September 11, 2014
Mision de San Jose
... I find a cute little hotel, the "Mision de San Jose". Five rooms only, the owner, Pepe, is in the back of his one-storey building cutting the lawn.
Pepe on his electric bicycle...trading? I don't think so, Pepe...
He has vacancy and puts me up in Room 5, first room on the right. To my delight, he lets me park my bike right in front of the room. Covered parking. Awesome! I put my wet luggage away and Pepe offers me sweet juice. "It's made from pineapple skin, brown sugar and cinnemon", he tells me in perfect English.
It's so delicious, I don't turn down a second one.
His self-drawn road map
A guest at the hotel is going green
We hit it off. He tells me about his life, his plans, gives me helpful tipps on what I could do during my stay in San Blas and introduces me to his dog "Taco". Times flies. After finally taking a shower, I am heading to a restaurant "La Isla", only to find it closed. I opt for a second choice, the "McDonald Restaurant and Bar" and order Fajitas and beer. I am in haven, once again.
Pepe...see you again..this life or the next.
September 12, 2014
Mex Day 3, San Blas
The day started slowly. After getting up, I took my time and had a cup of black coffee and 2 slices of bread. To my surprise, the bread was still warm. Pepe explained that he had gotten up early and baked the bread mimself.
I had noticed his artwork around the hotel, sculptures made of wood, bronze and terra cotta. Some impressive pieces. He tells me that he loves to cook and plans to work on a tuna boat as a chef for 3 month. A few years ago, he had owned a bar in Puerto Vallarta, but closed it down after the recession had hit his business hard. He decided to return to his home town San Blas and continue to run his hotel on a full-time basis. He dreams to sell his artwork in a gallery in New York one day and to embark on an adventure just like mine, amongst other ventures.
We chatted some more, and I rode in to town. He lend me his bicylce, while he was on a power assisted/electric bicycle. We stopped at the bank and the laundry lady. For luch, we ate delicious tacos with pork meat at his favorte taco place. On our way back to the hotel, he introduced me to his 79 year old mother and one of his brothers, who is one of 4 sons and 7 sisters. Big family.
Thanks for washing my dirty laundry, Carla...
Pepe with one of his seven sisters
Social room
Kitchen
Big family
Out for a ride...in San Blas
In the afternoon, I rode the bicycle to the beach, which is only a five minute ride. I watched some surfers catching waves and joggers leaving their tracks in the sand.
It wasn't until late evening when all hell broke lose and a thunderstorm set the streets under water.