Road less traveled
Coming to the fork in our main street, pedestrians tend to veer left and continue down Maria Asuncion. This is the Marrakesh Bazaar of La Manzanilla, buzzing by day, gaily lit by night, and yielding almost every essential.
Fresh juices and steaming tortillas flavor the morning air. Tiendas with groceries and showy produce, clothing and knick-knacks, and refreshments for every taste are strung along Maria Asuncion like bright beads inviting attention. Restaurants and real estate, hardware, phone and fax service, the hotel and the pharmacy all lure travelers down the inland side of this block that leads to the church and plaza.
Vehicles, on the other hand, are supposed to continue straight, down Playa Blanca. For years, this sleepy, tree-lined street offered little more than peeks of surf between beachfront residences on one’s way to the Ejido office or fish market, the plaza, or back around to all the action.
Now this road less traveled is becoming La Manzanilla’s trendiest stretch of commercial property. Three restaurants enjoy multiple seasons of success: the Mayberry’s Café de Flores and Marta Martinez’s Mi Casita at one end, and Tia Richardson’s Café Risa (formerly El Girasol) on the corner across from the plaza. Last year, Christina de Roos opened her popular Live Bliss Yoga and Creative Expression Center midway along the block. Plans are in the works to reopen this season. Rumor has a real-estate office and studio rental spaces for artists coming soon.
Hecho a Mano
Adding to the excitement of Playa Blanca’s renaissance is Stephanie Wunner’s recently opened Hecho a Mano. She calls this “truly a community store,” because it’s stocked with unique items handcrafted by residents of La Manzanilla.
“A
nyone can bring in anything they’ve made and want to sell,” Stephanie says. “And they have. I never know who’ll show up next and what they’re bringing me.”
The result is an adventure in color, texture, and fun. Handknit rebozos and scarves vie with vivid bags, boxes, and beads for your consideration. Intricately detailed table linens and delicate carvings share space with dream catchers, aprons and candle holders. From the whimsical to the practical, everything is hecho a mano (made by hand) by locals.
“This is a way to tap into the community’s creative ethos,” Stephanie explains. “So many people here create things, as a hobby or just to pass the time. Now, instead of putting their work in a cupboard or on a shelf, they can bring it here, share their talent with the public, and augment their income.” Proceeds from sales, minus commission, go back to the craftsman.
Hecho a Mano is located two doors down from the Ejido office, and is open from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Tuesdays through Saturdays. An orange metal door marks the spot when they’re closed.
Spacifico Spa
Taking the excitement of Playa Blanca down a notch or two is the upscale Spacifico Spa of La Manzanilla. Not that it isn’t exciting to have a full-service spa in town (again). It is. But, the purpose of Spacifico is to ‘relax, rejuvenate, and make you feel better,’ according to owner Daniela Soto Torres.
Among services Spacifico provides are massages for relaxation and lymphatic relief, hot-stone therapy, and chocolate skin care (I have no idea what this is, but it sounds decadently fun). Facials to deep clean, rehydrate, and exfoliate also are on the menu, as well as manicures and pedicures, eyelash enrichment, and more spa treatments.
The spa was still under construction when I visited, but Dean Klompas, who was supervising the renovation, said Daniela hopes to open Spacifico sometime mid-November. Daniela is originally from Tenacatita, and moved to Guadalajara to attend beauty school. She most recently worked at Circe Spa in the city.
Spacifico Spa of La Manzanilla is almost invisible when driving down Playa Blanca, set back from the street and sheltered by a row of decorative palms. It’s located between Hecho a Mano and Café Risa. Look for the building with the brick arches. The spa is open 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Tuesdays through Sundays. Walk-ins are welcome, but when Spacifico really takes off during the season, appointments will be recommended.
Galeria sets schedule
Fresh from a new paint job and displaying fine art from regional and internationally known artists, Galeria La Manzanilla recently opened full time for its seventh season. Owner Silver Mangini has announced the line up for the Galeria’s monthly Meet the Artist reception series.
Edward Gilliam opens the season on December 4, followed by La Manzanilla favorite Efren Gonzales on January 8, Ernesto de La Pena on February 12, and Juan Ezcurdia on March 12. These Friday receptions, held between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m., are the events to attend. Almost everyone in town passes through at some point during the evening, the ambiance is as lively as the art is transcendent, and the hors d’oeuvres, usually catered by Eileen Zack, are delicious.
Galeria La Manzanilla, Calle Perula Sur 83 (a block and a half behind Palapa Joe’s), is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Great haircuts and more
Estetica Yamaya salon has gone full-service for the 2009/2010 season. In addition to great haircuts, owner Lorena Sandoval has added manicures, pedicures, depilation, and massage to her list.
Lorena’s effervescent personality and up-tempo background music, not to mention the quality of her work and her economic prices, make a visit to Estetica Yamaya a stimulating experience. Located across the street from the church and kittycorner from the plaza, the salon is open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 4-9 p.m. and Sundays from 9 ‘til 2. She’s closed on Tuesdays.
Coming Soon
La Manzanilla is slowly coming back to life after our summer hiatus. Familiar faces of returning winter residents are returning, and the few restaurants that are open resonate with the animated chatter of reacquaintance.
As more restauranteurs return, I’ll be able to gather information for a column about the most popular restaurants in La Manzanilla. This was a big hit last year, and it wasn’t unusual to see tourists with the Guadalajara Reporter in hand deciding on appealing eateries. Expect to see some new entries on the list.
Stephanie Wunner hangs one of the many colorful items available for sale at Hecho a Mano, La Manzanilla’s newest store on Playa Blanca.
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