The "Vortex" Is Strong These Days

Closing in on four years in Mexico and the "Vortex" is trying it's best to send us packing.  Ashley found this image that speaks of our current situation and it hits home in many ways.

Capoeira Batizado

The kids Capoeira program held it's weekend long workshop and graduation ceremonies this spring.  Alex and Trace have been in the program for over a year and a half and they rarely miss a class.  There are about 8-10 kids who are regular attendees and their instructors, Carisso and Pato, are great mentors to the kids.

The weekend attendees at Plaza del Sol in San Pancho

Capoeira procession down the Main Street in San Pancho

The attendees are from all over Mexico and this year many kids came from other cities to attend.  Needless to say, Alex made a few friends and was sad to see the weekend come to a close.  It was great to see Alex meet other girls her age who have a similar interest in Capoeira.  Capoeira has benefitted Alex in so many ways in regards to her interest in other activities like dance and her circus class.  She has developed strength, flexibility and coordination that she would most likely never developed had she not attended Capoeira.

Alex and Luke

Trace and Daniella

Trace has come to love Capoeira.  It's his "thing".  His best friend from school is a regular as well and the two of them are always given and extra challenge by their instructors.  I rarely see Trace move across a room without some Capoeira move.  Trace has been able to progress quickly with circus class due to his involvement in the class as well.

One of the things I really like about Capoeira and the other activities the kids are involved with is the quality of coaching and instruction.  I have remarked on it before.  The quality coaches I had growing helped shape me into who I am today.  "Carisso" and "Pato" are the kids instructors.  The two are really just teenagers who were handed the entire program when the main instructor had to leave for family reasons.  Carisso especially is very well respected in all instructor circles in Mexico.  During the weekend the kids were also able to learn from instructors from Mexico, Brazil and the United States and it was great to see their styles and enthusiasm.

Big hug for Carisso.

In Plaza del Sol

The long weekend was great and the actual graduation was close to three hours long as the Capoeira community celebrated the adult program's achievements as well. 

Luke, Enzo, Daniella, Carisso, Trace, Alex and Kaudi.  The graduating class with new belts.

One more month of class before they take a well deserved break for the summer.  Once September is here they will be back at it.  It is a special community and I am glad they are in it.  I think I am officially a "Capoeira Dad".  Kind of like a "soccer mom" and will continue to get them to their class twice a week.  Can't wait to see what they learn next year.

Escuela del Mundo Fundraiser

School Director Julie greets guests at the door.

For the second year our school, Escuela del Mundo, had it's annual fund raising event at Mar Plata in San Pancho.  This year's theme, "Belly Dance", followed previous year's dance themes of Tango and Flamingo.  The purpose of the evening is to bring members of the local pueblos together for food, drink and entertainment and at the same time build recognition for the school in the areas communities.

Parents, staff and teachers unite to pull this event off each year and it really takes a whole school to pull this event on.  Every year I am impressed by the quality of event our little school puts on.  This year I worried a little since I thought a "Belly Dance" theme might be a bit of a stretch.  In addition it had been raining most of the day.  My concerns evaporated when upon arriving the wait staff who was made up of parents were decorated with eye make up, and other theme complimenting accessories.  Ashley looked like something out of a National Geographic photo.  She just has a look that fits in pretty much anywhere.  Of course when "y'all" comes out of her mouth, the truth to her true identity is exposed.

Ashley in her fund raising garb.

Belly Dance first set

The Belly Dance group was fantastic.  Well choreographed, enchanting music, great outfits, beautiful dancers and the performance certainly rose the temperature in the restaurant more than a few degrees.  After the first performance of the night the live auction started.  Ashley was out of the gate fast bidding on a spa day but had some fierce competition from a friend of ours for the couple hours of pampering.  Ashley came out on top and before I knew it she was considering bidding on another item.  A work of art produced by some of the kids at school.  The piece was won by a volunteer from school but when we found out that Alex was one of the contributing artists we asked her to sell it to us and it now sits in our living room here in Sayulita.

Our new living room "kid created" work of art.

The night concluded with more great dancing and a musical performance that was fantastic as well.  I have been to a number of fund raisers this year for a variety of organizations and I really do think our little school puts on the best quality event and has the three years we been there.  Next year will be the school's 10 year anniversary and is already in the planning stages to really be sure the local communities know more about our school and hopefully gain additional support for it's plans for the future.  If you have an interest in learning more about Escuela del Mundo or finding out how you can help out a growing school in San Pancho, contact us and we will put you in touch with the right people.

2015 ISA World StandUp Paddle and Paddleboard Championship

It's almost time!!!  Right here in Sayulita!

Critters

Back in Park City moose were the "norm" as far as what we frequently saw in our back yard, around the house and sometimes just outside the front door.  This good looking critter likes to hang out in the palm trees around the house and sometimes comes down for a visit in our back yard/patio area.

I can't really say if it is a boy or girl but it is a good looking creature to be sure...and yes, we give him lots of room when he comes by.