Recently one of our guests returned to EL Jardin with a huge suitcase filled with supplies and medications for the animals of Yelapa. Monica writes this:
I recently returned from a trip to Yelapa to try and help out the dogs and cats I met on my first
visit in October. When I was last at El Jardin, I was fortunate enough to build a great friendship
with Chrissi and Bruce. They have been unwavering in their support of my goals in Yelapa and
have helped out in every way possible. So, with a suitcase full of supplies and a big plans, I
landed on the beach with the well-being of the local animals in mind and a plan to do something
to improve their lives.
While my original goal of a spay and neuter clinic did not come to fruition, I did meet a couple
of amazing ladies that I am sure will help me make that a reality in the near future. Dana is an
incredible woman that is already doing much to help the pets in Yelapa. She and I headed up
the Rio to hand out flea and tick prevention and shave some dogs. It was such an education for
me in what I can do to help out the most. These dogs need tick prevention in a big way! Erlichia
is a tick borne disease that can have devastating effects including kidney failure and neurologic
symptoms. It can be treated, but is becoming resistant to the usual antibiotics. Prevention is
best!
I also met Kendra who is an integral part of the community. I am sure with her knowledge of
how things work in Yelapa, she can give me great information in how to accomplish all of my
lofty goals. I am very excited to return with another suitcase full of medication and get to work!
For more pictures, go to: https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/103546386389076625581/albums/6014972282453776113?cfem=1&sort=1&authkey=CN2GrLC8m6aGGg
I woke up at 5:30 Thursday morning feeling peaceful and rested. Went down to the kitchen and made salsa Mexicana while I was waiting for the coffee to brew. It’s so quiet at this hour. The ocean is calm this morning. Gentle waves often mean a beautiful, clear day. Coffee mug in hand, I waited for the sun as I continued reading No Boundary
It was a busy day of cleaning palapas, getting ready for new guests arriving. I made two jaunts into the pueblo for supplies, which gave me the opportunity to enjoy the amazing views along the pathway. I was aware that there is the large view – the ocean, the jungle, the sky; but there are also many small views – plants growing from seemingly impossible places out of the rocks, a tiny two-inch humming bird feeding from a flower, crabs scurrying across the rocks – tiny dramas being played out everywhere.
Colorful sights today included not only many varieties of flowers, but dozens of clotheslines burdened with laundry, drying in the sun.
Animal sightings: besides the tiny humming bird, Chrissi spotted a pod of dolphins in the cove this morning, and the pelicans were in excellent form, displaying themselves on the bows of fishing boats and congregating on rock formations like old men on park benches, passing the time. Often we see pelicans in “squadrons,” flying in formation so close to the water that the tips of their wings actually skim the waves from time to time. The typical feeding pattern of these brown pelicans is to dive into the water from great heights to scoop up unsuspecting fish. It’s quite a spectacular sight. But with so many fishing boats nearby, our pelicans get lazy, just waiting for a free lunch from the fishermen.
More beautiful weather promised for tomorrow – sunny and in the 80s. What a way to spend January!
Steve
At 2:00 am the torrential rain stopped suddenly, which startled me awake. The music of Yelapa changed from rain on the roof to waves breaking on the beach. It wasn’t hard to go back to sleep.
Getting up early is a tradition for Chrissi and me in Yelapa. Sitting with our coffee and watching the sun come up is one of the quiet pleasures of this place. It’s lovely this morning, seeing the sun return after days of rain.
Whenever I come to Yelapa in the winter the first thing that strikes me is color. Being accustomed to bare trees and gray skies back home it is astonishing to be overwhelmed with lush green everywhere, as if I were inside a terrarium. What would be house plants where we come from, grow wild and huge here. The hue of the ocean changes hourly, from pink at dawn to pale blue to azure to indigo, and back again as evening comes. Chrissi is working busily, preparing for our guests. Warm rains returned in the afternoon. Our guests (a very sweet family) arrived before the rain and seem to be delighted with the place. They have rented all of El Jardin Retreat Center for a family reunion.
As I listen to the rain on the roof (yes, it came back for a while) and look across the cove at the mist-covered hills, the idea of a nap sounds inviting. Mom used to say, “If you have a lot to do it’s a good idea to get your nap out of the way first.” I’m heeding her wisdom this afternoon as I do most afternoons in Yelapa. Our hanging bed faces the cove and the main beach, about a mile away. Moored white boats dot the shoreline. A man is trying his luck fishing off the rocks. All this I can see from my bed as I drift off.
Animal sightings recently include a small boa who must have wiggled his way down from the jungle – which is our back yard, really. Last night I heard the slap of mantas leaping out of the water, for the fun of it, I like to think. It is whale season, but I haven’t seen any of these great creatures yet. Our partner Ann, who left Yelapa last week, had a close encounter with a whale on her return panga trip to Puerto Vallarta. So far we’ve had to content ourselves with the many birds, such as frigates, gulls, parrots and the ever-present pelicans, along with our two domestic cats, Blossom and Lola.
We may get thunder storms this evening! Always a great show.
Steve & Chrissi
