WHO DOESN'T LIKE A PARADE!

While working on boat projects we sometimes like distractions to take us away for a while.  Last week was one of those times.

The parade began after cinnamon buns at Pat and Don's home. 

We were listening to the morning net at 8:30 last Wednesday when there was an invitation put out there for cruisers to visit Pat and Don at Casa Fresco in Jarretaderas for morning coffee and before taking in an annual local parade celebrating the Mexican equivalent of Independence Day in the US.  Jim and I thought it sounds like a fun excursion so we called for more details and were us up and off Falcon VII before 8:00 the next morning.  After a 30 minute bus ride on the highway we hopped off and started walking down a dusty off ramp towards the agricultural community of Jarretaderas.  It appeared to be a working class village with few items to draw tourists, yet only about 15 minutes from the wealthy tourist community of Nuevo Vallarta.

We found Pat and Don’s home easily, enjoying the cobblestone streets, checking out different shops and becoming familiar with our surroundings.  Their plaster home was duplexed with a permanent tenant upstairs.  They lived on the main floor where a lovely garden with lots of lofty palms and shrubs created much needed shade.  Their one bedroom and den home had a beautiful outdoor space off the kitchen with a large round table and chairs awaiting us.  Another couple from the Nuevo Vallarta Marina joined us and all six very much liked the fresh cinnamon buns made by a Mexican friend of Pat and Don’s that lived locally.  He was a trained baker who could only afford to bake in his small kitchen.  He sold his fresh baked goods elsewhere but he no longer had a working vehicle to make deliveries.  Through Pat and Don he connected with another Mexican fellow who had a motorcycle and needed to make some extra money to take care of his sick infant.  The two of them formed win/win partnership that was working out well.  Pat and Don are amazing people and really seem drawn to helping those less fortunate in their part time town.  We understand the baker has now expanded deliveries to include various gluten free products, selling them at a public market frequented by touristas.  We wish them luck in their new endeavour.

After enjoying our morning treats we all wandered towards the red and white painted town square where clusters of locals were gathering for the parade.

A sister...

And her brother prepare for the parade

This is a juice jug,made out of a gord and pop bottle.  Notice the 'small'
machete cutting up passion fruit.

This little guy was too small for his 'ammo'. When I arrived the two belts had
just slithered down to his ankles.

The kindergarten hombres led the way

Proud moms waited patiently while the kids, kindergarten to 12 years old, started getting ready for the big parade.  As this was a holiday celebrating the Mexican revolution the theme carried on in the parade costumes.  We loved the 14 minute long parade that featured the cutest little kids with fake mustaches to the beautiful horses ridden by kids wearing colourful traditional Mexican costumes and looking so proud.

Notice the tethers to keep the kids together.

Maybe next year she'll join her big brothers and sisters in the parade.

We ended our morning with a Mexican breakfast at a tarp covered rustic outdoor restaurant close to Casa Fresco.  The farm fresh eggs were delicious in my cheese omelet and Jim loved his ouevos ranchero and refried beans.  The cook used a press to produce fresh tortillas which were browned on the grill then served seaming hot.  Our tasty meals were only $4.00 each!

Towards noon Don dropped us off at an underpass where we grabbed a local bus back to La Cruz.  It was a great morning and a good distraction from our job list.

We are leaving La Cruz on Monday morning, heading towards Mazatlan and on to La Paz.  We'll miss so much about the marina and our summer friends but new adventures await us!

More later…

Tricia and Jim Bowen
Falcon VII
email: tandjbowen13@gmail.com