Mexico

[Drunk Monk]

We’ve crossed the halfway point. 

I can’t escape the default world. I’m intentionally avoiding work issues (including one that’s been my problem child in 2024 but can’t fix on my phone), but now Laurie’s team reached out to me about a project next week and iaido head sensei Phil Ortiz is coming through so my schedule will be packed upon my return.

But that’s days away…

[Drunk Monk]

I may have overdosed on guacamole 

There are worse ways to go…

[Drunk Monk]

I’m now sitting about 30ft from a wild alligator. It’s just chillin. Like me.

It messed up my neijia practice tho, that and my right hip who just said he’s had enough yoga already, thank you.

[Dr. Ivor Yeti]

I may have overdosed on guacamole 

There are worse ways to go…

Well, if there ain't enough cheese, you just gotta make due with what you've got.

[Drunk Monk]

Mexican cheese is mediocre. It’s filling but its character is far from spectacular. 

One of the yoga students came down with Covid. She left. There’s only one full day - today - remaining here in paradise.

We are here alongside a Sufi group which is twice our number. A few of them have been in quarantine due to covid including one of our neighbors.

Last night, a mariachi band came to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Sufis annual retreat here along with two birthdays.

My right hip has totally bailed out on the yoga. I struggle to survive the last two classes.

I’m just relaxing today, pacing for the last two classes. I have no desire to go outside the retreat center or to get any souvenirs. This week of peace has been plenty.

[Drunk Monk]

One last class then the long flight home. We have a 5 hour layover in LAX. Stupid Expedia.

Stacy has a slight cold. My hip is pretty sore, as is a lot of my body. It’s going to be a tough journey back but we can hardly wait to see Yuki.

[Drunk Monk]

@PVR

An hour plus until boarding…

[Greg]

Seems like you could drive to the Cruz during that layover.

[Drunk Monk]

Ha! Yeah maybe.  

Our return flight is on American. Several of our group are flying back via Alaska again. They were supposed to leave an hour ago but got delayed for 3+ hours.

We got a $200 credit each for the flight in kerfuffle. Tentative about using it…

[Dr. Ivor Yeti]

I'm still amazed that you took time off. Good for you both!

[Drunk Monk]

Almost didn’t leave. I was plucked for a random screening by security. Stripped all my luggage and wiped it down with those detector gloves.

[Drunk Monk]

For the record

We were here: https://mardejade.com

[Drunk Monk]

And we’re back!

My tropical blood has determined that the best thing for me to do during the winter months is to escape south like a migratory bird and bask in the sun and beach. It’s not like I don’t get enough beach where we live, but I only wear shorts when there when it’s in the 90s. And being the wellness freaks that we are, a yoga retreat is just the thing.

Travel went like clockwork yesterday. Up at 4am to share a shuttle with some of our fellow yogis, then sprint ahead of them at sfo as we’re just more efficient that way, then board first because Stacy used the credit we got last year for the botched Alaska flight to upgrade us to first class (she had never flown first class before; I flew first class with Legbone when we went to Vegas for his second wedding). 

Got here just in time for lunch yesterday. We were just going to have a snack but I ended stuffing my face because the food is so delish. Then the first of 15 2-hour yoga sessions was mostly flight restoratives, which was perfect. Then more face stuffing for dinner. 

Thai morning class was rigorous. There are more men this year (but I have the least gray, except for one young dude in his 30s with his gf - she’s the yogini, he’s along for the ride much like me). Once again getting my arse kicked by older women. Kinda like that being dominated thing, ya know?

Now, after stuffing my face again for breaky, I’m in a lovely hammock, reading something not about martial arts *for fun* and watching a squadron of pelicans dive bomb the ocean waves. Life is good.

---

We slept through the quake 
Tourists were evacced in Puerto Vallarta, which is where we flew into.
If there was a tsunami, we are at sea level and would’ve drowned. 
Heard there was a quake in Daly City too.
My social media was confuzzled just now and I regret tuning in.

Oh well. Back to hammocking.

[Drunk Monk]

For most peeps, ‘say yellow to my little friend’ is the most memorable line from Scarface. For me, it’s this, especially right now:

[Drunk Monk]

Thar be whales!