Wow, September was jam-packed with excitement and a major milestone for us. And we wouldn't have wanted to be anywhere else in the world to experience them. It started out with an amazing visit with Jeremy's family--beach time, turtles, a puffer fish casualty, and a tarantula in the kitchen. But the best part is that they all fell in love with our sweet little town and will hopefully become frequent, long-term visitors here shortly.
Then came the big milestone. I turned 30! The emotions of turning 30 were more on the bitter side for me, but luckily my Mom and best friend came to save the day and helped me come to grips with the inevitable. I was nervous we wouldn't have enough to do, since September is one of the hottest months in San Pancho and it is still low season, but we managed to fill our days with sun, good drinks, laughs, and excitement in Puerto Vallarta--thank you Senor Frogs! And the best part is that we got to experience our first Mexican Independence Day with them. What an amazing thing to hear the locals scream out Viva Mexico--it gave us goose bumps.
We also experienced another first--San Pancho Days. Which is a celebration in honor of the Patron Saint San Francisco de Asis. This yearly festival lasts for 10 days with parades, loud fireworks, even louder bands and dancing in the town plaza. The whole town comes out to celebrate every night and you really get to see how proud the locals are of their town.
I hope that October will bring just as much fun for us--with a little cooler weather. Viva San Pancho and Viva Mexico!
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Viva Lucha Libre
All over town were posters promoting Lucha Libre coming to San Pancho and the second Jeremy saw one of the posters he was all over it. Names like "Mascarita Sagrada y La Parkita vs. Nino Suicida y Chavo Santana" and "Loco Gonzalez y Muerte Negra vs. La Sombra y Kimbar Jr" had Jeremy so psyched that he bought tickets the minute he could find them. You could buy ring-side seats or bleacher seats and of course we splurged for the ring-side seats--and they were worth it!
It was almost more fun watching and listening to the crowd yell and taunt the wrestlers then it was to watch the wrestlers themselves. These were definitely amateur luchadoras that still needed to perfect their theatrical moves and timing to make such an event believable, but they played to the crowd, even yelling back with some provocative taunts that young children shouldn't hear!
This was definitely one of the best nights we've had so far in San Pancho. We had good company all around us and got to experience Mexican wrestling at it's finest. Cheap tickets, cold Modelo beer, and Jeremy getting his picture taken with the shortest wrestler there and the "devil dog." Priceless!
It was almost more fun watching and listening to the crowd yell and taunt the wrestlers then it was to watch the wrestlers themselves. These were definitely amateur luchadoras that still needed to perfect their theatrical moves and timing to make such an event believable, but they played to the crowd, even yelling back with some provocative taunts that young children shouldn't hear!
This was definitely one of the best nights we've had so far in San Pancho. We had good company all around us and got to experience Mexican wrestling at it's finest. Cheap tickets, cold Modelo beer, and Jeremy getting his picture taken with the shortest wrestler there and the "devil dog." Priceless!
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Surfing is on...
After numerous conversations with friends about the type of surfboard to buy for a beginner, Jeremy threw all of that advice out the window and bought the first great deal that presented itself.
Now, beginners are taught on a longer board which is supposed to be easier to stand up on. And Jeremy knew this and even rented a long board in Sayulita to confirm it. So when he came back from his morning walk with the dogs one day and busted through the door and said "I've found a surf board to buy." my first question was "how long is the board?" He immediately said that size doesn't matter, it's the price of the board that's too good to pass up and fought his case. We argued for about an hour and I finally caved and he rushed out to buy it.
My first thought when he walked in the door was that he's going to kill himself. I was expecting a 9' board and he walked in with a 6' 8" board!
His first time out he struggled to even sit on the board because it's so short. He kept getting knocked off when he'd try to paddle through a wave and he didn't even get out far enough to catch one that day. I must admit I sat on the beach a giggled at him the whole time. The next morning he couldn't even lift his arms because they were so sore from paddling. So, for the next few weeks he took his board out and just practiced sitting on it and paddling through waves. And now, he's finally able to catch a few! It will take many years for him to master surfing on this board, but he's determined enough to do it--and I'm proud of him for that.
Now, beginners are taught on a longer board which is supposed to be easier to stand up on. And Jeremy knew this and even rented a long board in Sayulita to confirm it. So when he came back from his morning walk with the dogs one day and busted through the door and said "I've found a surf board to buy." my first question was "how long is the board?" He immediately said that size doesn't matter, it's the price of the board that's too good to pass up and fought his case. We argued for about an hour and I finally caved and he rushed out to buy it.
My first thought when he walked in the door was that he's going to kill himself. I was expecting a 9' board and he walked in with a 6' 8" board!
His first time out he struggled to even sit on the board because it's so short. He kept getting knocked off when he'd try to paddle through a wave and he didn't even get out far enough to catch one that day. I must admit I sat on the beach a giggled at him the whole time. The next morning he couldn't even lift his arms because they were so sore from paddling. So, for the next few weeks he took his board out and just practiced sitting on it and paddling through waves. And now, he's finally able to catch a few! It will take many years for him to master surfing on this board, but he's determined enough to do it--and I'm proud of him for that.
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Another One...
You hear stories of rental cars and cars with U.S. plates being targets for cops in Mexico, and you want to be able to blow it off and say that it will never happen to you--but unfortunately, it does happen to some.
Our first visit to Puerto Vallarta/San Pancho was in May and we were pulled over twice in our rental car. Once for speeding--which we ended up paying $80 USD after some negotiation. And the other for going over speed bumps too fast--which we luckily talked our way out of. But the best part to all of this - we were moving along at the same speed as the other cars in both cases.
We needed to go into Puerto Vallarta for various reasons on Friday and as soon as we passed the bridge into PV we knew it was going to be a rough day. There was a traffic stop going back into the State of Nayarit and one coming into the State of Jalisco. In this instance, just like the others, we slowed down and were moving along with traffic and still got the arm wave to pull over. We do as we're told and wait to hear our crime--which was speeding. The officer was very pleasant to us, as they have all been in the three instances we've encountered, and told us he was going to write us a ticket and we could come back on Monday to pay it. Jeremy politely asked how much the ticket would be ($75USD is what he told us) and if we could pay it now and be on our way. The officer replied with "I'm sorry senor, that is not legal. You have to go to our office to pay the ticket. But I will give you your drivers license back today." Jeremy accepted this and the officer went to his car to write the ticket. But when he returned he asked us a few questions, and with the loud road traffic the officer couldn't here Jeremy's response and thought he said something about John Cena. Apparently the officer is a fan of John Cena (who is a WWE star--I looked him up when we returned home) and started laughing. This was all it took! He said "Ok, I like you and you make me and your esposa laugh. I will let you pay the ticket here and be on your way." This was in broken English, but I gave him huge props for even speaking to us in English. So, Jeremy pulled out $400 pesos, he tucked it away, and we were on our way again.
We passed one more traffic stop on the way home, but luckily didn't get pulled over. Our tactic this time was to look away from the officers as we passed and that seemed to help. I can't say for sure if they really target rental cars or U.S. plates, but one thing is for sure - we seem to be unlucky when it comes to driving to PV!
Our first visit to Puerto Vallarta/San Pancho was in May and we were pulled over twice in our rental car. Once for speeding--which we ended up paying $80 USD after some negotiation. And the other for going over speed bumps too fast--which we luckily talked our way out of. But the best part to all of this - we were moving along at the same speed as the other cars in both cases.
We needed to go into Puerto Vallarta for various reasons on Friday and as soon as we passed the bridge into PV we knew it was going to be a rough day. There was a traffic stop going back into the State of Nayarit and one coming into the State of Jalisco. In this instance, just like the others, we slowed down and were moving along with traffic and still got the arm wave to pull over. We do as we're told and wait to hear our crime--which was speeding. The officer was very pleasant to us, as they have all been in the three instances we've encountered, and told us he was going to write us a ticket and we could come back on Monday to pay it. Jeremy politely asked how much the ticket would be ($75USD is what he told us) and if we could pay it now and be on our way. The officer replied with "I'm sorry senor, that is not legal. You have to go to our office to pay the ticket. But I will give you your drivers license back today." Jeremy accepted this and the officer went to his car to write the ticket. But when he returned he asked us a few questions, and with the loud road traffic the officer couldn't here Jeremy's response and thought he said something about John Cena. Apparently the officer is a fan of John Cena (who is a WWE star--I looked him up when we returned home) and started laughing. This was all it took! He said "Ok, I like you and you make me and your esposa laugh. I will let you pay the ticket here and be on your way." This was in broken English, but I gave him huge props for even speaking to us in English. So, Jeremy pulled out $400 pesos, he tucked it away, and we were on our way again.
We passed one more traffic stop on the way home, but luckily didn't get pulled over. Our tactic this time was to look away from the officers as we passed and that seemed to help. I can't say for sure if they really target rental cars or U.S. plates, but one thing is for sure - we seem to be unlucky when it comes to driving to PV!
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
What was that?
While living in the tropics can be enchanting, mysterious, and very captivating, the creatures that linger are down-right spooky! I have never seen so many insects, reptiles, birds, and other things that I couldn't even tell you what species they belong in my life.
We have an outdoor kitchen, and although that could seem somewhat exciting, cooking in it is a whole different story. The summer heat pounds down on you and makes you sweat in places you didn't realize you could possibly sweat, and the creatures that come out of no where are repulsive. The minute you pull anything out of the refrigerator the flies, ants, and mosquitoes start to swarm. And no matter how fast you cook or clean up it doesn't matter; they can still smell the food from a mile away.
But the best part, we have rats! And they are ripping off the labels of the canned goods trying desperately to get inside. At this point, pretty much everything is in our refrigerator or freezer staying safe from the heat, humidity, rats, and insects.
So, we were bound and determined to de-bug (literally) our kitchen today--which meant a trip into Puerto Vallarta to Home Depot. We bought everything from rat killer to mosquito burners to ant repellent to mosquito nets and hurried home as fast as we could to get rid of them.
First, we hung the mosquito net across the kitchen entryway and put a small fan in the kitchen for air circulation and we were in business. But, while doing that we started to get eaten alive by mosquitoes, so we started to burn the mosquito burners--which literally look like a stove burner--and they solved that issue. Then, I mixed up the fly repellent and sprayed it all over the trash can. But that only brought out all the maggots that were in the trash can, which then brought out the gecko's to eat all the maggots--trust me, we see the whole circle of life here. Then, Jeremy laid the rat traps, so who knows what we'll walk out to tomorrow morning in the kitchen.
We are bound and determined to win this war against insects and rodents, but we are certain it's going to take some time. I wish I could post pictures of all the excitement, but I left my camera in the truck for two days and it got so hot it won't work anymore. You gotta love it here!
We have an outdoor kitchen, and although that could seem somewhat exciting, cooking in it is a whole different story. The summer heat pounds down on you and makes you sweat in places you didn't realize you could possibly sweat, and the creatures that come out of no where are repulsive. The minute you pull anything out of the refrigerator the flies, ants, and mosquitoes start to swarm. And no matter how fast you cook or clean up it doesn't matter; they can still smell the food from a mile away.
But the best part, we have rats! And they are ripping off the labels of the canned goods trying desperately to get inside. At this point, pretty much everything is in our refrigerator or freezer staying safe from the heat, humidity, rats, and insects.
So, we were bound and determined to de-bug (literally) our kitchen today--which meant a trip into Puerto Vallarta to Home Depot. We bought everything from rat killer to mosquito burners to ant repellent to mosquito nets and hurried home as fast as we could to get rid of them.
First, we hung the mosquito net across the kitchen entryway and put a small fan in the kitchen for air circulation and we were in business. But, while doing that we started to get eaten alive by mosquitoes, so we started to burn the mosquito burners--which literally look like a stove burner--and they solved that issue. Then, I mixed up the fly repellent and sprayed it all over the trash can. But that only brought out all the maggots that were in the trash can, which then brought out the gecko's to eat all the maggots--trust me, we see the whole circle of life here. Then, Jeremy laid the rat traps, so who knows what we'll walk out to tomorrow morning in the kitchen.
We are bound and determined to win this war against insects and rodents, but we are certain it's going to take some time. I wish I could post pictures of all the excitement, but I left my camera in the truck for two days and it got so hot it won't work anymore. You gotta love it here!
Monday, July 6, 2009
Who needs a car seat?
We've noticed that the locals don't use car seats, and have seen three month old babies sitting on their parents lap in the driver's seat bouncing down the dirt roads.
But, the view tonight from our palapa tops it all...I was up there and happened to look down as a lady was driving down the main road with her breasts hanging out and breast feeding her baby. I'm not sure what to even call that....talented, stupidity, or desperate to stop a crying baby? Who knows, but that's life in San Pancho!
But, the view tonight from our palapa tops it all...I was up there and happened to look down as a lady was driving down the main road with her breasts hanging out and breast feeding her baby. I'm not sure what to even call that....talented, stupidity, or desperate to stop a crying baby? Who knows, but that's life in San Pancho!
Summer is finally here...
The first sign of light in the morning is a good indication of what the weather will be like for that day. We've heard about the torrential downpours that are supposed to come in the afternoon and bring with it the humidity, but that has yet to happen. Instead, the storms are hitting at night, lighting up the sky as if it were daytime, and leaving puddles of water that you are constantly dodging the next day. We are averaging about 3 inches of water when it rains, and the river is now starting to flow, which means the lagoon by the ocean broke through so the river is now flowing into the ocean. It's an amazing sight to see.
When we woke up this morning the sky was as clear as it get possibly be, so I knew it was going to be a hot day, and it is--which means that summer is officially here. The town shuts down from 1:00pm-3:00pm for a siesta, and it's about that time, so we are heading to the beach to siesta on the sand and listen to the ocean waves.
I'll have pictures of the river flowing into the ocean soon...adios!
When we woke up this morning the sky was as clear as it get possibly be, so I knew it was going to be a hot day, and it is--which means that summer is officially here. The town shuts down from 1:00pm-3:00pm for a siesta, and it's about that time, so we are heading to the beach to siesta on the sand and listen to the ocean waves.
I'll have pictures of the river flowing into the ocean soon...adios!
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Livin La Vida Loca in San Pancho, Mexico
Call us crazy, adventurous, free-spirited, or desperate to live by the ocean, we made up our minds that moving to Mexico is an opportunity of a life time that we couldn't pass up.
This blog was created to share our experiences and adventures with our family and friends, and anybody else who wants to take that leap of faith and pack up their lives and start fresh in a new country.
We hope you enjoy this site and visit us often.
This blog was created to share our experiences and adventures with our family and friends, and anybody else who wants to take that leap of faith and pack up their lives and start fresh in a new country.
We hope you enjoy this site and visit us often.
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