We have finally caved in and decided to come home and let ourselves be incarcerated in a local quarantine hotel or solitary confinement as we call it. As it turns out, it may not be too bad. Our costs are $400 a night food included, and we may be able to get a refund if our test comes back early and negative. So, we’re flying out on 1st May after overnighting in PV.
Papa Gallo’s is mostly closing this week so a new ‘local’ will have to be found for our margaritas in the afternoon.
The folks there will be missed, they helped us a lot with our Spanish as well as the Mexican culture. Gabino, one of the waiters, spoke only Spanish all season. Just last week we found out that he is fairly fluent in English. He and Rafael worked together at the big hotel until it was wrecked in the earthquake in 1995.
Iris is the cook (pronounced Ee-ree-s.) she is great and her food is always delicious. While we were waiting for the photo op, she was missing and Gabino insisted on shouting “IRIS” (not Eerees) as loud as he could until she came and took her place. (We think she was in the Baño.)
Carlito is the youngest of the group and speaks a little English. He’s quite the joker. I asked for two ’50s in exchange for a 100 peso note so I could give them a tip. He tried to tell me it was only worth 50 pesos, so when he did eventually come back with the change I pretended to keep it all. He is also great at firing up fajitas, even in the wind so his silliness can be forgiven.
Gabino, Carlito and Iris, and Rafael
Rafael is the day manager there and he has been the most helpful to us. He spent time in Ontario and has a wife and two kids there so his English is really good. Unfortunately he is now separated and is living with a very nice lady here in Melaque.
They took their masks off for the photoshoot but otherwise, they wear them all the time. The whole crowd seemed to get a little less formal as the season wore on at the end we were really comfortable with each other. Perhaps this was because we were mostly their only customers.
We have tried a few other locations. The restaurant on top of the rock called ‘Roca Moca’ has re-opened, weekends only, so we tried to go there for lunch. After staggering up a whole bunch of stairs we were told that they weren’t open until later in the day.
After checking it out and taking a few photos, we staggered back down again. We probably won’t go back as the stairs were hard on Rosalie’s knee. For lunch we went to the nearest beach restaurant and met up with an old mesero friend El Lotario. We hadn’t seen him in a few years as he seems to move from restaurant to restaurant.
Then off to Bugambilias for an afternoon glass of wine. After a short time at home, we somehow ended up at Papa Gallo’s again as it hasn’t quite closed yet. It reminds me of the great line from’ Princess Bride’ where Westley is only ‘mostly dead.’ Anyway, we mean to string it out as long as possible.
If you haven’t seen “Princess Bride” go find it and watch it right now. One of my favourites.
So happy for you in that you were able to enjoy the sweet life in Melaque. Safe travels home amigos!
Thanks guys. We hope to see you here next year.
We were up at the Roca Moca many many years ago.. cant remember what it was called then
Safe travels back.. Hope to see you in Mex next season
You caved in a good way – looking forward to seeing you and have a safe journey home !! Hugs
Give my regards to Gabino, we have known him for over 30 yrs.good guy, he used to call me el diablo..good times
I’ll be glad when you’re back on Canadian soil. Lovely Zoom the other nite, we enjoyed that!! See you soon!
Let me know when the grand finalie is over and you are home again. Heaven here right now.