Eric's daughter, Katherine (Kat) and her boyfriend, Clay, were able to squeeze in a week's vacation between raft guiding in South Carolina and ski jobs in Utah. We had a fabulous time showing them our worlds here. We have the best of both: Bucerias and the local Mexican communities versus Oso Blanco in a resort marina and cruising in the bay.In addition to Bucerias, Kat and Clay got a taste of real Mexico in the pueblos of Sayulita, Yalapa (accessed only by boat), and San Pancho. Although these places all thrive on tourism, they
have maintained the Mexican culture. Laundry hangs outside to dry, front doors are left open to air the house, men sit on street corners solving the problems of the world, mutt dogs roam the streets and horses are sometimes used as transportation alongside the cars. A few plastic chairs and a table on the sidewalk (or street) with a means of grilling and a restaurant is born. Every town has a central plaza with a church where the community activities take place. Each place has its own feel and unique feature: Bucerias is known for art and upscale restaurants, Yalapa has waterfalls and homemade cheesecake, Sayulita is a hippie surf town and San Pancho is the up and coming yuppie Gringo area. We love them all!
The crowning local Mexican experience was an evening in San Pancho watching a Mexican wrestling event at the bull ring. Comparable to the comedic and theatrical antics of American Professional Wrestling, Lucha Libre, as it is called, is an entertaining family event. Masked contenders strut to the ring while reving up the crowd who holler obscenties or cheers, depending on their alliance. In the ring, the referee is an active participant as the two person teams fly through the air, slam to the springloaded floor and bounce off the ropes. Inevitably, the fight ends up out of the ring and into the crowd where they pummel each other with chairs, involving the crowd in the show and hamming up the effects of the blows. Needless-to-say, it was hilarious and well worth the $7 ticket!Cruising on the bay, the dolphins escorted us on our bow and we caught a glimpse of a mother whale and newborn baby. The days we went out were perfectly flat seas and brilliant skies. It could not have been better.
Bear loved having his sister here and was proud to show her his school and introduce her to his friends. We attended on Monday which is "honors" day. All the kids dress is white shirt, tie and long pants. They stand in formation in the school central and state the pledge and sing the national song. Bear has made many friends at school and even has a "special" girlfriend. Wait a minute! He's only seven!!
