somewhere under the rainbow

Some readers have asked me whether or not they should come to the Costalegre this year.

Even though the topic has been thoroughly discussed on our local Facebook pages, I will take a shot at wrestling what is a rather complicated question to the ground.

The two big issues, of course, are the flood and the virus (which sounds like the name of a rustic pub in Lower Heyford).

The flood is the easier factor. It is true that portions of West Melaque and Jaluco were adversely affected by the August flood (stop raining on my parade), but the majority of the damage was well on the way to recovery within weeks of the inundation. There are still some major repairs under way (such as, turning Alberto Macias back into a street, instead of a Verdun trench) (breaking eggs). They are the exceptions.

The only major result of the flood that is still with us is the cloud of dust regularly stirred up by traffic. The dust and the pathogens hidden in it, are daily occurrences (dust gets in my eyes). People subject to respiratory infections or people with current respiratory problems may want to consider whether that exposure is appropriate for them.

That, of course, brings us to the virus. And it is a serious consideration for travelers. The first is getting to Mexico with the attendant risks of travel. But we all know the potential risks involved there.

Assuming visitors can get to Mexico without incident, they will face the same virus that is present in their home countries. The virus is present in the villages by the sea. Even though the infection rate and fatalities have been blessedly low, people here do have the disease -- and some die.

The biggest challenge that visitors will face is that the residents of Barra de Navidad and Melaque are not reacting personally to the virus in the same way that its northern neighbors have done. Masks worn on the street are almost non-existent. I see them more often worn in shops. Usually by customers rather than shop owners. Masks are far more common in restaurants. 

All of that boils down to one consideration -- an individual's tolerance for risk. As an example, I tend to have a high tolerance. That is why I have felt quite comfortable on my four round-trips to Oregon in the past few months. The benefit of assisting my mother outweighed the potential cost of the journeys.

The best any of us can do is to follow our personal choice of wearing masks, social distancing, and joining the racoon hand-washing club. If being around people who do not do that makes you anxious and will prod you to activity to tell others how to live their lives, you will find the Costalegre to be a very uncomfortable place to spend your winter.

So, my bottom line advice is that you know yourself far better than I do. If you have a healthy tolerance for risk, if you are willing to follow measures to protect your health, and if you live peaceably amongst people who do not share your particular practices, come on down. 

Everything that makes Mexico a pleasant place to live year-round is still here.

Even those faint rainbows in our future.