BajaNomad

Harmony in the Wash

Paulina - 9-5-2011 at 04:16 PM

While cleaning out my files I came across something I had written for my children back in 1999. I re-read it and thought that I would share. It took me back to the simple times in my life, when my children were small and Baja was so big to them.

Harmony in the Wash

We’re on vacation in Baja California, Mexico; the laundry is piling up. There’s no electricity or a washer and drier to be found for miles. The only water available flows from a volcanic source via a long green hose, yet the children are busy getting dirty on purpose! They are in hopes of being asked to help do the laundry the “Baja way”. Washing clothes in Mexico in an experience in family unity.

Some of my fondest memories of childhood are of family camping trips, but not the chores that I shared with my sister. Like all family trips there are chores to be done. These chores can be a tiresome duty or an enjoyable, fun experience - depending on what you make of them. So, as I sat in my beach chair watching my two children playing in their buckets with the hose, I remembered the first time that the three if us improvised a way to do the laundry.

Children need to feel like they belong, part of the family team, so together we came up with the idea of washing the clothes that were piling up in the trailer, in what would become known as, the “Baja way".

The first thing we did was to empty the two red fifty gallon buckets of their water and toys. We decided that three year old Cody would be the wash cycle and her ten year old brother Connor would be the rinse.

The hose was put into Cody’s bucket, liquid Vel soap was added to the warm brimey water, and as the bucket was filling, the tree of us sorted the laundry, taking his or her own dirty clothes out of the pile and setting them aside. Cody put her clothes into her bucket and Connor lifted her in. When her bucket was full enough, the hose was transferred to Connor’s bucket and it was filled to become the rinsing cycle.

I turned on the Mexican Banda-style music and Cody began to dance. There was jumping, stomping, laughing and twisting, as the laundry was put through the various stages of cleaning. As the water got dirty, we would take Cody out and the three of us would tip over her bucket and refill it with the hose until the wash water eventually ran clear. The first load of clothes would be passed on to Connor in his rinse cycle bucket and we would begin with Cody stomping the next dirty load.

It was a humorous sight; the two of them holding on to the sides of their buckets laughing as I told them how they reminded me of a show I once saw, in which Lucille Ball was in a big vat, stomping grapes into wine.

When the rinse water ran clear on the final load of laundry, the swishing, dancing feet stopped and the clean clothes were removed from Connor’s bucket one piece at a time. I held one item of clothing in each hand, Connor and Cody would take hold of the other end and twist. I held on tight as they turned in circles with their hands held over their heads, wringing out the excess water to the rocky ground under our feet.

We had strung out a laundry line between the posts of our palapa. Connor would hold the wet clothes. Cody was in charge of the clothespins and we hung the clothes out to dry in the afternoon sun.

We had experienced teamwork and had the feeling of a job well done. When the clothes were dry I removed them from the line. Some felt a big rigid and we giggled at the pant legs that stood out stiff when I held the pants tipped to the side.

I remember the smell of the salt air mixed with the lingering fragrance of Vel soap that filled my nose as I pulled a sweatshirt over my head. The stiffness of the collar and the crunch of the sleeves didn’t bother me. It didn’t matter if we had perfectly clean clothes, what did matter was the quality time my children and I spent together. We planned, gathered, experienced, and can forever wallow in the reflection of the memories that will last my children a lifetime.

We must remember to increase what matters to children. It is the family unity and the resulting memories that will sustain them through their adult years, such as the simple task of doing the laundry the “Baja way”.

P>*)))>{

bacquito - 9-5-2011 at 04:30 PM

So well written, thoughtful. I enjoyed it. Thanks. What are your children doing now?

Paulina - 9-5-2011 at 05:25 PM

Thanks. I'm glad you enjoyed it.

Cody is half way through High school. Connor graduated from UCSB two years ago. I had the pleasure of sharing part of the summer with him two summers ago when he was the field station manager for Glendale College in Bahia de Los Angeles. His baja time is limited now. Depending on his schedule I may luck out and have both of my kids together in Baja again for Christmas. We have a washing machine now, so they'll be off the hook in that chore department.

P>*)))>{

Eli - 9-5-2011 at 05:30 PM

Good story, the simple times are the best times. Now it is my turn to just sit back and smile.

krafty - 9-5-2011 at 05:30 PM

Lovely story-thanks!

jbcoug - 9-5-2011 at 05:43 PM

Great story, I could visualize every smile and laugh as I read. We all need more of those moments in our lives!

John

toneart - 9-5-2011 at 09:16 PM

What a great story, Paulina. Your family experience is something I never had. But I got to experience it through your story.Thank You!:yes:

Skipjack Joe - 9-6-2011 at 08:42 PM

A byproduct of your laundry method: Cody's feet were never cleaner.

LucyGrapeStomp.jpg - 27kB

David K - 9-7-2011 at 12:53 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Paulina
Thanks. I'm glad you enjoyed it.

Cody is half way through High school. Connor graduated from UCSB two years ago. I had the pleasure of sharing part of the summer with him two summers ago when he was the field station manager for Glendale College in Bahia de Los Angeles. His baja time is limited now. Depending on his schedule I may luck out and have both of my kids together in Baja again for Christmas. We have a washing machine now, so they'll be off the hook in that chore department.

P>*)))>{


How cool is that!???

My kids (21 & 22) both want to go back to Baja with me again, too... and it will be with my grand daughter (1) when that happens! The cycle of life, they say!

Neal Johns - 9-7-2011 at 02:12 PM

Paulina, you are a jewel!
And you know what your number is........:lol::lol::lol:
Neal