Casa de Chacala

Rick left at the same time as Heather and Chris and I was on my own for three weeks. I was a little apprehensive but after the mad rush of company and friends at Christmas time I was ready for a little solitude. I found myself copying the locals, I would start the day with a nice breakfast on the upper patio contemplating the view and waiting for something to come up. Sometimes someone would drop by to visit, sometimes a delivery or work person would come, sometimes no one. I would clean up, read a book, paint or just generally sit around for the morning. In the afternoon I went to the beach or visited friends or stayed home and read. Usually about four o’clock I would go for a long walk, meeting up with Mexican people I knew and spending a little time trying out my Spanish. Some mornings I went to Spanish class, others I stayed home and watched the birds. Altogether I had a blissful time, just letting down and enjoying the atmosphere.

I drove down to Puerto Vallarta to pick Rick up and we spent a little time around PV getting groceries and just generally hanging out. We find it easier to hang out there now that we know where things are. We had dinner in Bucerias and enjoyed a great little street market and fiesta that was happening there.

The last two weeks flew buy. Rick was taking an SRT course at Mardi Jade and the last week I got a horrendous stomach flue. But just before we left we were invited to a little town nearby called el Capomo. They were having a nine day festival, it included a float with biblical characters, five loud Mexican bands, a lot of fireworks, and great things to eat and drink. We enjoyed this evening the most of all our time there.

We were both sad to leave our new home. I think next year we will spend the same amount of time here, December and January as well as April, and hopefully the following year we will be able to spend longer. We do feel a sense of well being and home in Chacala. It is such a great experience to live in another culture and we value the people and the culture above everything else there.