Barra de Navidad

This morning we got up and walked to Barra via the beach. It is about a mile on loose sand and there is no shade once you leave Melaque. The laguna has had a huge infestation of water grass and plants this year. You can’t see any water, just a green carpet. By the time you get where you can get off the sand, you are sweaty and ready for a drink. We took a short break and walked into the market. The market vendors are in Melaque on Wednesdays and then they move over to Barra on Thursdays. You can get just about anything at this market, but be aware that the folks know how to get the best dollar value and sometimes it is best to just go into town and purchase what you need.

Our visit took us through the heart of the town and over to the Malecon where we sat and talked about the first time we visited this area. It has grown so much in the years and we are starting to see some of the effects. It is still a great place and we are planning to get down here and spend some time in the future.

We have been watching the construction of the Barra church every year for the past four years. It looks like it is finally finished; I bet the town is proud of that.

We caught a bus back to Melaque and Linda went directly out into the sun. I nibbled on a banana and did my blog thing. I don’t like the hot sun like Linda does. She says I am obsessed with the computer and blogging, I say “hey, look at yourself and the sun!”, how’s that for a comeback.

Mission post #2

The past few years when we travel down this way, Alex sends me a Mission that I need to complete while we are away. Most years the Mission focuses on getting me to take pictures of Linda or I doing things down here. Usually to get the photo I must get out of my comfort zone, or find some obscure item. Well this years Mission is to photograph all my meals and post them to the blog. Now, if you are Andrew Zimmer or someone who likes to eat in other countries, you may find this obsessive food posting a fun but I think the normal person with find it a bit boring. I will try to spice it up a bit by trying new foods and changing my usual diet a bit. Tacos from a street vendor can only work once, and then you will stop visiting the blog.

Tonight we walked all the way up the beach to a restaurant called Concha Del Mar. I had carnie asada and Linda had nachos grandee. Both were very good. I tried to find something unusual to eat, but that was the best I could do at this particular place. By the way, Linda is doing great with her Spanish. We have not ordered anything wrong and this year we actually have purchased sliced turkey! We usually have had to settle for turkey ham, something has always been lost in translation.

I uploaded a photo of me playing Counter Strike because I thought it was so cool that I can be in Mexico and play a game with the guys back at NIC. Isn’t technology amazing!

Melaque Day Uno

The trip down was tiring but uneventful. We left in snow and were forced to drive on icy roads, but we made it without incident. The flights, though real tight, were mundane. From LA to Manzanillo it was about a bumpy as any I have ever been on. I just put the iPod on and slept; Linda read and squeezed my hand.

We met Larry and Maggie at the airport and loaded up their pickup with our gear. It was real nice to have them there, a special way to arrive in Mexico. We got into the place and unpacked. Not much has changed so it is still very comfortable.
We walked into the heart of Melaque and ate dinner.

The little place we ate at is so reasonable in price and very consistent that it is usually our first meal stop every year. After dinner we walked to the store and bought supplies. The packs were full and very heavy for the walk back. I was as beat as I have ever been on the first night of our trip. I guess that should be expected when you get up a 1:30 am and travel all day.

Wednesday Linda woke up and ran, while I slept in. Once I got up we heard the call of our neighbors for volleyball and we got a couple hours of exercise under our belts. At noon Cd’A time I got on line and hooked up to the server at the college. The gang was on playing Counter Strike, so I joined in and played the hour. Noon Cd’A time is 2:00 PM down here, so I don’t miss any fun by playing. Down here it is “Siesta” and everything is closed. I’ll try to play a couple more times over the break.