Lady friends in La Manzanilla- the first few days!

Sam ( Sandra ) and I met at an orphanage in Mexico in 2009 when Remy, the boys and I were on our Big Trip. She was working her way to South America from Calgary with her then boyfriend. They were on a 2 year journey in a camper van similar to ours! We were fast friends and have been in touch ever since that great day. Sam is still travelling- this is her 4th year and just happens to be in Mexico. I changed my travel plans with Remy and the boys so I could include a week in La Manzanilla to visit her. The gringo community here is very tight and consists mostly of retired women ( a few wandering men as well) who all have a different story and have different reasons for living here. Sam has spent about 6 months here and in that time has met some amazing women who welcomed me into their community in an instant! This photo is Sam and I having Pedro's delicious fish tacos under the shade of the trees.  13 pesos each ( about $ 1.20) for some of the best and cheapest I have had on this trip.Pedro spent some time in California and brought the "food truck" idea to this small town which is what his tacos get served from.

Fiesta Mexicana was our next stop to meet the ladies, see the ocean and enjoy 2 for one margaritas for "Happy Hour"

Linda, Sam, Jan and Sue. Linda lives here full time, the others are here 6 months or less.

It's Semana Santa so the Mexicans are at the beach for the biggest, noisiest holiday of the year. Some travel with trombones, trumpets and drums! Scenes like these are very common. The plaza in every beach town in the country is set up like a midway with rides, carnival games and loads of food stalls of every description. La Manzanilla is no exception.

Another common sight is the painting of ceramic doodlybobs. That isn't the official name but I'm not sure what else to call them! People of all ages pick their  white piece and spend hours painting it in the street. I remember participating in this with Bowen when we were here last.

My first morning me and the gals boarded the 8:30am bus to Barra de Navidad. It's a beautiful town about 45 minutes down the coast. The market was on which was a good enough reason for us to go!

Jan, from Turner Valley, had friends living in one of the beautiful houses along the canal in Barra so we went for a quick visit. We mostly oohed and awed at their beautiful house.

 Linda sees the beauty and fun in everything. She borrowed this sign from a shop owner for some fun photos.

I loved this shot of the family selling their beaded works in the street.

 Here is Sam at the front gate to the house I am lucky enough to stay in while I am here. It site high up on the hill which provides a great view right from my bed! David, the owner lives half his life here in this house he built 7 years ago and the other half in Whiterock, BC. He lives on the top floor and Sam and I live on the middle floor.

Our kitchen is open to the view and the vitamin whips up a mean marguerita!

David and the view from the kitchen.

The kitchen is a great place to hang out!

Linda lives in a tree house! She jumped at the suggestion to have a dinner party at her house. All the gals brought something to eat and drink and her neighbour, Al, joined us as well.

As you can see the tree goes all the way through the middle of her place. Hurricane season is a little hectic but the rest of the year it's a pretty cool place to be.

Sam made pesto from a pillow sized bag of basil that was gifted to her. Liz made avocado and mango salad and Sue made a beet salad. What a fun night with new friends. I don't know what I ever did in my life to deserve such great people and opportunities for adventure but I'm very happy to be here.

~Liz