the 2-mile difference

When I left Thursday night to drive down to Linda and Helen's, easily half of the cars that had been clogging our street had left. By the time I got back home Friday morning the campers across the street had folded their tents and disappeared. The street was clear on our block and it was pretty quiet. Now, two hours later, the street is jammed with parked cars, the announcement trucks are rolling through the neighborhoods vending everything from fruits and vegetables to fish to ice cream to pañals (diapers) to chairs and tables. It's a rolling Wal-Mart. Mr. C reported that the disco didn't crank up until almost 9:30 and quit by 3 AM. Even Chuy said it was much more quiet than usual and the disco had fewer speakers this year. She added that there was more live music on the malecón this year and that some people were even dancing! But then there was also the usual cadre of barrachos staggering around. The police presence is pervasive; their main station is just down the block from our house. The local cops along with state and federal police, the navy, army and marines are everywhere. I don't know if they do anything except act as an intimidation factor. But it seems to work.

We went down to Fernando's puesto for a late lunch; ceviche tostadas made with Chilean bass ~ delicious. Then a brief nap, a quick salad, and it was time to return to the quiet of the colonia.

As I was leaving at 7 PM I took this shot from the second floor looking east. Beautiful mountains. Lots of greenery. Not a car or a tent to be seen.

This is the sight from the front balcony.

Two miles away, this is the view from my Easter hideaway. Am I the lucky one or what?

Now it's time to clear the books and magazines from the couch, plump up the pillows, get another cup of coffee, put my feet up and listen to the opera. The various discos are quiet, probably sleeping it off. Mr. C said the big disco across the street finally shut down at 4 AM. There will be siestas this afternoon.