Lo Mismo - The Same

Walking in town the other day I saw ahead on the sidewalk two younger women looking up and across the street pretty intently. I get up there and didn't see much and asked and a one word response from both was "mangos". These below are a few feet away. I will not see these get ripe unfortunately.

So when they said mangos immediately I was taken back to West Africa and the first time I saw these small boys with their homemade sling shots. You can be an older man and still be a "small boy" the same goes for females however these were kids but there you were a small boy not a boy.

So these kids were going around looking up in the trees at what I didn't know and asked. Ah - the one word response was "mango's". So these kids as mango season was just about to arrive were looking up at the top of the trees for that is where the first mangos ripen and would try and knock them out of the tree and did.

Mango season in the tropics is a big deal to many - me too if I was here. Whether in Ghana West Africa or on the streets of Emiliano Zapata in Puerto Vallarta it's the same. Everybody is looking forward to this simple pleasure that falls from the trees just for you.

For A Friend

I returned to Mexico 1/7/17. On the 4th received a call that Andres had collapsed in Puerto Vallarta. He is the one sitting and the photo is from this post. He never regained consciousness and passed away on the 18th.

Never would I have thought this guy would go out like this. Just figured he'd be around like forever. Many took a big hit losing him. It's a different place around this tiny burg but the shock is wearing off. We had a lot in common and this has me seriously looking at life and what's left of it a bit differently.

So this ones for you mi amigo! He would have liked this. Adios.

Back To Colorado

For whatever reason over many years things just seem to happen on or around March 4. Today climb onto the silver bullet and three and a half hours later land in a state that I truly love.

My five month stay here in Mexico will be sorely missed. Other things are going to be missed for sure and cheap excellent lunches is high on that list. More important people who have become close friends. The way it is but there's Skype.

It will be an adjustment but things need done and that will keep me busy for a bit. Don't know what the year will bring and camping and exploring is in the picture. I plan on returning but too far in the future for date specifics.

I like it here so much too and think Colorado is one of the best places to live in the states it really is. Looking forward to what life brings.

May the future be good for you and me and no matter what it's gonna be a trip. I am and as so many others are as well what Chuck sings about. So many of us came from the plains seeking higher ground. It's true and this is a great day for my birthday.

Have a good one! 

Colors And Stuff

If not you should know pictures of anything are taken around here at times. This guy was inside and a bit over a 1/2" long. This new camera does not do macro's near as good as the three Pentax camera's that came before it. Still worth clicking on to get a better look though.

And yes there is quite a diversity in plants and colors.

This fellow was no more than an 1.5" long. Do not have a clue what he was going to grow up to be. This could be it.

Took a cruise a bit north of Vallarta and then east into farm country and there was a lot going on. There is no lack of food around here that is for sure.

Behind these mountains not seen here are some massive scraggly fourteener's. Do not have a picture at all. Just looks interesting and here is maybe a few hundred feet above sea level.

The job to have around here may be a tractor operator.

Many inexpensive places to eat. None out in the country though like Costa Rica.

The place I live is almost dead center.

The mountains around Nogalito are pure jungle that's all there is too it. To get to the other side here would not be easy.

Brothers In The Jungle

Pancho and Andres. These two grew up in this environment. Their father owned much of the area above town where they farmed hiking much much farther than Andres and I do to get there several times a week. Can't begin to imagine the intensity of what that must have been like. This is tough terrain to raise crops and a few animals. These fellows are two tough hombres!

Click on the pictures to hugen up then agen.

That continues for Pancho who in this case harvested four pieces of bamboo that is transported like this back down to town. I did not attempt to take the fourth.

This is a wider part of the trail.

Quite a bit of bamboo and some can approach 5-6 inches in diameter.

Somebody from Vallarta picks it up and Pancho gets 1500 pesos or about $90. That can go a long way here.

Patricia And The Rest Of The Story

In one word nothing. This is all new to me but at times I do think I have a clue.

First this came so fast and many just heard of it Wed or after. For most there were few choices if any of getting away and the question then was where because of the ocean and the way it was tracking.

Simply the tension here Friday afternoon in Nogalito was easily felt and no macho shit here this guy was scared even with having probably the best casa in town for an event like this. There were others who felt the same.

In the afternoon it was sprinkling and raining lightly off and on. Walking around talking with others in other words taking up time till the first effects of the "biggest hurricane" arrived.

Had lunch and went up and got things food and other, secured it best I could and went back down to my friends and landlord's to wait as was not going to go through this thing alone.

Was watching the track very closely as the internets and electricity have remained on and here is my take -


Patricia was headed due north directly at Puerto Vallarta with the eye maybe 80 miles away approximately.

15 to 20 miles before making landfall just west of the 105th longitude the eye collapsed. It made land where the eye would have been 60 miles due south of here. We were within the perimeters of this thing and it drifted to the east. A little after 6 I came home.

The wind never blew nor was there intense rain. It rained most of the night but sleeping was good so don't know how much.

The storm weakening PLUS mountains were key without question. That's my story. I really don't know what this has done inland.

Walking around yesterday thought but only for a fleeting second of taking pictures for a before and after comparison. No way was the door going to opened into that realm. Maybe it's because of not doing so that made a difference as well. Just as plausible as other reasons that get thrown around to my way of thinking. In any case -

I am very happy. Not been out but sure many others are just as elated. I will be happy for a long period I think.

This whole coastal area north and south of Puerto Vallarta has been spared. Have not been out yet as the peaceful feeling this morning is wonderful. Cerveza will be had today and more than one.

Feel extremely fortunate and my hopes that others inland faired as well. It truly amazes me that this monster of a storm and so close that if you didn't know it was there you wouldn't have.

New Girl Coming To Town

Her name is Patricia and it's unknown whether she is going to be naughty or nice.

The sooner she takes a right turn is all good with me.

This was bothering no one in Vallarta this morning but one gringo I spoke with was pretty nervous.

Sweat Happens

Settled into a bit more of a routine. Have purchased some items that are somewhat needed and just make things better.

A recliner was more of a must and a grill - well because. Have both now and the grille was used last night for the first time with fairly surprising very tasty results. The reason was the flame was easily adjusted down lower than the temp control allowed. This device will make a difference. The chair is a huge plus as well.

On the issue of perspiration - temps and humidity are up. Both should start to decline in a couple weeks. You're still gonna sweat trust me. It's doable and better than the alternative for this guy.

No one is being shot and killed here. That's a real nice change!

Short Story

Was in Mexico and have been home since early March and since Feb have not posted. Wanted to but just hasn't happened and today will tell what I think is a good story from there.

Shortly after arriving a situation arose that this fellow needed a tooth pulled. Took a couple days to reach that conclusion and an appointment was scheduled. Dentist office with Hernon which was a few steps away from where the bus stopped in Vallarta. It got done along with some in office denture work at the same time. There was no assistant. There was a later visit to tweak things a bit. Yes it was inexpensive and all is good today as Hernon was a decent dentist.

Sometime later maybe a month or more developed a cough mostly at night. Many people had coughs especially children. This was just part of it. My friend/landlord/hiking partner Andres was struggling with the same. Was not a good deal at all. Finally Andres said he was going to the doctor and do I want to come with. Declined as I always or should say generally get better. It was a series of three antibiotic shots sufferer's was given. Think most got the same.

After a couple days and a couple shots Andres is feeling totally better. Me I'm struggling bad at night. Not feeling particularly bad but very difficult to get decent rest. Still thinking it will get better. Andres keeps telling me how good his doctor is and he'll take me into see him anytime. Decline several of those invitations and after a week ten days it's "Andres will you please take me in to see your doctor" hopefully to get the shots he got that fixed him up quickly as I am struggling.

No problem and jump into the pickup and take the short ride into town. Locals refer to Puerto Vallarta as town. We walk right in - Andres explains to the doctor that I have the same thing he had.

Hernon proceeds to give me the first shot in that series of three. It fixed me up and feel good to this day.

Simply - Feliz Navidad

     To all who happen to pass by here - best wishes and a huge
        MERRY CHRISTMAS