I'm writing from here in the beautiful town of Zihuatanejo. It's located in the Mexican state of Guerrero, on the country's west coast. We're right on the Pacific Ocean. The villa we rent is about two blocks from the beach, perched high on a hillside overlooking the bay.
Here's the view from where I'm sitting in a photo taken during the day.
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| The view from our villa overlooking Zihuatanejo Bay. |
As I write tonight from my open-sided living room, the sound of the waves crashing on the beach sounds like it's right next to me. Cool breezes flow in, cooling the room and me after another hot, sunny day. Now and then a butterfly or a couple of bats will fly in, right over my head. The bats want to perch in the corner of the kitchen ceiling, but they see me and that it's too bright, so they leave. I worry about the butterflies, because several small lizards (geckos) always run toward them looking very hungry. So far, the butterflies have always escaped.
Tonight, my wife and I went to a friend's house for a drink, and then walked across town to have dinner together. My wife had a huge baked potato with butter and sour cream. Our friend and I had tacos, made with soft flour and corn tortillas wrapped around different kinds of meat and cheese. There are several kinds of sauces to put on the tacos too. Some of them are very spicy hot, so I only use a little bit.
Walking back, we saw people putting up many little tables and stands along the streets where they will sell all sorts of Valentines (Día del Valentín) things, like candy, greeting cards and decorations -- much of it colored red or pink and in the shape of hearts. Has anyone given you a Valentines Day card or gift?
This afternoon we walked across town about two-and-a-half miles to a big grocery store where we stocked up on groceries for the week. Then we walked home, carrying the heavy cloth bags full of food, milk, juices and other things. They were really heavy and we were glad to get home.
In just one more week, my daughter, her husband and my two grandchildren will be flying down here from Boston for a week. We're very excited about their visit, and hope very much that they'll like it here as much as we do.
QUESTIONS?
If you have any questions you'd like to ask me about this place, about how it feels for me trying to speak a second language in a new country, or about anything else, please leave a comment and I'll try to answer in time for your next class.
I have to end this because it's late and I'm pretty tired. I hope you're all having a good class, learning a lot, and LISTENING to your teacher! ;-) I'll see you all again in a few weeks.
Your volunteer teacher, Jeff
P.S. Here are a few more photos:
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| Sailfish on their way to the public fish market. |
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| Me talking with some young students about fishing. |
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| One of the geckos on the wall of our room. |
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| A seed pod and flower of the African tulip tree. |
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| One of the many street musicians in Zihuatanejo. |
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| A man casting his net for bait fish. |
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| A roseate spoonbill |
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| One of many kinds of fish for sale at the fishing pier every morning. |
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| The end of another perfect day! |
