Twas the weeks before Xmas....and all through the town

One of the "misconceptions" people have about what life is like here is that there is "no stress"...I mean really, how can a life that begins most days with a yoga class, proceeds to preparing fresh squeezed tropical fruit juices or agua de coco(nuts), a fully walkable town, perfect ocean beaches for swimming, friendly neighbours, live music to enjoy and a waterfront walk or sunset drinks provoke stress??   It is true, life is almost idyllic if one can learn to look past the squalor, the lack of amenities, and the almost laughable cumbersome paperwork procedures in place for every transaction.  

And why not... I have time and I enjoy learning how life works here..so I observe.   The one thing I cannot look past are the faces of the locals. 

These faces have been waiting for us to arrive ... and they are counting on us to support their business endeavors.  And for me, this is stressful, because each year, it would seem that at this time, from mid-November until the tourists arrive just before Xmas, there are too few of us to support the number of vendors, restaurauteurs, tour operators, and various other locals who make a living catering to the needs of ex-pats and tourists.   It is hard to walk past the businesses that I've either never purchased a meal or an item from, in favor of spending my now reduced income to the local vendors or establishments that I have become faithful to.   They call me "amiga"...and I feel compelled to uphold their expectations. 

But I wonder if the ones I don't shop at or buy meals from will survive...will their families have a Xmas, will their homes be safe and their children be fed?   It's a heavy burden but one that I realize is part of this changing face of tourism.  As more and more of us buy casas, prepare our own meals, drive our own cars...we are changing the services that are needed.   It's the transition that is catching my Mexican friends and they haven't been as quick to adapt as what is needed.  

One of my observations each year at this time is that the town appears to be playing a waiting game.   It's not an "idle" time..it's a time that the locals rest up for and prepare for.  Streets are being cleaned up.  The main entry to Zihuatanejo from the airport has been beautified with newly planted palm trees and flowering shrubs.  The walkways are being painted, crosswalks are being marked and stores are stocking up.   Shopkeepers are displaying their new wares in the hopes that an attractive display will lure in shoppers yet to appear. 

This is the end of the "quiet time"....we are inhaling, ready to take on the busy frenzy of Navidad and "temporado alto"...the "High season"...about to begin.   

This week is the Fiesta of the Virgen of Guadalupe.  I've written every year about the festivities and have excitedly watched the parades and listened to the songs being chanted as the faithful Catholics hold processions along the streets of the town.   This year, I don't feel as compelled to see every "desfile"...I can stay home safe and secure and give Cori a hug because this is the time of year he fears the most.  It's the anniversary (5th) of his abandonment on the streets of Zihuatanejo and the near death experience he had dodging fireworks, cars and shoppers on the streets on his own, sick and frightened.  

  

Like the town, we too are getting ready, planning our Xmas visitors meals and what we will do.  We are stocking up, buying gifts or writing cards for a few of the locals who we want to give some Xmas cheer. We have some parties to attend and some experiences to share with friends. This week, we will move over to our other casita to make room for 4 friends who arrive to stay in our house.  Our son will join us in our smaller casita just before Xmas.    Twas the weeks before Xmas.......