Yoga at Sunrise

This was where we did yoga this morning at sunrise. I hadn't been down to the beach this early yet and am really glad I decided to get my butt out of bed and get down there. There were 6 participants, all pretty experienced, plus Pancho. He brought the little grass mats for us to sit on. Everyone was a little late which seems to be the norm in Mexico. We didn't get started until about 7:30 am. I was surprised when Pancho told us it would be a 2 hour class. The first half hour was just centering ourselves and relaxing. There's a tree just to the right where birds were singing their morning welcome to the day. I have never seen a sky so blue. There were a surprising amount of people walking the beach at this hour. Everything was perfect. Pancho talked us through the exercises, reminding us that this was work and not sleeping time. I think he was addressing me. I found it hard to concentrate on the poses at hand because I just wanted to take in the surroundings and I hadn't done yoga for quite a while. I'm sure I'll be a better student on Wednesday morning. The classes are Mon/Wed/Fri mornings and I will make an effort to be there as long as the roosters wake me up in time, which shouldn't be a problem. Next time I'll wear my bathing suit under my clothes for a nice dip when we're finished. I could get into meditation very easily in these surroundings. It almost feels like a natural thing to do. I felt totally rejuvenated when I was finished the class. By the time class was over the little town of Chacala was busy at work. Everything was closed when I got "downtown" in the early hours. One thing I've noticed here is that everyone is happy. The locals make sure to smile and say "Buenos Dias" when you pass them in the street. The children are never screaming and whiny like you see at home. They are all very content. My casa is one block from the school so it was great to see the kids walking along on their way to school. I took a little detour on the way home, just to shake things up a little. I was looking for a laundromat which I haven't been able to find yet. After one week and lots of sand around, my clothes are due for a good wash soon. I asked a gringo couple if they knew where a laundromat was and they went out of their way to show me where Patricia's casa was (note to self: yellow with a blue door.) She takes in laundry and had done some for them. They said it's hard to find anyone home there very often and to try in the evening. I went back tonight but no one was there. I can always go into Las Varas but would rather support the local people here if I can. I came back to the casa and made a wonderful breakfast of an avocado and cheese omelet with toast, orange juice and coffee. Yum. (It's always about food with me, isn't it?) I felt so calm all day just wandering around town and reading at the beach. I talked about the magic tree last entry so thought I'd share a photo of it. I sat in front of it at the beach today.

I'd like to find out what kind of tree it is. It sure stands out from the rest around this area. It's hard to see but the trunk is kind of twisted, like some plants I have seen at home. There's a rope ladder to the right that someone has put up. It is a very peaceful spot on the beach.

The picture shown above is Chico's. This is where I eat most of my meals when I decide not to cook. I've noticed that most of the restaurants have similar menus but Chico's is the best I've had in town. For about $7 Cdn you can get a fresh fillet of fish cooked on an open fire, with rice and vegetables, frijoles, a little salad and an awesome salsa with corn tortillas. The meal is always served with warm soft tortillas in a little basket. Yum yum. Very healthy food and more than reasonable. It seems that Chico's is always busy compared to the other restaurants along the strip at the beach, both with local and tourist patrons. This place was a regular hang out for Andee, in fact, her ashes were scattered in the ocean just in front of it. I think about her every time I sit there.

The other day I was strolling the beach and a young woman was trying to sell me some beaded jewellery. It's really nice handmade stuff but so far I just haven't taken the time to look at it closely. I showed my interest to her and we sat in some chairs along the beach. There are lots of bracelets and necklaces but no ankle braclets, which is what I would rather have. I gestured what I was looking for and she wasn't able to help me. Then she picked up the bracelet I was looking at and pulled out her bags of beads and made the bracelet into an anklet for me by making it longer. It was made to measure as she went back and forth between beading and measuring it on my ankle. She was a sweet girl and I appreciated her effort. I paid for the anklet and gave her a nice big tip! I asked what her name was and I think she said "Poco" but I wasn't sure. Here's what my new anklet looks like:

There are only a few beach vendors and they are very respectful and leave you alone if you just tell them "no gracias."

I am finding it difficult to communicate with the locals. They only speak Spanish. I do try to understand but usually end up telling them "no entiendo" (I don't understand). It can be frustrating only because I'd like to get to know them and this is a huge barrier. For instance, I have a little bit of a heat rash on my arms that is pretty itchy at night. I'd like to find some chalomine lotion because I find that stuff really works well. I know they have it here because I bought some on my last trip to Mexico. I go into a tienda and ask "Quiero Chalomine por favor" (I'd like Chalomine please) and point to the shelf behind the counter with pharmacy type stuff on it. She understands what I want but points to the clock and tells me to come back at 5 o'clock. I can only understand this to mean that a shipment will be coming in then? So I go back after 5 and she tells me to come back tomorrow at 6 pm and is very apologetic. So am I to understand that some will come tomorrow or is this her way wanting to be polite and not tell me that they have no chalomine and never will have any! So you see what I mean? There's a lot of things at play here. I will go back tomorrow just because I'm curious but may have to give up on the lotion and hope this rash goes away soon. Actually the salt water is soothing it nicely.

I don't think I've been anywhere before where the locals don't speak any English, even a little bit. Even the waiters in the restaurants don't seem to understand what you're saying and speak to you entirely in Spanish. It is a good way to learn though.

Tomorrow I won't have to be up with the roosters for yoga so will be going to Las Varas to look closer at the buses to La Penita so I am prepared for Thursday and also visit el banco ... again!

Gracias amigos and amigas for your kind comments and your interest in my blog. Here's what the sunset looked like tonight. I am so lucky ...