Well Sunday was a wonderful day! We went to the river about 30 minutes outside of Puerto Vallarta.. It was a beautiful river. . No fish, nothing sketchy just clear, clean water.. We were swimming around, diving and we even hiked down to play in a waterfall.. Giselley was playing in the water too! She loved it, didn’t even phase her that it was mildly cold.. The drive up to the river was beautiful too.. The landscape was so lush and green, a jungle really.. On one side you have the beautiful mountainous jungle and on the other the cliffs and beaches with all of their beautiful homes.. I decided that I want a house there too ;) Then we picked up some roasted chicken from one of the local street vendors and made our way to the movies to go see the Benjamin Button movie which is now my favority movie.. It was Giselley’s first big screen, she slept a bit then woke up and started talking away.. So Marcos and I made our way to the side wings where we watched the rest of the movie rocking her to sleep.. It was such a beautiful movie, I give it a ten.. Kind of a tear jerker though. But so worth it!
On Monday we went to a beautiful beach, Marcos Giselle and I.. Where Marcos, Mr. Sunshine hid in the shade the whole time.. He has beautiful dark skin made for the sun but he hates it.. And doesn’t like to go in the water too much because he will get sticky and salty.. It’s the funniest thing, he is one of the most delicate men I’ve ever met :) And I love the sun and the water, except for the fact that I am mildly afraid of the waves.. So seeing as I had to go in by myself I stood at the edge of the waves, I totally felt like I was four years old, watching everyone else bobbing up and down in the water having the time of their lives, while I stood there toe deep. And mind you this beach was beautiful clear turquise, warm water.. The waves were big and the pull strong so I went back with my tail between my legs, “I want to go in but I’m too scared!” I whined to Marcos.. He instructed me to wait for a wave to break then run in and paddle until I was past the breaking point.. So after about ten minutes of waiting while the waves rolled up to my toes I went for it.. I ran and paddled, paddled, paddled!! And amazingly enough, I made it! It was wonderful and I was quite proud.. I floated and swam out there for a good fifteen minutes.. Well once I was out there I was like, “Okay, now how do I get back to shore?” So I paddled and rode in a big wave, then ran for my life tripping through the water with my top practically falling down and threw myself onto shore just before another big wave could crash right on my head..Whew! Made it!
Tuesday we started our trip to Puebla stopping for another night in Atenguillo with his grandma.. She got up with us at six in the morning, made us coffee and sent us off with a kiss.. The sweetest..
Wednesday made for a very long day.. It took us eightteen hours to get here.. Giselle bless her heart did amazing.. She stayed in her seat for all but two of those eightteen hours.. And hardly cried, it was absolutely unbelievable.. I am pretty sure we stopped and asked directions about 150 times.. “Puebla?!” And they’d point in one direction or the other.. We were welcomed by his mom and dad, Nena and Henry, Sister Gricelda and niece and nephew, Alejandra and Fernando.. It was two in the morning but Fernando got himself up, did his hair and dressed himself in a nice outfit to officially meet his new cousin that he had been waiting weeks to see.. Alejandra and Fernando are two of the sweetest kids.. She is 7 and he is 5.. They love to talk to Giselle and play with her.. Fernando smothers her in kisses about every thirty seconds.. It melts my heart.. We have a beautiful little room and bathroom off of the house.. So we’ve settled in, putting our clothes away and are making ourselves at home.. On the wall when I came in there was a sign that said, “Ceballos Chavez Family Give You Welcome Home”.. That was hand made by his dad :) Is that not the cutest?! They also had balloons all over the living room and kitchen.. They really had everything ready for us, and they were so proud.
I can see so much of Marcos in both of his parents.. He looks alot like his mom with his dad’s coloring.. He talks like his dad, but some of his very particular characteristics come from his mom.. His sister is very sweet and very pretty.. Both sisters.. His whole family is beautiful.. Slowly but surely we are getting to know eachother and trying to work through the language barrier conversation by conversation.. They are loving Giselle, as everyone does.. And her first tooth has officially poked it’s way through.. I can’t hardly believe it.. So now we can relax a little and ejoy this time here with the family, have a little of our own space and go explore Puebla.. Which is the 3rd biggest city in Mexico so no shortage of things to do here! Love you all! It has been so wonderful and so comforting to me to be able to share this journey with all of the people I love.. xoxoxo Hugs and kisses!
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Part 2 Puerto Vallarta!
Well we didn’t end up going to Puebla this week seeing as we are waiting to rent out our house here before we head out.. So this week consisted of tying up alot of loose ends, running around town and hitting every good taco stand on the way.. I am going to be one big taco when I get home! I also found a beautiful stretch of beach here about ten minutes away that I am going to attempt to walk on every day.. I had to put my foot down after only one beach trip and say, “Marcos I need to go alteast walk on the beach for a half hour a day.” So there! On our anniversary before we went out in the evening we were invited to family friends Tita and Don Salvador house for dinner.. It was sweet.. We hung out on the terrace while Tita cooked Enchiladas and Don Salvo told us Mexican riddles.. I didn’t get a single one right :) Couldn’t hardly understand what they meant let alone figure the riddle out.. They are the family in law of Marcos’ older sister Gricelda.. They have a beautiful house located right down town where they also have a restaurant on their front terrace on the weekends.. Tita is the sweetest, I have really taken to her.. She speaks the little English she knows and cracks herself up.. Cracks me up too.. As we head out the door she says “Okay, have good day!” Laughing as she waves us off. She calls Giselle the little munecita, which means little doll, who stole her heart. Don Salvo is very sweet too, he strolls around the property picking herbs and telling me the names in Spanish and pointing out all the different fruit trees. Tita is Don Salvo’s daughter.. They live together..
For our anniversary night out Marcos and I found a cut e little lounge in downtown PV and had tequila from our window view that was open looking down into the town.. It was nice, quiet and some much needed few hours alone.. We haven’t been able to hit any of the night life like we were hoping due to our sweet little Giselle ;) Doesn’t want to be out of sight of either of us for more than a few minutes.. Which is okay, next time we come we’ll be able to get out a bit more just the two of us.. It’s hard for us to leave her too.. She is the light of our lives, we don’t really know what to do when she’s not with us.. So then on Saturday Lluvia, Raul, Dana, Marcos, Giselle and I packed in the truck and headed three hours over the mountains to Atenguillo to visit his 79 year old grandmother..
Atenguillo is a quiet little ranch town located in the mountains. It is a beautiful little town and we had a beautiful couple of days.. I love his grandmother she is absolutely amazing.. First off her house is beautiful.. It’s big filled with rooms and beds to accomodate any of her ten children and their children at any given time.. She has a few dogs, a few cats, lots of chickens, and lots of birds hanging out in her courtyard.. She is so warm and so welcoming, she hasn’t hesitated or even let there be a language gap.. She talks away to me as if I understand every thing she’s saying, which actually I do understand alot.. When she kisses Giselle she grabs her face, squeezing her cheeks, and kisses both cheeks and her forehead. She’s like Grandma Scoppettone was and my Grandma Carlson is, cruising around not letting a thing slow her down.. She raised ten children, gave birth to twelve but sadly losing two at young ages. Her son was telling us that for a a good chunk of years she would cruise around town with one little one on her shoulders, another on her hip and a big pregnant belly with the others trailing behing her.. Her husband was coming back and forth from the states alot of the time working to send money for the famiy, so she practically raised them on her own. And this was in a time of no electricity, washers, nothing.. Just a ranch with alot of kids, alot of animals and alot of work! And a three hour horse ride to her nearest family member.. You would think that a beginning like that would take the starch out of you but she was out hiking around in the hills and down to the river with us on Sunday not letting a thing get in her way.Her warm heart and strength and livelyness left a major impression on me.. And made me so proud to be a part of their family..
On Sunday morning we rose up early to go drink fresh chocolate milk.. And I mean fresh.. We trecked over to his Uncle’s ranch (the only son to live in town with her, most of the other’s are in San Jose) to milk the cows.. It was hilarious! I was sort of gaggin because fresh milk, like literally from a cow’s teet is not in the least bit appetising to me.. Thank god they had chocolate mix to give it a little flavor.. Everyone else was like, “Mmmm this is so great! Gulp, gulp, gulp..” As I was sliding to the back of the line.. When it came my turn to milk the cow I again looked like the total out of towner.. I couldn’t get a single squirt out.. Then the uncle calls over his three year old son to show me how to do it :) Classic..
That evening we had steak tacos, yes more tacos, at the uncles house where he and a few friends played Spanish songs on the guitar as we sat sipping tequila and looking out over the country side.. After a few hours of prodding from Marcos and a shot of tequila I picked up the guitar and sang a few songs too! They were surprised and really liked my songs.. I was pleased, I think I finally had connected with his Uncle after that.. We chatted about music for a few hours more before climbing back into the car to get back in time for his Sister and brother in law to get some sleep for work in the morning.. So now we are off to the beach for my half hour walk! Love to you all...Can’t wait to keep sharing more as the story unfolds! xoxoxo
For our anniversary night out Marcos and I found a cut e little lounge in downtown PV and had tequila from our window view that was open looking down into the town.. It was nice, quiet and some much needed few hours alone.. We haven’t been able to hit any of the night life like we were hoping due to our sweet little Giselle ;) Doesn’t want to be out of sight of either of us for more than a few minutes.. Which is okay, next time we come we’ll be able to get out a bit more just the two of us.. It’s hard for us to leave her too.. She is the light of our lives, we don’t really know what to do when she’s not with us.. So then on Saturday Lluvia, Raul, Dana, Marcos, Giselle and I packed in the truck and headed three hours over the mountains to Atenguillo to visit his 79 year old grandmother..
Atenguillo is a quiet little ranch town located in the mountains. It is a beautiful little town and we had a beautiful couple of days.. I love his grandmother she is absolutely amazing.. First off her house is beautiful.. It’s big filled with rooms and beds to accomodate any of her ten children and their children at any given time.. She has a few dogs, a few cats, lots of chickens, and lots of birds hanging out in her courtyard.. She is so warm and so welcoming, she hasn’t hesitated or even let there be a language gap.. She talks away to me as if I understand every thing she’s saying, which actually I do understand alot.. When she kisses Giselle she grabs her face, squeezing her cheeks, and kisses both cheeks and her forehead. She’s like Grandma Scoppettone was and my Grandma Carlson is, cruising around not letting a thing slow her down.. She raised ten children, gave birth to twelve but sadly losing two at young ages. Her son was telling us that for a a good chunk of years she would cruise around town with one little one on her shoulders, another on her hip and a big pregnant belly with the others trailing behing her.. Her husband was coming back and forth from the states alot of the time working to send money for the famiy, so she practically raised them on her own. And this was in a time of no electricity, washers, nothing.. Just a ranch with alot of kids, alot of animals and alot of work! And a three hour horse ride to her nearest family member.. You would think that a beginning like that would take the starch out of you but she was out hiking around in the hills and down to the river with us on Sunday not letting a thing get in her way.Her warm heart and strength and livelyness left a major impression on me.. And made me so proud to be a part of their family..
On Sunday morning we rose up early to go drink fresh chocolate milk.. And I mean fresh.. We trecked over to his Uncle’s ranch (the only son to live in town with her, most of the other’s are in San Jose) to milk the cows.. It was hilarious! I was sort of gaggin because fresh milk, like literally from a cow’s teet is not in the least bit appetising to me.. Thank god they had chocolate mix to give it a little flavor.. Everyone else was like, “Mmmm this is so great! Gulp, gulp, gulp..” As I was sliding to the back of the line.. When it came my turn to milk the cow I again looked like the total out of towner.. I couldn’t get a single squirt out.. Then the uncle calls over his three year old son to show me how to do it :) Classic..
That evening we had steak tacos, yes more tacos, at the uncles house where he and a few friends played Spanish songs on the guitar as we sat sipping tequila and looking out over the country side.. After a few hours of prodding from Marcos and a shot of tequila I picked up the guitar and sang a few songs too! They were surprised and really liked my songs.. I was pleased, I think I finally had connected with his Uncle after that.. We chatted about music for a few hours more before climbing back into the car to get back in time for his Sister and brother in law to get some sleep for work in the morning.. So now we are off to the beach for my half hour walk! Love to you all...Can’t wait to keep sharing more as the story unfolds! xoxoxo
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
More on PV
I've been trying to think of how to explain the city better and it came to me.. It's like one giant flea market.. People have store fronts and restaurants right out of their front door or off their front porch.. Marcos' sister Gricelda's family in law have a beautiful home in the center of PV.. They have a restaurant on their front deck, we went over yesterday and they made us home made Mexican style enchiladas and fresh corn bread.. I love the food here.. Besides the tortas :) In the neighborhood we are staying there is a kindergarden next to our apartment so I wake up every morning to hokey pokey in Spanish and kids screaming.. It's so cute.. And all of the different vendors honking and yelling.. Selling oranges, water, a knife sharpener that whistles with a flute.. It's really fun. And the streets are lined with outside open barbeques grilling up chicken and carne asada.. Smoke rises up in the streets and people surround on their stools.. Eating their tacos and drinking the fresh made fruit waters.. I love drinking from the coconut it is so fresh and so healthy.. Okay so that's all I have time for I'm getting the toe tapping again :) We love you!!
First week in Puerto Vallarta
Aaaah Mexico...
Well we have embarked on a wild and crazy adventure with 7-month old Giselle in tow. Making our way through Mexico meeting Marcos’ family for the very first time. Our first stop Puerto Vallarta. A beautiful and quite crowded little city wrapped around the bay. It is loaded with market lined streets busy with kids and grow ups alike walking from place to place.. As Marcos said to me, “Here the cars come first, pedestrians second.” Yes it’s true. Although it all seems totally chaotic to me, everyone seems to handle it with ease and happiness. One thing I noticed about the drivers is that they are way crazier and cut each other off every five seconds but never get mad.. Seems ironic but it’s true! I hardly ever see anyone flashing bad looks or gestures for driving like a maniac.. The one thing all of Vallarta could use is one giant smog check.. That’s our big joke. We’ll be rolling behind some beater exhausting enough fumes to power a large building and I’ll yell, “Smog check!” The car pollition is quite noticable to me, but Marcos doesn’t even flinch.. He practically rides with his head out the window :)
So here in Vallarta we are staying in the quaint little apartment of his sister, Lluvia (pronounced Yuvia) and her family, husband Raoul and 4 year old daughter Dana Valeria.. Marcos and his sister could be twins, looks wise.. Cracks me up! Their house is in the center of a busy little neighborhood lined with sandwich shops and fresh quesadillias.. The water trucks roll around each day yelling, “Agua!!” Everyone will sell just about any kind of food they can manage to think of.. Which actually got me into a little trouble a few days back.. I was warned and I tried hard to be careful but really I’m living like a local and watching what you eat can only be a general rule in that case.. So on Saturday I found myself on the wrong side of a Cubana Torta (Mexican sandwich) that I will never eat again.. Food poisoning struck for a day but thankfully Marcos’ best friend is a doctor and prescribed some medicine to flush out my system.. By Sunday we were back in action.. I chalk it up to being indoctrinated into Mexican cuisine as the “gringa” (white girl) that I am :) Point taken. Take it a few days back though to the second night I was in town.. Marcos took all of us to this beautiful restaurant literally 20 feet from the rolling waves.. I had my feet in the sand as I was eating Mahi Mahi and drinking a Corona.. Heavenly!! It was magical to be there all together with little Giselle.. I thought, “What a lucky girl having beach dinners at 7 months old!”
The language barrier between me and everyone else has proven to be interesting to say the least.. The what I thought to be ‘alot’ of Spanish I speak turned out to be pretty minescule. So it has been a little intimidating, but hey this girls always up for the challenge. It does make awkward silences even more awkward that’s for sure.. I’m a talker but when I don’t know what to say I am out of my element. So it’s been a lesson so far in pushing myself to search for words, new for me! And if you think that four year olds have alot of questions and things to say try a four year old who speaks a different language! She has had me on my toes! She must be thinking, “ What in the heck is this lady talking about?” When I don’t know what to say I just answer in English, that usually throws her off for a minute or two :) All in all though I am pleased to say Giselle and I are adjusting very well, doing as much as we can to be careful and to just relax and go along for the ride..
Little Giselle bell, like the angel baby she is, has been a breeze.. She cruises from here to there, has done great with the time change and is taking kindly to her family on this side. She is bit more on my hip as expected in a new place with new people, if I could be, I would be on her hip.. I probably feel more vulnerable than her! When she saw her Papi she gave him the shy look, laying her head on my chest and turning it the other way.. Then looking again, then turning it again, until finally getting really excited.. She is thrilled with her Papi.. They are so in love those two.. Sometimes I feel like the odd man out, you know, three’s a crows sort of thing.. No, just kidding, in all seriousness they are maddly in love and I wouldn’t have it any other way. She is pleased as punch with Daddy all the time only until she’s ready for some Chi Chi (the boob). So that is my report so far, about a week into it.. We are headed to Puebla in a few days to be with his parents Papa Henry and Mama Nena for about three or four weeks. That will be great too.. Can’t wait to meet his parents in person finally and see all of Puebla.. It’s supposed to be chalk full of culture.. So lots of love to all of you.. We miss you all and are sending just the best wishes as this year begins to unfold in radical ways... xoxoxo
Well we have embarked on a wild and crazy adventure with 7-month old Giselle in tow. Making our way through Mexico meeting Marcos’ family for the very first time. Our first stop Puerto Vallarta. A beautiful and quite crowded little city wrapped around the bay. It is loaded with market lined streets busy with kids and grow ups alike walking from place to place.. As Marcos said to me, “Here the cars come first, pedestrians second.” Yes it’s true. Although it all seems totally chaotic to me, everyone seems to handle it with ease and happiness. One thing I noticed about the drivers is that they are way crazier and cut each other off every five seconds but never get mad.. Seems ironic but it’s true! I hardly ever see anyone flashing bad looks or gestures for driving like a maniac.. The one thing all of Vallarta could use is one giant smog check.. That’s our big joke. We’ll be rolling behind some beater exhausting enough fumes to power a large building and I’ll yell, “Smog check!” The car pollition is quite noticable to me, but Marcos doesn’t even flinch.. He practically rides with his head out the window :)
So here in Vallarta we are staying in the quaint little apartment of his sister, Lluvia (pronounced Yuvia) and her family, husband Raoul and 4 year old daughter Dana Valeria.. Marcos and his sister could be twins, looks wise.. Cracks me up! Their house is in the center of a busy little neighborhood lined with sandwich shops and fresh quesadillias.. The water trucks roll around each day yelling, “Agua!!” Everyone will sell just about any kind of food they can manage to think of.. Which actually got me into a little trouble a few days back.. I was warned and I tried hard to be careful but really I’m living like a local and watching what you eat can only be a general rule in that case.. So on Saturday I found myself on the wrong side of a Cubana Torta (Mexican sandwich) that I will never eat again.. Food poisoning struck for a day but thankfully Marcos’ best friend is a doctor and prescribed some medicine to flush out my system.. By Sunday we were back in action.. I chalk it up to being indoctrinated into Mexican cuisine as the “gringa” (white girl) that I am :) Point taken. Take it a few days back though to the second night I was in town.. Marcos took all of us to this beautiful restaurant literally 20 feet from the rolling waves.. I had my feet in the sand as I was eating Mahi Mahi and drinking a Corona.. Heavenly!! It was magical to be there all together with little Giselle.. I thought, “What a lucky girl having beach dinners at 7 months old!”
The language barrier between me and everyone else has proven to be interesting to say the least.. The what I thought to be ‘alot’ of Spanish I speak turned out to be pretty minescule. So it has been a little intimidating, but hey this girls always up for the challenge. It does make awkward silences even more awkward that’s for sure.. I’m a talker but when I don’t know what to say I am out of my element. So it’s been a lesson so far in pushing myself to search for words, new for me! And if you think that four year olds have alot of questions and things to say try a four year old who speaks a different language! She has had me on my toes! She must be thinking, “ What in the heck is this lady talking about?” When I don’t know what to say I just answer in English, that usually throws her off for a minute or two :) All in all though I am pleased to say Giselle and I are adjusting very well, doing as much as we can to be careful and to just relax and go along for the ride..
Little Giselle bell, like the angel baby she is, has been a breeze.. She cruises from here to there, has done great with the time change and is taking kindly to her family on this side. She is bit more on my hip as expected in a new place with new people, if I could be, I would be on her hip.. I probably feel more vulnerable than her! When she saw her Papi she gave him the shy look, laying her head on my chest and turning it the other way.. Then looking again, then turning it again, until finally getting really excited.. She is thrilled with her Papi.. They are so in love those two.. Sometimes I feel like the odd man out, you know, three’s a crows sort of thing.. No, just kidding, in all seriousness they are maddly in love and I wouldn’t have it any other way. She is pleased as punch with Daddy all the time only until she’s ready for some Chi Chi (the boob). So that is my report so far, about a week into it.. We are headed to Puebla in a few days to be with his parents Papa Henry and Mama Nena for about three or four weeks. That will be great too.. Can’t wait to meet his parents in person finally and see all of Puebla.. It’s supposed to be chalk full of culture.. So lots of love to all of you.. We miss you all and are sending just the best wishes as this year begins to unfold in radical ways... xoxoxo
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