3.14.10 It has been tradition here in Mexico for the Romero's to do something extraordinary every other Sunday as a family. For example the hike, the beach, this Sunday we took the opportunity to take a fairy ride across Lake Chapala.
Fifty pesos per adult, 25 per kid and a free ride for Corbin, bought us a 45 minute ride around the lake. One word can describe this experience... ANTICLIMACTIC. I hate to say it, and am not complaining by any means, but that's exactly what it was. Lacking somehow. The fairy is loaded with bench seats and diner style tables topped with salt, napkins and a bottle of hot sauce which leads you to believe there are some good foods to be had on this little boat. Quite the contrary in fact, the menu consisted of a bowl of peanuts, chips, candy bar, french fries, ceviche and caviar tostadas. The other half of the menu was a list of drinks. Water, soda and alcohol. For 12 pesos one could purchase a small plastic cup filled with ice and topped off with you choice of four sodas- Coke, apple, orange or Fresca. A little on the small side, but our thirst was quenched... temporarily.
For the locals this is quite the Sunday thing to do. And they enjoy it, thoroughly, and that's ok! The little fairy even plays traditional Mexican music the entire ride for all it's occupants to enjoy. But to a spoiled American, the "adventure" left something to be desired. We were hoping to be toted along the shore line so we could take a look at the homes and businesses which dress the shore so decoratively, or that it would take us out to a little secluded island in the middle of the lake, but neither were the case. Out to the middle of the lake and straight back was the route. I myself did enjoy the nice breeze the open windows allowed to come through, Corbin enjoyed taking 43 pictures of Frances and Porfirio with my camera while every one else chatted for the short ride. What mattered most was that we were enjoying time together, taking part in a Sunday tradition the locals surely enjoy. And this is just one more experience to add to our Life in Mexico story.
Following the trip we came home and chopped up all the veggies you can think of for a four-course, Porfirio-made, Chinese dinner which was a Godsend because I had been craving Chinese and decided that would be my first meal as soon as we cross the border into the states. Now I'll have to set my mind on something else, my craving for Asian has been satisfied.
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Things I've learned from this experience...
3.4.10 Things I've learned from this experience...
I TRULY feel that there has been a reason for my family and I to make a move as drastic as moving to Mexico. Another thing I TRULY believe in is that everything happens for a reason. We made the decision within 2 months of our last day in the states and we were able to make it here without a hitch. Everything worked out PERFECTLY for us to come here. Many MANY things have been learned and realized. Not only have I learned how to make pancakes and syrup from scratch, as well as salsa, guacamole and ENCHILADA SAUCE! But this move has AWAKEN feelings and secrets and relationships.
My husband came to realize who he is inside, he is a person he doesn't want to be and is unsure on how to change that. But the first step, they say, is KNOWING you have a problem. His next step will be to fix the things he doesn't like.
This move of ours has given my sister the courage to open up to our mother about WHO she is, someone she's been hiding, out of our fear of being judged.
Making this move has forced the people we love to take a step back, as much as we don't like it, and FORCE us to be wise with our decisions for they cannot help us. They are requesting that we work TOGETHER to figure out how, when and where we come home. I'm sure that was tough for them to do and see us go through hard times but in the end, what they've decided and why... we need to respect. I do know that we are loved, but cannot be held through this.
Moving to Mexico has opened my and my husbands eyes to let us know that “we” will die if “we” are not addressed and cared for. We have been shown that we need to come together and work things out. For whatever reason, the universe is INSISTING that he and I do not separate (which is something we recently considered,) that our only option right now is to make our next move on life's game board as a COUPLE. So that is what we will do.
I've learned that my mom and dad-in-law's belief system isn't WRONG, but instead different, very refreshing and actually opened my eyes on being more willing to forgive and forget. Everything that has happened is in the past, while WE are in the PRESENT. We need to live in the now, for the moment and enjoy every minute of it. Thank you Frances and Porfirio for everything you've done, the help you've given to us, for not judging us for not being able to succeed in Mexico but doing the opposite and providing support for us. FAMILY is what it's about.
So with this I am saying, 2 1/2 months into Mexico, we are moving home. Back to Utah we will go. This has been a HARD, amazing, and very POWERFUL experience for not only us, but our closest family members, the ones with us and the ones we left in Utah. Javier, me and the boys will return home with greater appreciation of what we had. What we let go of. What we gave away. Most importantly, what and who we took for granted. I'm not just referring to modern conveniences, a perfect home with THINGS to fill it, but WHO we ARE and WHO we want in our lives & WHO we need to strive to be. In the end our family has one new goal... to be HAPPY. We gave up a five bedroom, 3 bathroom house with a perfect backyard to come experience poor Mexico, and we will be coming home to live HAPPILY in an apartment. And we're EXCITED about that! I guarantee you, we will have more appreciation than ever for this new home... and more importantly, our family.
I TRULY feel that there has been a reason for my family and I to make a move as drastic as moving to Mexico. Another thing I TRULY believe in is that everything happens for a reason. We made the decision within 2 months of our last day in the states and we were able to make it here without a hitch. Everything worked out PERFECTLY for us to come here. Many MANY things have been learned and realized. Not only have I learned how to make pancakes and syrup from scratch, as well as salsa, guacamole and ENCHILADA SAUCE! But this move has AWAKEN feelings and secrets and relationships.
My husband came to realize who he is inside, he is a person he doesn't want to be and is unsure on how to change that. But the first step, they say, is KNOWING you have a problem. His next step will be to fix the things he doesn't like.
This move of ours has given my sister the courage to open up to our mother about WHO she is, someone she's been hiding, out of our fear of being judged.
Making this move has forced the people we love to take a step back, as much as we don't like it, and FORCE us to be wise with our decisions for they cannot help us. They are requesting that we work TOGETHER to figure out how, when and where we come home. I'm sure that was tough for them to do and see us go through hard times but in the end, what they've decided and why... we need to respect. I do know that we are loved, but cannot be held through this.
Moving to Mexico has opened my and my husbands eyes to let us know that “we” will die if “we” are not addressed and cared for. We have been shown that we need to come together and work things out. For whatever reason, the universe is INSISTING that he and I do not separate (which is something we recently considered,) that our only option right now is to make our next move on life's game board as a COUPLE. So that is what we will do.
I've learned that my mom and dad-in-law's belief system isn't WRONG, but instead different, very refreshing and actually opened my eyes on being more willing to forgive and forget. Everything that has happened is in the past, while WE are in the PRESENT. We need to live in the now, for the moment and enjoy every minute of it. Thank you Frances and Porfirio for everything you've done, the help you've given to us, for not judging us for not being able to succeed in Mexico but doing the opposite and providing support for us. FAMILY is what it's about.
So with this I am saying, 2 1/2 months into Mexico, we are moving home. Back to Utah we will go. This has been a HARD, amazing, and very POWERFUL experience for not only us, but our closest family members, the ones with us and the ones we left in Utah. Javier, me and the boys will return home with greater appreciation of what we had. What we let go of. What we gave away. Most importantly, what and who we took for granted. I'm not just referring to modern conveniences, a perfect home with THINGS to fill it, but WHO we ARE and WHO we want in our lives & WHO we need to strive to be. In the end our family has one new goal... to be HAPPY. We gave up a five bedroom, 3 bathroom house with a perfect backyard to come experience poor Mexico, and we will be coming home to live HAPPILY in an apartment. And we're EXCITED about that! I guarantee you, we will have more appreciation than ever for this new home... and more importantly, our family.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Incidentally...
3.3.10 Two weeks later... Remember that hike we went on for Valentine's Day? Well This night, I'm sitting here and glanced down at my toes. My ruby red toe nail polish had grown out enough for me to see that there was black underneath it. Hastily I started picking off my polish only to discover that my previously CUTE toenails had been SO traumatized from our hike down that mountain and they decided to turn black! Clearly I wasn't exaggerating before when I said "even my toenails hurt." They were crying out for help and I ignored their call until this evening. I've learned yet another thing here in Mexico... be absolutely SURE that when hiking up a goliath of a mountain that you wear proper hiking shoes that aren't a titch too small AND that your cute little toenails are clipped and trimmed so they won't be shoved into the toe of your shoe on the way down. I realize now the error of my ways. :( And so do my toes. double :(
Before-The day I realized they turned black.
After-I had to repaint them (OF COURSE!) but with bluish color to cover the black underneath.
Monday, March 1, 2010
"To the beach!" (in Mr Bean voice)
2.28.10 Today is my mom-in-law Frances' birthday! To celebrate the big 51 we headed to the coast of Mexico to spend the day at the beach! Hip hip HOORAY! It's so nice to get out of the house and see something new.
To start things off, we got a map of point A to point B which indicated our drive would only take 2 hours. Not too bad!!! So we packed up a picnic & all piled into the Suburban ready to go. Driving along, 2 hours comes and GOES, we're still driving. We drove to the point where every bladder in the car was ready to burst so we stopped at a gas station. While the Romero clan used the less-than-sanitary restrooms Porfirio asked the store attendant where the crap we were and where the crap we needed to go to get to our destination that we were supposed to be at already. I took several pics of the plant life while Jaden was trying to recuperate from car-sickness then we all piled back in the car. It was then, Porf told us that we are STILL 2 1/2 hours from our destination. WTF? How did 86 miles translate into a 5 1/2 hour car ride? That's Mexican maps for ya'. So we continue on and Corbin starts complaining about not feeling well. I sat him up and as quick as I could get a bag, but not quick enuf to open it, he starts throwing up. Into my lap falls this mornings breakfast. Mmmm, it's a treat to relive fruit and banana bread from someone else's stomach. I got him all taken care of & cleaned up and then a few minutes later, Jaden grabs a bag, OPENS IT, and loses his lunch! This road trip is off to a marvelous start. We pulled over just long enuf to throw a bag of vomit out the window (so soddy 'bout it Mexico!) and continue on through the relentlessly winding mountain roads.
What seemed like an eternity later, we arrived at the Barra De Navidad beach, which at first sight one could claim resembles paradise. Music rang down from the heavens when I stepped out of the car & beheld such a beautifully beachy scene. Tropical flowers lined the cobblestone streets that lead right into perfect grains of sand with colors resembling Johnny's Seasoning Salt, a nice blue ocean with the tide breaking at the shore, sparse white clouds against an amazingly blue sky, palm trees extending into the azul abyss above and very few people catching a tan allowing the Romero's to enjoy whatever portion of beach we would like. So we claimed our territory & set up our little picnic which included Italian BMT style sandwiches, Frances' delicious potato salad, watermelon, fresh cut carrots, cucumber & jicama topped off with oatmeal cookies for dessert. Can we ask for anything better? I think not.
Post picnic, we found ourselves where else but in the waters of the Pacific Ocean. And let me tell you, this was not the frigid water you'll find up the coast of California & Washington... this was I-could-be-in-here-all-day water. And that's exactly what we did, for probably 3 hours straight swimming, body surfing and dodging various sizes of waves. There were mild ones that merely guided you to the shore as they passed by. There were waves one would SWALLOW if caught off guard, waves that would give you quite a spanking! Last but not least the goliath waves that took my sunglasses clean off & gifted them to the ocean, one that CLAIMED Frances' velcro water-proof watch, at the same time ensuring that we knew the ocean was in CONTROL & we weren't to forget that! Nonetheless, it was a very enjoyable birthday celebration for all those in the water. I'm not sure I can say the same for Corbin & Profirio who sat in the sand however. Corbin became leary when he toppled over as the waters were receding back into the ocean. He jumped up as fast as he could to make sure one of those waves didn't suck him into the liquid behind. I'm sure he was fearful that one of the giant pelicans might dive-bomb him as their next meal! After that, he asked to change out of his bathing suit 'cause he was done.
After several hours in the water we finally decided to call it quits so we could be home at a decent hour in case the ride home was to be another 5 1/2 hour excursion. During the ride home we began discovering that our efforts of sunscreen application was perhaps not as diligent as it should have been. The onslaught of burning sensations began in different areas for all of us. For me it was my shins, two odd shaped sections on my back and of course my nose, for Javier it was his arms from elbow to shoulder, Jaden walked away with a nice rosy-red face, Jorden escaped with a burn on the back of his neck and Corbin... came home with close to nothing. Since he didn't get in the water his SPF 54 didn't wash off!
With a car load of 9 Romero's, the ride home was nice & quiet as most of us were exhausted from a day of beach play, that was until Jordan spotted a smoking volcano. We later learned this was Mount Colimon, the most active volcano in Mexico. He stayed in our sights for nearly an hour of the car ride home and we got to witness a serious volcano cough of black ash cloud coming right out the top. It did this maybe 3 times. Way cool to see, however taking a nice clear picture of set volcano through glass, traveling upwards of 80 mph on a bumpy Mexican highway through the trees speeding by is not an easy task. But I am fairly satisfied of the ones I was able to capture that are nearly clear. What a great way to top of a wonderful day. We couldn't have asked for more.
To start things off, we got a map of point A to point B which indicated our drive would only take 2 hours. Not too bad!!! So we packed up a picnic & all piled into the Suburban ready to go. Driving along, 2 hours comes and GOES, we're still driving. We drove to the point where every bladder in the car was ready to burst so we stopped at a gas station. While the Romero clan used the less-than-sanitary restrooms Porfirio asked the store attendant where the crap we were and where the crap we needed to go to get to our destination that we were supposed to be at already. I took several pics of the plant life while Jaden was trying to recuperate from car-sickness then we all piled back in the car. It was then, Porf told us that we are STILL 2 1/2 hours from our destination. WTF? How did 86 miles translate into a 5 1/2 hour car ride? That's Mexican maps for ya'. So we continue on and Corbin starts complaining about not feeling well. I sat him up and as quick as I could get a bag, but not quick enuf to open it, he starts throwing up. Into my lap falls this mornings breakfast. Mmmm, it's a treat to relive fruit and banana bread from someone else's stomach. I got him all taken care of & cleaned up and then a few minutes later, Jaden grabs a bag, OPENS IT, and loses his lunch! This road trip is off to a marvelous start. We pulled over just long enuf to throw a bag of vomit out the window (so soddy 'bout it Mexico!) and continue on through the relentlessly winding mountain roads.
What seemed like an eternity later, we arrived at the Barra De Navidad beach, which at first sight one could claim resembles paradise. Music rang down from the heavens when I stepped out of the car & beheld such a beautifully beachy scene. Tropical flowers lined the cobblestone streets that lead right into perfect grains of sand with colors resembling Johnny's Seasoning Salt, a nice blue ocean with the tide breaking at the shore, sparse white clouds against an amazingly blue sky, palm trees extending into the azul abyss above and very few people catching a tan allowing the Romero's to enjoy whatever portion of beach we would like. So we claimed our territory & set up our little picnic which included Italian BMT style sandwiches, Frances' delicious potato salad, watermelon, fresh cut carrots, cucumber & jicama topped off with oatmeal cookies for dessert. Can we ask for anything better? I think not.
Post picnic, we found ourselves where else but in the waters of the Pacific Ocean. And let me tell you, this was not the frigid water you'll find up the coast of California & Washington... this was I-could-be-in-here-all-day water. And that's exactly what we did, for probably 3 hours straight swimming, body surfing and dodging various sizes of waves. There were mild ones that merely guided you to the shore as they passed by. There were waves one would SWALLOW if caught off guard, waves that would give you quite a spanking! Last but not least the goliath waves that took my sunglasses clean off & gifted them to the ocean, one that CLAIMED Frances' velcro water-proof watch, at the same time ensuring that we knew the ocean was in CONTROL & we weren't to forget that! Nonetheless, it was a very enjoyable birthday celebration for all those in the water. I'm not sure I can say the same for Corbin & Profirio who sat in the sand however. Corbin became leary when he toppled over as the waters were receding back into the ocean. He jumped up as fast as he could to make sure one of those waves didn't suck him into the liquid behind. I'm sure he was fearful that one of the giant pelicans might dive-bomb him as their next meal! After that, he asked to change out of his bathing suit 'cause he was done.
After several hours in the water we finally decided to call it quits so we could be home at a decent hour in case the ride home was to be another 5 1/2 hour excursion. During the ride home we began discovering that our efforts of sunscreen application was perhaps not as diligent as it should have been. The onslaught of burning sensations began in different areas for all of us. For me it was my shins, two odd shaped sections on my back and of course my nose, for Javier it was his arms from elbow to shoulder, Jaden walked away with a nice rosy-red face, Jorden escaped with a burn on the back of his neck and Corbin... came home with close to nothing. Since he didn't get in the water his SPF 54 didn't wash off!
With a car load of 9 Romero's, the ride home was nice & quiet as most of us were exhausted from a day of beach play, that was until Jordan spotted a smoking volcano. We later learned this was Mount Colimon, the most active volcano in Mexico. He stayed in our sights for nearly an hour of the car ride home and we got to witness a serious volcano cough of black ash cloud coming right out the top. It did this maybe 3 times. Way cool to see, however taking a nice clear picture of set volcano through glass, traveling upwards of 80 mph on a bumpy Mexican highway through the trees speeding by is not an easy task. But I am fairly satisfied of the ones I was able to capture that are nearly clear. What a great way to top of a wonderful day. We couldn't have asked for more.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Monday, February 15, 2010
Valentine's Hike
2.15.10 Yesterday was Valentine's Day which is even celebrated here in Mexico!!! Unfortunately for me, my husband is one who could care less of holidays, especially one as insignificant as Valentine's Day. This statement alone should answer any pending questions on whether or not I got showered with roses, and candy. No I did not. However, we did go as a family on a hike up to the top of a mountain that is nearby. I don't know if the mountain has a name but it does have 4 very large white crosses in which the towns people hike to the top cross once or twice a year and pay their respects to whichever God and do worshiping of some kind. We did it, just to do it. And it was HARD! I was definitely reminded of how OUT OF SHAPE I am. To give you an idea, I was huffing & puffing before we even got ON the mountain, however, with 5 Nalgene's and plenty of breaks, we were able to get to the top! I believe it took us 2 hours to get to the top at which point we had a picnic consisting of hummus, egg salad sandwiches and fresh cut carrots, jicama and cucumber all of which Porfirio was kind enough to carry in a large backpack himself. OH food never tasted SO good! We stayed up at the top for maybe 30-40 minutes enjoying the wonderful view of Jocotepec in it's entirety. After which we then made our way back down. Simple you say!?!?! Ugh, it wasn't much better going down aside from the fact that it took us less than half the time it took to climb it. Me & my boys were wearing shoes that are not fit for hiking (and that is due to the fact that we gave our hiking shoes away before we came to Mexico!) Needless to say the four of us were taking fall after fall after fall, while my “sure-footed” husband was able to hike downhill with a toddler on his back not stumbling once. I've always admitted that I am clumsy and no where near graceful so for me to fall several times is no surprise.
Now here I lay more than 24 hours later, never having received roses or anything resembling a Valentine, in extreme pain complete with mild sunburns on the few random spots my sunscreen did not get placed and a series of bruises trailing from my mid-calf all the way up to my butt. My TOENAILS even hate me. If my buttocks had a mouth surely it would be screaming. And my thighs...my thighs have gone on strike. It is because of this, I have made an executive decision that I will not be hiking any time in the near future.Not only because of the injuries I sustained but also because I just don't like it!
Valentine's Day hike
The red arrow is pointing to a little white dot which is a giant white cross, and that's our destination!
And so it begins.
This is Jocotepec from about 1/4 of the way up the mountain. That is the bull fighting ring in the middle there.
A different view of beautiful Lake Chapala.
These spikey lookin things are agave plants from which tequila is made and what put the state of Jalisco on the map!
My irreverent husband. The sun was in the perfect spot for this!
Happy Valentine's Day!
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Our Favorite Hang Out Spot...Lake Chapala
These pictures will give you a good idea of why the Romero's have dubbed Lake Chapala as our favorite hang out spot here in Mexico. First of all... it's a mere 4 blocks away from our home! Secondly, the city has taken great efforts to get this lake not only cleaned up, but deemed it worthy of two lighted boardwalks, cute red benches that stand out against the perfect blue sky, peculiar fish sculptured chairs surrounding a fountain and of course palm trees! For us, walking to Lake Chapala and spending time together there makes an enjoyable Sunday afternoon spent. I'll let the pics talk for themselves!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)