Saturday, March 28, 2020
Casa PŌNO Gets It's Sign
Sometimes it is the little things that make a difference. I think this one makes a BIG difference. We were finally able to find a CNC metal cutter in Puerto Vallarta. Who the outfit is exactly is still a mystery but our welder let us know he could get our house sign done. It's a modest sign. Clean and and modern it keeps with the design style of the house and shows off our house logo. I had a quote from a US outfit for the same sign for about $600 USD. Price in Mexico? About $100 USD. At some point it will be back lit but for now it is a huge improvement from the outlet box with wires sticking out of it that greeted people walking by and renters arriving to stay at the PŌNO Suite. The little things.
Tuesday, March 24, 2020
Corona Virus - Sayulita March 24, 2020
It is spring break and Sayulita normally would be crushed by tourists from the USA and Canada. That certainly is not the case here this week with the closures of stores, bars, restaurants and even beaches. Ashley and I took a walk yesterday and I snapped a few photos along the way. So surreal to see totally empty beaches and streets. Some long time locals even said that they had not see the beaches so empty since the 1980s.
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| Photo by other |
Tuesday, March 17, 2020
Corona Virus - Sayulita March 17, 2020
We have spent the last few weeks watching the headlines online as the Corona virus progressed. Not much had changed here. The tourist numbers have been down all season but there are other reasons for that. Our rental reservations had dried up for any dates after the Mexican two week Spring Break was set to begin. Understandable considering where our reservations have come from this year and restrictions for travel up north. That was ok with us since we had planned to be away at that time anyway. No big deal. Our hope was that things would not get too influenced by the containment efforts until school was out, Ashley was back home and we could spend the two week Spring Break up in Baja surfing and camping being away from it all.
The first real change we experienced was when Trace and I went to the local Mexican Immigration department last Friday, only 5 days ago. We went to do some finger printing to renew his VISA and before we could sign in to take a number and wait our turn for assistance we had to use hand sanitizer. It was the first noticeable change that we saw. All else was normal and had been normal. Eating street tacos, going out for dinner like always with the family and friends. We even went grocery shopping and there was no sign that there had been a run on supplies or there was a toilet paper shortage like we had heard about up north.
Ashley had been home at the time and we were keeping tabs on things up north. Dismissive attitudes by those in the US Federal Government, inconsistent information, errors and clarifications in communications made it hard for us to decide if Ashley was going to go back to Atlanta when she needed to. International flights had been effected but not so much domestic flights and passenger loads on airplanes were dropping. Fewer people were flying understandably. So, we decided that Ashley would go back and report to work. If the flights had fewer people on them they would be easier trips, if flights were cancelled then she would get paid anyway for sitting. If she refused to show up we were not really sure how that would shake out with her job and any kind of compensation if this went on for the long term. Ashley decided she would go back to Atlanta and hope to return before the spring break holiday as we planned.
About that time the first real significant move from Mexico happened. All schools in Mexico would be closed for two weeks preceding the two week Semana Santa Spring break. This meant that the kids would be out of school for at least one full month and the highly anticipated yearly Celebrate the Beat dance performance would be at the very least postponed. We thought we had some time before bold moves like this would happen. We had renters from Canada and they also began to wonder just what kind of conditions and required quarantine they would find when they flew back later in the week.
The 4 day weekend looked to be pretty busy in town by all accounts and the kids were looking ahead at their short, four day school week and their unexpected extended spring break. Ashley flew her first trip back in the States and had some disturbing information to share. Delta was not even providing any real advanced protection to their flight crews. The same old crappy disposable gloves, no masks etc. Airline crews are on the front lines in this situation and Delta cannot even provide them with appropriate protection? Really? WTF? So, I get a message from Ashley basically resigned to the inevitability that at some point the virus will find her. She will be alone in Atlanta and cannot retreat to any of the in-laws houses if something happens. On the plus side she has a crazy immune system after 23+ years of flying with nasty humans and will kick this if she does in fact get sick. We are not even sure she will be allowed to come home in two weeks and if she does she may need to be quarantined as well. So many unknowns at this point. We are here. She is there.
Some things like Alex' horse program and the kid's SUP practice have continued. SUP fills the requirements for "social distancing" and it is good for the kids to see friends and be in the water for some exercise. While at SUP practice yesterday we got the news that even the short 4 day school week leading up to the extra two weeks off would be cancelled. So, at this point, there will be a total of 3 weeks of school off PLUS the two week Semana Santa spring break totaling 5 weeks off from school. The teachers are trying to put together some sort of online curriculum so we will see what happens. Fortunately the upper grades have few books and operate mostly via computer already so I am sure they will come up with something. Looks like we have caught up to the rest of the world as far as keeping the family at home and away from mingling with others.
As of yet there are very very few cases of the virus here in Mexico but that does not mean it isn't lurking and waiting to show itself. Fortunately they are making quick and decisive moves in hours/days vs weeks and taking the matter seriously. The problem ahead of us is getting Ashley home at some point and making sure all the grandparents continue to be in good shape. The next concerning is Semana Santa. The tradition is that the interior of the country empties out to the coastal beach towns for the two week holiday. They will come and come by the bus load and car load. We have yet to see what the Mexican gov't will do or whether they will try to prevent such large numbers of people traveling inside the country. That includes us since we are scheduled to be on a ferry in April traveling to the beach as well up in the Baja. Not sure how that is going to shake out. For now we just hunker down like everyone else and wait it out.
That's it for now. I will venture out to hit the big grocery store tomorrow to do my weekly shopping plus get a few extra things. Today, the bank.
The first real change we experienced was when Trace and I went to the local Mexican Immigration department last Friday, only 5 days ago. We went to do some finger printing to renew his VISA and before we could sign in to take a number and wait our turn for assistance we had to use hand sanitizer. It was the first noticeable change that we saw. All else was normal and had been normal. Eating street tacos, going out for dinner like always with the family and friends. We even went grocery shopping and there was no sign that there had been a run on supplies or there was a toilet paper shortage like we had heard about up north.
Ashley had been home at the time and we were keeping tabs on things up north. Dismissive attitudes by those in the US Federal Government, inconsistent information, errors and clarifications in communications made it hard for us to decide if Ashley was going to go back to Atlanta when she needed to. International flights had been effected but not so much domestic flights and passenger loads on airplanes were dropping. Fewer people were flying understandably. So, we decided that Ashley would go back and report to work. If the flights had fewer people on them they would be easier trips, if flights were cancelled then she would get paid anyway for sitting. If she refused to show up we were not really sure how that would shake out with her job and any kind of compensation if this went on for the long term. Ashley decided she would go back to Atlanta and hope to return before the spring break holiday as we planned.
About that time the first real significant move from Mexico happened. All schools in Mexico would be closed for two weeks preceding the two week Semana Santa Spring break. This meant that the kids would be out of school for at least one full month and the highly anticipated yearly Celebrate the Beat dance performance would be at the very least postponed. We thought we had some time before bold moves like this would happen. We had renters from Canada and they also began to wonder just what kind of conditions and required quarantine they would find when they flew back later in the week.
The 4 day weekend looked to be pretty busy in town by all accounts and the kids were looking ahead at their short, four day school week and their unexpected extended spring break. Ashley flew her first trip back in the States and had some disturbing information to share. Delta was not even providing any real advanced protection to their flight crews. The same old crappy disposable gloves, no masks etc. Airline crews are on the front lines in this situation and Delta cannot even provide them with appropriate protection? Really? WTF? So, I get a message from Ashley basically resigned to the inevitability that at some point the virus will find her. She will be alone in Atlanta and cannot retreat to any of the in-laws houses if something happens. On the plus side she has a crazy immune system after 23+ years of flying with nasty humans and will kick this if she does in fact get sick. We are not even sure she will be allowed to come home in two weeks and if she does she may need to be quarantined as well. So many unknowns at this point. We are here. She is there.
Some things like Alex' horse program and the kid's SUP practice have continued. SUP fills the requirements for "social distancing" and it is good for the kids to see friends and be in the water for some exercise. While at SUP practice yesterday we got the news that even the short 4 day school week leading up to the extra two weeks off would be cancelled. So, at this point, there will be a total of 3 weeks of school off PLUS the two week Semana Santa spring break totaling 5 weeks off from school. The teachers are trying to put together some sort of online curriculum so we will see what happens. Fortunately the upper grades have few books and operate mostly via computer already so I am sure they will come up with something. Looks like we have caught up to the rest of the world as far as keeping the family at home and away from mingling with others.
As of yet there are very very few cases of the virus here in Mexico but that does not mean it isn't lurking and waiting to show itself. Fortunately they are making quick and decisive moves in hours/days vs weeks and taking the matter seriously. The problem ahead of us is getting Ashley home at some point and making sure all the grandparents continue to be in good shape. The next concerning is Semana Santa. The tradition is that the interior of the country empties out to the coastal beach towns for the two week holiday. They will come and come by the bus load and car load. We have yet to see what the Mexican gov't will do or whether they will try to prevent such large numbers of people traveling inside the country. That includes us since we are scheduled to be on a ferry in April traveling to the beach as well up in the Baja. Not sure how that is going to shake out. For now we just hunker down like everyone else and wait it out.
That's it for now. I will venture out to hit the big grocery store tomorrow to do my weekly shopping plus get a few extra things. Today, the bank.
Sunday, March 1, 2020
2020 Algalita International Youth Summit on Plastic Pollution
Alex was off again to Dana Point, California this weekend and it was not with a paddle board. It was for the 2020 Algalita International Youth Summit on Plastic Pollution. She is part of a group from her school, Costa Verde International School, that is attending the 3 day Summit. She was part of the group last year as well and thought so much of it she decided she wanted to be part of it again
Below is a Day One video recap from the Summit. It is only about one minute long, super energetic and shows the kids attending from all over the world during some of the day's activities. At about the 46 second mark Alex can be seen speaking on a microphone on stage. She was soo excited about that! You can enlarge the video as well.
The group of 6 students raised the funds for the trip through bake goods sales, movie night, online donations and concert ticket auctions. (Thank you Bee-Bah for your donation) Two teachers also accompanied the group to California as well. An amazing opportunity for these kids to get out of our small town and meet kids from all over the globe. We cannot wait to hear the stories when they get back home to Mexico.
Below is a Day One video recap from the Summit. It is only about one minute long, super energetic and shows the kids attending from all over the world during some of the day's activities. At about the 46 second mark Alex can be seen speaking on a microphone on stage. She was soo excited about that! You can enlarge the video as well.
The group of 6 students raised the funds for the trip through bake goods sales, movie night, online donations and concert ticket auctions. (Thank you Bee-Bah for your donation) Two teachers also accompanied the group to California as well. An amazing opportunity for these kids to get out of our small town and meet kids from all over the globe. We cannot wait to hear the stories when they get back home to Mexico.
Friday, February 28, 2020
Sunday, February 23, 2020
A New Casa - Casa Pono Sayulita - Mid Winter Update 2020
Though the rental unit in the house, The PŌNO Suite, is in pretty good shape there are areas of the upper house where we live that have been ignored. Ignored not because we didn't care it is just a budget issue. Piece by piece, door by door we have been finishing parts of the house and prioritizing the finish of other parts of the house.
Though several ideas were considered we decided to make this area an interior deck space. When the jungle rains get in the materials would be able to handle getting wet plus the wood deck would break up the mostly concrete and metal finishes we currently have in the house. It would soften the look of the living area as well as create a bit of separate space within the space to do fun things with at some point.
To do this decking we needed to install metal deck supports and so we got our metal guy to come back with his crew to install metal joists. Set at a height that would allow the wood to be at a finish height equal to the concrete floor, it will eventually create one large continuous space with no step ups or downs.
The other thing we had done was have a hand rail installed on the stairs in the same space. Too many visitors got freaked out and we always had fears of someone walking off the upper landing in the dark not realizing that there was a 3 meter drop. So, we had a partial handrail installed as well. Enough for safety but still allowing for Ashley's plant shelf to remain as is or be added to in the future.
The finish decking will be done in a tropical hardwood called "Cumaru". Insect resistant and a good choice for this climate. Because the deck is protected from sun and water we hope we will rarely have to maintain it. Installation of the actual decking is coming but the metal work was a big step in the right direction.
We had a new house sign made as well with a CNC plasma cutter. Pretty cool!
One of these areas is part of the upstairs living area. While the kitchen and living spaces are comfortable and functional, the dining room just needs a table. The last part of this area is under the polycarbonate roof that allows light into this space at the back of the house. We had stairs put in over a year ago but the floor has remained just dirt. Ashley has tried to make it look better with plants and even placing a carpet over the space to make it look less "dirt" like but it was still just dirt. Even one of Ashley's friends who came for a visit remarked that she wasn't sure if she could live with just "dirt" as part of her living room. Essentially a full quarter of our family living area has been just a dirt patch and it was time to begin to change it.
Though several ideas were considered we decided to make this area an interior deck space. When the jungle rains get in the materials would be able to handle getting wet plus the wood deck would break up the mostly concrete and metal finishes we currently have in the house. It would soften the look of the living area as well as create a bit of separate space within the space to do fun things with at some point.
The other thing we had done was have a hand rail installed on the stairs in the same space. Too many visitors got freaked out and we always had fears of someone walking off the upper landing in the dark not realizing that there was a 3 meter drop. So, we had a partial handrail installed as well. Enough for safety but still allowing for Ashley's plant shelf to remain as is or be added to in the future.
The finish decking will be done in a tropical hardwood called "Cumaru". Insect resistant and a good choice for this climate. Because the deck is protected from sun and water we hope we will rarely have to maintain it. Installation of the actual decking is coming but the metal work was a big step in the right direction.
We had a new house sign made as well with a CNC plasma cutter. Pretty cool!
Sunday, February 9, 2020
Sayulita Scenes - Race Day With Mom!
I love this selfie of our Team on the beach during a race day a few weeks ago!
Monday, February 3, 2020
Casa PŌNO Sayulita Becomes The Title Sponsor Of The Sayulita JR SUP Team
This year has seen some changes with the kid's SUP Team. Our coaches, Bicho(a Mexican national) and wife Shelby, are temporarily relocated up in Kentucky,USA as Bicho's immigration paperwork is sorted out. Bicho cannot come back to Mexico during the process so the family is away from the SUP Team this winter. We have an interim coach in place. "Nando" is a 5 year member of the team, and assistant coach and Mexican National Champion. The problem was that while he was familiar with the program and the kids he just couldn't do what took three people to do when the coaches were here in Sayulita.
So, Shelby reached out for some parent help and a group was formed to assist with Team operations this year and allow Nando to focus on his strengths...working with the kids and their paddling. The rest of us would worry about dues collection, sponsors, paying bills, equipment etc. It provided a chance to make some upgrades, repairs and to rethink all things Team while the coaches were taking care of things like life, family and their future.
One of the things I was in charge of was sponsors. Something that the coaches had never pursued or had much luck with in the past but I was willing to try and gather some financial and equipment support for the kids. The last year our family has made some good industry connections and I also felt like some local parents could do their part in having their business support the Team with some pesos.
The next thing that was developed was a tiered sponsorship structure. Real basic and each level of support had it's benefits. Almost all the sponsors were parents who had local businesses and kids committed to the Team or had supported the Team in previous years so as soon as we started asking around the sponsorship positions filled up quickly with one exception. The "Title" sponsorship. The hope was that a business in the SUP or surf industry would fill the spot and it looked like the business we were targeting would take it. We had one in business in mind but needed the decision to be made ASAP since we were looking at the beginning of 2020 and the Team had practices beginning and several events on the calendar. We certainly wanted the kids to look fresh in the new neon orange jerseys and of course be walking around with the 2020 sponsors on the backs of every paddler.
Well, the hopeful Title Sponsor did not fill the position like we hoped. The other sponsors were offered the spot but everyone was happy with their commitment and declined the offer. Shit! Now what? Well, I knew four things. One, these uniforms were probably going to be in use for the better part of 2 years. Longer than the one year sponsorship support. Two, our kids were two of the most dedicated kids on the Team and we would be involved for the foreseeable future. Third, I knew we were going to be printing up Team sweatshirts for the Team and our family would certainly buy 4. Well, 4 Team sweatshirts were part of the Title sponsor benefits so that fit since we would buy 4 anyway. Fourth, I knew that new uniforms and sweatshirts would give the Team a new look and image and to have our house printed on both as sponsors was a no loose situation.
So our house, Casa PŌNO Sayulita became the title sponsor for the Team. It was certainly NOT the plan but I am stoked we stepped up to support a very important program for us. The investment keeps the Team supported and we can get some new upgraded equipment for the Team and I have made some valuable connections in the world of SUP in the future should the Team need them.
Plus all the kids look really good! Good and loud in neon orange and the sweatshirts are selling quickly too with our name on them for as long as they last. There are always a few things I would have done differently with the printing but hey, not too bad and every sponsor is represented fairly. We pick and choose who and what to support here in Sayulita and we are stoked on this one!
One of the things I was in charge of was sponsors. Something that the coaches had never pursued or had much luck with in the past but I was willing to try and gather some financial and equipment support for the kids. The last year our family has made some good industry connections and I also felt like some local parents could do their part in having their business support the Team with some pesos.
Well, I was right about that. We did get a new local SUP supplier to give discounts to the kids for the brands they represented. This business, Performance Stand Up Paddle, was the same outfit that introduced Trace and Alex to the high quality brands they use like SIC Maui and Quickblade. Finally the Team had product support! Prices would not be cheap but considering there is very little brand representation for SUP equipment here this was a HUGE step forward.
The next thing that was developed was a tiered sponsorship structure. Real basic and each level of support had it's benefits. Almost all the sponsors were parents who had local businesses and kids committed to the Team or had supported the Team in previous years so as soon as we started asking around the sponsorship positions filled up quickly with one exception. The "Title" sponsorship. The hope was that a business in the SUP or surf industry would fill the spot and it looked like the business we were targeting would take it. We had one in business in mind but needed the decision to be made ASAP since we were looking at the beginning of 2020 and the Team had practices beginning and several events on the calendar. We certainly wanted the kids to look fresh in the new neon orange jerseys and of course be walking around with the 2020 sponsors on the backs of every paddler.Well, the hopeful Title Sponsor did not fill the position like we hoped. The other sponsors were offered the spot but everyone was happy with their commitment and declined the offer. Shit! Now what? Well, I knew four things. One, these uniforms were probably going to be in use for the better part of 2 years. Longer than the one year sponsorship support. Two, our kids were two of the most dedicated kids on the Team and we would be involved for the foreseeable future. Third, I knew we were going to be printing up Team sweatshirts for the Team and our family would certainly buy 4. Well, 4 Team sweatshirts were part of the Title sponsor benefits so that fit since we would buy 4 anyway. Fourth, I knew that new uniforms and sweatshirts would give the Team a new look and image and to have our house printed on both as sponsors was a no loose situation.
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| Trace and Alex with their long time SUP team mates, Kolbi and Kaden. |
Plus all the kids look really good! Good and loud in neon orange and the sweatshirts are selling quickly too with our name on them for as long as they last. There are always a few things I would have done differently with the printing but hey, not too bad and every sponsor is represented fairly. We pick and choose who and what to support here in Sayulita and we are stoked on this one!
Wednesday, January 29, 2020
Dia de los Muertos
Dia de los Muertos has become a HUGE draw here in Sayulita. The multi day festival at the beginning of November has also included Halloween. Preparations and planning now a full year effort. Parades, processions, alters, candles, music and decorations fill the town. Sometimes it is a party and at other times it is a solemn event. A feast for the eyes for sure and time not to miss.
This video of Dia de los Muertos by our friend Niki. It is almost 14 minutes long and beautiful.
Dia De Muertos - 2018 from Niki Bhattacharya on Vimeo.
This video of Dia de los Muertos by our friend Niki. It is almost 14 minutes long and beautiful.
Dia De Muertos - 2018 from Niki Bhattacharya on Vimeo.
Sunday, January 26, 2020
Sayulita Scenes - New Mural
This small cool mural just went up at the former location of the "deposito" at the corner of Calle Revolucion and Calle Jose Mariscol. It is an intersection that already boasts the fantastic mural that already decorates la Esperanza. We cannot do much in town without walking by this new addition whether it is on the way to surf, sup practice, shop or go to school. The building comes to a narrow point and is only about 6-8 feet wide at this end which makes a great size for a creative canvas for a new store going in just behind it. Next time you walk from the south end to the north end on Calle Revolucion you can't miss it.
Wednesday, December 25, 2019
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