Author: zihuathyme

Saturday morning was unusually cool and overcast, a great day for Sylvia and I going to this outdoor market that springs up in front of the Vicente Guerrero. It features local hand made articles, many made from recycled materials. The food is organic and not only healthy but very tasty. One of my goals was to talk with the folks from the turtle rescue and conservation center, “Campamento Tortuguero”. I wanted to arrange for a time to visit and see the turtles released. So Monday I will visit there.

While buying our coffee and and tamales and a dish that was made from carrots, zucchini and other veggies cut in a veggie “spiral-er” into noodles, topped with an organic peanut sauce and sprinkled with peanuts that was very good we learned that the market is trying to be 0 garbage. Foods that you eat or drink there are served in either banana leaves and baskets or cups and plates that are to be returned, washed and reused.  If you plan to take food items away you need to bring something with you to carry it out in.

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My purchases consisted of earnings made of beans and another pair of fish scales. These artists are so cleaver. Next market I will arrive with my own coffee cup, take out boxes for food items and a large shopping bag. Looking forward to it.

The Senor dropped and broke his electric razor en route to Mexico. We have been trying to find one ever since.Of course language is part only of the difficulties.  Even using goggle translate you don’t necessarily come up with the correct phrase. So today we were going to try Sams Club, which would require buying a membership which we wouldn’t ever use again, but decided to try La Bodega first, a store similar to the Commercial. Good thing we did, of course there were none to be seen in the store, but I found a clerk who was willing to help, he found another who got me to the right department who got me to the lady with the UPC gun who pointed at an empty slot, then said “si” and pointed to a shelf on top of a shelf on top of a shelf.  With that the young man climbed up to the top, opened the case, took out 1 and brought it to me. Of course he didn’t bring down more to fill the empty slot. Great personal service to me, but no thought of restocking for future customers.  Such is Mexico.

The weather has been exceptionally cool today and by night a light sweater was welcome while out on the balcony.

It was down to the mid 70’s, almost un-heard of here, but no one is complaining as the heat will return.  Signing off KO

Since the pool has been closed this week I’ve been walking each morning.  This morning I set out just at dawn to catch the sun rise and the activity at the fishermen’s beach. This is Zihuatanejo as it has been time immemorial.

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Mexico doesn’t geat more real than this!  I watched as the night fishermen unloaded their catches and the local folks came to haggle over prices. Other fishermen were throwing their nets close to the shore to catch surf fish, other boats were headed out with paying clientel hoping  would befor a trophy catch.

As the sun rose it became obvious this would be stellar day, perfect day for the long delayed  beach day. It was also maid day in our building so it was also perfect timing to be out of her way and on our way.  The Senor and I did breakfast once again at the retaurant which we have yet to learn the name of at the corner of Cuautemoc and Nicholas Bravo. They have a half dozen tables out side and a few more inside air-conditioned. As before breakfast and service is great.

Now on to the beach after much discussion of bus or cab the 6 of us elected to take 2 cabs to La Perla. Our friends had been there before this was our first time.  We tend not to be La Ropa people for the simple reason that I like to swim and/and or snorkle. La Ropa beach is great for bobing in the water and bouncing in the waves, but te skidoos and the parasail boat make me too nervous to really swim.  It is a great lay on the beach and watch the people area.

Under the Palapa

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This was our first time at La Perla and we learned that the price had gone up to 100 pesos for two lounge chairs and an umbrella up from 80 pesos that our friends paid last week. As their were 6 of us we opted for a free table under a palapa which served our needs very well.  All in all we had a great afternoon, I bobbed in the waves, floated on my back, and thought I might find enough waves to practice jumping into them, but the surf was low. To my way of thinking our waiter gave us poor service, but others in our group thought it was pleasant that the wait staff left you alone and didn’t bother you. Just a different point of perception. Signing off KO

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Last Wednesday the friendly folks in our building decided to do a beach day at La Ropa. While Las Gatas was the first choice we decided on La Ropa as you can take a bus or taxi instead of a water taxi which requires a couple of young men to pull you off the boat and onto the pier. None of us are as agile as we once were. But Wednesday dawned rainy so no problema, we will wait and go Thursday, but Thursday turned into a heavy tropical rain and we said maybe manana.

Wednesday and Thursday were spent hunkered down in front of TV’s and computers watching Netfilx or in our case the  first season of Game of Thrones. By Thursday night we were all suffering from cabin fever and headed out to Coconuts for happy hour. As we got to the street Charlie and Christine from Ixtaa had just arrived and joined us. Thursday night was a great night to be doing Coconuts as their bar tapas were 25% off.  With 4 couples with several rounds of drinks and tapas the bill was 1,095 pesos.

Sounds like a lot  doesn’t it.  But it’s not, pesos come with too many zeros But such a flurry of pretty colors as we  just

The Senor and Kathleen

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Christine and Charlie

colorful pesos

split the bill 4 ways.  Signing off KO

As I walk through town I am contually amazed at given the slightest chance somethings will grow, through a crack in the side walk, cover an old wall, or up through a drain grate. There are lots of lovely plantings, colorful pots of flowers yet the Mexican people think more of necessity than athesics.

I am amazed at how shop keepers faithfully, every morning  prior to opening sweep their store front walk way, thow a pan or two of water down and sweep away yesterday. Daily the streets are swept by a person bushing a broom and a rolling garbage can along. At the same time vacant lots are frequently treated as dumping grounds,  Trash collection is handled daily by folks putting out their trash bags, boxes or cardboard on the street corner  at night, giving plenty of time for the street dogs and scavengers to pick thru and find what they like. Instead of this reducing the pile it tends to scatter it. And it starts all over again manana and all the mananas after that. This dives the Senor nuts!

I’m amazed how Mexican Mammas carry or wear their babys, seldom do you see them pushed around and certainly not in a big “SUV” stroller complete with cupholders. I’m amazed how Mamas and Papas walk their uniformed children to school while holding hands with their child. School kids in uniforms look so sharp, I wish US public schools would adopt this policy.

I’m amazed at kids working to help support the family, I’m amazed at how many people earn their living out of a wheel barrow or off a white plastic table or even just a cooler. I’m amazed at how social and out going the mexican people are.

I’m amazed that they appreciate my trying to use their language and help me out rather than being frustrated by my poor pronunciation.  I’m amazed at the lackof toilet seats on toilets in public places, where do they all go. I’m amazed by the wonderful food, and the interesting varieties of foods and spices to be found in El Mercado.

I’m amazed at roof dogs instead of other security devices. I’m amazed and pleased how kindly the people of Zihuatanejo treat the street dogs, no so other places.  I’ve been fighting with the computer for two days to get pictures in the right place and post this so edited or not here it is.  Signing off KO

After loosing my goggles, swim cap and swimmers iPod to waves at my Sharkfest swim I have acquired a new bright orange swim cap, reflective goggles and thanks to Amazon going global I will soon have a new iPod to swim with. So as I arrive at the pool this morning, ready to don my new gear only to have my favorite grounds keeper explain they are closing the pool as they can’t keep it clean.  The water level is getting so low I doubt that the filters are even operating properly.  He suggested I come back next week.  I admit that something needs to be done about the water level.

In order to get out of the pool you have to get your feet up to chest height to get on the bottom rung of 3 rungs and then try to hoist yourself out. So hoping to find a hotel pool that will let me swim there for a few pesos. Mean time I will do a lot of walking to keep me going.

I like to walk about town, that’s  how I learn where  things are and how people really live. I enjoy watching the

mamas and papas escorting their uniformed children to school. The kids look so sharp in their uniforms holding the hand of which ever parent is doing the escorting. I’ve always thought that US Public schools should adopt the policy of school uniforms.

Transportation comes in many different forms here.  Many of the full size buses here look ancient, but over the last few years they have updated the VW buses to some very nice van type buses, and small 14 passenger buses. And of course there are the huge tour buses that are far more comfortable than the airplane that brought us down here. In the mornings I see people heading to work in taxi’s, all size buses,

pick up trucks with several folks in the back and this dump truck which I’m sure will hold 20.  A

motor scooter is transportation for a family of 4. The driving here is crazy, scary.

I’ve been on a bus with the driver checking his emails, seen dozens of close calls, but no accidents. The police are everywhere in the forms of tourist police,then  municipal, state, and federal Police in about that pecking order. Also in the mix is the army and the navy. They all have a presence, mostly in groups of 6 or more in pick up trucks, all carrying m 16 type  weapons. Many times they are just waling around town. But I’ve never seen a traffic stop by any police personnel, I don’t think traffic is much of a concern to them.  Needless to say we feel safe.

I have become an aficionado of iced coffee. The Senor has always laughed at my habit of leaving my coffee to get cold and then drinking it anyway. Now in the morning  I purposely prepare a couple of cups of coffee extra strong, add my sweetener and creamer to my taste, let it stand until cool enough to refrigerate.  Then in the afternoon when it is really warm fill a glass with ice  and the cold coffee and enjoy. A splash of Baileys at night is a nice touch. Signing off KO

Saturday Jan 9th 2016 I participated in my 3rd Sharkfest swim  at Troncones Mexico. This is the only international swim in the Sharkfest swim series, other locations are Alcatraz to San Francisco and Lake Tahoe in California and many other locations around the country. Troncones is a sleeping little fishing, surfing village on the Pacific ocean. At this time of year the surf is usually quite flat making it an ideal time of year for an open water swim. At other times it is prime surfing teritory. Troncones is about 30 miles from where we spend our winters in Zihuatanejo. To get there we ride 2 busses. When we got on the first bus in Zihuatanejo we were 2 of 3 passengers on a 16 seat bus if you include the 2 seats up front by the driver. By the time we traveled through the multitude of miniscule villages along the way we were 20 mexicans and 3 gringos, us with a small suitcase and my swim bag and a variety of bags and boxes the other folks acquired on their shopping trips. No chickens or pigs.

Once at Troncones we transfer to a small minivan converted to a bus to take us the 3-4 miles through the village to the Inn at Manzanillo Bay where we choose to stay the night before the event.  It is as beautiful a spot as I have ever seen.

We stay in a thatched roof poolside bungalow, steps from the pool and the ocean. A fantastic restaurant with friendly service. This is about 1/4 mile from where we assemble and register for the event.

Saturday morning is  bright and sunny, but the surf is a little high, I usually swim in the bay where there is no surf to contend with.  We head off to our starting point and due to the surf conditions we have to go a little further along the beach than we have before as we have to swim around a point with lots of rocks where the surf is pounding.

Our instructions are to swim out around the boat that goes with us to keep every one away from the rocks. No problem, but I’m thinking this is definately going to be a little more than the 1.1 mile it’s been in previous years. I can definatly feel the rolling ocean but I’m swimming strong and enjoying the music from my swimmers ipod that is attached to my goggles.  I do have difficulty staying on course as I am directionaly challenged even on land, but the folks an the paddle board keep us all on course. I’m at the point where I need to turn and swim straight for shore and our finish point, I’m getting closer, and closer and then I get slammed by a wave, it knocks the breath out of me, and I loose one fin as I come up to the surface catch my breath I get hit by the second wave, then the third.  By this time I have lost both fins, my goggles have been ripped off head along with my cap and I know I need help. A young man comes out and grabs me just as a fourth wave pulls us both under, but I know I’m OK as this man has a firm grasp on me, a second young man comes out and the two of them help me walk in. Not exactly the finish I was hoping for but I did finish and once again in the midddle of the pack of 23 swimmers.

As the oldest swimmer in group I really don’t want to be last. But I seem to be the only one who didn’t know how to handle the waves. Guess I’ll have to paractice up. My fins did float up and were rescued, but not so my googles with my beloved Ipod, maybe they will show up in Japan.

As the Senor and I walk the beach back to our Inn we watch a dog who is very intent on watching some surfers.  We surmise that his owner is one of them. And then we watch this dog swim out and give a real demonstration on how to handle the waves. Gotta love this dog, I could learn a lot from her. The video won’t insert on the blog  so I will have to post it to face book. Signing off.  KO

I was in desparate need of a manicure and decided to get a pedicure as well.  The Senor usually enjoys a pedacure here also. After trying several spots last year we discovered “Kushi”, hopefully I’m spelling it correctly. The ambiance is wonderful, you feel pampered upon entering, soft music, lovely decore, soft seats and china bowls to soak in. As we both dipped our feet in warm water we were offered coffee, tea or VINO. Just guess what, I had

The Senor of course opted for “te negro” black tea but I on the other hand enjoyed a wonderful glass of wine. So now our feet have been sanded, trimmed, massaged and in my case polished. the senor headed back to the apartment while I had my manicure. I then phoned him to meet me for lunch, as it was Thursday, it was Pazole day a lovely hominy, brothy soup with condiments for me and a nacatamale for the Senor.

Now we must pack for an over night at the Inn at Manzanillo Bay. A truly unique lovely establishment in Troncones. We will stay there on Friday night as my “Sharkfest swim” is Saturday morning.

This is my 3rd” Sharkfest swim”.  It is a 1.1 mile open ocean water swim from Majahua to Hacienda Eden. As a daily mile swimmer the challenge is not the distance, but keeping orientated.This much different than swimming laps in a pool.  There are no black lines on the bottom of the ocean and I continually seem to want to swim out to sea rather than follow the coastline.  There is also the challenges of getting past the rolling surf and into the open waters and the continual wave patterns.  At this time of year the surf is mostly calm at other times this is a prime surfing beach area. Of course the main challenge is not coming in last.  As I am usually the oldest swimmer at 72 years, I want to finish strong, not in last place.

So wish me luck as I swim with the fishes on Saturday.  Signing off KO

We started our day in great confusion having planned to meet two couples from our apartment building for breakfast at this corner restaurant that is just around the corner and a block away. This restaurant had been selected as it is air conditioned and that’s what our friends wanted. So the Senor and I set off saying we would get a table for 6. Well 20 minutes later no friends and there the two of us were occupying a table for 6 in a busy restaurant. We had already been served our coffee and bread when we noticed Dwight hurrying by the corner, twice. The Senor jumped up and went out to flag him down, only to learn that on opposite sides of the same corner there was another air conditioned restaurant, they were at that one occupying a table for 6,while we at the other one.  As it turned out our breakfast was excellent and they didn’t care for theirs. Oh well there will be another day.

From breakfast we were on to the beach at Las Gatas and had a great day. As always we went to Gloria del Mar to spend some time with our favorite waiter Jose.

This super nice fellow last year spent an hour picking coral out of my hands and knees with a cactus needle when I got washed onto some coral and had great difficulty getting off the reef. We swam, ate, drank, visited and generally had a great time. We ate shrimp crusted in sesame seeds, with sort of a sweet and sour dipping sauce, very tasty. The beach seemed

almost empty now that the  majority of the Mexican National Touristas have returned home from their holiday.

A day on the beach wears us completely out and we return back ready to nap, watch TV , movies and read.  Interesting to know that when we have difficulties streaming the Senor’s TV  shows ( wrestling) if we opt to record it and view it later we have no difficulties with buffetings or completely stoppage.  Signing off KO