I just got back from the Casa Toto restaurant. I was walking back from the taqueria (where I went to pick up some tacos for the night watchman, who hadn't eaten anything) and heard an old guitar player playing Trova, which is a musical style I fell for when in Guanajuato 9 years ago. So after delivering the tacos I came back to the bar. I asked for a port, but since they had none I was offered a pomegranate tequila (tasty), then progressed to a glass of wine. The proprietor, Christine, sat me down with some of her expat friends, but after a few minutes I grabbed a chair and went to sit in front of the old guy (santos) playing the guitar. As I was going for my glass of wine, I stopped in my tracks because he started to play "Contigo Aprendi," which is an old Trova song that was covered by Nicho Hinojosa, my favorite musician from back in the Mexico days. I was just listening to Nicho's album earlier that day.
So, I finally met the expat community here. It reminded me of the community in Lencois, Brazil. Small, respectful of the locals. I can't say much more than that.
My day started with another healthy breakfast (and some huevos rancheros... Not healthy but seriously delicious), and then started day 2 of surfing. I tackled some big waves today, and have a pretty good feel for things. What's difficult is reading the waves. The pros know which waves to take, where to take them, when to paddle, when to give up, etc. without this knowledge, you waste a lot of energy. I did pretty well when the instructor was telling me "take this wave" but drank a lot of salt water when on my own. Tomorrow is the last surfing day and my goal is to ride some truly big waves all the way in. I think I can do it.
I stayed at the beach from 10:30 - 3:30. I broke out my camera on the way back and gained some momentum, so instead of going back to the hotel I drive down some random dirt roads, and eventually got on the highway toward La Paz. Lots of cacti, not much else. I had a good soundtrack going (stp, soundgarden were prominent, as was Santana to start the trip). I got halfway - about 30 minutes out - and decided to come back. Honestly, it was fun to just drive wherever - window down, warm weather outside, music blaring. Fun stuff. I ended up trying to find the local beach but ended up at a sea turtle protected beach, and I didn't feel like breaking the law so I came back to the hotel.
I showered up and asked Pepe if he had any recommendations on what to do, and he gave me proper directions to the local beach. Got some nice subset photos (which now completes my set - sunrise phitos from the north carolina coast, and sunset photos from baja). I then went straight to a taqueria (see photo) - amazing tacos. I had forgotten that tacos in Mexico and tacos in the states are different. Not by a ton, but they are. Pastor, asada, cheese, and a bunch of toppings. Delicious.
The rest of the day I already told you about.
Sometimes if you are open to chance, then chance takes you in pleasantly unexpected directions. After surfing I had planned on simply coming back to the hotel and reading. But, my intuition told me to do something else. What I ended up with was a mini road trip, cool photos, sunset on a beach (I was one of exactly two people on the entire beach), amazing tacos at a truly local joint, and Trova music - something I haven't heard live in 9 years.
Last thing before I go to bed. Knowing Spanish has, once again, opened a ton of doors. I can communicate with people here. I have no fear about going anywhere or talkikg to anyone because I can hack it (mostly). Even the slang I learned 9 years ago comes in handy. I'm thankful to Mrs. Harden and my Spanish teachers.
Anyway, I didn't finish my book today as planned, but I'm glad I didn't. Life had other things in store.
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