After the National Holiday

Monday, Nov 21

The Mirimichi folks left on the Saturday bus for a week in Puerta Vallarta, a sad wave good-bye from us.

Our little community of Melaque had been transformed for the four day holiday weekend. To celebrate Revolution Day, there were parades, so much food and 40 buses from Guadalajara!!!  Our beach was very busy and as we wove our way to church yesterday on our bikes, there was a traffic jam at Los Arcos!!!

Tropicana Restaurant on the beach which tends to cater to the locals always has a dance Sunday afternoons , but the loud music extended well into the night this Sunday. This couple had been evicted from Tenacatita a few years back with the rest of the community and in the courts this week, they ruled that the judge had made the wrong decision so now they wait patiently to return to their homes and businesses on the beach. When we chatted with them on Thursday, they said that could take five months or five years to get the green light to return.

Felipe is doing very well at his new location across the street. He had been El Quetzel in La Manzinilla for some years but has moved here for his children's schooling. We watched them put the finishing touches on the landscaping and kitchen.Felipe is from Toulouse, France married to a Mexican woman so their cuisine is French and Mexican. There is some concern for El Concho across the road, who traditionally have served all the French Canadians. We experienced dinner there on Friday, WOW!! and sure enough, Felipe was parling francais with a very large table of diners.

Originally, we had planned to spend January in La Manzinilla but enjoy our Spanish classes and the neighborhood , so we went on a house hunting mission these last few days and with the help from Juan, we have a lovely bungalo just down the street at Pariso. In chatting with the owner, we learned she is from Errington, BC!!!!  Has been down here for the winters for the last thirty years.
So, our teacher from Cumberland and our landlady from Errington, explains why people ask, "Is there anyone left on the island?"

Off to Cihuatlan today with more goods for the hurricane victims. It certainly will take awhile for them to get back on their feet even though the government was awesome with money for beds, stoves and refrigerators.

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