Saturday, December 24, 2005:
El Boleo Museum helps the Great Cumengite Exploration.
We have asked the El Boleo Museum director, Jose Andres Cota Sandoval for help many times. We have received from him history and location information about the mines. We would not even have known about the road to the mines thru the garbage dump, if it were not for Senor Sandoval.
Yesterday afternoon, Senor Sandoval invited me to go on a trip that he will be taking during the month of February. Guess where? If you guessed the Amelia Mine, you are absolutely right! Wow! Of course we will continue to find the Amelia Mine ourselves, while searching for the illusive Cumengite Crystal. But to go on a trip to the Amelia with the Museum director!! 
Several readers have taken their time to do research about the Amelia Mine. We have received emailed links with maps of the Amelia Mine, including GPS coordinates.
 Jose Andres Cota Sandoval, Director of the El Boleo Museum.
11AM - Chutin comes to check the water.
Several times each day, starting around 6AM, Chutin drives his truck up to check the water in the tanks a few feet from our hilltop Camp. Chutin looks at the water level, checks the air intake pipes and makes sure that things are OK. This morning we had a very long conversation about lot of things.
Chutin told me that he works for the government owned water system, and that it takes 28 years of service to retire. He likes his job a lot. He works without supervision, and says that this is a good thing. When I asked Chutin how well he understood my Spanish, he made the so-so sign.
 Chutin the water guy.
1PM - Suzette.
Have we told you about our very good friend whose name is Suzette? She lives in Kuka's home, our neighbor whose house was next to our old Camp. Everytime we walk by her home, Suzette begs for us to come by and pet her. Suzette is filled with love.
Suzette had a bath this morning to be looking good for Christmas.
The day before Christmas in El Centro.
Today it is very busy in El Centro. Besides being Saturday, which is always busy, it is the day before Christmas. I asked several shops if they would be open tomorrow. "No, tomorrow is a day of rest."
Every intersection has a Christmas decoration hanging from the electric wires. There are candy canes, pinatas and stars made from paper machete.
 Traffic is bumper to bumper. Do you see the famous El Boleo Bakery?
 Christmas decoration, Santa Rosalia style.
2PM - Walking around shopping.
Walking around El Centro shopping seemed to be the thing to do, so we did. We needed to buy some flour tortillas. When it was time to go home, we went to the Santa Agueda Tortillaria which is at the foot of our hill.
We have never been to this tortillaria when they were not making fresh tortillas, about one every three seconds. They make fresh tortillas all day long! We bought a package of twelve, and brought them home. Two are eaten already. They are soooo good. A wonderful flavor and the texture is just a bit chewy.
The ladies at the Santa Agueda Tortillaria.
Supper tonite.
We are planning to go to town for supper tonite. First we will have a taco at the Five Sisters Taqueria. Then we will go around the corner to Santa Barbara Hotdogs and buy one of their wonderful Salchichas (hotdogs). These are BBQ hotdogs. Both of these restaurant carts are just across from the Santa Barbara Church.
We hope to hear the Church congregation singing tonite. Their singing is wonderful to hear. A sound all its own.
Sharing my evening with you.
A little after 6PM, I walked down to El Centro. As I past the water tanks on my hilltop home, I could hear the sound of music below. It is gorgeous evening, about 70°F. My plan was to first eat a hot dog at Santa Barbara Hot Dogs, then go up the street for a taco. However the hot dog stand was not there. Change of plans!
I've eaten at a table service restaurant called Tercos Pollito before. It is a nice place, and the food is very good. I decided to eat there tonite. Tercos is a nice looking restaurant, and I've noticed that a lot of Americanos are attracted to this place. There were several tables occupied. The waiter brought me the menu and I chose a BBQ steak with french fried potatoes. The dinner came with chips, a fish dip, frijoles, salad and tortillas. A lot of food for $8US.
After I finished supper, all of the other customers had left. So I asked the waiter if he would help me with some Spanish words. Any chance to pick up some hints, right?!
 Tercos lights on Christmas eve.
8PM - Strolling around El Centro.
I needed some fruit, and walked up to Delia Carneceria (meat market). Delia's sells fruit, groceries and vegetables too. When I went to pay, I could not find my money. The man at the cash register told me, "No problem, come back on Monday." Wow! I love this trusting place. When I was walking down the street, I found $50 pesos in my shirt pocket and was able to go back and pay.
Jugos y Aguas.
I love an ice cream store on the Avenida Obregon, the main street thru town. It is called Jugos and Aguas. They sell fresh orange juice and manufacture their own ice cream in the back. Jugos y Aguas is owned by a family that is very, very friendly. I've gotten to know them pretty well since I am there several times each week.
I ordered a cup of strawberry ice cream, my favorite flavor. Manuel the store owner served the ice cream to me. Manuel's wife is Monica, and she is a working partner in the store. Monica was sitting at one of two tables, and I sat with her and we talked about her home which is on the hill overlooking El Centro. Her home is in an excellent location with a wonderful view.
 Manuel Villalobos, owner of Jugos y Aguas in El Centro de Santa Rosalia.
Walking back home.
It is so fabulous living in Santa Rosalia. As I walked up the hill and climbed the steps near the hospital, the bay was below me. The lights and sounds of the Pueblo filled me with the thought that I am so incredibly lucky to be living here. It is a miracle.
I continued walking up the steps, down the road past the Museum, and crossed the dirt lot that was my old Camp. As I passed my friend Pancho's home on the steep part of the hill, even though the lights of the town are bright, I could see very clearly a nite sky filled with stars.
Man-O-man!
MsTioga and The Team wish a very Merry Christmas to you and your family!
 
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TiogaRV Team Mission
To share the vagabonding life with our fellow RVers like yourself. We hope that you will try to boondock and dry camp.
We have found great joy in camping away from the RV Campground. We would like you to try our camping life style yourself.
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