May's Mango Madness

May is the official month of Mangos in the San Blas area of Nayarit. 

If you were standing on a high hillside in the middle of a mango orchard, you would most likely get a view like the one in the photo at the top of my blog. 

Standing in the midst of an orchard you would get what you see below, having  to watch where you step to avoid being smacked in the face with one of these sweet tasting fruits.


Kay Mango

May is the month that all of the fruit is ready for picking, the month where you see seasonal workers come up from Chiapas, a month where everybody's pocket books are full of money to spend.

Most, if not all families in our ranchito, live year round off of what they reap from their mango orchards.  After a long year of patiently nurturing the trees, killing off the hormigas (ants), weeding all of the wild growing plants, and maintaining the roads, the people finally get to see the end product of a hard year's work; mangos and the money the orchards bring.

Don Humberto and B checking up on the newly planted orchard's progress

Since I have been down to Nayarit several times, I have been able to see how mangos are cared for and what they look like at different times of the year.  Plus, I learned there are several varieties of mangos grown in the area: tommy, kay, manila, ataulfo and mango corriente.

The mango that I am most familiar with here in the states is the tommy mango which has a beautiful reddish purple color.  In the picture below, the mangos weren't quite ripe so they appear to be very purple, but at the time they are picked they have a greener color.



Tommy Mango (left), Mango Corriente (right)

Before mangos can be planted a piece of land must be cleared of all wild brush and palms, or what I like to call "jungle brush."  Once there is space, mango corriente is planted in early spring before the rains.  The mango corriente is a very small variety of mango which is used to combine with a specific variety of mango desired by the owner.  The trees take advantage of the rainy season and grow strong.

Jungle Brush

After approximately a year, it is time to "injertar." I am not sure how this translates in English, but the process is as follows.  The tree's small branches are bandaged with a branch from a mature mango tree of a particular variety, depending on what is desired by the owner.  Over time, the part of the tree that grows is the mature adult branches that were bandaged to the mango corriente. This is how the mango trees yield specific types of mango. 

If not all of the branches are bandaged, you will sometimes end up with a tree that gives both mango corriente (a small tasty mango) and another variety.  This can be seen in the picture above as I am near the tommy mangos on the left of the picture and Don Humberto is grabbing a mango corriente, both varieties growing for the same tree.

In approximately two years the trees will start yielding fruit.  In January the mangos start off as itty bitty balls.

Baby Kay Mango

Once they reach closer to maturity, they increase in size and weigh down the branches of the tree prompting "orquetas" to be made.  Orquetas are long sticks made out of wood with a Y point at one end, these are used to prop up the branches so that they do not touch the ground.  Ideally this should be done early on as the fruit are growing and not at the last minute.  Can you imagine trying to prop up a branch full of heavy mangos?

One of my favorite mango trees is the ataúlfo.  In full maturity, the mangos hanging from the branches look like rain drops. 

Ataulfo Mango

Every once in a while among the great mango trees you will come across a papayo...

Papayo

Or just a big scary tree....

This tree looks like it could be in a scary movie.  Hey, when you are out in the middle of nowhere and all you hear is the breeze of the wind and the animals around you, your mind starts to wonder. This picture does not do it's size justice, it truly is enormous.

At the end of the mango season, the trees are bursting with fruit and are ready for picking.  The orchards are either sold to a buyer and the buyer does the harvesting of the fruit, or the owner harvests the fruit and then sells to a buyer.  Depending on the negotiations between buyer and seller either method can be favorable for either party. 

Please note I have only shared the basic idea of growing mangos in hopes that you can get an idea of the amount of hard work and love that the people put into their orchards. 

Among the many things I learned from Don Humberto was that the orchards are a reflection of the people who work them.  I remember him saying often as we would pass mango orchards "mira que bonito esta esa huerta, señal de que lo cuidan bien (look how beautiful that orchard is, it shows how well it is looked after)." 

The people take pride in their orchards, and so when I pass by one of them I often think about the families who care for them.

Don Humberto sitting in the shade of a mango tree

Rincon de Guayabitos, Nayarit

As I was going through my posts I noticed I had not mentioned Guayabitos!

Guayabitos is located between Playa Los Ayala and Las Varas Nayarit.  On my first visit to Nayarit, I didn't make it to Guayabitos.  My husband spoke of it often because when he was in the marines, he was stationed at Playa Los Ayala.  He would often go for a run on the beach early in the morning and said he would take me one day "para conocer" and take me he did.

Hotel Decameron in Guayabitos

In September 2010 he suprised me with a stay at hotel Decameron in Guayabitos.  We spent the last two days before I was to take my flight back home from Puerto Vallarta at this hotel.  Talk about bitter sweet!

 It was raining in September, but it was really hot and humid so when we would go for walks on the beach we had to have a little something to hydrate ourselves, even if it was an alcholic beverage!

You can tell which one's B's!

The bend around the beach that can be seen in the background leads to Playa Los Ayala.  We went up a steep path to the road and literally walked through a restaurant on the cliff.  The scene once you make it to the top is quite nice.

Let me just say we definitely got a workout.  As we walked along the beach we stopped at Restaurant Palapa Rosita, they didn't have the best food but the Michelada's were quite tasty! 

There was much to see and lots to do!  B played vollyball on the beach while I walked a bit. I snapped a photo of an older woman with what may have been her grandkids take a swim.  They all looked like they were having fun.

I had a great time, and would put this beach on a place to visit.  There are many coordinated activities put on by the hotel, dance shows, bike rides, bird walks and lots of food and free drinks!  It's nice to get away, while away, every once in a while.

Las Islitas

Playa Las Islitas

So I just received a call from B, he said "I just wanted to let you know that we are all going to the beach and my phone might not get reception." Really? Ok have fun...I'm not jealous.

I hear it's heating up in Nayarit and trips to the beach are definitely in order.  When I was down in February we made it out to Las Islistas, a beach further South then San Blas.  The water is not as agressive for the kiddies and the beach is alot more friendly to us adults because we dont have to put up with the jejénes.

Nieces and Nephews having a blast!

It is a typical beach in Mexico, in that you have the usual vendors coming around and beach side service.

Those pescados are so delicious, as you can see my nephew got one all to himself!

My nephew Jóhan

It is a funny thing I think, because my husband has always lived around water, he doesn't care to be in it unless he is fishing.  He usually takes a dip, swim's around a bit and then gets back out.  The day we went it wasn't too hot and so us adults didn't have that "desire" to cool off as we would normally have.

So what did we do? Well you know those little "palapas" on the beach made out of the coconut tree leaves?

We seemed to make our way underneath one of those and took a snooze.

My mother-in-law Doña Toña and my step-son Beto

We had a vivid conversation going at first, you can tell B was trying to make his point ha ha

But eventually the nice ocean breeze got the best of him...

B taking a snooze

We had an awsome time, I mean when don't you have a good time at the beach?  I was totally unprepared because I hadn't left myself a pair of shorts or a swim suit to get in the water.  All of my summer wear was in California so I ended up having to wear boyshorts.  It worked out though because it wasn't that hot.  Had it been in the hot summer months I would not have been a happy camper.

My sister-in-law Martha and I

B's phone call made me remember our last visit to the playa and I thought I would share with you another one of Nayarit's beautiful beaches.  A plus about this beach is that at the entrance there are several panadarías (bakeries) where they sell all kinds of delicious panes. 

That afternoon as we left the beach we stocked up on pan for a late night snack back at home.  The kids loved it and devoured every piece!

I really wish I could be with the gang soaking up the sun, but all in due time....right?

The Flea

I had an interesting visit to the flea market on Sunday. 

Not having been in oh, over 10 years, I arrived and parked the furthest I possibly could thinking the entrance was in the same place it was on my last visit. 

As I made my way through each row, I sensed all of the negotiating going on between the vendors and the potentital buyers.  Everybody trying to make or save a buck.

My main reason for going was to see if I could find a nice mirror for my bathroom in Mexico.  Unfortunately the only decent one I came across was going for $60.  Sheesh, no thank you.

Reaching the last row of the flea, I hesitated and thought of just bolting for the exit but something told me to keep on going and finish the deed.

I reached the very end of that row and saw a man selling furniture and knick knacks.  At the very back of his lot, was a 4 post full bed.  I immediately fell in love with it but thought to myself this guy is most likely like all of the rest and is more interested in making a buck than in getting rid of his stuff.

I brought myself to ask anyway.  "$40" was his reply.  Hmmm not bad I thought. I went in to take a closer look and saw that it had scratches here and there and also came with a frame.  In my mind I was thinking with a little polish to darken those scratches I could have a winner.

"I'll give you $30" was my reply.  The man looked to be Filipino and had kind old eyes.  "$35?" was his reply.  I made a face and "eghh" slipped through my lips.  "ok ok I'll take $30." It seemed as though I was a natural at wheeling and dealing.

 

After the purchase, my thoughts traveled to my comején problem, I asked the man if he knew what kind of wood the bed was made out of because where I was going I had a termite problem.  He said he thought it was a California wood but that it shouldn't be a problem because most woods are treated to resist the bugs. 

He then asked where I would be taking the bed.  When I told him Nayarit, he grew excited and said he was familiar with the area because he has gone further down the coast of Mexico to visit his son-in-law in Michoacan.  He then introduced himself as Fernando and said he was Filipino. 

When I had first approached Fernando's vendor area, he was speaking fluent spanish and I thought at first that he was Mexican.  I told him that he spoke spanish very well and that I knew that the Filipino language had similar words in the Spanish language. 

I told him my maiden name, which is waaayy cooler than my married name, is Salamanca and that Salamanca in Tagalog meant magic.  "Yes yes" he said and "Salamancero means magician. There are several Filipino families with that last name."

Fernando then said he would be traveling soon to Mexico and that he would think of me when he visited Nayarit.  I smiled and said "Well, if you remember, I live near San Blas in a ranch called 5 de Mayo."  He smiled and said "Sure I wont forget, plus how can I forget Salamanca?"

I doubt he will ever make it my way, and I failed to mention that nobody would know me by Salamanca as I have taken my husband's last name. Nonetheless, I had a nice little chat with the man and I got an awsome bed frame which by the way will probably stress me out as I try and haul it across Mexico.  Only one of the little knotches on top come off and I am scared that the others might break off in the back of my truck. 

I don't plan on buying any more furniture.  I hadn't planned to buy this bed but I couldn't help myself, all of the bed frames I have seen in Mexico were not to my taste.  Particularly because most of the time the headboards are not attached to the frame.  I am not familiar with Tepic and so I think that a lot of times I just don't know where to go to get the good stuff at a decent price.  My solution at present is to take as much as I can when I move down, or at least what I consider to be more important. 

Even though I had a good time at the flea, I think I enjoy going to garage sales more.  People want to get rid of what they are selling and don't mind letting go of their things for next to nothing.

Concrete Jobs - B's Talent

In looking forward to my new patio, I would like to share my husband B's talent.

I spoke with B the other day and he mentioned that he would be forming a sidewalk along the house to connect with a patio in the backyard.  Unlike other jobs related to the house, I am sure this job will come out spectacular because I am confident with what B can bring to the table.  

Like most immigrants that come to the U.S., B learned a labor trade, and he learned it very well.  With about 8 years of experience, he has been able to master the trade of pouring concrete.  Lucky for us, he has been doing all of the concrete jobs at our house which has tremendously cut down on labor costs.

Another plus is the fact that we know the concrete will be completed with straight lines and beautifully finished detail.  If you haven't already noticed, concrete in Mexico often has a mind of its own.  Concrete is poorly poured and finished, leaving uneven surfaces and crooked lines. 

B will often see men working on a concrete job and chuckle to himself as he sees all of the mistakes they are making.  He does understand however that many times workers do not have the necessary tools to get the job done. 

When he poured a driveway and patio for his mom and dad, B was frustrated he did not have the same user friendly tools as he did in the U.S.  Nonetheless he has been able to improvise and get the job done. 

As you can see in the picture below, concrete patio's really come in handy during the rainy season.  You can still party and everybody stays mud free!  This picture was taken in September, towards the end of the hot, rainy season.

My mother-in-laws patio

Now to B's gallery....



Stamped Concrete...Cobble Stone?



One of my favorites stamped designs

Stamped Concrete...Finished product is in the pix below

Finished Product

Before adding color

After with Color

A drain for the rain and pool water

A Wall with Electrical Outlets

I often think to myself why doesn't B make a business out of this? I think it's definitely something we should think about.  However, for now we are investing all of our time (and money) into our orchards.

I can't wait to see our patio, I know it will be just wonderful! 

Comejénes

These little critters are my arch enemies. 

During my September visit to Mexico, B and I decided to buy a bedroom set because we were without, well everything, even a bed.  So we purchased what we thought was a decent pine set. 

We need to add another mattress to cover the gap and because we are both fairly tall.

A few months later, I received a call from B and the first thing he said was "Everything is going to be ok.." My response was "Oh no, what happened?" That's when he told me all about the comejénes (termites) and how they were invading our lives, or perhaps the other way around eh? They were eating away at our newly purchased furniture, and after investigating I found out that pine is a fairly soft wood that termites prefer.  Luckily we had a warranty on the set and we were able to return the side table for a new one.

Also damaged was a box full of books.  A few books had to be thrown away, family pictures were ruined and I was mortified.  So this last time I went I packaged everything up in plastic bags and made sure the boxes were off the ground. 

The solution for all of this, according to B, was that we douse the furniture in petroleum.  Yeah, I know what your thinking, fire hazard, smelly, ugly looking wet marks?  I don't really know how it works but I didn't want to go back to having no furniture so I gave him the green light.  I don't believe he ever got around to it back then, until now that is.

We have had another comején outbreak and this time he has had to treat the furniture.  I only hope that it's not as bad as it seems, you know dousing your furniture with petroleum.  B says he thinks they come up from the roots of the mango trees that are on the property.  I don't know if that's true but it is a problem.

I had planned on buying more wood furniture, but since we have been dealing with this I don't think that is such a good idea.  I am not sure what to do, but I think I am going to have to go for a wrought iron look even though I really like the way wood brings warmth to a room.

Well, what ever works right? Have any of you had any similar furniture problems down in Mexico? We also had a hard time putting the fixtures up in my bathroom, but that's another story. 

A glimpse of my daily life to be

I have been hibernating for a while.  Well, not really I've just been really busy at work and haven't had a breather. 

On this last stretch of time before I make the big move down to Nayarit I have had a lot of time to think.  Sometimes this can be dangerous, thinking too much, but I rationalize or convince myself that everything will be ok.

During my last visit to Mexico, I spent many early mornings with my husband and our calabasas (squash).  I was going out to the orchards just as I had arrived and I still had that sense of what the hell am I doing here at 5am?  Do you know this feeling? When you just arrive in Mexico and you think wow just yesterday I was ..... Sitting in front of my computer with a $4 coffee in a six story building with a freeway as my view.  Not very exciting, I know.

As long as I have been going to Mexico, this feeling never ceases to exsist.  No matter what, I feel as if I am transported into another world entirely.  After a while I begin to forget the hum of suburban life, the routine, the traffic, the annoying bills, solicitors and so on. 

As I have read several times in other blogs, for some this feeling of the slow simple life in Mexico is like receiving the golden ticket.  However for others, it would be the death of them.  "NO INTERNET!" is usually the remark I hear from most when I say I will be moving down to Mexico and I give them my spiel about how it will be great to be living the simple life.  I guess they miss the message.

I am only human and sometimes I have to admit that comments about how crazy I am to be leaving beautiful United Sates makes me the craziest person they know take their toll.  I later have to do some convincing that I am still sane and no, moving to Mexico will not be the death of me.

Somehow I manage to remember that feeling of being rewarded in some small way for having lived off the land or going through uncomfortable A to get to B.  Those beautiful calabasas being all wrapped up for somebody to later place them on their kitchen table for dinner with their family.  Or simply those early mornings with B.  Now that's what I'm talking about.

Who is to say what your "box of chocolates" should be?  If you want to be in "crime ridden" Mexico that's your choice.  Is it not?  Just the other day we had a small family reunion, not under the greatest circumstances, nonetheless I saw most of my family.  Many spoke of how they wouldn't be going to Mexico anytime soon because oh they got really sick one time and oh the Zetas are parading all over Mexico.

What I was looking for I didn't get, a small glimmer of support from the fam bam.  So I thought to myself instead hey, you want to come visit me my door is always open, if not well then it will be your loss.  I will go where I am happy, and if that's in the middle of a mango orchard picking calabasas then so be it.