Change approaching

There is a lighting storm north of San Miguel. Even though the warm high plateau winds blow the thunder north I can still revel in the blasts across the sky that light up the heavens. Below my reclined perch is the twinkling lights of this magical city. Golden yellows and solar lit blues punctuated by the occasional bright white lights of life below remind me of the pin poked tin lanterns sold at the corner tienda of Calle Canal. The  moon is the glowing keeper of all, quietly shrouded behind clouds watching as the jet black silhouette of the palm trees sweep the sky. I soak it all in....I try to soak it all in. Sounds of bamboo wind chimes, clanging steel glass windows and crickets fill the night air. Church bells chime and fall silent. One dog barks, then another until there is a cacophony of canines for a few minutes until they too get tired and take a short break.

Our two years abroad are coming to an end in July and I feel melancholic yet simultaneously excited to go home to California. We have created another life down here full of colorful friends, crazy experiences and better understanding of our southern neighbors. I really won't ever leave this place of beauty and sweetness draped over pain and suffering. Mexico's pulse and blood, thoughts and values have gripped my heart and one can't help but to fall in love.

Estoy echando la flojera

Well, I have gotten a few needles from friends and family....We stink at blogging frequently. The pressure is mounting and I say manaña. (It is now officially an "I" statement as I have had ZERO input from the boys. I have the needle too, but it's wicked blunt.)
So I say, as Mexicans do, "Estoy echando la flojera" which literally translates to "I am throwing out the laziness" and this is a valid and accepted statement with little or no judgement attached, but it usually elicits a chuckle and knowing smile. If you are invited to a friends party and you want to go, but your legs are too heavy to carry you out the front door, or your head is rested too comfortably on your pillow while watching a telenovela (soap opera), you just say "aahhh, lo siento amigos, estamos echando la flojera, a lo mejor, nos vemos manaña". (So sorry, We're not coming but see you tomorrow). This is what makes this country awesome and lame. For now, I am loving it and you can make whatever judgements you like. I am just throwing out the laziness.

None the less, I am eager to post a few pics of recent. Tony and Julie Hensley visited us (first time from the Hensley side!) and we believe they were charmed and hooked on San Miguel. YEAH! Julie has a stellar camera, Todd left ours somewhere like on top of the car and I rely on my Iphone. So thanks to her, I have some sweet shots of Dias De Los Muertos Nov 1-2 2011 and the less than stellar Halloween experience.

Nov 1 Dias de los muertos. El Jardin.

Can you see our boys watching from the fence?

Children Play, Dancers Pose.

Los muertos caminando/ The walking dead.

The boys on OCT 31. Our ofrenda at home.

No Reeses, but we got Tamarind Chile on a plastic spoon!

Higos Frescos

Kerry and I were walking down Ancha de San Antonio, the busiest, dirtiest street in San Miguel. It's the main artery in and out of the city. We were on our way to the Papeleria with our "lista utiles" which is the supply list for the kids first day of school. Originally I expected to do this task with Marky and Will by my side to teach them how to prepare, organize and get ready for their first day of school again here in Mexico. But when Kerry stopped by to say hello with Mac, her 9 year old son who had been stuck hanging out with his mom for two weeks before we all arrived, I caved. How much easier would it be to leave all three boys at home and walk down a few blocks with my delightful friend. Overall a much more pleasant experience for both parties, so out the window went the "lesson on preparation" O'well.

We stepped out my enormous wooden front door and off we went. As we were catching up on what had happened to each of us over the summer such as loving our time with loved ones, too much eating (there was a lot of food types we adore back home such as sushi, sourdough bread, lobster etc), driving a ton and dealing with road rage (we have become a bit too laid back in Mexico and obviously pissing off US drivers left and right) when we were suddenly interrupted by this ancient Mexican man with a tattered bag filled with something he was peddling. His mumbled opening sales pitch was lost on me. Kerry immediately replied, "No hoy senor, gracias" while I peered into his crumpled brown bag and saw a bunch of sumptuous figs- dark, juicy with a delicious aroma. "Ooh, wait a minute, these look pretty perfect." He said, "Cincuenta (50) pesos senora, un buen precio". It was too much, not the pesos but the figs as I knew I was the only one in the family who would eat them. I replied,"Media bolsa senor, 25 pesos" (half the bag). I had my own bag ready and open while he piled in 1/2 and then continued while I protested but he would have none of it....I sighed, then laughed as we agreed on 40 pesos for all. Both finished the transaction pleased and hands down, they are the best higos frescos I have ever had in my life. It's these snippets, these quick unexpected moments in time that stick with me and what this journey is all about. And of course, I am happily consuming all of these luscious "higos"- by myself.

PUPPY UDATE!! Los cachurros son preciousos!

Many hours in the box snuggling the pups.

Common sight at our house

This has got to be one of the most darling pics on the planet....Indie is the best mommy in all of dogdom

Pablo reminding us that when he was Will's age, he was going to have a puppy farm when he grew up.