Jungle Days, Ocean Waves, and Full Circles in Chacala

  

From the Jungle of Chacala 🌴

And here we are — writing this update from the lush, humming jungle of Chacala!

Before we go any further, dear friends — all of you who listen, support, and cheer us on — please remember: none of this would be possible without you. Your generosity, your messages, your steady connection — we’re in awe of how you’ve stuck with us through every twist, turn, and plot twist Lewy throws our way.

Yes, of course, Lewy came to the tropics too — just to keep us humble. He tends to show up when we least expect it.

Yesterday was one of those days. We all got gloriously carried away playing in the Pacific — the water perfect, the joy contagious. James, feeling great, ditched his hat (the sun seemed mild enough) and we’d had only a light breakfast — not quite enough fuel.

I floated blissfully in the salty waves while James splashed near shore.
But when we came back to the house, James suddenly crashed — exhausted, even after a good meal and plenty of water (and no, he didn’t forget his meds!). He ended up in bed, confused, disoriented for most of the day.

Cue our heroes: Marina and Ernesto — coconut water, lime, salt, every jungle remedy in the book. It worked! By evening James was back on his feet, smiling and steady again.

And here’s the full-circle part: we first met Marina and Ernesto in Guadalajara back in 2012, on our cycling journey to “the end of the world.” (Ushuaia, Argentina) They invited us on a mountain bike ride across the hills to show us their little paradise in Chacala — and now, 13 years later, here we are, finally in that very paradise again.

They’ve built a true haven here. We’re staying in a tiny casita beside their home, surrounded by a wild tangle of plants that makes me feel like an ant — formiga, formiga, formiga! The soundtrack: ocean waves, jungle birds, and the occasional gecko commentary.

It’s easy here to forget the struggle. The here and now is so strong, so beautiful, it sweeps everything else away.

Still, my thoughts drift at times — to winter in Germany, where I’ll be soon to lay my mother to rest. (Thanks to this circle of supporters ,  — I was able to buy that ticket before we left California.) James will stay home in Coby’s care, surrounded by friends checking in each day.

But for now, we’re here to play and be — because you’ve given us the gift of community, near and far, and shown up for us when it mattered most.

We get a break, and we won’t forget where we belong, or the love that holds us.

Sappy? Maybe. But it's true.

All right — time for one more salty dip before the sun sets. 🌅

With love and deep gratitude,
Margit and James

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