Sayulita Part Dos
Because locating our package and hitting the Mega took most of the day, we headed just out of PV and back into Sayulita for the night. We found a campsite next to the beach and parked near 3 other VW buses. Two had been there for 4 months, one of them just a week.
Everyone was a surfer and everyone had little kids. Surfing 2 or 3 sets a day and raising the fam in a beach-side campground. Quite a life. Of course, these folks were from… Canada. They were all just a few weeks from heading back and resuming their normal lives. They will all be back next winter.
The sites were just back from the beach in the jungle. Every night you could hear the strangest noises coming from the place – mostly birds but I’m not sure what else. You could also hear the chorus of dogs. Then, there was the insomniac rooster that started up at 4am.
Jason installed the solar panel and Red Beard has gone green. He had no drill or electricity, but was able to put mounting holes in the pop-top with a screwdriver and lots of patience. He went to the local hardware store for some bolts and washers and they had four of them – total. And they were rusty. We bought them. By afternoon, it was mounted on the bus and he took extra pleasure in using the solar panel to charge the battery to run the soldering iron to wire it up.
Problem was, by the time he completely finished installing it, it was late afternoon and the 2nd battery died soon after. No cold fridge tonight either.
On three occasions, someone walked by and commented on the color of our bus. “Duuuude, that’s soooo red! That color is amaaaazing, I’ve never seen anything sooooo red!” I don’t think we’ve had anyone specifically comment on the extreme redness of our bus, but it’s consummate colorfulness got three people’s attention today. They have the good stuff here in Sayulita.
We pretty much stuck to the beach and campsite this time. We took Bode out boogie boarding, which he loves. He squealed and laughed the whole way. He’d yell “My wave! My wave!” before riding in and yelling “Cowabunga!” After a good tumble, he’d pop up and yell “Wipe Out!” and flash a hang-loose sign.
The waves were breaking in waist-deep water (ours), so Jason would get him on a wave and I’d have to catch him. Usually no problem, but several times he was a little far from me and I’d just jump on the board with him to slow it down.
I think we have a surfer in the making, if only he’d get that swimming thing down pat. By the way, if anyone has any suggestions on teaching a kid to swim, let me know. He kicks, he flails arms, he sinks. He doesn’t seem to mind, he loves the water…he’s just not getting the concept of staying on top of it.
We headed out the next day and visited the very quiet town of San Francisco, just north of Sayulita. Horses parked on the streets, very few tourists and a beautiful beach. We might come back here some day, but we had to get moving on to Guayabitos to meet some folks and go see some vochos.
Although the media seems to portray Mexico as having a lot of violence lately, it doesnt seem to be anything that I’ve seen on your blog or similar blogs. Maybe it’s more a border town issue and drug related?
First, there is definitely violence and a drug war in Mexico. It’s primarily concentrated in the northern states/borders and most notably around Juarez. It’s also exclusively between the government and the drug lords. Unfortunately, innocent civilians are sometimes caught in the cross fire and sometimes the brutality is horrific.
Having said that, take a look at your evening news. We lived near Oakland and the occasional drive-by shooting and gang violence was just white-noise. In Houston over the holidays, every night’s new contained convenience store robberies and shootings, home burglaries and shootings, escaped convicts on the loose and shootings, etc.
People fear the unknown. Other than a few resort cities, Mexico is unknown to most Americans. It’s great fodder for the evening news because it’s a distraction from America’s own problems. People feel safer and superior when talking about all the “problems down there” around the water cooler.
I would say that I have felt safer here in Mexico than anywhere on our trip. I also would say that we have met more generous and kind people in Mexico that anywhere on our trip so far as well. And we’re foreigners. Imagine how you have seen foreigners treated in the U.S. by the average person on the street.
I don’t know everything and I’m not trying to be pious, but that’s my take on things. If we get robbed or have a problem somewhere along the way, I could change my mind. But the reality is that 99.9% of the people in the world are great people. You can find that other 0.1% anywhere.
Well said, Jason. I have to agree: The people of Mexico are amazingly kind and generous. You just have to be open to exploring new things and places. I spent some time traveling around Mexico solo about five years ago, and the only place I felt a bit unsafe was in Guadalajara. Outside of the big cities, though, are people just like you and me.
Safe travels to you and your family. My wife and I (and our fifteen-month-old) are hoping to follow in your footsteps in the future.
Cheers,
Jad
Swimming.
Morgane and I stated swimming twice a week when she was 6 months old. By the time she was four, I could not believe that she was not yet swimming on top of the water. She was doing fine under though.
The day I bought her first pair of goggles, she swam three lengths of a 25 meter pool. Just like that. We’ve been swimming less these days and she does not like to wear goggles anymore. But they did their job…
Good luck!
Ghislain
ray was a swim instructor! when we get out there to see you, he will have some pointers for bode i’m sure…
Hi Angela
Don’t worry about him swimming on top of the water. Just teaching him to put his head in, blow bubbles and come up for air is a really good start. The rest will come when he wants it to. Get him to blow bubbles under the water then come up for air. Do some water bobbing so he is comfortable understanding he just takes his head out of the water and does not need to take his whole body out to breathe. Sounds like he will be very successful. And I am very jealous!
I love your blog. Why does everyone on here want to obsess about how violent it is in Mexico? You guys should be sending them good vibes, and wishing them safe journeys. Good vibes your way from Colorado. it’s snowing like crazy here right now, and your pics are a great escape. Thanks!
Stumbled on your blog and love it! Love your fabulous red bus too! It looks like you are having a great time. You sum up the situation about the violence in Mexico perfectly too; very wise words.
Wow – looks like half of Canada is escaping winter! It must be the health insurance freedom we have. I’m jealous though. It’s freezing here today and snowy!
Morgane started swimming with a floater belt and we could slowly take off floaters, but the goggles did help, too. Anyway, if he likes the water, it will come.
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