Thinking of Mama Rosa on Easter ... I can still hear the sound of her hands clapping making tortillas . . .

Mama Rosa was my maternal grandmother who raised me since I was 3. She immigrated from El Salvador to San Francisco in 1964. My parents worked several jobs, so they needed someone to take care of my younger brother and I. We only spoke Spanish in the home, so we grew up bilingual. She taught us about our culture and so much more  . . . it wasn't until I moved to Mexico that I realized what a gift she had given me. Rosa Chavez was a devote Baptist and she lived for her church. Easter Sunday was the most important day of the year for her. Here's to Mama Rosa!

The aftermath of the Huerta fire...

I walked around near where the fire started . . . the ground was covered in ash... stark, but interesting terrain. Now I can see the fence lines.

Palo de Arco Blossoms

Palo de Arco has been one of my favorite Baja plants since I first discovered it. It grows naturally around Todos Santos and also cultivated in ranches in Pescadero and the Sierras. The yellow blossoms have a delicate scent and they move with the slightest breeze. The bees like the nectar for honey, and local artisans use the stalks to make furniture and woven stick fences. It also makes a good natural barrier and ideal for planting along fence lines. I've been trying to capture this flower without much success. On the night of the full moon just before sunset I found some blossoms close to the ground. I used off camera flash and bounced the light off the ground and was able to freeze the motion and backlit the blossoms. I like the warm tones and luminous light radiating from within.

Junebug Real Weddings

Last November I worked with a couple to coordinate the wedding of their dreams. I first met Michael and Jeanne on Thanksgiving of 2008. They had spent several days touring wedding venues in Los Cabos and decided to take a last minute day trip to Todos. They met Chef Dany Lamote at the Hotel Calfornia and he called me on the cell and suggested I meet with them. I took Michael and Jeanne on a tour of ceremony sites. They treated to fish tacos and we discussed their wedding over lunch. They decided that Todos Santos was the right balance of rustic and chic, and much more affordable than the venues they visited in Los Cabos. They said some venues were quoting up to $5000 usd just to be married on the beach, and that only included the location fee! Along with designer and stylist (and good friend) Barbara Matthews, I enjoyed working out the details with the bride and producing their wedding. Michael and Jeanne brought their own photographer which turned out to be Ben Chrisman--rated one the top 10 wedding photographers in the USA. After watching him work and viewing his images, I can certainly see why. The rehearsal dinner took place at Michael's Restaurant. We hired mark up artists and hair stylists from Los Cabos for the bride and seven bridesmaides. The ceremony took place at Villa Punta Lobos and the reception was hosted at the Hotel California. Delicia's Restaurant hosted the farewell brunch and everyone enjoyed an amazing weekend. The wedding was featured in Junebug Real Weddings. While you are there, make sure you visit Chrisman's Photography site. Click on the following link for the feature: Junebug Real Weddings

Las Palmas Sale Closed

I am pleased to report my first real estate closing of the year. The property was on the market for 1.5 years and listed with Coldwell Banker Riveras since November 2009. The 2Bed 2 Bath with 1700 M2 lot was reduced to $330K and closed at $320K. The listing agents were myself and Lisa Welsch, and I was the selling agent.  The buyer bought a quality home in one of the best neighborhoods and now the family has a winter getaway from the Northeastern winters.

Fire in the Huerta . . .

We were home getting ready to go out for the evening and our friend Susan Doyle called. Susan lives in Las Briasas and asked if were alright with the fire. I asked, "Fire, what fire?" I looked out the window and the huerta/palm grove was smoking (first image). I called the fire department and they were already on their way. The fire appeared to be in the middle of the huerta and no immediate threat to homes. We watched the fire as the ocean breezes took it up the palm orchard towards Calle Benito Juarez. Some of the locals said it was the biggest one they'd seen in 40 years. Luckily the winds subsided and the local volunteer fire department were able to bring it under control. Click on the panoramic image to see the damages and path of the fire.

Michael's Restaurant at La Galeria de Todos Santos

We celebrated our friend Wendy Rain's birthday at Michael's Restaurant. It rained on and off for much of the weekend, which is very unusual for this time of year. Michael moved the tables indoors and we got to dine in the main gallery, which made the evening even more special. We started out with the sweet potato and shrimp fritters, and Pat Cope severed up her famous Ume martini's made from her family's house made plum liquor. Dinner served Thursday-Saturday 5:30-p.m. and reservations recommended 612-145-0500.

Alvaro Colindres featured in El Calendario

The March issue features photography by yours truly. Also featured is Erick Ohoa the artist who donated the painting "Agave" for the silent art auction benefitting "The Youth in Video Program" sponsored by Festival de Cine de Todos Santos (formerly the Latino Film Festival). The movie festival runs March 4-7th and will include a documentary film on Professor Néstor Agundez produced by local resident John Stoltzfus. Click here to read the online issue of El Calendario March 2010

Weekend Retreat with Robert Hall

On the weekend of February 13th, El Dharma and Baraka of Todos Santos hosted a three day residential silent meditation retreat at Serendipity Ventures in Las Tunas. There were visitors from the east cape who spent the weekend and lots of local commuters for a total of about 30 participants.  The delicious meals were prepared by the proprietors Sharon and Harry Morris, and staff. Serendipity has lots of space and a gorgeous pool and soothing hot tub and the beach is just down a trail. Sharon said they're installing a new outdoor patio for an upcoming wedding. Another fine venue to host workshops, retreats and weddings. Let Sharon know I sent you: Serendipity Ventures.

Rancho Pescadero

At the benefit for Agua Vale Mas Que Oro, we won a door prize which included two nights at Rancho Pescadero. We've been hearing great things about the place and they are all true. We enjoyed a mini vacation right in the middle of the busy tourist season and we didn't even need to board a plane. You'd be surprised how busy we get living in this little pueblo. If you would like to learn more, read the  article which recently appeared in the L.A. Times: Todos Santos featured in the L.A. Times

Todos Santos Photography Contest

The ARTS group of Todos Santos hosted its first juried photography show. The contest was organized by Vic Kirby and there was over 114 submissions and drew one of the biggest crowds I've ever seen at Cafelix. There was some very talented photographers and the jurors had their work cut out for them. I entered several prints, which made the final round. The winners for Best of Baja were Jack Hamilton, Laurie Bauer and Thomas Ireton. For Best in Show the winners were Vic Kirby, Gail McAllister and Roberta Booth. Congratulations to all the winners! Read more about the show at the following link: ARTS

New Listing Beach Front Santa Cruz

My associate Dan Binetti lassoed this coveted beach front listing. It includes just over an acre of fertile farmland. The property has about 150 ft of beach front and extends from the beach all the way to Las Playitas Rd. I created a virtual tour and available for viewing at the following link Beach Front Rancho Santa Cruz. Offered at $950K.

Todos Santos 5K 2010

I hope everyone's year is off to a good start . . . in Todos Santos organizers Mike and Mire Lund , and Oscar Rosales and Tori Sepulveda produced another successful 5K run/walk. The proceeds benefit the Palapa Society's Chino Medical Project.

El Dharma Book Signing

El Dharma and Michael's Restaurant announce a book-signing party to celebrate the publication of Robert Hall's new book, "Buddha Now, Buda Ya" (featuring photographs by Alvaro Colindres). The book signing will take place on Sunday, January 10th at 3:00pm at the Galleria de Todos Santos. All are invited. Wine, snacks, and no-host bar will be served, and Robert will give a short reading from the English version of the book.

Puebla, Tenancingo, Mexico City and San Cristobol

September was quiet month, but we were busy planning

for the upcoming season. October started off with a with a series of gestalt workshops and a meditation retreat on mainland México. We just concluded a 7 day Vipassana retreat at Casa Tonalli and on our way to San Christobal for another workshop. Lots to catch up on, but wanted to share an amazing place to host retreats and workshops. I spent the golden hours photographing the center for their new web site. The owner didn't need to advertise and relied on referrals and word of mouth, but with the downtown in the economy they are realizing they need to make themselves more visible and streamline the registration process. I've lots of images to process, but for now here's a sneak peak preview of Casa Tonalli. For more information contact alvarobaja@mac.com.

Back On line . . . .

It took me a lot longer to set up the household again after Jimena had passed. Predicting an almost category 5 hurricane, we were expecting the roof to blow, so I packed all our valuables especially electronics, such as TV, DvD players, VCR, computers, six hard drives, a 23" monitor, a wide format and office printer, and all the wires, terminals and accessories. All the furniture on our patios was moved against the house or moved into the bodega. After almost of week of unpacking and putting my office back together, it feels like I'm just about back to normal. Upon clearing my office area just before the storm, I remember standing there and admiring my desk with nothing on it--a clean slate-- and for a moment, I was reminded why I enjoy being here during the rainy/hurricane season: when it's storming and the power is off and there's no place to go nor nothing to do, I am forced to sit still. Once I realize I have no control over the situation, I start letting go and begin to enjoy the change in pace. My tendency is to always be "doing" and it's during the Todos Santos summers and hurricane seasons that I return to a baseline of being and reminded why we moved to Todos Santos.

Back to Normal . . . I think

After all the predictions and commotion regarding hurricane Jimena, she decided to veer toward the Pacific and continue northward. We got rain and wind, but mild to what it could have been. We were without electricity for about 12 hours and as soon as I was starting to enjoy it, the power came back on. Back to normal . . . I think.

Before Jimena

The skies just before a hurricane are so intense and dramatic. I have often wondered if the Palapa in the photo would withstand a hurricane. We shall see . . . vamos a ver . . . Just started raining again, by this time on Tuesday we should be in the midst of Jimena. We are ready as we can be, so now we wait. An opportunity to meditate!

Hurricane Jimena: Hurricane Watch upgraded to Hurricane Warming

Hurricane Jimena

This year the rains came later than usual and we are starting off the Hurricane season with a bang. Hurricane Jimena is predicted to be a category four. Which means we'll need to take all the items off our front and rear patios and put everything in storage, including the furniture. During our first hurricane, we saw the wicker furniture fly away like toys, but the house did really well. Most likely we'll be without communications and power for a day, maybe longer. I'll be posting photographs, so stay tuned.