"We" are everywhere

On our second day in Managua a couple arrived at our guesthouse while I was sitting in the courtyard reading.

"Hello" I said. "Where are you from?"
"Saskatchewan" the man said.

I just broke out laughing, to which he smiled and replied, "What is so funny?"

"Born and raised" I said. They were from Moose Jaw.

This afternoon as we sat here in this cafe with wirelss Internet, a man approached our table saying we looked familiar and were we from Canada... to make a long story short he is from Humboldt, Sask. and has lived here for 14 years.

We seriously are eveywhere!

Managua

Managua is much as it was 18 years ago, the last time I was here, and much different at the same time. Aaste described it as ‘busy’. Yes, it is busy... there is traffic and noise and wind and people fighting hard to make a living. It is dirty and dusty and in some neighborhoods, very dangerous for foreigners to wander. There is much more commerce in the city now, which is to be expected I suppose. The last time I was here the U.S. was still holding the country at ransom through an economic embargo and the funding of an insurgent war. There are some signs of increased infrastructure, but these tend to be in the way of grand public buildings and the ‘cleaning up’ of the earthquake devastated downtown core that for many years had been left in ruins. The poor are poorer I think, and the rich richer. But then this is true in Canada as well.... it just is 100 times worse here. I think the city is more littered than before as well... it is as if the pride that the people gained in the 80’s has been eroded by the daily struggle to survive. The streams, empty lots, and boulevards are horribly full of discarded trash and I wonder if environmental groups ought to send ‘litter picking’ brigades much like we sent ‘coffee picking’ brigades in the 80’s.


Roberto Huembes Market


Standing in front of Lake Managua in the 'historical district"


Some things haven't changed THAT much! This poster hangs on the National Palace.

San Juan del Sur

Well.... we have arrived at our Nicaraguan destination - San Juan del Sur! The town is even more laid back and ´small´ than I expected; which is good.

Today was our first day of Spanish class. The school is right on the beach, in a building without walls facing the ocean - well there are walls on the other three sides. My view is of the bay filled with anchored boats. All of us are taught one on one - I think there are about 15 of us or so. It was good this morning.... I think I might learn a lot these couple of months. Every afternoon there are activities of one kind or another. This afternoon we are going to one of the nearby beaches that is supposed to very beautiful.

We will spend two weeks living with a local family and then I am hoping to find an affordable apartment or house for the next 2 months.

As soon as I can get my own computer online... I will post some pictures and some other notes.

Art in Vallarta

One of the reasons I love Puerto Vallarta, is it's thriving art scene. Every Wednesday night many of the local art galleries host an 'art walk'. Tons of people show up to wander from gallery to gallery sipping complimentary wine or tequila, attending show openings and generally enjoying a wide variety of excellent art.

Another reason to love Puerto Vallarta is the Malecon. The Malecon is a wide seaside walkway of 2 or 3 kilometres in the centre of town. It is where people go to see and be seen - locals and tourists alike. On one side of the walkway is the ocean, on the other side are some of the trendiest clubs, restaurants and boutiques in town. The Malecon is also an art gallery of sorts.... as it is home to a wide variety of sculptures, both permanent and 'temporary'.

Where have all the pelicans gone?

When Aaste was a baby, we spent a week here in Puerto Vallarta. She was fascinated by the flocks of pelicans that regularly flew by our 11th floor balcony. I noticed this year that the pelicans are few and far between in our little bay.

Mom was telling me that when she first started spending her winters here that people used to sometimes catch yellow fin tuna off the rocks on the beach, and she could see schools of them passing by in the bay fairly regularly. It's been years since anyone saw any yellow fin tuna in this bay.

A few years ago it was projected that within 40 years there will not be any fish left in the oceans. I suppose without fish... there won't be any pelicans either.

Injured again!

Two years ago I arrived in Mexico for my holiday with my foot in a cast, having broken it 2 days prior to arriving. People here are beginning to think I am accident prone! Last Friday night while dancing at a nightclub downtown, I managed to severely sprain my left foot and have been left immobilized ever since. It took a couple of days to find crutches long enough for me, so I have been using the complex's wheelchair (which is safer than crutches anyway AND gives me a reason to be very lazy). My sister and other friends have been highly amused at my expense and love to pretend they are going to tip me into the swimming pool or let the chair go down the ramp on it's own. It's all good fun - but I am getting bored with this immobility thing and was very sad to miss my favourite hike to Las Animas Beach yesterday.

Guess which one I hurt!

Guadalajara

On December 26 I travelled with 5 women friends to Guadalajara for a bit of a sight seeing and shopping trip. Guadalajara is the second largest city in Mexico and although I have been to Mexico many many times I had never visited the city. It is the home of ranchero culture, mariachis, tequila, 20 some universities, Mexico's largest and most visible gay community, and over 4 million people. The Guggenheim foundation is currently building their sixth museum here and it is expected to be finished in 2010.


We passed fields and fields of blue agave on the way. This is the plant from which they make tequila.


Guadelajara boasts the largest market in the country.

At home at the Girasol

On December 24 I flew down to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, where I have been spending most of my Christmas holidays for the last 10 years or so. My mother spends her winters here and my sister and I congregate there, often with other friends. Aaste is spending the holidays with her Dad in Toronto, but will join me later this month.

Our complex in PV is called the Girasol, which means sunflower in Spanish. It is right on the beach and over the years we have gotten to know many of the residents and staff. It is definately a second home.


Our friend, Brenda, dancing with Manuel on New Years Eve.


The view from our balcony.

Partying at the Cloak

While in Toronto in December I, of course, had to visit my friendly neighborhood pub. I was welcomed with hugs from all and it felt all warm and fuzzy to be back. I gave the pub a 'yul tomte' from Sweden for good luck during the holiday season. Tomte is Swedish for elf or fairy and a yul tomte is a Christmas fairy. They are everywhere in Sweden and I brought back a few tiny ones to give away. Here are few pics of the tomte and friends at the Cloak. Happy New Year everyone!

Getting ready for Christmas

After returning to Gothenburg from Spain, we began to make preparations for returning home including finishing up some Christmas shopping. The Swedes make a big deal of Christmas and Christmas markets are in abundance. Liseburg (an amusement park in Gothenburg) has one of the largest ones in the country. Unfortunately the day we were to go to Liseburg it was pouring rain so we thought better of it. Aaste and I did attend this Christmas craft market in the oldest secular building in Gothenburg and then went to the Haga neighborhood to sit outside and enjoy our coffee while snuggling under the blankets that are commonly provided by the restaurants.





We flew back to Toronto on December 5 and I was fortunately able to attend my annual Christmas cookie exchange party with my fellow baking friends. We also had a fun tree trimming party, as well as a get-together at my friend Sarah's house.






I departed Toronto on December 24 to join my sister and my mother in Puerto Vallarta Mexico. Aaste will join me there in January.