ahhh Lamanzanilla

I finally have found my favorite place, thus far. Lamanzanilla is about the most beautiful place that I have been yet in my trip. It is, as many Pacific Coast villages, a small fishing town. It too is seeing growth by foreigners but still remains a more Mexican village with people more than wiling to extend a familiar wave. The beach is quite long with hard packed sand that goes on for miles with palm trees lining the way. Since it is in a cove (miles long) the waves are more gentle and roll into the shore with that gentle noise that could lull you to sleep. When looking to the south of town, the beach is very rocky and reminds me a bit of the Oregon Coast with various huge rocks protruding out of the sea and huge graggy cliffs that drop sharply into the ocean.

Most mornings the dog and I walk the beach, she chasing rocks, I drinking my coffee. Some mornings the two of us swim, but that entails me lifting the dog into the water, over the wave break. The little whimp is afraid of the crashing waves. But once she gets out there she just swims and swims with me. Unbelievable since it is the end of February and 8 o´clock in the morning. Ahhh, but that is the beauty of being so far south in Mexico.

The house I have rented (bungalow) sits high up in the trees and overlooks the town and those below. It is pretty secluded which is nice, but never fear there are still roosters to awaken us every morning. And even though it is up on the hillside, it still is only minutes to walk to the beach.

I was also able to jump into a Spanish class here, which is the most challenging thus far. It is a full emersion course so absolutely no English is spoken. I am a little behind since I am jumping in at week four, but I have been studying as much as possible, otherwise I will look like the idiot in class. Well, I pretty much do anyhow since one of our assignments is to sing a song, daily. I wasn't too happy to hear that, particularly since I am the female they want me to sing acapalo (lord, I have no idea how to spell that word). This weeks song is a lullaby for a baby girl. Next week it is a Cuban love song...is anyone taping this class? Becuase this should be on American´s funniest videos. I imagine that after a week or two of this class I will be speaking the language much better. The school also gives us the opportunity to do some volunteering, which if I stay here longer I may do.

Tommorw I was invited to go kayaking, snorkeling and possibly do a little boogie board action with a neighbor. We are driving to a neighboring town which I can see in the distance houses some fairly large yachts in town for a lovely mexican vacation...just like me...
The time should be well spent.

Other than that I am just learning how to manuver this small town, and find all of the hidden areas yet to be found.

My best to you all..
H&M