House Warming

Since I can't hear nor speak Garrapatan, I was not aware of the festivities that occurred on the night of our arrival at the apartment.

"The Gringos are here" must have been the theme of the fiesta.

Adi and I toasted our first night in Oaxaca with a couple of shots of Mezcal, watched an episode of "True Blood" on the laptop, and thinking we were alone, settled down for the night. A short while later, Adi shook me awake.

"I have large, itching bites on my leg." she cried, and added in horror, "I saw an insect in bed that looked like a Lady Bug, and when I killed it, blood came out."

"I never heard of a blood-sucking Lady Bug." I told her as I turned back to sleep.

The loss of Papa Garrapata, must have been sad, but life must go on. In the morning Adi found two more bites on her body. A brief inspection between the bed sheets uncovered the source of her misery. It did not take an entomologist to recognize that "Lady Bug" is a tick.

Adi apologized, "I thought the legs were wings."

This time, I undertook the disgusting task of popping it. "Mama Garrapata?"

One tiny garrapata crawled on the bed cover. "I hope we got the whole family."

I emptied a large can of Raid in the bedroom and escaped to fresh air.

The doctor was amazed at our story. Ticks are not common in Oaxaca. After inspecting Adi's huge and glowing bites he subscribed antibiotics "Just In Case", and sent us home to a thorough house cleaning.

Since then, we haven't heard from the Garrapatans.

Hotel Paraiso

On a dark mountain highway, monsoon rain pouring down.
Heavy fog in the headlights, it's too far from town.
Up ahead in the distance, I saw a neon light.
My head was heavy and my sight grew dim; I had to stop for the night.
There she stood in the driveway, a towel round her head.
I was thinking to myself, 'This could be great, but probably bad."
Then she opened the garage door, and showed us the way.
As we stared at the pink Jacuzzi, thought I heard her say:

"Welcome to the Hotel Paraiso
Such a lovely place.
Plenty of rooms at the Hotel Paraiso
Anytime of year,
Many couples here."

The room was luxurious, it may be a good bet.
I was so tired, I can skip the internet.
"Others around us, will they be in the way?"
"Some come for an hour, none stay for the day."
So I called up Maria, "Please bring the remote"
She said: "Would you like some Tequila? It will make you so hot"
On TV, just a few channels: One straight, one gay.
Watching young lovers in action, I just had to say:

"Welcome to the Hotel Paraiso
Such a lovely place.
Living it up at the hotel Paraiso
What a nice surprise,
and such a low price."

Mirrors on the ceiling, marble on the floor.
Adi said: Please fill the Jacuzzi with bubbles galore.
In the bedroom mosquitos, gather for the feast
We lighted a repellent coil, filled the room with mist.
Last thing I remember, Adi holding my hand;
She smiled and said "My love, I hope tonight will never end."
"Adios" said Maria, as we shouldered our pack,
"You can check out anytime you like, but I know you'll be back."

Craving

Can you step twice into the same river?

All graduates of Goenka Ji (Vipassana meditation) know the answer. I decided to try anyway.

On the way south, we ate in two places that six months ago surprised us with delicious preparations.

In the middle of the Sonora cow country, La Fibra in Los Mochis served us the best veggie burger, and believe it or not, excellent home-made Labane. This time we had both for breakfast.

Driving quickly we made it to a fishermen's shack in Celestino Gaska, just north of Mazatlan, where we re-ordered Pescado Zarandeado (Shaken fish). On our first visit we had it for breakfast, on a cold windy morning. It tasted of heaven.

My conclusion? You can't go back. The food is not as wonderful as the initial gastronomic surprise, but still good. I will return to both places again.