Writing prompt

A good friend of ours has offered to send me a "writing prompt" every morning in order to jiggle the brain cells and see what happens. The first day she sent "Did you ever get lost?". This conjured up quite a few memories but the writing exercise finally led me to the following:

Lost - that's what keeps adventurers going - the possibility of getting lost. When every day unfolds in predictable monotony you are depriving yourself of discoveries. There is more to living than walking a treadmill from birth to death. Step off! Get lost! Allow adrenaline to flow, inhale the scent of uncertainty. Turn left instead of right. You'll find your way to places you never imagined.
                                                                                                                                    Thank you Arlene

That's what happened this morning when I discovered alleys and streets 

that had been waiting for an appreciative eye.

On the mend

OMG...the delicious taste of coffee...my first cup in five days! 

It was wonderful and no side effects!

It feels like I am on the mend.

A little operatic aria while I sipped my coffee.

I really enjoyed my first walk in several days with camera in hand.

This guy was waiting for the fish boats to arrive.

He sits on the roof of the restaurant opposite McDonalds every morning.

I am always mesmerized by the colourful displays of fabrics at the market stalls.

There is everything from blankets...

...to team memorabilia...

...to table coverings, bags and sarapes.

Today my eye was also caught by a variety of doors.

Each door tells a story.

The viewer is asked to decide

what is locked away.

The perils of a Mexican BUG

I have been flattened with a Mexican BUG for two days...no driving...no photos

...no adventures...just me and the toilet!

I hope that when the sun rises tomorrow I will be much improved

because we are running out of groceries.

Not that I have been eating...but John must be tired of toast!

Driving, memory and photos

Driving back and forth between Mismaloya and Puerto Vallarta has become "almost" routine for me although I do like the relaxation of boarding a bus for the trip. On the bus I don't have to deal with the Mexicans who decide to pass on a blind curve or the ones who cling to my rear bumper. Fortunately I have not driven anywhere that involves getting into a side road on the right hand side in order to negotiate a left turn!!

Like most aging people I have questioned my memory over the past few years...wondering why I can't remember the names of people and places. During the last two weeks I have been surprised to learn that my memory still manages to capture and hold some of the more important information. The code to the gate at the bottom of the hill, the combination to the safe, how many topes (speed bumps) we drive over enroute and where they are located. It is reassuring to know that these valuable tidbits are retained and...more importantly...can be recalled!!!! Just don't ask me the names of everyone we met at the cocktail party!

Some images from this morning's walk.

Oyster feast under the bridge!

Blue door

What is behind the blue metal door?

An undertaker and an Epidimiologist

Last night we attended a cocktail party...hard to believe that cocktail parties still take place in certain circles! It was a gathering of about 40-50 people. Most of them were strangers to us. Glasses of champagne were handed to us as we entered the condo, spreads of delicious appetizers were  displayed on several tables and a full bar was available.

I decided to make connections with some of these strangers...not an easy task for me! They were already chatting in small familiar groups when we arrived. Should I just hang around the periphery and hope that someone would include me in their discussion?...or should I just barge in, stick out my hand and introduce myself? Hmmh!

Wandering past the groups, I found myself on the balcony. John was abandoned somewhere behind me, forced to make his own connections. I speared a small sausage and smiled at two men who were sharing a conversation. After a few minutes (and several speared sausages) they took pity on me and  introduced themselves. That was how I met Andy from Victoria BC and George, a retired undertaker from Peoria, Illinois. Our discussion revolved around comparisons of medical care in Canada, USA and Mexico. This is a very common topic of conversation for all of the aging expats!

Eventually another couple joined us...Susan and Carl from Saskatoon. Carl is a noted Epidimiologist and Susan is a delight. We shared personal histories and travel stories. When my brain refused to remember the name of the town where my father was born...Carl surprised me with "Hafford"!! I was stunned...he was right!!! How many people know the names of small towns in Saskatchewan?!

It was a great evening. On the way back to Mismaloya our hosts asked if we were still hungry. A small hotdog stand sits outside the security gates of our condo development and we have always talked about stopping there...so...we ordered four hotdogs with the works. The vendor washed his hands from a tap that was hung on a utility pole before preparing our dogs.

We carried them home for a late night snack. They were delicious!!

High tides

With these high tides and huge waves...you risk being hit by more than sea water! 

Look at the size of the rocks that are being thrown up onto the Malecon!!!!

On our morning walk we stayed clear of the seawall. Some unsuspecting young tourists were deliberately walking near the wall...hoping for a shower. 

We travelled by bus into town, enjoyed a long "people watching" coffee for breakfast and walked along to our favourite store (Woolworth's) for a couple of purchases. Along the way we picked up ping pong balls for the cat. Should be a fun evening as we watch him chase a ball around the bathtub-his favourite play area!!