Yelapa -- Pick Five!

Just for the fun of it, I decided to limit myself to picking five photos from Yelapa for this post.

I know I've said this before, but Yelapa is unusual in so many ways. A village without cars. A place that didn't get electricity until the turn of this last century. A location where cell service is spotty at best, and most rentals don't have television and wireless internet. While a large percentage of the rentals are open air with no windows (a palapa in Yelapa), I did notice a lot of local homes with windows, televisions, and satellite dishes. (And after the first cold night of worrying about scorpions and intruders, I admit to being envious!)

Hippies came to Yelapa in the 1960's and stayed, so the locals are extremely friendly and accustomed to visitors. The real estate system in Yelapa for outsiders is totally different compared to other areas I know about in Mexico. The land belongs to the local indigenous people, and any homes built by foreigners are on land leased from supporting local families. As I understand it, the leases are in 10-year terms, so outsiders strive to keep their village sponsors happy so their leases will be renewed. One homeowner even told me she shares any money acquired from her rental with her sponsoring family. I did hear several horror stories about ex-pat's building homes on leased land and then being forced out of their leases. I think one has to be very brave to embark on that kind of journey.

Our daily routine while there included a late afternoon walk. We'd stroll the paths and get lost. But as my dad used to say, you're never lost until you run out of gas. In Yelapa, that wisdom translates into you're never lost until you don't have the energy and leg power to wander until you find your way home.

We covered a lot of territory on our strolls, from the point at the entrance to the bay all the way through the upper village and on upriver to a little village called El Paso. Along the way, we saw some amazing sights. Here are five of my favorites.

Craig has to be a favorite since he carries a wallet. Here he is on the town bridge that connects the main village to the swimming beach and upriver areas.

One day on the path that leads upriver, I peaked through a hole in the fence and noticed this lily pond. What a find!

The clip clop of horse hooves becomes a familiar sound in Yelapa. You soon recognize the approach and get off to the side of the path. This pony appears to have been running a few errands including a stop at the local hardware store. It's time for a drink! Note that tongue hanging out!

Wandering the lower village trying to find our way to the beach, we just happened upon this old wooden dugout canoe. Craig saw a man paddling a wooden dugout on his fishing trip down the coast from Yelapa. I wish he'd had a camera!

One evening climbing the steep path that leads out of the village towards upriver, we caught this glimpse of the sun setting over Yelapa Cove. So peaceful. Once dark descends on Yelapa, all boat traffic ceases and the village quiets to the sound of waves lapping on the rocks. (Well, I guess Saturday nights when they have dueling bands and fireworks is an exception to that rule. LOL!)

Muy tranquilo most evenings!