The persuasive draw…

> Of deeply moving music and song.
>
> I went for a walk yesterday morning. I wasn't heading anywhere special and I hadn't gone very far down the dusty dirt road leading away from where we're staying in Perula. It was a beautiful morning, complete with crystal blue sky, a light breeze and warm sun. I wasn't far down the path, heading to nowhere in particular, when I was surrounded by beautiful music. It felt like a soft orchestra blending with the strings of a well-played guitar and it filled the air surrounding me. Then, to perfect this magical aura, came the perfect voice of a gifted tenor. That's when I realized I was walking by a church and I slowed my pace so as to hear more… longer. I neared the intersection of my road and crossed… and then I stopped. My feet would go no further in that direction but turned slowly around and carried me back towards the music. There was a set of stone stairs, up the rock and gravelled slope in front of the open church doors and an older man lounged on the top step, also enjoying the music. I moved on so as not to disturb him. I stood for a while, enthralled by this beautiful, soul searching music and song, and I looked for somewhere I might sit but I found no such throne. Shortly thereafter I saw the man had moved on and, somewhat surprisingly and despite my cranky knees, I scrambled up a loose rocky path from the street where I stood, to the steps in front of the church door…and I sat to listen with my ears and with my heart. I can tell you this. I have never, in my rather long life, been so moved by church music and I will try never to forget the feeling. The music ended not too long after that and I moved on to continue my walk, as it turned out, down to the sea where I sat again - thinking about that music and my love of salt water… and all that has brought me to this place. Finally, and as the sun was getting very hot, my feet carried me back to where I started and I carried on with my day… like you do… even after experiences that are so moving.

I hope that each of you have the chance to be so enchanted… always, CJ

PS:  We have had a wonderful visit with dear friends from home; here, in Perula. Long walks for Kathy and time for contemplation for me, along with great happy hour discussions about almost everything have filled our days and, far too quickly… it is time for us to head home. Burda picks us up at 0800 and, by the time you read this we will be well on our way to PV where we will catch our plane for the first leg (to Calgary).

Best driver ever… we made it to Perula!

Our driver, Burta, is an amazing young woman (of 55). A mother of two and grandmother of four…a taxi driver and caring for her mom…she set off from Perula to pick us up in Melaque and then return to Perula; despite the major tanker truck accident and warnings the highway was closed. True to form, she convinced the chap holding back traffic on her end of the closed portion, to send her via a rough path down around the accident and back up onto the roadway…and she arrived at our address within 20 minutes of when she had predicted she would arrive. We loaded all our stuff, including two suitcases, two backpacks, one styrofoam cooler and two grocery bags with the dregs of liquids (of the sipping sort :-) into her trunk and settled in for the drive. Burta is an excellent driver and good conversationalist and when we got to the spot where the journey fizzled to a stop at the end of a very long (like a km long) line of big trucks and a few cars…our euphoria slowed down too. The head of this very long line of stopped vehicles was, of course, the accident scene where the bridge was damaged and impassable. Dusk settled in as we sat, telling stories and learning more about each other. As time dragged on and the daylight began to wane, I worked out how we could take turns sleeping in the back seat and how, if we opened both front and back doors on the passenger side (which was handily on the brush and gravel side of the road)…well we could probably relieve ourselves with some semblance of privacy. I even had a collection of tissue and serviettes in my pockets (necessary for my old lady runny eye (another story) that we could use. This may sound like over-planning. Trust me; it's not. Anyway, just as we finished the serious planning on how to survive an overnight stay, the cars in the lineup started pulling out of the line and into the oncoming traffic lane…and ever so slowly, off we crawled past the trucks, past the fellows directing traffic and past the accident scene. Then we slid off the rough road, down and around and back up on a very rough path and….voila! Back onto the highway. We were on our way again!! It was, by this time dark and we were all pretty chuffed that we didn't need to spend the night. Not too long later we arrived at our new digs and Burta got to head home. She had even stopped at a store for us so we could pick up some ice (necessary for a well deserved night cap before hitting the sack). Suffice to say… we have arrived safe and sound at our new address in Perula. Our suite is very nice and we're looking forward to meeting up with our friends and touring this new to us town and beach. There is even pickleball here although I think we are both kind of tired and may just leave our paddles in the suitcase. We're only here for a couple of days and need to rest up for the journey home. This is me wishing you… a good day and safe adventures. Adios for now. CJ

www.cjdaley.ca
svshannon.blogspot.com

Our driver has arrived. A most amazing young woman and a very good driver. We are on our way! The adventure continues. 😁

www.cjdaley.ca
svshannon.blogspot.com

Friendship and kindness…

An interesting situation but we are fine. It's now almost 4:30 and there is still no news that the highway is open. Our friends have been wonderful. Several of them
Have offered us their spare bed(s) and some have made room in their fridge for our fridge stuff. Rosa, the manager, has offered her office space and all our luggage and dry food is now stacked in there and we wait for news…. Not the most exciting day so far. On another note, a Norther has just arrived. I ve spoken of them before. They are the strong winds that wreak havoc with cruising sailors who haven't found an island to hide behind until they pass. My thoughts are with those sailors as I have experienced what they may be going through.

Adios for now. Will write again when there is more news.
www.cjdaley.ca
svshannon.blogspot.com

Feb 7: Our last day in Melaque and on our way to Perula…

as soon as the big accident on the main highway is cleared. We've had a great time in Melaque, met friends, old and new, ate too much and played lots of pickleball. We are packed and have abandoned our room as you can see in the photos. Currently camped out in the courtyard and plating cards. Isn't life exciting 😉. CJ

Enjoying Melaque and having some fun…

Hola mis amigos… the experience continues. There is no lack of things to do here. Sorting out what to do and what to leave for another time is the challenge 😎. We have met lots of people, many who are now friends and will likely stay in touch. There's a very active pickle ball group here and they've been very good to us. We have played several times a week since arriving. Kathy's game has become very strong and she has drawn some nice compliments. Mine tends to have good days and not so good days… nothing consistent yet. But, we both enjoy the game and the camaraderie with the folks we have met. The beach and the water continue to draw us in every day. The view and the memories blend into our consciousness… we even took a day trip down to Barra de Navidad and had lunch after wandering the town and working through yet more memories. I have to admit, I really do miss sailing in the Sea of Cortez…wish I could wiggle my nose and be transported back on board the good ship Shannon and continue exploring all the beauty the sea has to offer. Maybe in my next life 🌞. I must also admit the life we are living now is pretty darn lovely…so, no complaints. It's just the memories… and thank goodness we have them.

We have also met several US couples who have actually teared up while apologizing to us for their country and all that is going on. I will stick with my mantra… I do not hate Americans, but I do feel very sorry for them and now the world… I will never likely be able to forgive those who choose to ignore what is going on and continue to support the actions, nationally and internationally their vote has created. Nuff said.

In a few days we will begin to prepare for the next leg of our journey. We head to La Pirula on the 7th and will meet up with a couple friends who winter there. We're looking forward to the visit, after which we will point our noses north and head home. Luckily La Pirula is about half way between Melaque and PV so our trip up to the airport will be much shorter and more relaxed than the trip down. This visit to Mexico has been a great experience. Old friends, new friends, healthy activities… and, did I mention? We have discovered the smoothest tequila I have ever had… and for some reason it may be the least expensive too… a very dangerous situation 😇

So my friends… I hope your days are going well. I've read of the flooding in the Comox Valley and hope it calms down soon. As for the state of our world… hang in there. We humans may not be the smartest creatures on earth but we're pretty tough and adaptable. Our hearts also go out to dear friends, too many, who have lost loved ones, many in the very recent past. You're in our hearts and our thoughts. ❤️ Always, CJ



>
> 
>

Pics for ‘A day in the bay’