2009...sublime, divine, fine wine, rhyme...

Looking forward to a new year of adventures, travels and discoveries!

HAPPY NEW YEAR...

Jami & Roscoe

Christmas with my pup...Roscoe

Izzy & Betty

...just waiting for another adventure with our friend, Jami!!

BABBU (RIP) & ROSCOE

ROSCOE THE RASCAL! We miss Babbu (RIP) like crazy and still think about him all the time...BUT now we have a pup that keeps us busy laughing, exasperated and challenged!! Babbu will live in our memories and Roscoe will keep us covered in kisses!!

Brrrrrrrrr, it is cold in Canada!

It is really really cold here, minus 10 Celsius (25 Fahrenheit)...brrrrrrrrrr! I still refuse to put on socks, but have had to break down and take off my bikini and replace with pants and sweaters, and jackets, mitts and a hat!! Fortunately the sun is shining, and no snow, so it is quite beautiful still. The lake is frozen, and safe enough to walk on. I love this time of year before it snows, the colours are still deep oranges and browns, and the ice is only a few inches thick so you can chase the fish swimming underneath. This does not last long as the ice will freeze to a couple of feet thick. And then get covered by snow. But then the fun starts when you can drive your car across the lake...thats always good for a bit of stress and thrills!

Oh the memories!!

...I am back home, the tan is
fading but not my
memories of such an outstanding vacation!

C U LATER SAYULITA...A KISS FOR NOW

This may be a long travel day, but I think my memories and suntan will keep my mind occupied...besides, the last three nights have been late, spending time with friends, so I am sure I will be snoozing a bit too.

I will be arriving in Calgary at 9 tonite, spending the nite in Calgary, and then...yay, heading home to see my cutie pies.  Anna will be waiting for me at home, and Michael will be playing Vollyball at the high school, and I plan to go watch him.  Then Invermere will be celebrating lite up on Saturday nite, the 'bring-in winter' celebration sponsored by Intrawest.  

I am really sad to go, but at the same time excited to see my wonderful kids, I have missed them more than anything.  I am definitely bringing them back here.  It seemed that every time I did something here, I would find myself thinking that it would be so much more special if they were here with me.  I know they would love Sayulita!

So, we are coming back Sayulita...hasta luego (see you later!)

That is ME!!

Yup, that is me surfing...massive, crazy waves...whoa, look out!!  This wave really is bigger than it looks, really truly! (ha ha)

Back to Canada tomorrow, I wonder if my tan will freeze and fall off!

What a wonderful vacation I have had.  I have met the most wonderful people, especially the mexican locals...they are so gracious and kind.

I think a part of my heart will stay here!  Mexico is a special place where the nationals celebrate friendships, family and life.  We can all learn from them to slow down and enjoy the moment...I know I am going to try!

LAST DAY

...TOMORROW IS MY LAST DAY...BUMMER!  BUT A GREAT FINAL DAY PLANNED!

We have an all girls surfing trip planned tomorrow, four girls, four boards and a van!  We are heading to La Lancha for a few hours of big surf.  A twenty minute drive, half hour jungle walk and then a gorgeous secluded white sand beach with a long surf that breaks way out.  It is a beautiful spot to catch some serious surf, almost guaranteed to have fun!  I have been twice to surf there, both times were magical.  Yay!

Life...at its finest

I watched a female sea turtle lay her eggs last night, under the light of the moon.  What a wonderful experience to see life...at its finest moment!  No pictures, I didn't want to disturb her...but the image is forever etched in my memory.  WOW!

ONLY 4 MORE DAYS

...and still having fun!

Surf, Sunshine, Cervasas & Sand...

Would you miss me if I stayed another month??!!!

Rural Mexico

Almost 24 hours without water...water water everywhere!!  Seems the water system in Sayulita is having difficulties and therefore means there is no water!  That means toilets, sinks and showers...horror!  Sure glad that I am not experiencing montezumas revenge!!

It is another gorgeous day...today I will search for coffee, surf, take the scooter to Punta Mita, hang out, eat, walk, hang out some more, then search for margaritas...tuff day!

I think about Canada from time to time; it is hard to imagine snow, clouds and freezing temperatures...yikes, only 12 more days of paradise!

Sayulita...jem!

...another day in paradise!

DAY OF THE DEAD

Dias los Muertos...a wonderful celebration in Mexico!  On Nov 2nd, the Mexicans celebrate the Day the Dead, honoring and visiting with past friends and relatives that have passed away.  The graveyards are cleaned and tombstones are decorated with flowers and notes...friends and families come for the day with chairs, food and drink to spend time with their deceased loved ones.  They believe that on this day, the dead return to their grave to visit with those who are still alive.  It is a celebration, a happy event where the community comes together.  I like this celebration, it feels right to remember and not feel so sad and remorseful when someone dies.  It is how we should celebrate death (and life).

I spent most of the day walking through the graveyard taking photos and talking to the locals, they are not offended that a gringo was there amongst them, taking pictures and reading the tombstones.  Then the celebration moved to the plaza, the centre of town.  There were shrines of the deceased surrounded by candles, food and craft venders, tarot card readers, and a large stage for live music.  The whole town was there,  children running around, locals visiting one another, music, laughter, food...all the makings of a great party.

The music was outstanding, and the type of music that makes you want to move.  There was a Brazilian group of drummers and dancers, they were awesome...and all so beautiful.  They also spun fire, crazy what they do with fire, speed and movement, all at the same time...and no one looses an eyebrow!

When I finally couldn't party any more, I went to my room on the third floor, overlooking the plaza, opened the doors wide and fell asleep to the sound of mexican music...quite magical!

Day in Puerto Vallarta

My adventure to PV yesterday was great.  It had all the makings of a true mexican adventure, starting with the bus ride!!  PV is no longer the small town I remember, it is a big city, and with that has unfortunatly lost alot of its charm.  The locals are no longer untouched by the mighty dollar, their friendliness seems to be fake now where once it was authentic.  Everything is big, loud and in your face.  I went back to the old town of PV, the other side of the river where I was most comfortable 19 years ago, but found nothing familiar except for Andale's. This was the Canadian hang out, where you were sure to run into someone you knew or knew someone you knew.  The drinks were cheap and the locals very friendly.  The place looks the same, but nothing else...development...yuk!
Anyhow I walked for miles along the malecon (beach board walk) and enjoyed PV for what it was and is now...it is still mexico and it still has its own charm and excitment.  Then the bus ride back...gosh, these bus drivers must all have a small death wish...yikes, holy fast around the corners, through jungle roads that are hardly wide enough for two buses to pass and signs warning of cows on the road!!  The ride was entertaining thou, I was in the back of the bus (ya ya I know, where Jami the trouble maker always sits) with the mexican version of rebel rousers...three women my age, had just spent a day shopping and feeling pretty good and cheekie.  Even thou we were challenged to speak to one another, the theme of the conversation was quite clear...we had some good laughs!
The best part of the day was getting back to Sayulita!  Quiet, real and friendly!  I crawled to the local bar, sat myself in a chair hammock and enjoyed two (drinks always come in two in Sayulita) margaritas and a moment of thankfulness!

HOT HOT HOT

...still having fun!  What a gorgeous day, the day after a night of celebrating Halloween!  With mask on (posing as Rosa, the rich american widow), I went to an outdoor bar last night to listen to the music of a group of five, 20-something americans that live here in Sayulita.  The music was fantastic, the type of latino music that is difficult to listen to sitting down!  Most people were dressed in costume, in the spirit of Halloween and into the music...so it was a really fun evening.

Another surf day...and probably a bike ride and a snorkel around the rocks.  I could get used to living this life!!

Later skater...Jami (alias, Rosalita)

Isabella and Juan Carlos...

Hah, a likely story...the Argentineans who claim to fly helicopters and teach Yoga for rich Americanos...they cannot be trusted.  They appear to be honest, naive and innocent...but I can see right through their disguise.  I think they are here to spy for the Russian government, to watch what North Americans do for pleasure, enjoyment and leisure.  They are mingling, joining in on the fun when all the while they are not really enjoying themselves, they are keeping notes on the weaknesses of the North Americans, to watch carefully so they know exactly when to take over...they cannot be trusted.  They claim they are leaving in the morning, to another surf town, but I believe they will be back, maybe with new disguises, aliases and characters...who will they be next time they return?

Mexico '08

...one day something relaxed inside and I saw things in a new way.

Rosalita meets mysterious others...

Rosa, the rich sexy widow has met some others who seem to be escaping a mysterious past as well...others who have unusual accents, strange names that do not suit their skin colour, shifty eyes that cannot remain focused except when in search of the dark alleys and doorways.  They are a couple, man and woman, white skin that turns red with the sun.  They claim to be from Argentina, he flies helicopters for rich Americans, she a yoga instructor...hah, they are not to be trusted; they are shifty, weak and untrustworthy.  They are enemies that you keep close, keep close watch at all times...surf with, drink cervasas with, eat, rest...interact with, small chat and laughter, gazing at sunsets and surf, when all the while being cautious to say nothing that could give my away my alias.  Perhaps they are spies...

Ahhhh, the tangled web I have woven!

The strangest thing happened on the beach yesterday...

Wandering down the beach in search for the perfect shell, picture and coffee, thinking that I am a zillion miles away from home, and that no one knows me...perfect escape, incognito...I even changed my name to Rosa, and my profession to rich widow from New York city, my alias was perfect, had all the elements of a mysterious woman...

Then, horror...I see familiar faces coming towards me, there was no escape.  I hear Jammmmiiiiii floating down the beach towards me.  I look around for a dark alley...nothing.   I was caught.  I quickly get rid of the new york accent, turn my cubic zurconian diamond rings around to inside my palms, loose the arrogant attitude...put on my Invermere smile, pretend that I am happy to see these familiar faces while inside I am quickly thinking how I am going to pull this off infront of the locals...damm, this world is just too small!

So now I have a dual personality, Jami by day and Rosa the rich mysterious sexy widow by night...can I pull this off????

Look who is workin' in Sayulita

She has given up giving those wonderful massages for the surf school world...

Here is Deanna workin' the beach!

...holy massive frigin' waves batman!  I worked my butt off today in the surf...wow!  But I got some surfin' in...yahoo!  I even caught a few big ones!

Started my morning with a bike ride and a yoga class and then a really good coffee...could life get any better?  Probably not!

I may never come home!

Keep checking back for a surfing photo, it should be good for a laugh

Later...

Surfin in Sayulita

Day 2 of Gidget (Jami) does Sayulita...

Yesterday was my first official day of surfin' in Sayulita.  I have rented a board and a surf instructor for a month...so move over Gidget, here comes Jami from BC!!

You will have to wait for photos...until I am actually riding instead of crashing!

Another outstanding day here in mexico...bien dia

Later Skater

...friendly locals and sandy toes!

...still having fun!

Some images from my beach walk...

pescado...
...still having fun!

Day 3...still having FUN FUN FUN

Another gorgeous day here in my mexican village paradise!  It is early and still quiet here in the town, although I can see that the locals are starting to appear on the streets.  I can hear the surf from my balcony even thou I am two blocks from the beach.  I can see the ocean from here but it is hard to see if there will be big surf today.  I haven't been out surfing yet, but have certainly played in the surf alot.  I rode my bike for a few hours yesterday, checked out the town, outskirts and the jungle...it is simply beautiful here.  I look forward to passing my bike over to a well-deserved local, and just watching their expression as they realize the value of owning a bike here...

It is hot hot hot and muggy, but tolerable especially when you know the ocean is out there for some relief.

I don't want to share the jem this little village is with anyone, it is so quiet, peaceful and quaint the way it is, but yikes, get here soon before the big land developers get here and forever change what it is right now.  Apparently over 80% of the village is already owned by outside interests, but it still feels like the locals are running it...that might now last forever since money talks!  So plan a vacation here, you'll never forget it.

Well, I am off to walk the beach while it is still quiet...

Have a great day...cause I know I will!!

Jami

The Epic adventure in Sayulita BEGINS...

...I have arrived in a jungle paradise!  What a great little village with only the basics of necessities...cervasas, surf, sun, mexican food and friendly people!

So my adventure begins...

Vacation Revised...

Due to my physical need to be warm, be near the ocean and have sand between my toes, my vacation plans have changed. I am now heading to Sayulita Mexico, a small village just north of Puerto Vallarta to chill, learn to surf, enjoy some margaretas and coronas, and to generally just escape from the world.

Izzy is now at the Spokane Spa, enjoying a pedicure and manicure. She will be all ready in the Spring 09 for our next set of adventure...have a good winter sleep Izzy!

As if my week before leaving on vacation wasn't busy enough, I had to add some life altering and emotional stuff to it. Babbu, my friend of 10 years died. He was euthanized on Friday October 10th at 12:30 pm. He died peacefully in my arms, his head wet with my tears. His happy tail just stopped wagging...I miss him so much. The house is quiet and missing his wonderful cheerful presence. The whole family is feeling the loss of such a great pet, he was the most epic of dogs. I hope you are happy Babbu, and without pain my friend. Wow...I still get all tearie and choked up just thinking about him.

I will keep posting blogs through my vacation, and please feel free to communicate with me!

Adios...Jami

Moving Izzy to Spokane

Izzy is going to Spokane this weekend for spa treatments...adjust the valves, tune up, oil change, checkup...she will be all ready for our great adventure to the desert next month!

...and still having fun!

Getting ready for another great adventure

...still having fun!