Shoot-Outs: First of all, don't jump to conclusions after seeing this title...no, I was not in a shoot-out. Well, ok. there was this one time in Mancora, Peru. Damn, I am side-tracked already. It all went down in a small surf town in northern Peru during Semana Santa in 2006. Semana Santa is the holy week celebrated in Latin American countries. The festivities make spring break 'Girls Gone Wild' in Miami look like a game of bridge at the senors center at Leisure World in Arizona. Sam was in the States and I traveled by bus with a girlfriend from Ecuador. As we were hanging out on the street with hundreds of other people, I was thrown on the ground by a local man. He began to pull me along the ground telling me to get away; and as I looked up there were glass beer bottles flying. A girl nearby was hit in the face and bleeding. As I looked around; dazed and confused, I again got dragged and heard '¡CORRE!' (RUN). As I ran incognizant to the situation, I rounded a street corner and stopped to catch my breath. As I stood, I heard and saw the entire crowd running in the same direction; imagine something along the lines of the running of the bulls. I also heard gun shots in the streets. I hid along the beachfront hotels with dozens of others; until a group of us were escorted back to our hostel. I got my ass on the first bus the following morning. Where was my girlfriend you ask?...getting some 'tocino' from a local. I did, however, go back the following year with Sam and it was a much mellower scene. Now that you have been distracted, let's get back to today's shoot out in Mexico; which I was not in! This afternoon in the state of Jalisco (the state where we reside), we had some narco-action. The city of Guadalajara; about 4 hours from here had at least 5 reported roadblocks, multiple cars set on fire, and gun shoot-outs. The American Embassy sent us an e-mail recommending all American citizens to 'shelter in place'. Little does the Embassy know, but that was our evening plan; after a long day of surfing, too many fish tacos for lunch, and anticipated twilight margaritas. Out of curiosity, I google mapped the location of this afternoon's hoopla (click here), but haven't thought much more about it since we have not heard from our school's director. Our school is one of four schools in Mexico that is supported by the United States Department of State who oversees security issues. In our new staff training, I learned that we will be informed from our director of potential hurricanes, violence, and what-have-ya's. So, if you saw it in the news, relax; we are fine.
Bikini Magic: We haven't surfed for the past five days. We started work this week and the surf report looked bleak. This morning, we ventured north to Punta de Mita. No frikin' waves; u-turn back to La Lancha. After receiving permission from the security guard to access the surfers only beach, we were on our way down the jungle trail towards the beach; minus the quick detour to deal with a little 'tourista' moment (checked that experience off my list). I was the only senorita in the water today and immediately had several locals acting as if I had hired them to be my personal surf guide. Next thing I know, I have a guy pushing me into the waves...which as annoying as it was, the waves had little strength behind them and it was helpful at times. It was my first time ever being pushed to catch a wave. Where was Sam?...just laughing at the situation. And, chatting it up with the guy; he wasn't hitting on me by any means, just another overly friendly Mexican. Once the guy saw that I could catch a wave, he stopped. I did, however, still have an entourage encouraging me as each set rolled through... 'Jennifer, es tuyo',' Jennifer Dale'; telling me the wave was mine. I have always joked with Sam that I want a snowboard entourage, who follows me down the hill hooting and hollering my every move. Today was my day! Our time in the water has been great so far, good vibes and lots of Spanish. I've decided to get Sam a bikini for Christmas; it does wonders for getting some help here in Mexico. Although, I don't feel too bad for him. Most of our days in Sayulita, he has been engulfed by hot chicas while out in the line-up. Surf report looks good for tomorrow; wondering if Sam will buck up and assume the role of 'wave pusher'!
El Trabajo: Work has begun. Two days with students. Day One: the kids were gnary! Don't judge me for expressing that; honesty is a virtue. I couldn't even introduce myself to a group of second graders. Latin students are notorious for being chatty. We were even prepared for this in our new staff training. I experienced it in Ecuador and Venezuela. "Um hello, good morning my name is Ms. Jen". The students kinda looked at me like, 'who are you to interrupt my conversation; don't you know I haven't seen my friends all summer'. Day one sucked. Day Two: Amazing! Same group of students. Engaged. Polite. Ready to learn. And fun to be around. I am psyched for Monday; well, as psyched as one could be to go to work when the beach is taunting me to come relax with an US magazine. The week concluded with the school bus transporting teachers; beers in hand, to a pool party at our director's house. Mariachi band included, of course.
Bikini Magic: We haven't surfed for the past five days. We started work this week and the surf report looked bleak. This morning, we ventured north to Punta de Mita. No frikin' waves; u-turn back to La Lancha. After receiving permission from the security guard to access the surfers only beach, we were on our way down the jungle trail towards the beach; minus the quick detour to deal with a little 'tourista' moment (checked that experience off my list). I was the only senorita in the water today and immediately had several locals acting as if I had hired them to be my personal surf guide. Next thing I know, I have a guy pushing me into the waves...which as annoying as it was, the waves had little strength behind them and it was helpful at times. It was my first time ever being pushed to catch a wave. Where was Sam?...just laughing at the situation. And, chatting it up with the guy; he wasn't hitting on me by any means, just another overly friendly Mexican. Once the guy saw that I could catch a wave, he stopped. I did, however, still have an entourage encouraging me as each set rolled through... 'Jennifer, es tuyo',' Jennifer Dale'; telling me the wave was mine. I have always joked with Sam that I want a snowboard entourage, who follows me down the hill hooting and hollering my every move. Today was my day! Our time in the water has been great so far, good vibes and lots of Spanish. I've decided to get Sam a bikini for Christmas; it does wonders for getting some help here in Mexico. Although, I don't feel too bad for him. Most of our days in Sayulita, he has been engulfed by hot chicas while out in the line-up. Surf report looks good for tomorrow; wondering if Sam will buck up and assume the role of 'wave pusher'!
El Trabajo: Work has begun. Two days with students. Day One: the kids were gnary! Don't judge me for expressing that; honesty is a virtue. I couldn't even introduce myself to a group of second graders. Latin students are notorious for being chatty. We were even prepared for this in our new staff training. I experienced it in Ecuador and Venezuela. "Um hello, good morning my name is Ms. Jen". The students kinda looked at me like, 'who are you to interrupt my conversation; don't you know I haven't seen my friends all summer'. Day one sucked. Day Two: Amazing! Same group of students. Engaged. Polite. Ready to learn. And fun to be around. I am psyched for Monday; well, as psyched as one could be to go to work when the beach is taunting me to come relax with an US magazine. The week concluded with the school bus transporting teachers; beers in hand, to a pool party at our director's house. Mariachi band included, of course.
Playa La Lancha
Playa La Lancha
I borrowed both of these photos from a woman's blog called 'A Journey: Surf Please..'. It has great photos and descriptions of her own adventures in many of the beaches I've blogged about.
