GOOD MORNING, IGUANA!

                                                                                        FEBRUARY 16, 2015

                                                                                  GOOD MORNING, IGUANA!

Though fascinating, these pests can unnerve the squeamish.    My friend, Carmen, is deathly afraid of reptiles of any kind.  I get it.  We all have phobias.  Mine is fear of paralysis.  But, today, thankfully, I am a reptile-lover, and was, along with a handful of other guests, anxious to snap a few photos of a rooftop visitor this morning.  He seemed to be posing, frozen in the hot sun, as we came within inches of this ancient-looking animal.  I named him “Fiddler.” (on the roof))

Today I was witness to a baby turtle release  right in front of the Krystal resort.  These precious  endangered angels, particularly the Olive Ridley breed, hatch all over the Banderas Bay and other parts Mexico, but particularly here in Puerto Vallarta,   They can be found in Costa Rica and several other Latin American countries,  but Vallarta pays particular attention to their plight, having several "Save the Turtles" alliances who strive to locate, hatch, and release thousands of this species' offspring annually. 

Unfortunately, approximately one in on hundred actually survives to adulthood. See what I witnessed, an actual "egg-laying" moment, in the middle of the day (which is highly unusual), in Banderas Bay!               https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uBC6iEj8JHc

 Marine turtles (tortoise are land-only animals), have flippers with one or two nails on them.  Amazingly, they are born with ONE tooth, with which they break through their egg shell to enter the world.  In a short time, this single tooth evaporates.  No need.  These toothless beauties snag shrimp, crabs, jellyfish, seagrass, and a myriad of other creatures from the sea to satiate their large appetites.  They do not reach maturity until between the ages of eight and twelve, and they begin to Pro-create around the age of fifteen,  Many females have multiple breeding males, and guess what?  Once a male is hatched and crawls back into the sea, it never again touches land.  The females, however, after years in the ocean, must crawl onshore, lagging their nearly one hundred pound bodies, drag themselves in circles onto the beach, dig a hole up to 1 1/2 feet deep, lay their 50 to 135 eggs (no fun), then busy the little “wannabe’s,” and crawl back to the sea.

This has definitely been an "animal awareness" week!

An internet trip to Starbuck’s at Peninsula Plaza, and an Espresso Americano Grande, provided a canine treat as well.  I met, and made friends with, a darling Mexican Hairless.  The dog’s owners, a young couple, who had two other dogs as well, said that this breed was actually bred, like pigs, to be food!  Their personalities are quite pig-like, in that they are solely concerned with satisfying their own appetites, and couldn’t care less about their owners or other dogs.  They do not follow a pack, and, though loyal, do not crave attention.  Like pigs, and many cats, they are independent and unpredictable.  Her smooth skin reminded me of that chemical play-dough we used to make in science class.  Goop.  Cold, but not sticky.  Oh, and they are hypo-allergenic!  I want one!  But after having had many dogs and other pets, and being the gypsy that I am, I think I’ll stick to loving the pet families of others.

Though I have a wonderful family of two living parents, two siblings, four children, two granddaughters, and a slew of cousins and aunts and uncles, I am, essentially, alone.  We all have our own lives, habits, patterns, and styles.   I don’t want to be dependent on my family, but I do have the luxury of knowing they are always there.  A nasty five or more-year divorce, has left me in a distressing financial state.  Long story short, that’s why I’m here - in Puerto Vallarta, my second home, trying to live well on a budget, and set money aside for my latter years.  I’m so amazed and grateful for technology.  Had I moved here years ago, I would never have been able to see the beautiful faces of the people I love.  Today, it was my son, Chris.  Yay FaceTime!

Well, I found my new apartment.  By the grace of God, I will be moving on Friday into a little one-bedroom place on my absolutely favorite street, Paraguay.  Just a half block around the corner is the beach.  One block up is a bustling street and a large tienda (store), La Ley, which is much like a Super Walmart.  There are restaurants and shops nearby, and within two blocks, I am on the Malecon (boardwalk), where activites, aromas, and  atmosphere abound.

This past week at the Krystal resort has been plagued with bug bites (though apparently not from my bed), isolation (my RCI exchange unit doesn’t have an ocean view and feels a bit like being in a single wide mobile home), and loneliness.  It is far enough from El Centro to be inconvenient, and I am surrounded by hand-holding couples and vacationing families.  I’ll be glad when I am in my own little casita, hopefully bug-free! 

The hotel exterminated my room and comped me a bottle of red wine for my “bug troubles.”  And they also made up my bed very beautifully each day!

I met a guy who is here on an all-inclusive plan.  I happily imbibed on food and drink - on his dime - but realized that he was lonelier than I.  He is here visiting his parents, who live here 8 months out of the year, and proceeded to unload on me about their familial unrest.  Ugh!  He has a LOT of money, at about 40 years old, but is very alone.  A bit cocky, but likable, this guy made me count my blessings.

My new friend, Trenie, will come over tomorrow to bask by the pool and have a complimentary dinner with me.  The other day she had bought a bottle of Kahlua and some milk, but after she left, I noticed that the “milk” was actually “La Leche Infantil” (baby formula)!!  No wonder she got nauseous after drinking it!  We bought four plastic chairs the other day at La Ley, but were so pooped out, decided to sit in them for about fifteen minutes in the middle of the aisle!  Then later, we sat on them in front of a gas station before we proceeded up her steep hill!   Trenie makes me laugh,  She has no faith in anything, which intrigues me, but her spirit is positive and alive.

My faith is what has sustained me through years of legal torture.  I love going to Mass, even though I loathe some of the “system” and its “operators.”  I was brought to tears at Mass on Saturday at Our Lady of Guadalupe, as I witnessed the marriage of a rather hefty couple, watching them, entwined by a giant rosary, pledging their lives to one another.  I cried.  I was the only one crying, and likely the only one who did not know the couple!  It was beautiful and sad at the same time.  After two marriages, I am somewhat skeptical.  Nonetheless, my faith remains my anchor.

My favorite Stained Glass at Guadalupe

A Valentin'es Day Wedding!

One of many captivating sunsets!