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THE MUSE PAUSES.....ONCE AGAIN IN PUERTO VALLARTA
Dear Friends and Family, Old and New, Near and Far:
Believe it or not, the Wandering Muse has stopped wandering for at least half a year or more. I arrived in Puerto Vallarta in mid-November, shortly after the dedication of the Keeping Tabs sculpture in Pittsburgh. Both the press and my artist friend, Ruth Hendricks, covered the event beautifully, and Ruth posted some stunning photos on her blog. It has been an immense satisfaction to have this long-delayed project finished and serving as an elegant memorial to the Jewish victims of the Holocaust. It was an honor to be one of the speakers at the dedication, and if you'd like to read it, my talk is available here.
Then, after a brief visit with extended family in Indianapolis, I left for Mexico just as the cold winds blew and the world was white from winter's first snow.
Despite extensive internet research, I landed without having an apartment, and was warmly welcomed by my friends Erica and Luis. After looking at 5 other places, I discovered that fortunately there was still a vacant space in the building adjacent to them, and above where I had lived last year. Unfortunately, turning it into something livable took more time than we expected since it was partially full of stored files and termite-ridden furniture, needed painting, and was previously rented unfurnished.
I made a deal with the management that if I bought the furniture, the costs would be deducted from the rent, since their other apartments are already furnished. Coincidentally, it was Buen Fin weekend in Puerto Vallarta, the equivalent of Black Friday in the States, and many items were on sale, so days of frenzied shopping ensued.
As my close friends know, it can take me 3 days to buy a bathing suit and even longer to choose a pair of shoes. Yet, there I was, after selling and de-accessing almost everything from my house in Pittsburgh, my parents' house in Indianapolis, and then my cousin's house, I was plunged into BUYING everything again, and worse yet, making these decisions more rapidly than I ever had. Erica and her son and various friends accompanied me to more stores than I care to remember, and within 72 hours, I had purchased a stove, refrigerator, washer, dryer, microwave (all used and refurbished), king size bed, sheets, dishes, pots and pans, glassware, flowerpots, etc, etc. By now, the apartment is well-equipped, and I even have plants growing on the terrace.
After living out of suitcases for several years, I had certainly forgotten how much time and energy it takes to re-establish oneself in one place. And the question is, will this now be HOME??? After all, I have realized my vision of living near the sea, and I can hear the waves crashing as I write. I am nestled in the protective curve of mountains that creates Banderas Bay, and most days are sun-kissed and warm. I am truly blessed to be here, and for the time being, I do not have to think about what's next.
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SHARING THE BEAUTY....
We don't always have sunsets like this in Vallarta, and when we do, it's a gift of transient color that we try to capture so they don't fade from memory. No Photoshop needed when the sky is this spectacular. And this is the view from my small terrace, so you can see why I'm so happy to be here. Wherever you are, I hope Nature rewards you with moments of beauty.
Once again, remember to take care of your special selves, follow your dreams, and express your love fully to those around you.
Abrazos y besos,
Elena
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MUSE BRIEFS
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This photo was taken by my friend Robbin, after we watched the processions for the Virgen de Guadalupe which occur from December 1-12 all over Mexico to celebrate her "birthday." Pilgrims from outlying areas flood into Vallarta, or wherever there is a cathedral named after the Virgin. For 12 nights, the streets are full of groups of parishioners, school children, employees, mariachis, drummers, and Aztec dancers, all singing, trumpeting, or marching. Every group processes for many blocks up the street and into the cathedral, with no diminution of the musical cacophany. Meanwhile, the plaza and the sidewalks are overflowing with food booths selling pozole, tamales, flan, fruit waters, adjacent to tables laden with beaded necklaces, handwoven stoles, painted ceramics, and wood carvings. It's both lively and solemn, a mixture of commercialism and spirituality, fascinating on all levels.  Here's one of the floats decorated to honor the Virgin, Our Lady of Flowers, who for some, symbolizes Coatlaxopeuh, the Aztec Goddess. |
NOTE: I've added you to my mailing list because I met you somewhere along the way and wanted to stay in touch...dancing tango in San Miguel, perhaps? Wandering in Oaxaca, or maybe long ago in France or Bali. You may even be a distant cousin I haven't seen for years. You may have forgotten me, but I have not forgotten you. If the tales of my travels don't spark your interest, just hit unsubscribe. OR, if this has been forwarded to you, please click below to subscribe . Merci mille fois! Y muchas gracias!
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MOVIES, MOVIES Every Tuesday night the Democrats Abroad group here presents inspiring or challenging films for movie buffs at the Paradise Com- munity Center. It's a great opportunity to see films I have missed while traveling. I was highly moved by Even the Rain based on the true story of a huge corporation which bought all the water rights in Bolivia and then charged the peasants for the water they needed to survive.
It was nominated as the best Foreign Film last year from Spain. Now I'm looking forward to Oscar week so I can catch up on this year's films.
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