The Journey Has Begun

The journey has begun! 

To be honest, it really began in Arcata, at my house.   We had a going away party for me and my other housemate Shalini, who’s going to India.  There were 30 people crammed into our little house.  Talking to everyone, we began to realize that this was more of a general “Journeys and Life Changes” party.  Most people there were planning some kind of move, trip, adventure, or bold new direction for 2013. So here’s to  you, those who are making the bold move of stepping in a new direction, and to everyone else, who are making the brave decision of knowing they are just where they should be.

Arnie’s sister Isabel and her daughter Rebecca (13 months) were visiting California from Barcelona.  After Arnie and I were all packed up and ready to go, we headed to Hyampom to visit with my mom, the kitties, the goats, and chickens ( a real life farm for baby). I spent a fun week being Tia Sydney.  It poured rain half the time. We went a few great hikes, looked at the full rivers, and hunted interesting mushrooms.

Then on to San Francisco!  My family had a small going away dinner, including home made pizza, family advise (which I told them I lovingly listened to, and then did whatever I wanted to, regardless. Haha), laughs, cousins, pet rats, hide and seek, and the usual family chaos.  The next morning a group of us went to SF zoo before taking Isabel to her flight.  It was hard to say goodbye. 

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Locked in an airplane cabin, beginning the decent to Dallas, we were ready to…hop on the next plane!  There was a little boy behind me who was not happy to have to put on his seatbelt and sit still for the landing. Crying and kicking the back of my chair, he started screaming “LET ME OFFA THIS THING!” over and over. I could only laugh…we all felt much the same, my friend.

Tuesday was my birthday, and we made plans to go to the Villafuerte beach house, at La Barra de Santiago.  The house is on an estuary, with the river 20 feet from the house, the ocean 250 feet away on the other side.  Fishing here is a primary source of income and comida for the families on the estuary.  Fishermen are always out, in small canoes or on foot, looking for schools of baitfish, chimbera, or bigger bounty, then casting their circular nets.  A mangrove forest is up the river a ½ mile from the house, a mystical swampy place that has old Mayan ruins and ghost stories, not to mention all the creatures that once inhabited it (some still do…)

On our way to La Barra, we took La Litoral hiway, along La Costa del Balsamo.  The cliffs dropping in to the ocean remind me a lot of the Pacific Coast by Big Sur.  We stopped off in Puerto La Libertad, where there is a Pier that sells fish.  Many stands under a shade canopy, women hunting for the freshest fish with the best price, and stray dogs frantically searching for scraps…and that intense smell…what is it…oh ya. Fish guts!  We got two Red Snappers (Bocas coloradas) and two langostas (lobstersss).  They clean the fish for you there, scraping off the scales and gutting it.  Then we tossed that in the cooler and were on out way!

I love La Barra. It is hot, humid, salty, and magical.  We swam in the ocean (a freezing 70+ degrees..muahahahaha!), then cooked the fish and made some nice rice.  The next day we harvested some coconuts from the palms behind the house, and gorged on fresh coconut water and young coconut meat.  One coconut holds as much water as one of those big cans that you buy in the store. Crazy!  Arnie and I kayaked down the river to the estuary mouth as the tide was coming in.  The current is so fast at this point that you can let yourself float in the tide.  So we let ourselves be taken back to the house along with the sea.

San Salvador is a big city, 3 million or more. Right now it is our home base, we are staying at Arnie’s parents house here.   Tonight there is a meteor shower, and we are escaping the city lights to go watch. But first, this morning we have a meeting with an alternative energy architect to discuss ideas for the hotel.  It is amazing to have a dream become reality!  A lot of hard work lies ahead of us, but we are ready to take the plunge and create the eco-hotel of our dreams!  This weekend we are going to camp on the property at Playa El Cocal, and do some PATO (prolonged and thoughtful observation) and visioning about where we want to place structures, future gardens, etc.  Here we go!

**PHOTOS TO COME