79 - LIFE IS A WHIRL
A visit to an orchid farm was far more interesting than I anticipated. I'm not an orchid fan, but after a tour and learning about this fascinating plant, I have a great respect. Unbelievable, but true, the orchid plant is 80 million years old, co-existing with dinosaurs! No other plant in the world has this distinction. Fidel Maza, the owner of Viveplants, is extremely informative, patiently answering all questions from his deep knowledge of the subject, as he personally tours you around the property filled with thousands of incredible orchids. There are over 3000 types of orchid. Fidel started the farm 22 years ago, located just minutes north of Manzanillo. It is well worth the visit even if you aren't an orchid lover. I'm so glad I went.
Every day there is something new happening! When I think I'm going to have a day just to paint, or read, or do nothing much at all another spur of the moment invitation comes up and my "why not" brain says "go for it", reminding me that one day I'll be unable to. Until then, I'm enjoying a steady diet of meeting friends for breakfast, or lunch , or happy hour, or dinner - and sometimes all of them in one day. More friends that I haven't seen since last spring, arrive daily as the social season heats up. More get-togethers, catching up on their happenings since our last meeting, more fun and laughter. Life is a wonderful whirl.
My daughter, Di, and son-in-law, Colin, arrived yesterday after they spent a few days in Mexico City. Colin hadn't been there before - he was enthralled by it. Being a trained cook as a hobby, he is keenly interested in food. There are a number of Michelin starred restaurants in that city and they ate at one of them. A meal they say they'll never forget. They also flew in a helicopter over the ancient Aztec ruins "Teotuacan" discovered in Mexico City - another thrill for them and something I'd like to do one day.
It's going to take some doing for Manzanillo to compete with Mexico City, but we'll try. A cooking class by one of the highest regarded chefs in Manzanillo is booked for us for rhis week. A two-hour sunset cruise followed by a dinner at OM, a top rated sushi restaurant overlooking the Marina, is another excursion this week. Dinner at a Spanish cuisine restaurant on the ocean is happening tonight. The social calendar is active and fast filling up.
Aquafit classes began again this week but I've been too chicken to participate. The polar vortex that started in Canada, slowly moving south through the States, has had an effect on the Mexican weather too. Snow fell less than two hours inland from Manzanillo three days ago. Here, we've experienced several cloudy days, a little drizzle, and very cool nights (15 -17 degrees Celsius) resulting in very chilly water in swimming pools. Temperatures will hopefully return to normal soon. Meanwhile, walking will have to make up for the water exercise.
I apologize that his episode is shorter than usual because my week has been more full than normal causing me to lose sight of my self-imposed publishing deadline.
See you here next Sunday with more to tell you.
Fidel Maza and me at Viveplants. You can make an appointment at 314-353-1919. You'll leave this tour looking at orchids with a more discerning eye after you learn the fascinating story of this 80,000,000 year-old plant.that requires air to survive!