Sayulita, Mi Futuro Hogar (Semana de Pascua Part 1)

The entire week of Semana Santa I was having a blast, but I was still counting down the days until Saturday when I'd be leaving Tepic and the real vacations would start! Finally it was April 19th, and it was time to head down to Puerto Vallarta with the Castillos. The moment that always seemed very far off into the future had suddenly arrived- my parents were in Mexico for the week! We were going to stay until Friday in a small hippy surf town called Sayulita, which I was beyond excited about, as it seemed like my idea of paradise from the very first time I saw it (surfing, hippies, all wrapped in one very Mexican package). Initially it was so strange seeing them waiting at the airport terminal, looking very hot and extremely pasty (Canadian winters don't produce a very sun-kissed look). It was amazing to have them physically there, having a conversation uninterrupted with the ever-finnicky Skype connection. With the limited Spanish that my parents possessed and the slightly less limited English of the Castillos (also with me working as a full-time translator), my two sets of parents started getting to know each other, hitting it off right from the start.  We went to dinner in the same place as my first Mexican meal, which was a crazy flashback! How much has changed since that day in August, now instead of staring helplessly at the menu, I'm the one confidently ordering for people! I don't think I stopped talking the entire night, in Spanish and English and a terrible mix of the two. I was so excited to share things with my parents about Mexico and the Castillos, with physical examples instead of just my vague explanations!

Welcome to Mexico meal: Fish and shrimp prepared in various styles, caldo de camorones,  and a celebratory Bienvenida a Mexico tequila shot!

We arrived at our home in Sayulita very late at night, and bid farewell to the Castillos, before entering into our awesome house. Spacious, rooftop pool and with a full set of margarita glasses- what more can you ask for? My parents by this time were exhausted (I completely understood, a flight followed by the entire Castillo family's enthusiasm and the sudden immersion in Mexico is initially quite draining).  After a refreshing sleep we woke up and commenced one of the best weeks of my exchange so far!

All week, we explored Sayulita (one day hiking up 'Gringo Hill' to get the best view of Sayulita and the coast, the rest just wandering around the various quaint streets in the small town. This entire year I have been viewing Sayulita as Paradise, and have plotted various ways to get there (finally using the devious plan of 'the parent's visit' muahaha). My expectations were not only fulfilled, they were surpassed! The entire week I kept an eye on stores, restaurants and rentals with every intention of returning the next year with friends. I mean, considering how close it is to Canada, how inexpensive and how freaking AMAZING Mexico is, what's the catch? While it is very tourist-friendly, Sayulita is definitely quaint small-town Mexico, with the narrow cobblestone streets, colourful buildings, friendly locals and of course, taco stands that set up after the sun sets and stays in operation until it rises. (I think I have a taco obsession, thank you Mexican influence. But seriously, 5 am pizza has nothing on 5 am street tacos.)

I had surfing lessons the first day there, and for the rest of the days we amused ourselves in the waves with boogie-boards and actual surf boards (doing the former with considerably more skill compared to the latter). It was actually super easy 'surfing', that is, getting up on the giant board and riding it in with passable balance to the shore. However, as I learned the next few days, the timing is extremely difficult! Practice makes perfect, and I can't wait to get the chance to practice more. Despite lathering ourselves with sunscreen, the pasty Canadians (myself included, embarrassingly enough) got pretty fried with all the beach time. But so worth it. Then in the nights I introduced the parents to the various wonders of Mexican food. I have to say the food is better in Tepic than in Sayulita as it has been a bit Americanized there, but it was still delicious! I'm just a snob now about 'authentic and my parents thought it was all mouthwatering. One night we went out for carne asada in Vallarta with the Castillos, watched a mini circus taking place in their hotel, then walked along the Malecon. It was a fantastic, relaxed week. I got a fantastic bikini tan (or rather burn that eventually became brown) and a pair of excellent harem pants to show for my time in Hippy town. I'm already planning my return, Sayulita hasn't seen the last of me yet!

Here are various photos of my week, in no particular order

Just an enjoyable day on the beach

1) Check out the badass gecko tattoo I got, obviously very permanent.
2) Check out the gorgeous burn on my back.

Our rooftop pool, not shabby!

The view from the roof

Look at Wendy carving that wave (it apparently felt a lot cooler than it looks)

Me and Luis the surfing instructor after an excellent lesson :)

Salud!

Mum trying Mexican mole (chicken, and a sauce made of spices, chilis, and chocolate)

Dad sampling the local seafood (mahi mahi if I remember correctly)

Que difficil es la vida...

Dad and his two favourite ladies

During our night explorations of Sayulita

Breakfast at this yummy restaurant called Chocobananas

The principal street to the beach

La Casa! 

We ate here our first night in Sayulita, a pretty fantastic view from the very top

Sayulita, very international

Hear, hear!

Officially the most delicious fruit ice cream I've ever had

One night we walked to another beach and watched the sunset,
 it was  much more private beach- basically deserted!

Naturally, the requisite silhouetted yoga pose

Visiting the famous Sayulita Fish Tacos

What goes better with tacos than margaritas!

Daily fruit smoothies (this day's flavour was watermelon, prepared by Chef Grant)

Modeling the excellent harem pants

At Nahui beach before going to eat

Everyone enjoying the delicious steak

During the walk down the Malecon Dad found his throne

Some expertly carved mango

We got to watch the nightly fireworks show, put on by the pirate tour 

One night we took a taxi to San Pancho, a neighbouring town about 15 minutes away by road (porbably less by boat). We had heard great things about the beach at sunset, and were not disappointed! It was a huge, pristine beach although the ocean didn't look the best for swimming, as there were huge waves breaking basically on the beach. The town was also quite cute, but I have to say I prefer Sayulita, as San Pancho seemed even more American, strangely enough! I talked about it later with Hector, and he explained to me that Mexican Tourism is trying to develop the town as a sort of richer, exclusive Sayulita. Fine by me! I just hope Sayulita stays the same, with the same greasy, good-natured people. Although we had originally planned to eat there, all we cold find were restaurants selling steak, pizza,  and essentially everything but Mexican. So we staved off the hunger until we returned to Sayulita, then devoured burritos like voracious savages on a park bench close to the restaurant. Naturally, it was one of the best burritos I have had, enhanced by my mad hunger.

We were almost alone, just sharing the beach with a Circus group having a training/relaxing day (I think)

Gotta love the fruit trucks

Upon returning to Sayulita and anxiously waiting for the burritos

Barely got this photo in before the food disappeared! 

Hiking up Gringo Hill the last day there

After an excellent boogie boarding sesh

The last meal in Sayulita, marlin tostadas and shrimp empanadas

 Thanks for reading, and if you have a hankering for hearing about the second part of my parent's visit along with some rambling philosiphizing, feel free to check out part 2 of my Semana de Pascua!

Besos,

Wendy