Driving by...when you open your window and someone puts a knife in

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don't worry...it just maybe that he's selling you the best and most delicious pineapple that you have ever had. Yes, it's the season of "la pina"..the sweet and delicious fruits that make every salsa, brochetta and smoothie so fabulous. This has been a week of "drive-by's" for us as we toured Kristen and her friend Kevin through the areas that we love so much. Kevin is a small town guy, from the East Coast of Canada, the Maritimes. It's an area that shares many similarities with Zihuatanejo. Fishing was the primary occupation. Families stayed on living in their home towns from generation to generation and the economy was poor. What I noticed about Kevin was that although he knew no Spanish and indeed, this was his first trip to Mexico, he quickly "got" what it is that makes this life special for us. He noticed the people and how they related to each other and us. We think he'll be back and we hope he will be. He and Kristen are now back off to their busy lives in Vancouver, a city that offers everything one could want, except blue skies on most days of the 6 months that constitute late fall to early Spring. We hope that the sunshine here has helped them to cope with the next few weeks ahead.

So now our life takes on a slightly different pace. We are preparing for our 2 condominiums annual general meetings...a time that every owner gets their opportunity to shape the way these tropical vacation homes or full time residences will function for the next year. It's always a time of considerable stress for those who have the responsibility of being on the "steering committee". Gene is one of those people for our La Ceiba property, but he takes it in stride. We are learning the subtleties of living and doing business here in Mexico. We have both come to realize that you cannot ever say or do something that will embarass or criticize a Mexican's work or performance. And if you do, you will live with the consequences for the rest of your life..in obvious and not so obvious ways. It's the difference between what has become the norm in our society, the art of "constructive feedback" vs. the Mexican way of being. Mexicans have a complex social structure and do not mix business with pleasure. What happens at work, is work,and what happens at home is no one else's business. It's frustrating at times and we continue to see the outcomes of our lack of understanding of their cultural structures and norms.

We are also preparing to take our annual 'roadtrip" in February.  This year, we are shortening the trip to 2 weeks and we are taking it with our faithful "amigo" Cori.  He wouldn't have it any other way...so now it's my job to use Lonely Planet, Trip Advisor, Booking.com, Guia Roja and the internet to set up our route, and dog friendly accomodations for our 2 weeks away.  I will be busy...but not too busy to fit in time at all of our favorite places around here...and also to have Sol Sisters products prepared for the annual Sailfest Fundraiser .  Lety is keen to make and sell more tote bags, make up bags, sunglass pouches and anything else I can get orders for.  I hope this works..it's all new for me and we are a team to pull this off.   

But in the 2 weeks before we leave, we are making sure to take in some of the sights , tastes, sounds and smells that make Zihuatanejo Mexico so special.   Here's a few photos of our favorites from the past 2 weeks with Kristen and Kyle