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.
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.
This year, the Punta Sayulita Longboard & SUP Classic became the Punta Sayulita SUP Classic. The development, Punta Sayulita, stepped down from organizing and sponsoring the huge event held in the past and it was in danger of not even happening in any form this year. In previous years, this was one of our favorite events to be in Sayulita for as it brought world class talent to town for the weekend's competition, a big name concert on the beach and it was just a great time to be here.
Enter Stand Up Paddle Mexicoand the Mexico SUP Tour. The two came together with Punta Sayulita on short notice and pulled off a very respectable, more local event here in Sayulita and renamed it the PUNTA SAYULITA SUP CLASSIC. No concert on the beach and the big names in the international SUP and longboard scene didn't come but rather a local, Mexico event including "amateurs" and "Pros". What people may not understand about the surf community in Sayulita is that there many racers and surfers that are World Class living here in town. The contest basically was a battle of amazing local "pro" level talent along with a few additions. Many of the local Mexican competitors will be featured in next month's ISA's World Standup Paddle and Paddleboard Championships here in Sayulita. If you are a fan of SUP then this event will be the best place to be on the entire planet.
Running out for my first heat
This year I again signed up for the "Amateur" over 35 division SUP Surf competition. The waves did not cooperate this day and I found it very difficult to feel good about anything I was doing out there.
I must have showed the judges a few more things this year than last as I unexpectedly advanced from my heat to the finals competing against guys who had a lot more experience than I have. Most of the guys competing were guys I surf with anyway so it was a pretty fun to be out there.
Well, last place in the finals is at least in the finals and all three of these guys are certainly better surfers than me. I just wish the waves could have provided some additional energy so I could have played the "dark horse" more confidently and perhaps provided an upset of sorts. It wasn't to be unfortunately. All in all, a great weekend and the professional men had great waves and put on an amazing show. It also gave a great preview of what will be in store in next month's World Championships here in town. The fire is lit to gain some additional skills and be ready for next year's "old school" contest. I will certainly be competing in 2016 if the opportunity is there again...maybe I'll convince Ashley to compete in the women's division as well.
If there is one activity in the world that Alex would choose to do forever it would most likely be "dance". With very little background, she gets in there, quickly learns the choreography and moves easily from beat to beat. It amazes me every time I see her at practice and perform. A genetic gift from her mom I would guess. The Colorado based, not-for-profit organization, Celebrate The Beat, again brought their program to hundreds of children in the area this winter. Teaching artist, choreographer and force of nature, Colleen Macomber, arrived once again to teach school aged kids in the communities of Punta Mita, Higuera Blanca, San Ignacio, Sayulita and San Pancho. Though we live in Sayulita, Alex rejoined her group from last year from San Pancho.
Celebrate The Beat's mission is to teach inspirational music and dance classes that help children discover their potential by motivating them to believe in themselves, to value artistic expression, and to develop a personal standard of excellence. This year's theme was "Rivers of the World". Each dance group, represented by colored T-shirts, had their own river to represent in a performance at San Pancho's Plaza del Sol .
The photo above does not even include all of the kids included in the performance. There were also 30 or so smaller children who were off to the side and in front of the stage.
I wish Alex could work with Colleen regularly during the year. She would love it and get so much out of the high quality instruction she provides. We just hope Celebrate the Beat returns to the area again next year. The major sponsor they had for our local program in Mexico had to step down this year. It is a substantial investment each year to run this fantastic opportunity for the kids. If you can help the program continue, please contact them or us. Hundreds of smiling kids in this area of Mexico would really appreciate it.
This article about living "abroad" hit home for me. Other than thinking about how much the kids have changed and developed in amazing ways, I have not given much consideration to how much Ashley and I have changed until recently. Check it out. Only a 5 minute read. A quote from the article.
"Because living abroad is one of the most satisfying and challenging things a person can do. It altered the core of who I thought I was and who I am now. Living abroad changed me.
From our own experience, all we can say is that the scariest part of beginning your own Adventure is actually deciding to do it. #4 on the list from the article. Whether it is only a month long or an "all in" experience, you won't see things the same ever again.
This is freaking awesome!! Unfortunately, it is only a matter of time before we see this in Sayulita and such a ride probably will not end as well as this one did. What a wave though!
Our kid's Montessori school, Escuela Del Mundo, is dedicated to helping people in the community by providing financial assistance to families that may not have the means to pay for full tuition. The school's scholarship program is always in need of donations for families like Laura's. Laura and her two young children live in town here in Sayulita and get on the public bus everyday to go to school the next town over in San Pancho. Then Laura turns around and gets on the bus again to produce and sell jewelry back here in Sayulita. She repeats the trip in the afternoon when it's time to pick the kids up.
We have gotten to know Laura's family this year since we give her children and/or Laura a ride to and from school several days a week. The are a very nice family, are always smiling and are a great addition to the school. If you can help out Laura and others like her by donating to the school's scholarship program please contact the school.
Escuela Del Mundo is actively seeking sponsors and financial assistance in all aspects of the school's operations, enrollment and facility development. If you have an serious interest in making an impact in many people's lives and on a very special organization please contact us or the school directly.
Once again Festival Sayulitahas come and gone this year and it was bigger and better than it was last year. This year brought more variety to the event with lots of movies, a surf contest, food pairings, fun run, kids events, spirits, nightly entertainment in the Plaza and an outdoor concert.
Our family spent three nights on the beach watching movies. Two of the nights we watched surf movies as the waves crashed yards away in the darkness. Oney Anwar Chasing the Dreamand Tierra de Patagones. Both were pretty good but the high point of the movie watching was the movie Boxtrolls. The movie was recently nominated for an Academy Award for "Best Animated Feature". It resembles Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer TV Christmas specials of old but only 50 years more modern. Very cool visually. There were many venues for movie watching throughout town but movies on the beach were free for everyone. One of the creators of the movie, Mark Shapiro, was even in town and held a Q and A session after the movie.
The Festival added a day for kids which was a big hit for locals as the Plaza became packed with kids, music, performers and parents and it was like a big block party for the community.
Photo by Derrick Lundy
Even in a small town you don't see everyone all the time but it was great to meet up and meet new people and see friends.
The Festival had a World Class long board contest as well. Men and women competitors from all over the world came to town and the waves cooperated. The first day of competition was held on a Friday while the kids were in school so Ashley and I parked on the beach with friends to watch and cheer on local surf talent.
The biggest event of the Festival was the outdoor concert featuring Kongos and Dirty Heads. I've become a fan of Dirty Heads in the last year and to have them come to our little pueblo was really cool. I made my way up to the front of the stage. Close enough that they may have even wondered who the old guy singing along with them was. The Festival organizers knew I was pretty stoked that Dirty Heads was headlining the concert so the got me this awesome Festival poster signed by the band.
My autographed Festival poster
In only it's second year, Festival Sayulita has become an event we look forward to. Last year was good and this year was better. It is very well run, everything the organizers do is professional and it shows. It is very community friendly since it provides plenty of free events and activities for all ages along with quality paid events for those who want to attend a larger variety of events. I have to believe it has been received well by the community as a whole as far as how it is run and impacts town since it is bringing folks in during a time that may be a bit slower as far as visitors. We can't wait to see what the Festival brings next year.
