LA BONITA 22 FEBRUARY 2007

SPICE MARKET IN LA BONITA

HAPPY LUC IN LA BONITA

This time up 6 (which we later discover was in fact 5! Add on 2 hours from Atlanta to Puerto Vallarta, and deduct 1 hour from PV to Chacala). Now I understand why we are asleep at 7! Finally also manage to get my blog sorted – as I am in Mexico now, the edit page is in Spanish – so quick, forced way to learn Spanish (we have booked our Spanish course for next week, by the way!). Also glad to see that Uri is so faithfully always available on Skype – good to chat to a friend (although he called me a rude Afrikaans word!). Later in the morning we join the group for a shopping excursion (retail therapy!) to La Bonita, half an hour drive from Chacala. It is the local Thursday market, with a great deal of cheap Chinese stuff, but also some amazing local stuff. Before we even start walking, Luc goes on a strike and only a wonderful handmade pistachio ice cream, covered in chocolate and coconut gets him going. Off to the bank (another confusion situation trying to distinguish between US $ and Mexican Pesos $!) And then it is time for shopping! Desperately seeking Alice (my shopping buddy) at this stage – jewellery, clothing, jewellery, nuts, jewellery, mirrors, jewellery, bowls, jewellery and lots of other amazing stuff. Too much to deal with right now – and we decide that we will have to come back before we leave to get gifts for all! More importantly is our mission to get snacks for our stay (Luc has all of a sudden develop an appetite like a lion!). “Luc es tengo hambre” is all he can say. (Which means, roughly translated “Luc is I have hunger”). Upside down grammar, but we get the message, Luc! Fruit (bananas, apples, watermelon, pineapple), fruit juice (never had so much frizzy drinks in one week), pistachio nuts and local caramel nuts and we are all set to go. Beckett arrives with a set of cars for Luc (now they are happy little boys!). Back in Chacala, a car ralley has arrived. The guys offer to take the boys to town to look at the cars and mother is very happy for her 30 minute power nap. Eventually find Greg, Suzanne and the two boys on the beach. Luc has now grown into a complete “show off” beach bum. The evening is ended off with more great food… Monday, just wait for Monday, then we will work on the diet again!

POST SCRIPT
For those who have finally hope for me – I have not been sitting doing nothing the last days! Managed to work through Shelter against the storm (A guide on setting up support groups for women) and also prepared all the drama classes for the next month! (All of this between 4 and 8 in the morning!)

REFLECTIONS
What a great experience going from a so called “celebrity” to a nobody! Where you disappear into obscurity and you don’t have to worry about putting on make-up to go to the shops (cause frankly, no-one gives a damn!)