Wednesday Market
I was amazed at the size of this market, given how small the town is. It seems to be laid out in a big cross going about five blocks long in each direction. Folks set up in the morning and take it down by evening. One of my favorite booths is the “Dutch Deli” where I get carrot cake and pickled beets!
fresh, roasted nuts! 
I was purchasing vegetables here at the same time Bellingham was digging out from snow. I feel quite lucky to have access to this luscious produce!
Friends Gathering at Villa Estrella D’Mar
I am staying at the “Villa” in one of their twelve rooms. The people I have met here are wonderful – and mostly Canadian. Many have been coming back to the Villa for many years and have formed friendships with other people staying here over the years. Kim and Vicky arranged a lovely potluck on the upper terrace with tamales and a roast! We ate – we danced. I even had a lesson on how to drink tequila. Hint: slow the process down. I’ll show you when I get back.
From talking with other people around town, it seems that many lodging establishments have similar longevity of guests and connections between them. I love that forming community, even “on vacation”, is a natural process in Melaque!
One day Mike and Mary showed us one of their favorite places to watch the sunset. We took the bus to the other side of the bay and hiked up to the top of Punto de Melaque. We shared some wine, cheese, crackers and veggies. I was most impressed with the show, but others said that they had seen better. I felt so safe making this trip with friends and so I appreciated the camaraderie.
I returned from a day trip to find a note inviting me to join a few of the folks from the Villa who were enjoying the Elvis show next door at Rosita’s restaurant. I went next door and found quite a party going on! “Elvis” had quite a good voice and sang some non-Elvis songs, too. Rosita’s has really good food, but doesn’t generally have music. This was a special event for Rosita and everyone was there to support her. She has seven kids and she is supporting them through college. I thoroughly enjoyed myself, and loved watching the entire staff getting their photo with Elvis.
Ola Brisa Garden – The Civilized Jungle
I signed up for a day trip through Flip Flop Tours and had an amazing day! Eleven of us, including three year-old Claire, climbed into a van, driven by Cezar, with our tour guide, Dan. Our first stop was the botanical gardens of Ola Brisa Garden. It is a private home where the owner, Tommy Clarkson, and his recently deceased wife, Patty, have transformed their steep, arid lot located above Manzanillo. Tommy served us coffee and delightfully shared with us the amazing richness in his terraced yard. He has written three books drawn from the information he has gained through his “hobby” of collecting tropical plants from all over the world and nurturing them in his back yard. It was mind boggling, but it also felt so rich to be surrounded by all these breathtaking plants. Tommy was very generous with his spirit and time and I left feeling grateful for the experience.
After our tour of Ola Brisa, we went into Manzanillo for lunch. I sat with a young couple from Canada, and another woman from Sonoma, California. Lunch came out two meals at a time, so we had plenty of time to get to know each other. Lunch was delicious and we were soon on our way.
El Tortugario Ecológico (The Turtle Reserve)
We drove south of Manzanillo over a bridge separating the first two sections of the network of lagoons and drove alongside the black beaches of Cuyutlán to the Turtle Reserve on the fourth section, called Estero Palo Verde. This part of the tour has three sections: a boat trip into the Estero where the birds were peaceful and plentiful; an Iguana section where we saw them in many shapes and colors; and a turtle section where about eight pools housed different types of turtles.
Traveling through the Mangroves 
White Pelicans 
Can you see the young crocodile on the left headed toward the center? 
We saw nearly every one of these species – and more! 
Our tour guide, Dan, is describing interesting characteristics of the Mangrove tree and the efforts to restore them. 
We came around feeding time, so they seemed pretty interested as we leaned over.
By the end of the day I was clear about a bit of magic that I experience in Melaque. The “tourists” I have met here are different that ones I have met elsewhere – even different from the ex-pats that I have met elsewhere. These people create community in Melaque and connect with the local residents in formal and informal ways. Many people, independently, bring down supplies to support the schools. They sponsor and attend fund raisers. They join the Community Church and collaboratively support local families in need. “Tourists” know and care about their local vendors and businesses – they have been supporting them for years. “Tourists” are happy here and seem more willing to extend themselves to other “tourists” and local residents. I am touched and feel grateful to be here.
My México Travels 
WOW that hike to the other side of the bay in Melaque looked so amazing!!! So glad you are connecting with community mi amiga! BJ
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Thanks BJ! Can’t wait to see you in Oaxaca!
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Melaque sounded so familiar. The kids and I spent time in Barra and I would walk th beach up to Meaque and up the outcropping in the mornings. I loved watching the children go to school in the mornings. Barra, too, had many Canadians who helped to support the schools. Such a wonderful area.
Terri
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Yes, I’ve been to Barra twice, once walking and the other by bus. It has the same flavor, just a bit different. I’m glad to hear you found similar philanthropy there. Pretty remarkable! Yes, all the different ways they get to school and how cute they look in their uniforms.
Thanks for your memories!
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