Guadalajara adventures.

Just back from a very successful, fun and exhausting trip to Guadalajara. With shopping for artesenal crafts in Tonala, incredibly delicious gourmet dinner with our friend Alex, trip to the centro, stumbling upon a stone carving exhibition, triumph of finding a store I went to once 3 years ago, buying stones at said store, more shopping in Tonala, and finally a very cramped 5 hour ride back home in a friends truck, and a night ride back to Yelapa!

If you are ever visiting Puerto Vallarta and you have time, take the bus to Guadalajara, it is a wonderful city!

Happy World Tourism Day!

So today is World Tourism Day. Who knew?!

I found this out while searching "trending hashtags" (something I never thought I'd do, but marketing a business these days and you know...the internet)

So I came upon #diamundialdeturismo, then #worldtourismday, and instead of just randomly using it, I decided to read up on it.

Partly cause I'm trying to figure this whole hashtag-situation out. But mostly because tourism is what I'm doing right now, it's not just a job...it seems to be a way of life. When I'm working it's tourism, but when it's my own time, it's travel. Because we all know, no one wants to be a tourist! How many times do I hear (myself say also) "I don't want to go anywhere too touristy" which we know usually means big chain businesses, or just really crowded places.

But it's ok to be a tourist! I want you to tourist in my town and stay at Casa de los Sueños! 

When traveling we tour and therefore we become tourists, it's just gotten a bad rap. 

I may be trying to give to much meaning to my job, but I feel it's important. I think global travel is important and should be done as much as possible, and done in a way that positively impacts the destination. I want to promote, provide, and participate in responsible tourism.

So below is a quote about this that really sums it up nicely:

"Tourism is more than just about reaching a destination – tourism has a global reach. Every time we travel, we become part of a global movement that has the power to drive positive change for our planet and all people.

This 27 September, let us celebrate the value of the 'One Billion Tourists' and work together in making tourism a true instrument of opportunity and inclusion. Let us all turn the power of one billion into a genuine force for good." 

UNWTO Secretary-General Taleb Rifai on World Tourism Day 

The Night Of The Iguana 1964 / Making Of The Film Featurette

"Benevolent Tourists Save Town!"

Beware, this blog is a little ranty. Read on at the risk of also feeling the contagious need to rant...

You may wonder at the headline of this blog. It is subject that is touchy for me in various ways. All my life I have lived in beautiful places, which because of that beauty are tourist destinations.
First here in Yelapa, then we moved to Sonoma county California (wine country that used to be apple country and before that some other crop country). Then 10 years in San Francisco California (international tourist destination, as well as many many many other things). And now the last 5 years back in Yelapa.

Basically, each of these places have special draws to visitors, which is great. I truly love sharing my beloved spots, best hikes, favorite restaurants, etc. with all who wish to share. Hopefully visitors love and respect these places as much as I do.
Obviously since I run a business that relies on tourism, I want tourism to continue and grow in Yelapa. However, it needs to be done in a responsible way, responsible to the ecosystem, to the laws of the country, and to the sustainability of the community we are part of.

There have recently been some public discussions on social media about some certain large tourism companies that visit Yelapa (and the surrounding areas). My only personal issue with these companies ever, was that they are a monopoly, and I believe (any kind of) monopolies are very bad. They are bad for communities, economy, agriculture, and just culture in general.
But I am not trying to attack or even disparage any individual company. Rather, I would like to address something I saw written in one of the comments about this issue;

"Quieres que Yelapa desaparezca? Porque al no tener turismo no podría existir Yelapa, depende del turismo"
Translation: "Do you want Yelapa to disappear? Because without tourism Yelapa could not exist, it depends on tourism"

Ok, absolutely Yelapa depends on tourism in it's current state of economy. On that point I totally agree. But to say that it "could not exist" without tourism...it's just crazy, not to mention offensive! Of course it could exist! It has and will for very many years. There are more edible plants, seafood, fresh water, and sustainable economy (not tourism) than you can imagine in Yelapa! There are many things that have gone by the wayside due to having a tourist economy. Many skills that have been lost or forgotten. But they are still there, and I have every hope that we will continue to be a self sustainable community.

It is exactly these sentiments that lower a communities self reliance, self esteem, and ability to survive without the need of outside assistance. This is colonialism at it's worst. Insidious colonialism that disguises itself as helpful, caring and benevolent.
It is not for anyone to come into any community and decide what is best for it. Nor should anyone ever assume that because a town is a "tourist town", that that is all it is.
Please, be aware of the places you visit, see that there is a whole world of things going on that you may not realize. Respect that even though it may look different than your life, it is not wrong or in need of help, and also that is is not perfect nor should it be expected to be.
Be aware that every culture has it's own merits, and that when visiting you are absolutely welcome to share in that culture, as well as to share your own. But please, do not force it, do not assume, and learn from the people of the place you are visiting.
Tourism is a huge and amazing part of our global culture, please use it responsibly.

(Side note, I have never heard one person say that Sonoma county or San Francisco bay area could not exist without tourism...just saying)

This morning I took a drive up into the mountains to the county seat of Cabo Corrientes (the municipality that Yelapa is part of) to the town of el Tuito. I had to deal with some renewals of paperwork and some questions. I had put it off for a long time for fear of issues, big payments, and just general bureaucratic annoyances.
But as luck would have it, there was no wait, the paperwork took 10 minutes, the fee was absolutely reasonable, and all my questions were answered with answers I liked!

The offices for all of the permits, licenses and other clerical needs are just off a lovely little plaza. The town itself is small, but very pretty and temperate all year long. It reminds me of the colonial towns you find more in the interior parts of Mexico. Before running a business I really had never been there. But I am so glad to have spent more time there and hope to do so more often. Especially in this hot time of year!

After making short work of my errands I was able to go to (my now favorite) patio restaurant just off the Plaza for breakfast. Where I had cafe de la olla (cinnamon brewed the old fashion way), machaca (scrambled eggs with shredded beef), and one of my favorite things in this world, hand made tortillas.
A real treat that I hope to share with friends and guests soon!

All that and back home by mid-day...success!

Fun with fundraising and building with bamboo.

Well, I abandoned my post posting here for some time. I guess I got distracted running a business, but what a great distraction!
We have had a great few years here at Casa de los Sueños and look forward to many more.

This coming season 2015/2016 we will be focusing on fundraising and community development. Our biggest project will be working towards the funding and facilitation of a building for the preparatory school (10th through 12th grades).
Currently they share the building with the secondary school and there are issues in accommodating both sets of students.
Having a preparatory school is a huge deal for a small community, it means that those kids will have the opportunity to go to university or a Technical school, and hopefully bring their knowledge and training back to the community.
This preparatory school project is very close to home for our team here a Los Sueños, as we have kids who are recently graduated (congratulations Yosuny!), will be graduating next year, and more that will be going there in the coming years. Apart from a general need for the community, we personally have a great desire to provide a wonderful learning environment for the youth of Yelapa.
We will announce fundraising events as the winter/high season begins. There will be dinners, music and dance shows, art auctions, and much more!

Another very exciting project is BAMBOO! We have been working with bamboo here at Los Sueños for some time, as we have a handful of large groves.
BUT we need a lot more education in cultivating, curing and building. Bamboo has major potential to bring a more sustainable way of life (both environmentally and economically) to Yelapa and other communities in Mexico (and the world!).
In October I will be attending the annual meeting of the American Bamboo Society in Xalapa Veracruz, and I could not be more thrilled!
A whole weekend of education, networking and community that is all about all bamboo all the time! Call me crazy, but I cannot wait it's gonna be a blast!

I'll be writing more often and really hope you all keep reading.
Saludos from the team at Los Sueños, and of course, everyones favorite Technical Mexican!

Bamboo planters built by our guys at Los Suenos

Escaping Paradise

In just 2 weeks I'll be heading north to California for a couple months. I am so happy to see my friends and family and do some fun stuff while I'm there.
I will, however, miss my little village. There are many reasons (as I'm sure in a different mood I can think of many reason to not miss it) that make it a bit sad to go. These reasons aren't all quite what you'd think they would be. For instance I, of course, will miss warmth, swimming in the ocean, and my boyfriend. Those are the obvious ones.
I will miss the slow pace and in some ways the lackadaisical way of doing things here.
For instance, after thinking I finally had all the paper work I needed for registering my business under my name, it was done wrong. Who's fault that was I can't say exactly, but no matter really.
So, yesterday I took a beautiful walk up river to the house of the Delegate for this area. When I arrived no one was at the "desk" (a computer sitting on their patio) so I called out. I then saw a group of women sitting at a table under a tree around the side of the house. It looked like they were crafting. One of the young ladies came over and I explained that I needed some changes on the paperwork. She said no problem with no questions asked. However, would it be possible to come get it tomorrow as they were using the only extension cord, the one for the computer, for a hot glue gun for crafting cloth flowers.
Now, maybe because of my deep appreciation for crafting myself, or just because...what else could I do. I said, of course I'll come back when the only extension cord in your "office" is not otherwise engaged.
We'll see if it's ready when I go in today, hopefully they finished all their flowers. Or maybe I should bring my own extension cord. Either way, I'll be stopping on the way home to pick up some passion fruit, so whatever happens it wont' be a total loss.
I have to go to the DMV when I get to California, I have a feeling there will be no crafting being done.
And the following photo has nothing to do with anything, it's just a cute frog hanging out in my doorway. Another thing to miss.