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The Güera in Seat 14F

12/28/2012

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Güera
/Weda/

NOUN
A white girl. An American girl.
(Applied to anyone with a white complexion; light colored hair, eyes., including Latinos)

SPANISH SLANG TERM:
Term more often used in a Spanish sentence, by Spanish speakers, pointing out a particular white person.
A term of endearment or nickname used between friends. 

The announcements of flight 476 from LAX to Guadalajara repeated themselves in Spanish; letting passengers know it was going to be a full flight.  That is unless you didn't speak Spanish; consider avoiding AeroMexico if you aren't comfortable with this.  I looked around and saw several women applying eyeliner to their already permanently make-up'd eyebrows, old men with 2 or 3 cowboy hats stacked on top of each other; the hat at the very top lucky enough to get the protective plastic covering, and the occasional blonde dye job that fooled me into thinking that I was not alone on this flight. However, it was confirmed once we boarded the plane...I was the güera seated in 14F.  I felt a little out of place for the first few moments, but quickly felt refreshed to be the only non-Latino on the plane; a world far away from touristy Vallarta.  This was my ideal situation; Spanish practice was all around me.  However, it was 1:00 a.m. and my eyes shut before we hit 10,000 feet and didn't re-open again till two hours later as we landed.  I did get a one-liner in to the man next to me as we de-boarded: 'te molesto para pasarme mi bolso'.  Jumping at the opportunity to use the newly acquired phrase 'te molesto' after hearing it used in the lunch line at work several weeks ago.  Two layovers and 14 hours later, I was back in Puerto Vallarta; after an expeditious trip home to see my mom and grandparents in Florida and Sammy's family in Phoenix; 6 days, two states, and 7, 136 sky miles earned.  I am home. 

I am smitten for Mexico! I am the happiest I've been.  It is as if nothing else matters; just this present moment. Recently I read that Puerto Vallarta has 'lay lines'.  Lay lines are invisible lines of energy that connect the earth’s sacred places with each other.  It is said that Puerto Vallarta is a deeply healing city.  It lies off the world grid. Because it is off the world grid, one does not feel the scattered disruptive energies of the rest of the world.  I see the magic all around; in myself, in the locals, and the friends who have come to visit.  I love Mexico!, but enough of that new-agey shit....

Let's pause for some chubby, mustachioed, grown men in identical costumes to sing you the national folk music; which originates from the state of Jalisco where we live. 
As peaceful as it is, Puerto Vallarta is a strange beast.  I can eat at Carls Jr., Subway, or Outback Steakhouse (if I were desperate enough and had already eaten both of my arms and legs off out of starvation), as well as, see cowboys riding horses home along the cobblestone streets in my neighborhood.  It is the clashing of these two worlds that I adore.  However, this is our last month here in Puerto Vallarta; we are moving north to La Cruz de Huanacaxtle.  This will be our third abode since we moved here five months ago; typical if you knew how many pages belong to me in my mother's address book.  Be it what it is, we are dying to get closer to our favorite surf spot and out of the ruckus of the city.  La Cruz is a quaint fishing village of 1700 or so people, three speed bumps, no gas stations or grocery stores, and one traffic light.  Did I mention that it is 10 minutes from two of our favorite surfing spots?!
Picture
La Cruz de Huanacaxtle

It is not just the lay lines, mariachi music, and incredible fish tacos that are making us so intoxicated with joy.  We have had the good fortune of having several visitors; and have Keri and James on their way down tomorrow.  Having people come visit has made the transition here so easy and it has been so amazing to show people our new life.
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Tiana & Ryan, please come back soon!
Highlights of T & R's Trip:
Relaxing, tequila tasting, San Pancho, pretending to have kidnapped them, cancelled flight = one extra day, boat trip to Quimixto and walk to the waterfall, being told that we look like a pack of tourist from a Mexican man trying to sell us an adventure tour (which warranted a 'Jen Farrell e-mail of Concern'), Dia de Santa Cecilia festivals with live mariachi bands at the cathedral, sunset dinners on the rooftop.
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Lindsay, Brooke, and Aubrey...our very first visitors!
Highlights of Lindsay & Brooke's Trip:
The amazing apartment they rented, boat trip to Yelapa, Brooke bargaining with the vendors, snorkeling, walking along the malecon, the left over booze they left with us, paying to have an iguana sit on your lap, lots of dinners out and lots of beach time.

“Sólo alguien con madurez puede ser libre, pero sólo alguien libre puede madurar. No es posible que sea de otra forma.”
― Juan Miguel Zunzunegui,

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