Quiet days near Lake Chapala
Kelly is recovering extremely well from his broken rib. He can do a little more each day, but is being very careful not to overdo. And of course, I'm right there to grumble if I think he's doing too much! Thanks to everyone who has sent good wishes.
So we are leading a very quiet life right now, mostly at home though Kelly is now taking walks of a few blocks around the neighborhood. In this rhythm we find ourselves more in touch with the daily life around us.
Kelly had been doing the walking of our dog Larry, but now I'm taking Larry out. I have discovered that if I do it around seven in the morning, the streets are very quiet. I'll see a few men walking or bicycling to work, a few kids going early to school, and maybe a few cars will pass.
We can't see Lake Chapala from here but I try to get a look at it most days. There's something about large lakes that I find deeply relaxing and inspiring.
Today I could postpone laundry no longer, and I had an amusing moment while doing it. I was at the house where our friends from the U.S. who are adopting a Mexican baby here are living. I've spent a lot of time with the little one, who is in her second month now. She's really adorable. Anyway, as I reached for the laundry soap, I noticed the advertising on the box, which included a drawing of an Anglo-looking baby. Immediately the thought went through my mind, "Poor little thing! It looks so pale!"
I'm enjoying getting to know the old lady across the street. We are in the town of San Antonio Tlayacapan, which is right next to the better-known Ajijic. Our street is about a 50-50 mix of middle-class houses and humbler abodes. The old lady and her husband have dozens of plants in pots on the narrow sidewalk in front of their simple place, and in the cobblestone street. There's also a small clothesline where she puts her wash. She looks to be in her late 70s or early 80s, and she is always bright eyed and friendly. When I told her about Kelly's fall, she brought out a bottle of what she said was arnica in alcohol. I wasn't sure whether he was supposed to drink it or rub it on.
So we are leading a very quiet life right now, mostly at home though Kelly is now taking walks of a few blocks around the neighborhood. In this rhythm we find ourselves more in touch with the daily life around us.
Kelly had been doing the walking of our dog Larry, but now I'm taking Larry out. I have discovered that if I do it around seven in the morning, the streets are very quiet. I'll see a few men walking or bicycling to work, a few kids going early to school, and maybe a few cars will pass.
We can't see Lake Chapala from here but I try to get a look at it most days. There's something about large lakes that I find deeply relaxing and inspiring.
Today I could postpone laundry no longer, and I had an amusing moment while doing it. I was at the house where our friends from the U.S. who are adopting a Mexican baby here are living. I've spent a lot of time with the little one, who is in her second month now. She's really adorable. Anyway, as I reached for the laundry soap, I noticed the advertising on the box, which included a drawing of an Anglo-looking baby. Immediately the thought went through my mind, "Poor little thing! It looks so pale!"
I'm enjoying getting to know the old lady across the street. We are in the town of San Antonio Tlayacapan, which is right next to the better-known Ajijic. Our street is about a 50-50 mix of middle-class houses and humbler abodes. The old lady and her husband have dozens of plants in pots on the narrow sidewalk in front of their simple place, and in the cobblestone street. There's also a small clothesline where she puts her wash. She looks to be in her late 70s or early 80s, and she is always bright eyed and friendly. When I told her about Kelly's fall, she brought out a bottle of what she said was arnica in alcohol. I wasn't sure whether he was supposed to drink it or rub it on.
posted by Rosana Hart @ Tuesday, January 10, 2006
1 Comments:
At January 10, 2006 11:45 PM,
macmember said…
Hi Rosana
I was so sorry to hear of Kelly's fall and so glad he is going to be OK.
There is a Mexican Linament named "Volcanic Oil". It is absolutely marvelous for any injury. My (mexican)Mother in Law tried for 4 years to get me to try it. I was so sorry I had wasted those years without it.
The trick is to rub it in VERY well. Keep adding more and rub it in until your hand is worn out. The good side effect of this on the person doing the rubbing, is that if they have any Arthritis in their hand, it goes away!
It comes in a bright Orange box and we can usually only find it in Ethnic stores here in Texas.
If you try it, have him put a teeshirt on afterwards to keep it from getting on the sheet. It is a little oily. I can promise you it is worth finding.
She use to pronounce it "vo-can-ne-co". I bet the old lady across the street has heard of it.
Let me hear if you try it.
Good Luck
Beverly
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