Time with family

Sunday, March 1


Isn’t it great to spend time with family? Especially when you don’t see them very often. Today we expect Ramiro’s nephew Patricio (the son of Ramiro’s cousin) for a visit with his girlfriend Gabriela.
Patricio moved to Guadalajara about two and a half years ago to study.
We saw him when Mom arrived in Guadalajara, but now we have more time, since we are only an hour away from the bi8g city.
Of course we are able to spend the entire day outside. We pick up BBQ along the highway, like we did when Sandra and her friend came with Joe and Candido.
The rabbit and quail are not quite ready, so we settle for lamb, pork, chorizo and beef ribs. The pool is a big attraction for Gabriela, so after dinner we go for a swim in the pool. Well, OK we wait for an hour to let our dinner settle.

Last week, when we visited the Malecon in Jocotepec, we received some info on the boat cruise and thought it may be a nice idea to take this cruise with Pato and Gabi. We arrive just in time. A Cuban band is playing to attract more customers.
The cruise is an hour and a half and the boat heads east toward San Juan de Cosala. Once we leave the boat dock, the musicians leave their instruments and sit outside, while we listen to canned music. The ticket price includes one drink. Later we learn it also includes one snack, but if you don’t know and don’t ask about it. They’re not going to tell you.
We’re having a great time though. We order chips and Charalas. The same little fish we saw yesterday laying out to dry, only these have been coated with egg and flour. Pato and Ramiro keep stuffing them in their mouth. The ladies are hesitant. Those little eyes staring at them. Do we want those in our bodies?
We honour the anniversary of the loss of Ramiro’s finger. Yes, today is exactly one year ago that he lost his left index finger, when he was laying the wooden floor and the mitre got stuck. He can joke about it, but it was not a laughing matter at that time. I still have difficulty looking at it.

We enjoy the view, each others’ company and the wonderful weather here.
This area has the best climate in the world, according to National Geographic.
I believe it, because we have not experienced one bad day. Once the sun goes down, it cools off and the mosquitos come out, but other than that, it is perfect.
As we get closer to spring, the temperature rises little by little. I don’t think it would be as nice during the summer months, when the rains start.
Signs of spring may be here with the weather getting warmer. but no matter what day of the year, the sun rises at 7:00 am and sets at 7:00 pm.

Our cruise is coming to an end. And I notice something interesting:
Those Cubans are pretty smart you know.
Ten minutes before we reach the shore, the band starts playing again and everyone is encouraged to dance. The closer we get to shore the more we are being cheered on. All of a sudden I figured it out. The more fun we appear to have, the more people on the shore may want to take part in this. Pretty clever eh?
Pato and Gabi return to Guada and promise to come back tomorrow.


Monday

We have a third visitor today and her name is Sofia, she is two years old and the daughter of Gabi. She’s cute as a button, but as we all know the age is a challenge for Gabi. She does not get herself into trouble however and behaves pretty good.
I take her to the bedroom, where I have a few toys. I pick one for her to play with. It’s mister Potato Head. later in the afternoon. I see her walk to the bedroom and return with another toy out of the cupboard. Typical two year old I would say.
We decide not to go anywhere but just enjoy at the RV park. We stroll to the waterside and make a North American BBQ with pork and roasted peppers. Gabi asks for salsa. Sorry dear. North American BBQ does not include salsa. Luckily I still have some from the BBQ from yesterday.

It’s getting dark by the time the leave. Even though we did not much it was a tiring day for us. I guess we’re like real grandparents, children wear us out.
It was nice though. We’ll keep in touch and hope to see each other again in the future.