~ACAPULCO~ We made it!

Ok...Its December 21st
Acapulco Mexico.

NO AGENDA!
(Except swimming!)

We woke up after a very restful sleep, being lulled all night by the ocean below...... Carmen (Chuys mother) had been awake since dawn, preparing breakfast, making fresh juice, and bustling around like a happy little Mexican mom with her nest full of babies....(and we were the fortunate babies!) Carmen was so happy to see Chuy and all of us again. It had been years........... Julie was excited to get to the beach, so our Comandante set the new orders for the day. THE BEACH...(Reaaaallly? Well that was a no-brainer Julie!).........After breakfast, we packed Carmen in the car, and went down the mountain to investigate Pie de la Cuesta. This was Chuys backyard during his growing up years...he used to sneak out at midnight and go swimming in the ocean, because he say's that at night, he could hear the waves breaking on the beach, and they were calling to him to come and go swimming. Carmen sometimes heard him sneak out, and would lay awake until he snuck back home, in fear the entire time, and saying all the prayers she knew. Carmen has heard of many drownings at Pie de la Cuesta, and personally, I think its because people from inland Mexico (where they do not know how to swim) venture into the ocean and get caught in the rip tides, and cross currents and don't know how to get out........
Well, our day was FANTASTIC. The weather was warm and balmy. Despite those clouds in the sky, it was deceivingly warm, and Julie was getting started on a little sunburn........ Carmen and I were enjoying the warm sand, and before you know, the two stinkers (Julie and Chuy) were in the ocean swimming like Dolphins.
I know, I know, there are way too many swimming photos on here, but its nice to look at them and daydream about the sunny weather, warm sand, and the happy smile on Carmens face. She was so happy to see Chuy and his "familia" again. This was the first time Julie actually came to Pie de la Cuesta, and Carmen was beside herself. Speaking of Carmen, she is over 65 years old...and notice how young her legs, skin and appearance is! I believe its all the fresh fruit, vegetables, home made soups and exercise she does..... its amazing. When I think of it, most of Chuys Grandparents lived to well over 100 and were active to the end..... so, we had the time of our life. After the whirlwind tour and drive thru the interior and mountains of Mexico, the Ocean was a welcome sight..... I didn't want the day to end, but as sunset neared, I reminded myself that we had many more days just like this to look forward to before we had to leave.

So, as the swimming was done, and I suffered through Julie and Chuys complaints of being too fat, too white, too everything (give me a break) and I had to hold back a laugh or two every time Chuy dove under a wave, as Carmen would put her hands over her eyes, (she just cannot stand to see Chuy in the Ocean, even though he has swam ALL his entire life, been a Lifeguard in CanCun, and has actually saved lives right here at Pie de la Cuesta) I watched the sun going down, and wondered what such a life must have been like? Swimming every day, warm weather, nearby coconut trees to rob when your hungry, or the mango tree on the walk home.... fresh air, soothing sounds, warm sand on your feet........... what a life. No one could possibly feel poor here..... more like a millionaire! I think all of the above is the recipe for a happy person. Must be, Chuy is one of the happiest and well rounded persons I know...and now I know his secret...... Pie de la Cuesta.