnect the phone in the casa, so I can call daily .

I'm lucky enough to get to visit again this next month. So look forward to more stories..

Tuesday was the first day of school for Vivian, our 4yr.old. I wish I was there to see her excitement. Somehow, I dought that Danny and Luz feel the same.

An unnamed friend is on an adventure, coming to Occidental ! He left Yelapa today. He was in the States for one year when he was 18 yrs old, now a bit older with a three kids and a wife, It throws a completely new spin on it. It surely is a sacrifice for his family but he definitely is going to benefit from the next year and a half's experience.

Another fun filled season of Summer Camp is in the hat. YAHOO!!!! I am so proud of the love and kindness we were able to give our kids. My staff was so on it...

Two weeks before I am back to visit Yelapa...

A friend sent this link to a article in Maxim Magazine... It read as follows:

Yelapa--

You don't have to worry about the absence of ATMs in Yelapa. 200 clams will last a week in this idyllic beach town. A hideout for expatriate outlaws, Yelapa stays simple and disconnected from the law. A basic hut a mile upriver from town rents for 150 bucks a week--look for a chubby man named Valentin and say " Quiero una casa arriba el rio"(I want a house up the river) Ask for mosquito nets and have drinking water delivered. Local weed is so abundant it's practically free. Tourists leaving will happily bequeath their stash to you. When the munchies set in, a plate of tasty tamales sets you back peanuts. Don't miss the bi-weekly, babe-rich raves at the Yacht Club---they're free, too!! Essentials: ask directions to Rosie's house for dollar tamales. The only liquor store sells a liter of raicilla,the local moonshine (under the counter), for $10.

Some parts of this article are true... I'll let you guess which parts ... I will say that Valentin isn't really chubby... and Rosie moved away from Yelapa. I buy Tamales from Celia, Juan Cruz's Wife...

Heres the actual link to the article...
http://www.maximonline.com/the_ride/articles/article_4962.html
you've got to copy and paste this into your browser window to view it...

I should start a weekly column here... Family of Vero...

Todays Featured Member is one of Veronica's four Brothers, Joyita.... current age 15 yrs. old

After putting off updating my Yelapa Scenes photos for months... I can finally cross it off my list ! Check out the new photos...

8/30/03 After a couple of days of no communication, my friend made it to Los Angeles. It sounds like it was a tough crossing. Look forward to hearing his story here. Tommorow he will travel to Sonoma County.