day before the parties begin...

I am alive and kicking here in Sayulita Mexico. All is going much better than previous weeks here in this overly-priced somewhat Mexican town. Sayulita, an hour north of Puerto Vallarta, is well known for its surfing and fishing of past, and now also for its art gallerys, jewerly making and real estate. It seems that everyone I meet is "building a house" down here. It is a beautiful area, so moving down here makes perfect sense, but it has become a bit overrun with expats. I am not sure how that all bodes with the local mexicans, I sometimes wonder how they can afford to pay for their groceries, or gas, or drinks. And wonder if any negative feelings exist between the Mexicans and "immigrants", which I could emphathize if so. I just try and blend in in my mostly Mexican neighborhood, saying "buenos dias" to everyone that walks by.

I started a Spanish class a couple of weeks ago so I am trying hard to retain and use any of the Spanish that I am learning. Every morning I get up at 6:30ish to be at class by 8am, a little early for Spanish class, particularly when you are in the Country of "Tequila" but thus far I have made it to every class and have been somewhat good about getting my homework done. Since I was a little hung-over today from an evening of food and drinks my teacher, Lillianna, taught us a new phrase, for my benefit: ella es fiestista...she parties...
It is nice that even in Spanish class, in a foreign country I get called out as the one who likes to party. My only comment to that is that at least I made it to Spanish class, coffee in hand. Albeit I wished there was some Kahula in it to help jumpstart the day.

Meeting people has been pretty easy here since there are so many English speaking people around. In the short while I have been here I have been able to make friends with quite a few different people both Mexican and American. It is easy to stop in the "Sayulita Lounge" and have a drink with someone you know.

Yesterday was the birthday of one of my new found friends, Michael, and in celebration he and I made dinner for a bunch of people complete with wine and apple pie a la mode for dessert. It was fun to be able to sit around a table with many different foods and wine and good conversation - it almost felt like I was at home. However later as we were throwing back shots of tequila, I realized I am smarter at home...I don't drink tequila...particularly a shot or two of it....ayyyaaayyyy.

I am also learning it is best not to drink too much tequila at the bar, particulary when a Mexican man is buying the drinks for you. He is hopeful that you may want to marry him. Or so I have encountered. No matter what you say about how, "no, you can't get together tomorrow because..." they are still persistant. That is when I bring up the married card. I tell them I am married, and still they may be a bit persistant, that is when it is helpful that you may know someone in the bar who can "act" as tu esposo (husband). So that is what I have found to work with the Mexican man...the older American men I am still having problems with. I am not sure why it is that the 65 year old man thinks he may stand a chance with a 35 year old woman but they definitely try and try and try again. "Are you frigging kidding me..." is what I want to say, pero, I am kind, and glady accept the drink they bought me...

Tomorrow afternoon friends fly in for a week of fun in the sun. I am sure there will be many nights of over drinking and dancing to the wee hours of the morning. So I will assure all that I will be safe, and will go to rehab when I get back home...

Until then, Salud
H