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The peace and tranquility of San Sebastian invites you to walk the cobble stone streets and neighborhoods.  Stepping into the old world of horses and burros combined with touches of the new world as some were washing their cars, this quiet place to explore, surprised us with it’s unique flavor.  We found ourselves walking off the main tracks enjoying the scenes of small casitas with mountain backdrops.  Finding a place for the night is easy here as well as finding some good places to eat.  I felt drawn to all all the variety of stone work from the earthy adobe bricks, to the stones for streets and walls.  I often found myself trying to imagine life at the time of this village’s construction and realized how so much of the old still exists in San Sebastian.  My mind was filled imagining what it was like to live high in the mountains without a road connecting your village to others.  Now the lives there will probably change with the new road and bridge.  However, I think the old flavor of San Sebastian will survive for a long time to come. 

A days trip to San Sabastian took us into another world.  Less than two hours from Puerto Vallarata and nestled high in the Sierra Madre mountains we got to drive to a village that in the past could only be reached by plane.  A new road and bridge have just been completed making it possible to reach San Sebastian by car.  There was a wonderous beauty to the mountain screnery as we began to reach the higher elevations.  Famous for it’s production of coffee, San Sebastian has a population of only about 600 people.  The town square is impressive and the combination of adobe buildings with cobbled streets and stone walls make this a lovely place to visit.  We felt like we’d entered an old village town in the mountains of the alps or parts of the slavic countries.  The cooler climate made the walking and exploring refreshing as we put on our sweatshirts and tried some of the famous coffee from the area. 

Yelapa exudes great excitment on independence day through the children.  Their beach parade in the morning and their presentations in the afternoon are some of the favorite village entertainment.  The dancing, the costumes, music, dramatic presentations from the older children are watched with great pride.  Each of the classes in the schools prepares for this day.  One of the favorite of all is the kindergarden class.  The community feeling of living so closely, watching the children perform, are complimented by food served to raise money for the schools.  Celebrations go on for hours as parents, grandparents and the young ones who aren’t in school yet, all join in the fun of enjoying the children’s performances. 

Boys take on the characters of the adults!  So many wonderful sights as the children dress and prepare for the show.  These faces say it all!

I’m bending over backwards with excitment about the newly tiled and painted yoga terrace to begin the season.  Our landlady said she would tile the terrace and she did!  I picked a wild burnt orange to paint the space and hung my new prayer flags from Jude facing the sea. 

Now I’m waiting for the yogis of the north to come south and play on my new terrace.  It’s warm to the bones, the wild parrots are flying through the trees, tropical birds adorn all areas of Yelapa.  Small boat taxis arrive throughout the day and you can enjoy the luxury of walking from place to place with no cars in this secluded village.  Lots of opportunities for wonderful home cooked Mexican food, time on the beach, boat trip to the islands or to watch whales and dolpins.  Take a hike to the local waterfall enjoying the tropical jungle vegetation along the river.  Check out my Yoga Eco Vacation.  I put it together with the intention of creating an affordable yoga vacation in nature. Let’s do yoga and enjoy this winter paradise!

Breathing in I feel gratitude.  Breathing out I give thanks.

Breathing in I know compassion.  Breathing out I am compassion.

Breathing in I feel loved.  Breathing out I offer love. 

Breathing in I am still.  Breathing out I am peace. 

Om