Hasta La Vista - Camp Nancy is over!

Camp Nancy is winding down.  

Saturday I move out of the little apartment and catch the 7AM bus up to Santa Rosalia.  

No arrival schedules, as it's Mexico. There might be cows, flooded roads, rest stops and slow trucks on long road north.  I should be there by sunset.  Just bought a tamale and downloaded Steinbeck's Sea of Cortez audio book (11 hours) for the ride.  When I get there, Rob (and Shindig) will be waiting for me!

I know it's time to go when the marina guard, in Spanish of course, tells me he saw me riding a bike across town.  Or the woman at the lavanderia where I had weekly laundry done (just one load for $5) says she saw me at an event last Wednesday.  While La Paz has over 200,000 people here, the Centro area is small enough to run into your friends and their friends. 

Every day in La Paz was another La Paz moment.  While I kept in touch with the cruising friends still at the docks, I was more of a townie.  A couple times I borrowed one of the cruisers' bikes for several days, and hurtled myself through the traffic to get across town, run little errands, and stop by for some good chile rellenos.  Traffic here is not used to bicycles, I would not recommend doing this, but it was exciting and efficient.  The rest of the time and distance was covered by foot.  My UP band which measures daily steps got a great workout.

Here are a few photos and random La Paz Moments:

My new hairdresser Moisey, and friend Lupita

Festive night out with friends Deb and John from Scot Free, Eh
Our first time at Nim, and definitely not the last!

Revisting Mama Benito's Shelter for Children and Women
Nice to see the significant improvements since last fall

Two Cellists (Jaime and me) playing Boccherini - the music was flying!

"Safety Meeting" (Dock Party) to welcome John, SV TimePiece back to La Paz

Great to see him in town, after his horrific accident earlier this year.  Check out our friends blog, on the blog links, BigLeftTurn, for more updates, and how you can help.

7AM marathon begins on the Malecon
I met a nice woman, Cindy, also an avid morning walker at this event.  We walked for an hour together in support of the runners.  

Monica from Compadre, our neighboring powerboat, cuddles her young grandson, Dylan
Es un nino guapo!  (very handsome)

I was invited to spend the day with Monica, Greg and her daughter to celebrate Monica's birthday last weekend.

It was a memorable celebration including swimming with whale sharks, dolphins, wading, lunch out at  Rancho Viejo, and....bowling.   What fun!  

One of over 50 restaurants serving up their best morsels at an annual Gastronomica Event on the beach

A beautiful setting for the night's event. Most of our friends arrived early and indulged ourselves for several hours.
We heard another group of locals arrived aroun 10PM and staying until 1AM, a rather late dinner time

Jill the Director from Se Habla...La Paz at the Gastronomica Event

Please, Please, just take a cookie!

Here Today...Gone Tomorrow

Walked to J & R Ribs one night after sunset.  In Spanish, I eagerly asked which days they were closed.  And they replied, they are open every day!! So a week later, I walked by, and the restaurant was gone.  The whole corner was torn apart, no more signage, even the picnic tables are ripped from the sidewalk.  

The Kindness of Friends

I can barely communicate with Jaime, the cellist in our trio.  Before our concert, there was a logistical challenge bringing the keyboard and stand to the Cultural Centro.  I was ready to hail a cab both ways, which is hard, in the afternoon heat.  Jaime met me at the locked Gallery on time, and pulled the case out.  Then he started heading out the door!  He gestured to me, and I ran after him carrying the stand. He pulled the big case with little wheels about a mile through the streets, alleys, and up the stairs to set it up. Then he insisted on buying me an Agua Fresca, which is flavored juice, water and ice.  Two hours later we were in our concert attire, playing in the trio. 

Walking the Malecon

I'm out early most mornings, walking on the beautiful Malecon by the sea.  I usually say Buenos Dias to each walker, and love to see a stoic man's face light up, and reply, Buenos Dias, or a shy woman respond to me.  Nice to see so many walkers, runners, cyclists enjoying their beloved Malecon.  At night, the activity continues, amidst the glow of the street lights and a half lit complex of hotels a mile across the water way.  

Music in La Paz

Finding a budding music community in La Paz is what started my love for the town.

Last night I attended a chamber music string quartet by young Spaniards. They are in town for 2 years to help elevate La Paz's musical community.  The event was 6 blocks up from my place.  I walked in the dusk at 8pm as families and traffic filled the street.  In an intimate backyard of the Alianza Francesa (French school), the quartet performed Mozart, Haydn and Beethoven on a platform under a large magnolia tree. It was a wonderful cross cultural mix, with this Spanish group, hosted by the French School, playing for Mexicans.  After the encore, we all enjoyed a bountiful setting with generous bottles of French wine, platters of bread and cheese.  Estabo Delicioso!