Jasmina Nevada - The Mexican Dueña

The Mexican Duea

Written by Jasmina Nevada

Edited by Flores O'Hara

Published by Escondido Nevada Productions

Jasmina Nevada All rights reserved. Kindly, prior permission of the author is required, in any context.

Writer Jasmina Nevada

A freelance actress, voice over, media, writer and interviewer at premieres and events in Hollywood, Los Angeles, and Film festivals worldwide - AFI Film Festival, Hollywood, Hollywood Film Festival, Cannes Film Festival, France, TCM Classic Film Festival, Hollywood, Sundance Film Festival, Dublin Jameson International Film Festival, Hollyshorts Film Festival, Hollywood, Los Angeles amongst others in LA and worldwide not mentioned.

Also film events at the Roosevelt Hotel Hollywood and other locations worldwide, interviewing celebrities and film talent (directors, actors, writers etc) - Rob Lowe, James D'Arcy, Richard Gere, Michael York, Luc Besson, Emrhys Cooper, Tariq Ellinger, Alexander Le Bas, Louis Mandylor, Cillian Murphy, Tim Roth and many more

Accepted and attended, all invitations to after parties and events as a courtesy of the publicists and PR Companies - Hangover (Bradley Cooper), Arbitrage (Richard Gere), J Edgar (Leonardo DiCaprio, Armie Hammer, Clint Eastwood), I Melt with You (Rob Lowe), Cabaret (40 th Restoration) special screening, amongst others.

Away from film Jasmina's interests and hobbies, are travelling, hiking, walking, yoga, culinary arts, reading, gaining new skills, meeting people.

Editor Flores O'Hara

Studied law and political thinkers at University level Machiavelli, Rousseau and Hobbes.

Writer, editor.

All correspondence or queries welcome via Twitter

@JasminaNevada

Or via email escondidonevadaproductions@hotmail.com

Jasmina Nevada. All rights reserved.

Kindly, prior permission by the author required in any context

Epilogue

A true story. Three years earlier, two friends are reading a map in a travel magazine. Deciding to embark on a Central American adventure, following the Central American highway from the USA, via Mexico, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Honduras, Costa Rica, and Panama using overland Tica bus travel. Whilst, en route on the Pacific coastal side of Mexico, the bus makes an unexpected and unscheduled, rest stop, at a small fishing town and surfers paradise on the Pacific coast in Puerto.

During this brief period of a few hours, the two seoritas, sat outside, feeling the refreshing tropical breeze, taking in the surrounds of the stunning ambience of Puerto, viewing from the picnic area outside the bus station. Perched strategically on the hilltop vista overlooking the beaches and fishing village of Zica, lined with golden sand, palm trees and palapa (straw) huts on the beach, which seemed to stretch for miles, with mountains and tropically coloured casas in the distance surrounded by tropical trees and plants. A seemingly perfect picture postcard of a peaceful relaxed life in a tropical environment....

Somehow, this location impresses upon their memories from that point onwards. They both feel that they would return someday to discover Puerto. Even though the rest of Latin America is equally enticing, they are enchanted ever since by Puerto.

THREE YEARS LATER

Seeking a more relaxed lifestyle, far away from their cold climate, and day to day hustle and bustle of city living. Chiquita and Evie, seek to leave the norm behind, in search of a new life journey, in a destination of dreams, with nature, sun, and sea.

Puerto still present and new in their memories. Chiquita and Evie research and plan to return to live in Puerto, near to the Pacific ocean, with a strong desire to rent a house or land, to start a new life in the sun.

However, all does not go to plan, as they face the wrath of female landlords / land owners (Dueas) with a few tricks up their sleeves, encompassed in an old ancient Mexican law about land ownership, which always puts the Mexican Duea first and foremost, regardless of contractual rights normally considered to be in effect.

Suddenly they both find themselves navigating uncharted territory, undergoing events they could not have imagined whilst in Mexico.

• I have chosen to write with some Spanish language key words inserted into the text as to give a better feeling (sentido) of the reality of the story based on true life events
• Intentional purposes title of this book, based on events in Mexico
• Duea is the female version of the word dueno, a Spanish word which means owner, proprietor, or landlord. Also from the point of view of landlords / owners being in control or in charge of the situation.

Chapter 1- Paradise Ahead, Arrival in Puerto

The ADO long distance bus starts swaying and swerving violently on the Pacific coast road with its sharp turns and narrow roads, waking up all those on the bus who had been asleep on their semi reclining seats, after overnighting on the bus from D.F' (Distrito Federal), Mexico City.

Views from the right hand side of the bus are of the Sierra Nevada mountain range, with tropically coloured country fincas (country houses), dotted in the distance at the foothills. On the left hand side, a view of the clear blue Pacific ocean, with large surfing waves being put to good use, by surfers with florescent surfing boards. Lots of tourists sunbathing on the yellow sandy beaches, surrounded by palm trees, tropical houses with outside areas with palapa (straw) roofs.

Evie, an aspiring writer takes in the scenery of Zica beach, local vendors in sombreros, on the side of the road selling melons, mangoes and coconut water. Chiquita, a young se orita, and fashion model is blown away by the breath-taking view, tired yet excited to set foot on Puerto once again to explore. To swim and discover at leisure what there is on offer as well as trying out local fresh fruits, vegetables and fish. The two ladies after spending a cold winter back home, look forward to mediating in tropical paradise, maybe on a lasting basis.

Evie Wow it looks just as I remembered it from the last time I passed through en-route to Guatemala

Chiquita Yes, absolutely beautiful

A road sign flashes up on the highway Terminal Puerto'

The ADO bus pulls in to the bus terminal, Puerto. The bus driver starts unloading all the luggage from underneath the bus. The local taxi drivers suddenly appear from nowhere looking for their next passenger. The contrast of the cold, air conditioned bus is replaced by a humid heat, and the smell of the sea nearby.

A well rounded fat Mexican taxi driver with a sombrero, is hurriedly drinking a can of coca cola and eating a quesadilla at speed, watches with a beady eye, scouting the new arrivals. Seeking in particular, gringos' (tourists) for a well priced taxi ride, as they are known to give a good propina (tip), and dont have an idea of local prices. A taxi driver at the bus terminal could charge any price. One taxi journey could be enough for a days work. The taxi driver spots, two Seoritas, Evie and Chiquita, surrounded with a lot of luggage, looking in various directions, wondering what to do or where to go next...

Seeing his next target, the taxi driver approaches them

Hola Buenas tardes (in Spanish), Seoritas, Do you need a taxi ?

Chiquita, in somewhat rusty Spanish,

Yes we are looking to go to a clean posada (guesthouse), with a cocina kitchen and not too far away from el centro (centre of town)

Si no hay problema (yes, no problem), I can take you to one for a good price

Great how much?

Taxi driver, With all those maletas (suitcases) say..... 800 pesos

Chiquita, with one eyebrow raised, but not surprised by the quoted price negotiates with the taxi driver

I dont think so..... I understand that the price within town is 80 pesos .. We can offer you a little extra for the luggage ?