Author Archives: drpopp

We had a great trip but We are ready to get back to the USA

We decided yesterday to change our flights. And we are glad that we did. Last night security guard really emphasized that we lock all of the sliding doors, so something was up. We each slept with a knife. The only thing that got me were bugs. I have bites all over! We were also sick of the locals claiming “our” beach. There was a bar near by that vibrated the whole beach until about 4 am. we played more rummy cube and called it a night.

Today we had a leisurely morning, gave out left over food and booze to the guard and drove to the car rental and then the airport. We’ll be in Coronado by 8:30 tonight

Another beautiful day…drove to Sayulitas again.

Another morning walk through the town and on the beach. It’s really a pretty place. So much art!

Home for a little nap and watching the sun set.

On Sunday we decided to drive up the coast to Sayulitas. I had been there for a beautiful wedding a few years ago. We parked the car and then just walked a bit. I love the colors of the little surf town. We sat on the beach for what else, a margarita then found a taco shop with the best tacos ever!!!

Another beautiful day! Sue and I decided to get some walking in. We walked all the way down the beach, stopping to admire the street art along the way.

We stopped for a margarita and a little shopping and viewing the locals.

Sue and I spent a little time on the beach. The guard that works here brought chairs to us and made a little space for us. So nice to read and relax ten feet from the water. We ventured out in the neighborhood to find some food. The Cobb is a little rough in my Moms feet but we kept her going. Decided on a place upstairs but the service and the martinis were not up to par so we left. Of course they tried to charge us double but we knew the exchange rate and one that battle. Next stop was an awesome little place with great food and margaritas!!!

We needed some more tequila and limes so I punched up liquor store. Lo and behold, just 5 miles away there was a liquor store. I hadn’t seen it. We took an unmarked right which quickly turned into a dirt road, of course filled with pot holes and deep ruts. Then cobblestone, which has its own concerns. Within minutes I to the jungle we saw a few structures. Which one was the liquor store. Signs in Mexico are so optional. Finally past some chicken coops and a few people staring us down, turned a corner and there was a tequila tasting tour! A very friendly Javier asked if we wanted to taste or tour or both! Of course, both. We learned where agave was grown and how it was roasted and distilled and then he pulled up a couple chairs and we tasted tequila!

Friday we left our condo, packed up all of our stuff and drive about 5 minutes to a roadside “diner”. My Mom wasn’t too keen on stopping at these places but today she had no choice. We had gone by many times.

So back in the raid to the next condo. Took a bit to get someone’s attention to open the door, then the keys and parking were difficult, but right on the ocean with a lovely view.

We settled in, stopped at the store and then picked up Sue Maack at the airport. She was going to spend the weekend with us. For dinner we walked across the street to a little sports bar. Had some margaritas and nachos and a lot of laughs.

So after a day of reading and thinking, can’t quite meditate, but I try. Maybe writing is my meditation.. especially in this peaceful place on the balcony, seeing and listening to the waves crash, hearing a tropical bird sing and being still.

More reading today. Trying to alternate between work ready, self improvement and reading for pleasure. Most if the books I read for please are some sort of mystery, psychological thriller and very occasionally silly girl humor. I like books that sweep me away. I also like historical fiction and biographies. Shantaram is mostly a biography with history and politics. Some of his story must be fabricated like in “Million Little Pieces,” because how do you know what’s act happening when you are on heroin or crack? Finished rereading the book called, “Fish” which is a required book in my office right now. We used to be better about following the Fish Principles in the past, so I am vm regain that we will begin again. I find that in the business of dentistry, one must really listen to what the patient wants, I get that no one wants to have dentistry but for me it’s more important to do more things proactively for your teeth so that when you are older, that they are in your mouth, not in your bed stand or “Summer Teeth” like we used to joke around about…some are there and some are not. Another book I am reading is called, “The Magic of Thinking Big.” It was written in 1959! Ha before I was born. It’s about daring to believe that you can have what you want. Being persistent and creative. My children know that there is one song I hate the most in the world and it’s, “You can’t always get what you want.” By The Rolling Stones! I love the Stones and especially Mick Jagger, but I hate this song because it goes against so many of my core beliefs. If I hear this song, I must turn it off. So I know all of this stuff, but rereading keeps me motivated. I phrase from one book, a quiz from another. It just goes hand in hand with my strive for more vision, for always learning, ( because if you are not leaning, you are dumbing). I just want to be sure that I am living this life to my fullest potential. Years ago while waiting for an imminent cyclone, I said to my friend Megan, “I am good, I am happy with my life, I have no regrets.” And I feel that way, but I don’t want to stop living my best life ever. Like the saying goes, I want to slide into home plate, tattered and torn, using up every moment of my life. We obviously survived the category 5 Cyclone!

Last night we made the third trip to the Mismaloya Grill down the street. We were there last Saturday but it was a fixed Valentines menu, stopped by Monday as Pablo the owner promised me some grilled octopus but they closed because the cook didn’t show up. Finally got the Pulpo/octopus and it was perfect!

I one had some of the best grilled octopus in Greece with a Sambuca reduction and pistachios. It still makes me drool. Mom had some wood fired pizza. Both were served on circular cuts of a tree trunk.

The view is amazing where we can watch locals bring their fishing boats in. The kids all play in the water and the sunsets are beautiful.The restaurant is perched on a cliff overlooking the Mismiloya cove

After a, some may call it lazy day: me reading and bronzing, and Mom doing her puzzle and word games, we ventured out. The nearest store besides the OXXO was about ten minutes away in the Romantic Zone. It was a little different route than we had been taking. The streets were very narrow with very little in the way of signage. Soon they turned from pot holes to bumpy cobblestone. Most of the main area is cobblestone. Our gps led us to the tiny grocery store. They had the basics. I needed limes for my tequila and we needed drinking water. After our purchases we decided to drive around. It’s known to be a very gay area and, of course, that means great restaurants and galleries and shops. We decided that if we saw something and there was a parking spot that we would stop.

There was a wine tasting place so I asked a man outside if they had food and if we could park in the yellow area. He said that yes, they did have great food and wine and that the yellow on the curbs was just there because some official liked the color yellow. Upstairs was the restaurant and a gallery. We sat on a balcony looking down the street. There were many people for my mom to figure out their life. It was a pretty street lines with many colors of Bougainvilleas.

Mom had a martini and never hesitates to ask special favors, this time it was asking if they had blue cheese olives….nope, but then our cute waiter brought her three that he stuffed himself!

It was more of a Tapas place so we had stuffed mushrooms, beef carpaccio, tuna sashimi and of course, we can never pass up calamari, but we should have.

We had some more drinks and then wandered the gallery. There were some shops across the street that were cute. Soon Montezuma was telling me it was time to go home. We played some more Rummicub, finally with me winning a few games. She is still ahead! Neither of us slept well but I finished a good book. it is great to be able to read books cover to cover. It is what I enjoy when I am on long flights and/or in airports for hours.