Birds in Paradise

Melanie's favourite flower has always been the Bird of Paradise, and remarkably, I was able to point one out to her today, growing in her own garden. It was quite a happy surprise.

We drove to Chapala after laundry and readying things for departure, where we ordered ceviche for lunch and were cheerfully informed that the first margarita is free. While considering our options, I looked up what the second margarita would cost: it was 25 pesos. That's 2 bucks.

A table of six soon sat down next to us, all young and very handsome Mexicans, and they kept an ensemble of Mariachis busy performing for a good half hour. The lead couple, who were clearly in love and surrounded by their friends, held hands, while the young man happily sang along with great gusto and talent to every word of each song. Gringos often think of Mariachis as a cliché. But it is the Mexicans who cherish them, and who know the songs, especially here around Guadalajara, where Mariachis (and tequila) originate.

We met the neighbours today, who expressed some relief that we were "normal". (Little do they know.) They are from California, and we will get along well.

The bank machines here, however, are quite a different story. It has been a test of technology to acquire the cash needed to pay for services purchased in what is essentially an all-cash society. For a while we thought we weren't going to get out of Dodge.

Still, we are a couple of happy birds.