Yoga and Writing Retreats in Mexico
with Charles MacInerney
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The Village of
Yelapa
 Yelapa
has no roads connecting it to the outside world. I asked
a local if there were any maps showing all of the various
foot paths, but she laughed and said that they had tried
several times, but that the paths kept changing.
Most of the paths are packed earth and
well suited to the primary transportation system...
donkeys and mules.
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 At
left, those hiking through the village are often
rewarded with spectacular views like the one below
of the magnificent flowers and the ocean, always
present in the back ground.
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At right- a student buys some bead work from Matilde, one of
the more colorful residents.
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 At
left - one of the hundreds of palapas scattered through out
the village, and the surrounding hills and mountains.
Yelapa has several
stores that sell water, ice, bread, pastries, canned goods,
fresh fruit and vegetables. There is also a liquor store,
10 or more restaurants, and twice a week at the Yaught club
they host a gringo night dance.
Those interested in shopping
can find t-shirts, bamboo flutes, and all manner of souvenirs
for sale on the beach, or at any of the stores. There is also
beautiful rose wood bowls, made from local trees by village
artisans.
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 There
are also wonderful examples of Weichel Indian art, pictures
and statues made of beads or string pressed into bees wax coated
boards. Isabella, who sells the art, has represented the Indian
artists for many years, and knows them all well, and can tell
you about the artist whose piece you are purchasing. This art
form is based upon ancient traditions, and the patterns, images
and symbols are received during trances (often peyote induced).
Isabella takes a small percentage commission, but most of the
money goes to the artist, and helps to support these remote
communities that still live traditional lifestyles in the remote
Sierra Madre mountains.
There is also a soccer field and
baseball diamond where locals and ex-patriots living in Yelapa
team up for weekly games. April, our cook,
is a regular player in the women's softball league. One of the
nicest aspects of not having televisions, is that villagers
make there own entertainment and the community is strengthened. |
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