Tequlia :: Boat Fire :: Guyabitos

Hello Everyone-
It has been a relatively slow week in Vallarta as things wind down before coming home. Leslie counted and we only have 14 night left. Hard to believe we are almost done with obligations and life her in Mexico. It will truly be sad leaving our home here but we will be happy to see all of you.
This Sunday will be my last weekend leading worship at church. The group coming in from Colorado will be bringing their whole worship band, so it will be very lively on stage! Ric has purchased a sound system and they plan on doing a community outreach concert on Monday with the team.
The drive home from Guadalajara was a little bumpier than the way over there... I have a theory that everyone comes to Guadalajara empty and leave loaded up. This extra weight tears the road up under all the pressure. We were bobbing and weaving our way around the pot holes and luckily did not get any flat tires.

We stopped in Tequila, Jalisico Mexico. Mundo Cuervo was the fanciest of the tours and we decided to go there. For $100 pesos a piece we watched a video and got to go to the factory where they process the Blue Agave and make Tequila. The baked Agave with no alcohol tastes a little like molases and raw sugar cane.
(You gotta love the hairnets!)

The people who cut the Agave plant are called Jimadors (He-ma-doors). It is heavy work and you could often hear them grunt "He" while working. That is how they got their name. One Head of agave can weigh 60-80KG (130-175lbs)
One day this week, while visiting with Vera, we saw a cloud of black smoke rising from the ocean. We climbed to our balcony and saw the Yelapa Princess on fire! It is the 2nd boat tragedy Leslie saw first hand. We did not see anyone jumping into the water... but I am assuming there were no injuries.
Wednesday, Vera headed back home for 3 weeks. We drove her to the airport and went inside to ask the gate agent how we can bring back the TONOLA painting (see previous blog). She suggested trying to take it to the gate and if they have room to put it in the flight attendant closet. The policy has changed with paying passengers that they are only allowed one bag for free and the 2nd bag is $25 and the 3rd bag is $100... Luckily for us, the non revs are still allowed 2 bags before they charge. Next week we plan on packing a little and seeing how everything fits... I know it is all going to work out.

Yesterday we went to Guyabitos, a small beach north of Sayulita that we passed on the way to Guadalajara. It was a very nice white sand beach and there were alot of mexicans vacationing there... It is a much different feel than Puerto Vallarta of Sayulita where Canadians and Americans dominate the scene. I got my hair braided and Leslie thinks I look pretty foolish. I like it to have the hair out of my face for a change.

The weather has been nice in the day but stormy in the afternoons. After the beach we went to Costco for dinner and were found in the middle of a lightning storm! The Lightning and thunder were hitting at the exact same time... I do not know if the bolt hit the store or not but I was glad to be in the cover of a wharehouse vs the chevy.
Does anyone know if you are really safe inside a car? I heard that the rubber tires keep you safe from being struck by lightning.

Well, It is about time to head home to Leslie. I have been doing a lot of work for Fine Designs today and am ready to go home and eat some soup.

Thanks for checking in on us!

Joel and Leslie