A full day
Thursday is market day in La Penita and though we don't go every Thursday it is always fun when we do. The plan is to always leave early, find a place to park, hit a street side restaurant for breakfast and then walk the market. Since it stretches for near a mile I guess I should say, we walk some of it.
Today following the Market we decided to continue heading North and make a return visit to the little beach side village of Chacala. I wrote extensively about this little community during last years visit to the area as it was where my blogging friend 'Andy' resided.
We had heard from a friend that Chacala has been grossly changed because a high dollar developer has purchased much of the town, fenced off the area, bulldozed the beach side huts and restaurants, and is planning to build a huge high rise hotel complex. The rumors are true. What we witnessed today took a moment of pause. They call this progress? I'm not so sure?
On our return trip toward home to Lo de Marcos we again passed through La Penita and we noticed that the little highway side restaurant of Karina and her fire grilled chicken was open for business. Last year though we spoke hardly a word of Spanish and she, even less English we counted her a friend as we stopped often to enjoy what still is the best grilled chicken we have found. Below is a picture I took last year on one of our first visits.
Last year Karina had a broken wrist for much of the time we were in La Penita and yet most every day she tended to her little restaurant. We fussed over her 'ouch' a lot and perhaps that helped to cement our friendship and bond. Today when we stopped the smile and hugs told us that she hadn't forgotten us and once again we enjoyed one of her special dinners.
This time she had more to share with us as she introduced three of her grandchildren to us and a grandma's pride is truly universal. Both Kathleen and I got to hold the newest little Nina (female) also named Karina. What a bundle of joy.
