Woke up early this morning thinking about all the friends we’ve enjoyed this summer. Dear friends, Jane Braddock and Carol Mode visited us for a week, and we had too much fun exploring, talking, shopping and eating. Jane woke up each morning to the loud, recorded jingles of competing propane companies blasting throughout our neighborhood. I’d find her reading downstairs surrounded by the smell and sounds of coffee brewing. We’d sit and chat about the sights and sounds of Mexico then I’d usually walk across our newly cobbled street to buy pastries or bolillos or huevos for breakfast. Most days we’d all get out and explore Patzcuaro while other days we’d just hang out at the house, cooking or piddling. Monday, Wednesday, and Friday morning, Becky, Jane, Carol and Susan walked down to Plaza Grande for Tai Chi with Bob, while I stayed in and worked on a commercial gig. One day we hired Ulysses, a local healer, to give everyone massages while it rained outside. I haven’t had many professional massages so it was a real treat to have the tips of my fingers and toes given so much attention. And face and back, and my head in a towel sling rocked back and forth followed by a stretch and pop of the spine. All was well and I was feeling healed with my face facedown in the donut thingey. Until the donut fell unexpectedly… along with my face. Luckily, I didn’t suffer any major damage, and the healer apologized. Then, after some realignment I tried to relax by thinking about the rain, trying to separate its sound from that of water trickling from our courtyard fountain...then, Bam! Again! I think I chipped a tooth. So much for relaxation and trust. All gone. I spent the next half hour tense and nervously awaiting the next drop. Actually, the massage was pretty great and I am definitely less toxic. Other highlights from our friends’ visit included: a visit with Didier at Real Aduana, a drive to Santa Clara del Cobre, listening to Becky and Jane in the back seat practicing dirty phrases in Spanish, dinner at the EcoHotel, Andy's birthday party with plastic wrestlers on his cake, dinner at Bob & Rosa’s with five virgos, and a beautiful Thai meal prepared by Jane (she traveled here with her own jar of chili paste). Seems like we were always eating and/or talking about food. I enjoyed sharing my red book with Carol one afternoon, and talking about art, teaching, and her upcoming trip to London. We explored the town together, as couples, and in threes...Patzcuaro’s funky bumpy, cobbled streets proved to be an excellent excuse to hold hands. Everyone traveled home safely with their treasures, so now we’re anticipating a reunion in Nashville and tasty meals on colorful tablecloths.
