Fashion Show and Visitors

Hello everyone... sorry it has been so long since our last BLOG....We've been busy hosting a fundraiser and friends who came to visit. 

In past BLOGS I wrote about the program I am now a director of... The Chuburna Puerto Apoyo Escolar Program.. where we find sponsors and accept donations for the children who attend school in the village.   

Well on January 26, 2013,  we raised 54,000 pesos ( $4,400 Can)  for the program, from the 3rd annual Fashion Show held in our courtyard. 

Our house was full of donations of gently used & new women’s clothing from women who live here and those who visit.  SO when you come to visit us please pack a few clothes you can leave behind... Without the clothes there is no show. 

We spent a whole day early in January making sure  the Models' & Boutique clothing were clean, ironed and priced.  As you can see the kitchen and dining room are full of donated clothing. Racks with the model's 40 outfits are in the TV room.  Needless to say it is good we haven't  purchased much furniture and that what we do have is easy to move.  

Mary is from Ontario.  She lives here full time and passionately  coordinates outfits from many of the donated clothes, finds models, writes and reads the descriptions of the outfits worn during the show.


Here she is with David, opening the show.

Beverly is from British Columbia and has lived here for 6 years.  She is the founder of the Chuburna Puerto Apoyo Escolar Program.

An amazing organizer, she manages every detail, recruiting and working closely with the volunteers, to ensure a venue, a dresser for each model, waiters, chairs, tables, sound system, music, tickets & programs, raffle & auction items, refreshments and food.

6 models and 1 pirate....volunteers who live here full and part-time.  

                                   Modeled over  40 outfits... Here is a sample

            

                                           

                       

                                            

8 husbands who served the women drinks. 

Gord was a bartender.

* 1 auctioneer & 5 In"purse"inators.  Each purse held an auction item...Sunset Cruise, Sailboat Cruise, Spa Day at Barefoot in the Sands, Progreso, 3 Nights at Flamingos Inn - Chuburna, 2 Nights at Casa de Luz-Merida

 

The guys were a hoot...sashaying up and down the sidewalk as Auctioneer Dave took bids. 

 

BEST FOOD EVER!!!!  Great Food Committee

Other incredible volunteers included 

* 1 Chuburna School, Telesecundaria Salvador Alvarado, for the audio system 

* Cindy provided 2 hrs. of music in the garden. 

* Amy took the photos

* 10 others provided umbrellas, tents and the tiles, & buckets from which we made small side tables; 

* 11 donors of raffle and auction items 

* 150 guests purchased tickets to attend and then spent more money on refreshments, the raffle, the auction and the boutique.

THE BOUTIQUE... BARGAINS ON GENTLY USED CLOTHING including what the models wore... Craziness on the terrace.

With so many volunteers magic happened on behalf of the well-being and education of the children of Chuburna Puerto.

Part of the money raised at the Fashion Shows is used for projects that benefit  many in the village such as a sheltered space for the children attending the Primary school to have lunch, renovations to a new medical clinic and for the drop-in program for moms and their infants-3 yr. old children.   The rest of the money goes into our GUST fund to support the children attending school with Glasses, Uniforms, Sundry materials and Transportation.

Sunday we "raise the roof" on the shelter and next week we are attending a session at the drop-in program to meet the moms and children as they set up  the materials and supplies we provided. I will bring you along in our next BLOG. 

WE'VE HAD COMPANY:  Lisa and Scotti from Castlegar came to visit and we had 9 glorious fun-filled days...collecting shells, visiting the zoo,  sightseeing in Merida - Scotti got to dance with Superman and Spiderman, playing in the waves, climbing pyramids, swimming,  fishing; and even getting a first haircut.  

No fear 

Scotti at the Fashion Show; our own little garden fairy 

Our friends from the village, Paulino and Minerva with son, Cristian and grandson, Junior, took us "reel" fishing.

Scotti got to practice her spanish -
" hola" 
" gracias" 

Lisa with the Catch of the Day!!!! 

PYRAMID CLIMBING..Scotti wore her special "Pyramid shirt " 

Collecting sea sells not far from our house

        Water Baby!                                                                                       

AHH this is the life! Can't believe it is winter!

Our Casita was also HOME away from HOME for friends, Syd and Carl from BC. who came to visit for 2 weeks in February.   Syd and I have been friends for 49 years growing up in Stony Mountain, Manitoba.  

We explored the ruins at Uxmal, toured the Ecomuseo del Cacao ( Chocolate Museum), played in Merida,  walked the beach, tried new foods and spent lots of time in and around the pool. 

Uxmal.. 1.5 hrs. from our home

Look way up!...

Carl and I climbed the Pyramid..... What a view! 

We attended one of the many parades during the Merida Carnival... here the guys are watching the infamous SOL Girls float... 





Rumour has it that 50% of the hundreds who come to see the parades, come to see the SOL GIRLS...

Given the expressions on the faces of these 2 guys, I believe it!!.






ECOMUSEO DEL CACAO        http://www.ecomuseodelcacao.com/

 Leading the way to an ancient Mayan Ceremony 

Honouring the Cacao Pod (from which Chocolate is made 

I never gave much thought to the plant that gives us chocolate!!!!! 

 We saw how it was made so many years ago...and then to have a taste... 
mmmmm good. 

Enjoying the pool.. 






We were fortunate to also meet the children when they displayed their school work in the town square.  

That's it for now... I have plants to tend to and floors to clean. Gord is off working for a fellow Canadian installing their water system...

We are looking forward to a visit from another long-time friend in a couple of weeks followed by our son David & girlfriend Julie over Easter.  

The days just fly by and we continue to enjoy sharing them with you all, thru this BLOG, emails and visits. 

From the beach

Abrazos

Dorothy and Gord