Life in the mountains

Friday, February 6


I skipped a day for the blog, because there was not much happening. We’ve seen pretty well everything in the immediate area of Cofradia and there is no more work for us to do, other than that Ramiro has to drive to Queseria to look into the purchase of some trees.
Of course there is lots of computer work that needs ot be done, but with Mom here that wouldn't be a nice thing to do.

We receive an invitation from Ron and Vivianne Grue to come to Zapotitlan.
Ron and Vivianne are from Camrose, Alberta and have been long time supporters of Project Amigo. During the year they lived in Colima they worked on many projects, including the kitchen at the Hacienda.
Through a friend inn Colima, they were asked to come to Zapotitlan seven years ago, to see the damage as a result of the earthquake, which had destroyed over 85% of the homes.
They found old women living on the street and after meeting with town and church officials they agreed to build a small Refujio for old people.
The small seven unit building was equiped with a complete common kitchen and seating area and common bathroom and shower. Each unit had a closet, chair and a bed with bedding. The Camrose Rotary donated $45,000 towards the construction. During the construction Ron stayed with a family in town and drove back to Colima for the weekend.
There have been rumors that the church and town are having difficulty working together, which, as a result prevent the people who need the facility to move in.
Vivianne and Ron want to check things out and also bring back some tools and workbenches that were left behind seven years ago.
Beto drives his truck together with Alejandro, while we drive with Ron and Vivianne in the PA van.
The drive is only 35 kilometers but it takes us through a winding mountain road way up high.
Some parts are nicely paved while others parts are a true rocky road.
The scenery is breathtaking. From the distance we can see the volcano which is no on the east of us, much closer than from Cofradia.
We’re climbing higher and higher and reach an altitude of 3818 feet as we drive through the arid desert like mountain, turning one sharp corner after another passing man and women on donkeys.
After a good hour and fifteen minutes we reach the town of appr. 2,500. Right in the middle of nowhere.
Most of the buildings around the square have been painted in a bright yellow, including the church. For a remote area such as this, we are surprised by the cleanliness of everything. Well, for Mexican standards that is. The only threat in this village is that of the volcano. The town square has a three tier alarm. Where would people go if something happens. Not everyone has transportation, you have to run pretty fast to make it down the mountain. Horses are another form of transportation here.

We visit the house of Lupita and her Mom, which have hosted Ron. A visit to the Refujio shows us that, even though the building is still in pretty good shape, only 2 of the units are occupied. We talk with one of the tenants who shows us the other units. A solution needs to be find so it can be fully utilized.

The guys take the truck to the Bodega to load up the tools and workbenches, which the three ladies walk around town and visit the church and the square We go back to Lupita’s house and find the two women busy preparing lunch for all of us. We talk and enjoy a glass of locally made Tequila before the men return.
Later we sit down at the enormous round table for a delicious typical lunch from the area. Beto, discusses some of the strategies with Lupita, to bring the project back on its feet. Before we leave we are given gifts of fruit, candy and other items from the area. Such nice people. When we return in Cofradia, Ramiro is patiently waiting for us. He’s the one with the cold now and does not have much energy.