It has been quite some time since I posted a new entry to this blog and for my regular readers I apologize but I just could not decide what to write about. A bit of writers block maybe, who knows. Either way, it is time so I thought I would review the year and see where that takes us.
2011 was our first year of operation and like most new entities it was anything but spectacular. Heather and I made a commitment to ourselves that we would grow this project organically without a big splash so we knew it will not happen overnight. It would all rely on us, success or failure. Nothing like pressure. Especially for me, an introvert, relying on my sparkling personality was not going to be easy!
It was with great trepidation that I went to the airport on January 6, 2011 to pick up Doug and Linda from Leamington, Ontario. Our first guests staying longer than one night. To say Heather and I were a bit nervous was an understatement.
We were terrified! What if they don't like my cooking, or the way the pressure pump comes on for no reason. There were a multitude of things that were running through our heads and to top it off my old boss from Peace Hills Insurance and his wife, Bob and Susan were due to arrive 90 minutes after Doug and Linda. Yikes!
My fears quickly dissipated as I saw Doug and Linda come through the arrivals gate. It was not hard to pick them out as Doug had broken his leg 10 days before he came down, so I pretty sure the guy in the wheelchair with the full leg cast was my guest. When they arrived at the house they could not say enough good things about it. Their comments helped relieve a lot of the pressure we were feeling.
When Bob and Susan travel they always stay in bed and breakfasts' so the nice comments from Doug and Linda aside, the litmus test was going to be the b and b pros!
We could not have asked for nicer guests to cut our teeth with. Our fears were alleviated and everybody had a great time. It was a sad day for Heather and I when they all went home.
[caption id="attachment_421" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Susan, Heather and I with that Vallarta specialty Pescado Zarandeado, quite simply the best fish you will ever eat!"]
[/caption]Both couples are returning to stay with us again this year so we cannot ask for any more validation than that.
Heather and I have been in Mexico now for 3 full years and we learn or see something new almost every week. Some of that knowledge comes from locals and some comes from tourists who have been coming here for years. Either way, we are like sponges and take what we learn to try to give people the best time they can have with things they may never have done before.
In February we were visited by Don and Charlotte from Niagara Falls, Ontario. Friends we met when we were still living in the Condo. We had a great visit with them and look forward to seeing them again this year when they arrive in Puerto Vallarta.
March brought my son, Brendan, down for his 21st birthday with his buddy Ray. They were quickly followed by Heather's Aunt, Danny. It was with the 3 of them that we ventured out into the wilderness to find a set of hot springs armed with directions that said, "take a left at the big road and keep left at the fork". Talk about a wing and a prayer.
However we got there and it was well worth the effort. While rustic, the hot pools were spectacular and now on our list of regular places to visit.
[caption id="attachment_422" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Now this is life!"]
[/caption]April was a busy month as Heather's brother, Kevin and family arrived for 10 days. A great time was had by all, though I think they really enjoyed the two days that Heather and I were away in Ajijic.
They really enjoyed having our dog Alexa to watch over them and keep the safe. Alexa rarely sleeps outside at night but she did while we were away. In front of the door to the kids room, nothing was getting by her there. Of course they did have to figure out how she was getting out of the yard and following them when the went to the beach. Only dog I know that weighs 60 pounds and can balance on a 5 and a half-foot high fence that is 4 inches wide while nosing her way through the barbed wire....
May was a very quiet month until the beautiful pine tree outside our yard came down on the roof of the car just as we were about to leave for Guadalajara. I covered that in the post , "Julio we told you the tree had to come down", so I will not go over that again.
June was spent trying to get a few things done outside before the rains began. Mainly redoing the roof. We had done it the year before but one of the workers working on our kitchen renovation in the winter had been trying to straighten a concrete cage by banging against the roof. Needless to say the rubber seal did not stand up to the sharp wire edges.
I also took this time to try to paint the mirador. Now that was work. The mirador is basically a 2 storey structure on our roof. While a great idea just for the view, it is virtually impossible to paint. I think the only way to actually paint it properly would be with scaffolding or hanging off the structure by a rope. Something that I am just not prepared to do nor let anybody else do though I suspect I could find a lot of volunteers if the price was right!
July I went back to Edmonton for a couple of weeks to remind myself how cold it is even in July. As usual the weather sucked but seeing my family and friends was great. How life was to change though as I was sitting around a camp fire with my brother, Al, my son, Brendan, and my brothers in law, Neil and Denis. Neil had his iPhone out and was on Facebook when he said, "I just saw this post from Heather about finding 4 kittens at your doorstep. Oops, I was not supposed to tell you!"
4 kittens. It was a few days before I could actually ask Heather about these kittens. She advised that yes, we do in fact have 4 kittens but they are cute we should have no problem giving them away.
[caption id="attachment_424" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="4 of them, always looking for trouble!"]
[/caption]As you can tell they are still here!
On September 2nd Lorne and Heather came down to celebrate their anniversary. We had a great time while they were here but the highlight was taco night at Cessa's. A friend of our introduced us to his stand a few months previous and it has become a regular stopping point for us on the weekends. I have eaten a lot of tacos in the last few years but there is no doubt, his are the best! Their short visit was an absolute hoot and as before we were sorry to see them go home.
In October I was washing tile on the main floor prior to putting a new seal coat on it when Zorro went by with a lizard in his mouth. It turned out to be the last time I saw him as he never came home again. We don't know what happened to him and never will I suspect but we miss him terribly and hope that maybe he just ran off on a great adventure.
[caption id="attachment_425" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Zorro taking command of Alexa as usual"]
[/caption]In November we were joined by Keith, Sherry and Jordan who spent a few days with us before moving to the Rui Palace for a wedding. Again we got to do the tourist thing, hanging out on beaches, going for tacos and then trying to find churros. We love it!
December brought the Christmas season and we always have to go downtown to watch the processions to the main cathedral. The dancing, the music, the bells and street food make it such an enjoyable night. We loved being able to share it with my brother Larry this year. If you are ever thinking of coming down here or will be here between December 1st and 12th, you must take these in.
Yesterday I was faced with that trepidation again. Two new guests we had never met were about to be picked up at the airport. Dave and Shelly from Yakima. As usual my fears were for no good reason and we had a lovely visit with them last night.
Tonight they are cooking us dinner and we will ring in the New Year on the beach watching the fireworks from around the bay. It will be a great time.
I love being a tourist in my town especially one with so much to offer.
To those that helped make this year special we thank you and for everybody....
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
FELIZ AÑO NUEVO!
[caption id="attachment_423" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Happy New Year from both of us"]
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