Day Trips : Sayulita, PV, and San Sebastian
06 May 2012
Karyn and Bob / Very warm and humid
Hola everyone - last time I wrote, we were still in the midst of many projects. As the stumbling blocks came, we reevaluated . . . If we were going to have to stay longer in Puerto Vallarta, we should make the best of it. We decided to take some inexpensive day trips. We love traveling on the Mexican buses - always an adventure. We started by going to Sayulita a bit north on the shore. It is known for it's surfing; Matthew had told us about it. The difference in the inhabitants was remarkable. It is a throw-back to hippies of the 60's and surfing. We took an old bus and felt every bump. The town itself was pretty. There were lots of fresh fruits and vegetables and friendly people. We talked to a young couple from the Czech Republic. They did not have children yet and decided to buy a van and drive to the Chile, learning about the countries on the way. They allowed two years for their adventure. It was interesting for 2 retired folks to be in much the same situation on their own adventure. It was a nice meeting. We roamed the town, drank Cappuccino and rested on the beach. It was crowded with both tourists and local families. You can see it all in the gallery. Quite a place.
The we went into Puerto Vallarta to see some local dancers perform on the Malecon. It was very low key and a place where family and friends go to see their children and grandchildren perform. A very touching dance troupe was comprised of mentally compromised adults and their teachers. It was heartening to watch. There are pictures of them as well.
Lastly we took the bus to San Sebastian. This is a 400 year old silver mining town of the Spanish. It has gone from a thriving town of 20,000; providing ore to Spain and, subsequently for Mexico, to a very small population of 600 mostly elderly people, as the mines have now all closed. The young people cannot find jobs. San Sebastian is in the running to be a World Heritage Site, but is really not yet geared up for tourists. We met a 54 year-old man who agreed to show us the various sights in town. He only spoke Spanish. It was the first time that I had to use my Spanish all day for every conversation. It excites me to continue to learn. Guape (his name) had worked in the mines his entire adult life. A year ago he was electrocuted at work, was in a coma for much of 2 months, and has lost the use of his left hand. He had to learn to walk, talk, etc. again. We talked about his hospitalization, recuperation, fears, etc. Right up my alley. He drove us around in his taxi. Miraculous. He told us his story and took us to the old mine shafts up the mountain. There is only one working mine now, but at one time there were 130. It was amazing. He took us to the house of a family member, who gave us her homemade tequila and dried mango. We went through her beautiful flower garden and swapped names of plants that we grow here as well. It was a great experience. Little Hannah, her daughter was our photo op. Lots of San Sebastian pictures in the gallery.
Yesterday, we took two buses into Puerto Vallarta to get the regrigeration insulation material from the shipping office. Guess what . . . it wasn't there yet. Maybe Monday, but "call first". So we are cooling our heels. There is still a chance that work will resume Monday afternoon. (Sunday is just a lazy day of reading, Bob coloring my hair, and working on the blog). We are eating tonight with friends with homes in Corona del Mar and Utah. He owned a plumbing company for many years, and Bob has appreciated his support in finding and repairing our water system. No more fresh water leaking into the bilge and no more cycling of water pressure and bilge pumps.
Our friends the Reads are one day from the Marquesas after 28 days at sea - a bit longer than they expected. Quite an accomplishment. We've heard from them daily through blog updates and emails they've sent using their satellite phone, and have heard just how much a trip like that demands of the husband/wife crew. Congratulations to them for their skill, courage, and tenacity.
That's about all for now. Please take a look at the gallery. This really is a great country, epecially when we head inland to the less populated areas. We even shook hands with a political candidate in his white cowboy hat. Buen Dias a todos.