I've always said that you can count on uninterrupted sunshine for the 6 months we are here, but this year has been a lesson in climate change (Or something!). What it has taught me is that no matter where you are in the world, dull rainy weather is not fun! And in Zihua, it can really rain, and it can be just as dull and uninspiring as it is in Victoria when a very large low pressure system rolls in and sits over the bay. So when all the world is grey and wet, just like any rainy dull day at home, it's time to watch movies and cook food! Luckily, both are possible here. But unlike the dull rainy season at home in Victoria (which lasts approximately 8 months!)...it was over here in 36 hours and life is all good again. So what makes life good here? I ask myself that question still trying to identify that special magic that brings us back each year. This is my attempt to write about some of our favorite reasons for spending so much of our time here:
1. The people: and they include both fellow ex-pats and Mexicans. Some of my favorite people are Doraliz and her 2 sisters, Angela and Lilly who I believe do love us. Of course, our annual ritual of bathing suit shopping in the mercado in order for them to come to our pool parties on Saturdays helps!
Having our friends return from their lives in the North is great! Each day we run into people we have become friends with because we share life in Mexico for several months each winter. It's great to see people looking healthy and well and returning with the same optimism as ever. It was fun when on a trip out to Barra de Potosi, a little fishing village, seaside resort area south of Zihua, we ran into fellow Vancouver Islanders and Calgarians - women on a dog walk...just like the dog park at home!
2. The ocean. When you travel this far south in Mexico, the ocean is a whole different experience. It is warm and soft and welcoming. Swimming in the ocean is one of my greatest pleasures here. Most days it is calm and benign here in the bay, but occasionally, big rollers move in in sets, and then it's time for all the local boys to come out and play in the surf. 
3. Yoga classes. My body and my mind missed yoga...and for 6 months of the year, I can attend yoga overlooking the bay in one of two studios. Closest to our house is the open air terrace of Hotel Irma with an early morning class, that is attended by mainly locals. Local ex-pats and local Mexicans. I love this women's group...each has their own reason for being there, but all of us leave the class knowing that ultimately the class gave us what we were there to receive. Twice now the teacher has caught me moving ahead in the postures, ahead of her direction. In a wise, sage-like voice, she has cautioned me to "don't live in the future - stay in the present"....how did she know? Then how can I not keep returning to Paty's Zihuayoga studio? Above her restaurant on Playa La Ropa, in a beautiful zen like space, she has created a space for locals and visitors who flock there in increasing numbers as tourist season builds. 4. Living in a small town. I love having familiar places and people who I recognize from year to year both in my own little neighborhood and in the wider city. I have my favorite shops for fish, vegetables, fresh flowers and even my favorite vendors. Felix from a small mountain pueblo jumped at my recent spur of the moment, streetside request for a chair cushion made from woven reeds. Custom made to my specifications to be delivered to me on November 20th! And I believe him.
5. The simplicity of my life here. My hairdresser and pedicurist live on my block...I may run into them at yoga class or while walking my dog and arrange my appointment on the spur of the moment. I can count on the same fresh fruits and fish to be available, so that our diet is pretty much based on what do we want to shop for that day and that's what we'll eat. Recently Sam's Club moved into Zihuatanejo and we've been encouraged by our property manager and her friend to go...but why? I went and thought, well, I can do this for 6 months of the year in Canada at Costco, why do I want to buy in bulk and worry about storing/repacking/checking prices etc. Clothing and footwear range from flipflops to sandals and from bathing suits, to pareos to shorts, blouses and skirts. The lighter the better.
6. The utter ridiculousness of some institutions here, for instance banking. Scotiabank made a huge deal of opening a branch here to cater to international (Canadian/US) residents. But here we are 4 years after the branch opened, and now none of the staff speak English, we line up in queues to gesticulate and attempt Spanish language banking between a 2" space in heavy duty glass walls. Gene made the mistake of going to the bank without me and came back more determined than ever to begin to learn enough Spanish to cope here. Cheques written here are routinely returned to us if an "i" is not dotted or a "t" crossed in exactly the way the teller feels it should be.
7. Everyone knows and loves our dog Cori...despite having to have endured his annual "haircut" of shame to avoid bringing pounds of sand into our home after his playing ball on the beach...he is still admired widely by Mexicans who ask me if he's "bravo", "macho" or Just simply smile and point at how beautiful he is! As I walk through town on our early morning walks, we routinely here calls of "Cori!!"....just like home, not everyone may know my name, but they do know his. And it's fun living in a beautiful place where special events happen all throughout our season...like this weekend's "Globos Aerostaticos" display happening at 3 of the local beaches. Hot air balloons, showing up, and giving people lift off rides to about 20' in the air. Gene and I spent last evening enjoying the sunset from the gracious terrace at the Sunset Bar, Hotel Catalina...and this was our view!
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