the last weekend

I've come to the conclusion that roosters actually begin cock'a'doodle-do-ing (new word for y'all) before the sun rises. Saturday morning, at 5:30 am, my alarm went off as I'd been invited out to go deep sea fishing with a small group from the RV park, and even though it was pitch black out, the roosters where trying to wake the world up. I'm here to tell you, not much of the world was up, besides fisherman. American and Mexican.

But as I climbed onto the boat, with shorts, tank top and swim suit on (on November 25th - unbelievable to this Seattle girl), I was thankful that only the roosters and fisher-people were up. It was a gorgeous morning, with flat waters and a peacefullness that only comes from an endless ocean and a quiet town. No loud mexican music blaring from the cars, or barking of the dogs - no - just the boat slapping against the water.

I was more of a watcher, not meant to be fishing - but excited that I got to be a part of this experience. My only experience of fishing is out of Gray´s Harbor, where you load the boat up and go out to the "special" spot and drop your lines in. Here in Mexico things work differently. You first go out and find a little Mexican fishing boat where you can buy sardines to catch the Marlin and Dorado and whatever else. Next, everyone (all the local boats) go out to catch squid. So, you have maybe 7-8 different boats all in a circle trying to catch squid so they can use if for chum to catch the tuna. Some of the squid we were catching were up to 8-9 ft long. And you could see them way before you caught them (they seemed not to be the smartest creature in the water, as you could catch them easily and they eat themselves-so you could lure them with their friends). Then Congo, el capitan, threw the throttle down and off we went. Sometimes trolling for small little fish, or pulling into an area with massive other boats to catch the tuna. Apparently tuna travels as a school so if you see boats in one particular area, that is where you head. It worked, our boat was able to pull in 5 tuna's along with various other fish. Later that night I was able to have the best sushimi I've ever had...with a bit of soy sauce...mmmh.

We had to come in early as it was a busy day for everyone. But most importantly Theresa was allowing a Mexican friend to have a quincetta for her daughter at the RV park around the pool area. For those of you that don't know a quincetta (forgive the spelling-I have no idea) is a celebration of a Mexican girl turning 15, or into a woman. A-ya-ya. It is as big of a celebration as a wedding. If not more so. I didn't go to the church as I thought it might be a bit disrespectful but we went to the "arriving" at the pool. Karla was beautiful, dressed in a pink gown, with white gloves and a crown in her hair. She looked more like she was 18 than 15, but that is another story.

She stepped out of the car and was lead in by her escort where she was presented to everyone. She would do a couple of steps forward, and then turn in a full circle, and so this went on until she went full around the crowd. This celebration has a lot of pomp and circumstance - many traditions, including removing her shoes (of her childhood) and putting on high heels (the shoes of a woman). Or, giving away her prized doll to one of the girls that is under 15 as she, again, is no longer a child. So she doesn't need a doll to play with. And, as with most mexican celebrations there is a lot of loud music and dancing, eating and drinking. In all there were about 150 people in attendance, and the party went until 1:30am. It was beautiful to see, and I'm so glad we got to be apart of it, even if we were imposing a bit.

Sunday was a bit of a relaxing day, spent snorkeling and such. Well, the and such was a bit of goodwill. Theresa, the owner of the RV park is very involved in this community. Not only does she own the park, she also jointly owns the "Amazing Sports Fishing" with Congo, a local mexican fisherman. She supports the local people in their dreams, and trys to help improve all of their lives. She is very well known in town. And, she is one of the top members in the local Rotary. When I agreed to go snorkeling with this group of people I didn't really know what I was getting into - but in hindsight I'm so thankful I went. After our snorkeling, we all piled back into the various vehicles and drove up the coastal road past Cardinal, into an area named Boca de Alamo. It is a small litle pueblo without electricity or running water. And it was badly hit during hurrican John. So we were out to asses the damage and the claims the local townspeople had filed. We went house to house searching out damage and seeing if there was validity in what people were asking for. Sometimes yes, sometimes no. But that is Theresa's job - to figure out whether they need as many blocks, or bags of cement, windows, or doors as they have said or written for. And, just like the rest of the world, sometimes there are people out there trying to get free things. I was just glad I could see how these people were living, and what their lifestyles were like. By the time we all piled back into the car to head home, I was tired, it had been a long day, but amazed at all that I had seen and thankful that I was able to participate. I thank Theresa for giving me that.

Today begins a new week. Lot's of people are heading back to the States today as they must go back to the various jobs, and schools. I, will work on my spanish, and meeting more people, and most importantly getting ready to head over to the mainland. That, and try and befriend Johnny Mosley...that little cutie pot pie has a house where I swim with the dog every day. Sometimes I chat with him, all be it briefly, but I want to say, "how is it you look so young"...
And "where is your gold medal, why don't you wear it around your neck"...a-ha

Salude todo