Inspiration started to flow and I have been working on my book of French children's songs and rhymes lately. I had written only the lyrics in my note book and have been using them in my classes for a long time, and finally I have charted 15 of them so far. I wrote a new rhyme, for a back tickle. At my last class in Majahual the kids and I danced with light scarves and it inspired me to write a little Spanish song - called pañoleta - I like this word, it's my new word of the week. I will let the words and the notes flow out, it seems that the first 4 weeks are being processed...
Yesterday was a very good day. Dylan finished his presentation on the Maya Civilisation - a very good paper! We had a great lunch, tostadas with leftovers inspired by Tio George. Then Philippe took the boys fishing on the lagoon dock - hoping to catch their first barracuda (they didn't, but they had a great time), and while they did that Tim and I went for a snorkel together. It was so nice to hold hands and swim through the biggest school of fish we ever saw - there must have been hundreds! I was definitely one of the highlights of our trip so far.
At about 4pm Gisèle and Philippe had a little piñata gathering, with Gabriel and Martha and their little daughter Yolanda, and Gabriel's brother and his little family - they have a baby boy. It was Yolanda's first piñata, and her first candy too. She is only 18 months old, and she is adorable. It was fun.
Then Gisèle and Philippe suggested that we go out to dinner at a local eatery called 'Toby's'. It was Judy's birthday and many local gringos were to gather there. For the occasion, Toby made a special menu - 3 tacos of your choice served with guacamole, a home made limonade, and flan for dessert. It was perfect. We had the opportunity to meet some local gringos, and it turns out that the group of people we met are actually most of the private home owners of the Xcalak coast. There must be a dozen of private homes, and 8 owners were there. Most of them live here half the year, and they are all pretty laid back and friendly, hippy boomers. Tim might go jam with Nick today, a retired drummer who is known as the only musician in the community. He does drumming circles regularly, and his house is supposed to be quite something - with a big round music room full of drums. We also got to meet Toby himself (the restaurant owner), a very friendly guy, and a Xcalak native. His father is a fisherman here, and a few years ago Toby went to work as a waiter down the coast in Majahual - that's how he learned English. He came back to town and opened his little restaurant two years ago, and it quickly became a local favorite. Jane was at Toby's last night as well, and we will be going to visit her tomorrow. I baked a pineapple cake, and we will bring our snorkeling gear. She is Gisèle's best friend here, and like her and Philippe, she loves the sea.
Tim and I went snorkeling again today, and Gisèle came with us. She showed us some of her favorite spots - pretty amazing. We saw our first parrot fish - so big and colourful! A huge snapper, about 4 feet long. More French Anglefish, and so many other colourful ones - yellow, orange, red, and many shades of blue - some striped, some purple and yellow, it's a beautiful show. As we swam to shore by the end, just in front of the house where it's shallow and warmer, we swim through thousands of baby fish and came upon a couple of lobsters. I lifted my head and we were about 10 steps to shore. This place is very special, did I say that I love it here?
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