Sayulita Surf Club

Alex braved the chilly water this week, with her friend Maggie, to attend the Sayulita Surf Club. This club is for local kids to attend to develop, among other things, a passion for surfing and learn positive values, respect, teamwork, an awareness for the ocean environment and friendship. Great fun for all the kids and parents. We can't wait for the next session. "Muchas gracias" to the instructors who volunteered their time and equipment to put this on.

Casa Cherimoya-Complete

Well, it's done. The first total Mexico project. The entire house has been rehabbed and now looks the way the owners had originally hoped. A good save rather than tearing out and replacing. See below before and after photos.

These same clients own a second home here in Sayulita. I'll be starting on it starting almost immediately. Twice as much work, more beer, tequila and tacos!!

Alex and Trace At El Anclote

Life

The holidays are upon us, actually almost over. Finally! The holidays to a junior flight attendant, yes, 15 years is junior, means non stop working for the last half of both November and December. November worked out well because I was in Mexico for the first half of the month. December is another story. I only got to be with my family for five days. Kinda sucks. Part was self inflicted, I chose to work more so I could take three months off, and the other part was due to the hard commute. If you are thinking of going to Puerto Vallarta nonstop from anywhere except Mexico City on a week day, except friday during some months, don't even waste your time looking for flights on Delta. So, for the better part of a month and a half I have been in and out of the slurpy, dirty air of Salt Lake City. Besides the poor air quality it has actually been great, especially this month. I am working a lot but am also in town a lot. Being pretty much single and childless I have had so much "me" time. It has been wonderful to catch up and spend hours with friends, just hanging out and talking for as long as I wish. Good quality time nurturing friendships, staying up late, sleeping in, watching movies, I actually went to a movie in the middle of the day, reading, practicing and learning my Spanish though not nearly enough. I went to an exercise class that I wouldn't normally do, my favorite zumba classes, I even swam. Good thing I had my new Jolyn bathing suit with me. It felt really good to be back in a bathing suit, too bad I was in Anchorage. I need to store all of this relaxation because when I get back I will be mom all the time for three months. Ozzy has been incredible, as always, doing all that has to be done. I left him with a lot on his plate, so now it is his time. I just wonder how long it will take until the kids quit calling me dad.

I am ready to go back though and live in Mexico instead of just saying that I live there. I miss my kids, husband, dog, the sun, my oZoboard, my kids, the food, clean air, minimal clothing, the people, the language, my kids, my husband. I am not complaining, we chose this life and knew at times that I would be gone a lot. It is what it is and I would not change a thing.

I have a great life! I am blessed to have what I do, with my family, friends, job, countries, freedom, love and support. Like I said before, I wouldn't change a thing.

Ashley

A Day At The Beach, Sayulita Style

The Cawrse family meets up with Ozzy and the kids on the beach. Taken with a GoPro and edited by John Cawrse. Originally posted on John's blog "Stand Up Paddle With John".

Snapshots

I've been hearing it's a bit chilly up north. Even worse, not much snow. Hard to believe it will be Christmas soon walking around town. Grab a cold beer and put these up on your computer screen or TV and visualize...at least until the first powder day. Stay warm.

Body Art

Living in a warm place like Sayulita, tattoos are proudly displayed on virtually all parts of people's bodies. I think there are at least two ink shops in town. Do you think Trace took notice? Yes, I think he had help from his sister.

Quote of the day

You have succeeded in life when all you really want is only what you really need.
~ Vernon Howard

"The Return of the Worst Band You've Ever Loved"

With Ashley out of town I went out in Sayulita to a skinny roof top bar named Bar Don Patos. One of the other fathers in the "dads playgroup" I attend fronts a hard rock/punk band with his wife. Los Gatos Negros Live and Alive in Sayulita. I pre-partied and rocked out with some other "40 something" parents who also found suitable supervision for their kids. After too many beers, tequila and with ears ringing we found our favorite taco cart still open at about 1:30am. mmmn Tacos Ivan. In bed by 2am How the hell did I ever do this in college

Los Gatos Negros Live in Sayulita from Darrin Polischuk on Vimeo.

Sayulita Grunge

When you walk around town you see all sorts of people. You can generally tell who is a resident vs who is a visitor by ones' level of "Sayulita Grunge". What is "Sayulita Grunge"? My definition is a little different than the dictionary's but it is definitely a style of sorts here. Lot's of things go into "Sayulita Grunge". A "Sayulita Grunge Tan" is the one that stands out the most to me. It is a tan built by lots of small doses of sun. The brown of ones' skin is not so intense with distinct lines that show where the tan stops and starts. It's more like soft tanned leather that shows a patina no matter what the outfit...no strap lines, no sock or sandal lines, no farmers' tan etc. Mix in some sweat, sand and some village dust that does not quite ever wash off and you've got a "Sayulita Grunge Tan". "Sayulita Grunge Clothing" is generally faded and or close to rotting. Clothing literally disintegrates on your body here. One tends to wear things over and over since the amount of options needed is generally fewer and the same stuff is worn year round.(I do have to say that a pair of Patagonia surf trunks I have worn non stop on this adventure and a previous trip have continued to hold up amazingly well.) Personal grooming, haircuts and shaving etc, are something that gets done when it suits the individual not the public. Make up, hair spray, gel etc...um, No. I am by no means being critical of the "Grunge" level of folks in town. In fact, our family has been here long enough to have attained a sufficient level of "Grunge" that the vendors don't even try to sell to us as we walk by since they have learned that "locals" don't buy their crap as much as tourists do. "Sayulita Grunge" is even a badge worn with pride in a strange way since you just don't see it from crispy week long wedding visitors or day tourists from Vallarta. I can honestly say that our family loves being "Sayulita Grunge" and we will certainly keep working on it!

Handyman Ozzy

The school Alex and Trace attend isn't exactly Jeremy Ranch Elementary School back in Park City equipped with Mac computers, library, cafeteria, classroom aids and electricity. (Yes, electricity) As Ashley has said previously the school is run by two dedicated women but who have little time, money or skill to really fix anything and it is up to donations and parental efforts to help the school out. I've been pitching in at the school after classes are over hanging donated ceiling fans, fixing bathroom doors, painting, cleaning etc. I have the tools and knowledge to help and I enjoy it.

The "Maestra" in charge who is a tough but caring woman when it comes to the kids certainly seems to appreciate the help and I think she gives me a little break concerning my lack of Spanish skills because of it...a good thing since she scares me a little. The truth is that the school needs tons of help but in some ways as long as these 4 to 6 year old kids have a safe, caring place to learn for few hours a day isn't that what's important? Anyway, we appreciate the school allowing our kids to attend and I will continue bringing my tools in as needed the second half of the year.

Alex' Eye

A fun shot taken in the fantastic pool at Casa Ava in Sayulita.