Author: zihuathyme

I'm a traveler, not as frequently as I would like , but I plan on doing more. After working full time at Mount Rainier National Park during the summer of 22 I have decided to retire completely and forever. Prior to that I was semi retired as a Wedding Officiant I officiated at about 20 weddings a season, and with my small delivery service I handled the distribution of a local high-quality Home and Garden magazine . Prior to my "semi retirement" I was in corrections and before that I owned and operated a bail bond agency. I now plan to travel to new places and exciting places, getting ready to do that as a solo as the Senior is no longer with me, his choice, and I am OK with that. For hobbies I'm a reader and love my kindle. And I enjoy writing.

BEACH DAY AT PLAYAS LOS GATOS

I have no idea how come it is named beach of the cats, have yet to see a cat there, but it is a good place to swim and snorkel. To get there is a short water taxi ride. Then you stroll down the beach and pick which restaurant you want to eat and relax at on their lounge chairs while they serve you your drinks and adjust the beach umbrellas for your comfort. I’m a snorkeler, tried scuba diving its just not for me. The Senior does not snorkel, says it’s a breathing problem with his asthma. We swim, we visit with our mexican hosts who has pretty good English, which is great as the Senior is quite a talker. And we have a great lunch mine is fish tacos his is chicken tacos. The snorkeling is better than previous years, lots of pretty fish and I think this is because boats are only allowed in the swim area to drop off supplies and then have to move out and moor outside the reef. We arrive around 10 but leave about 2:30 to get the water taxi back as I am concerned that at low tide I won’t be able to get out of the boat. It’s always difficult and there are always young men to help yank to out onto the pier, but with my new knee and how it still isn’t bending completely and I’m concerned. No need , it wasn’t too difficult and we tipped the the young men nicely for my safe return to the pier.

back to our apartment for showers and siesta. I had fixed my “chicken in a pot ala mexicana” in the crock pot before we left so dinner was simmering and after sunset we had a great meal on our balcony. For our evening entertainment it was wrestling on TV for the Senior, but I headed out to the beach front restaurant to hear the great Jimmi Mamou. And as luck would have it our downstairs neighbors were there and I was able to join them. Another great day in paradise! I’m still a novice at this blogging thing, some dsay I will get all the right pictures in the right place. Signing off KO

THURSDAY IS POZOLE DAY IN ZIHUATANEJO

Last night we went out to eat, my choice of location, as I enjoy pazole. The best i can do to describe it is a stew of hominy and chicken or pork with many side dishes you can add to it including some seasoning. I removed all the chicken as I don’t eat meat, added a very small pit of peppers, making sure no seeds got in, chopped onion and throughly enjoyed it with a side of guacamole. The senior of course had a steak, I chose Any Y Tamale Y Atole as I think it has the best pazole, many others prefer Rico’s on Pazole Alley, but twice when we have been there I got my food and they lost Doyle’s order and then we end up not eating at the same time. Town seems full of visitors, restaurants are busy but not crowd. We went on then to Pacolo’s for a drink and musica. We were curious who had replaced Steve Calvert who has played there for years and is originally a local “Kitsaper, Kitsapian”. We knew he’d been ill and wouldn’t be performing.&. Normally by 9 it would be standing room only, but not now. Music was pleasant but not the great classic rock and roll of Steve. As we returned to our apartment we met up with our balcony neighbors, other old friends and soon met new friends as we all gathered in front of our landlords Liquor Store, the white chairs came out, the tequila bottle’s came out and the party was on. And all we had to do to get home is climb 2 flights of stairs. I have learned to sip Tequila, none of this slamming shots, here every one just sips and enjoys it, except the Senior he prefers beer, but no problem it’s all available.A fun, friendly gathering on the streets of Zihuatanejo.

EARLY MORNING ZIHUATANEJO

There can be no need for alarm clocks in Zihuatanejo! Just before sunrise there is an entire army of roosters waiting to do the job, then the neighborhood dogs take over and the town starts to come to life. Just 2 blocks away is the training field for the military, while I missed revelry this morning, I must have been in fixing my coffee, I do hear them chant while doing their calisthenics and can’t help think of my grandson Tyler who is probably doing the same thing just in a different country and in a different language.
We stocked our cupboards with the essentials and have to laugh how half the cooking utensils disappear every year and turn up in a different apt. There is always silverware, but ours is quite rusted and rather than trying to go apt to apt to find the best we went to “Waldo’s” the local equivalent of a $ store and bought what we needed and will leave it with our personal things this year.

My shopping trip was a solo trip as the Senior decided he would stay in and nurse his cold that did have him laid up until our departure. I took my rolling shopping bag to the mercado and found the mirror I needed for our bathroom, then purchased some fruit and onions and then a foot long bathroom loofah. All from different stalls all transactions done in my one or two-word spanish phrases and I didn’t even screw up the money, then on to the fabric store where I found a floor mat for thee bathroom. Wheeled it all back, but stopped at a restaurant where I saw our balcony neighbors and joined them for a glass of juice while they ordered their breakfast. Stopped to see Javier our landlord, paid our rent along and requested he switch out our balcony table with a one “mas grande” from another apartment. And headed upstairs for siesta and some reading time. I’m so pleased with myself and how confident I felt on my shopping transactions, not that I speak so much spanish, but I am comfortable with what I do know and worry less about my pronunciation and just keep trying. Even the Senior is learning a few more words and uses them.

Many businesses close and we have taken a hint from them that we will, rest, read watch tv during the heat of the day and plan our shopping for mornings afternoons for beach and relaxing. I will be ready for beach life tomorrow.

WE ARE HERE, AND IT FEELS LIKE HOME Jan 9 2013

We arrived yesterday in the late afternoon, we greeted warmly by Javier who operates the Liquor store downstairs and manages the apartments and Arturo the building owner who both said to us”welcome home”. And that is exactly how it feels, we’ve just been away too long. We reclaimed our suitcase that we had stored here, set about getting unpacked and settled in. Noted some new upgrades to our home, the building has been painted white and we have flowers in the planter boxes on our balcony ( picture is last year before flowers) and some shades over what previously had been bare bulbs. Started taking inventory of what needs to be replaced in our kitchen. With 6 apartment in this building things get moved around quite a bit, especially if they all aren’t rented. Why buy more if you can just circulate it around. We have new neighbors across the hall, haven’t met them yet just exchanged a brief greeting as we moved in, our old friends and neighbors next to us arrive today.

We always wait until the cool of the evening to go out to dinner and chose Porto de Mare which is right on the malecon where we sit on the sidewalk and enjoy the food, fish filet in garlic and butter and cream of avocado soup, and watch the evening parade and the lights of the bay and hear the waves lapping at the beach. It’s Tuesday evening but the square and the malecon are busy both with mexican families and tourists enjoying the beautiful evening. We greeted several friends from years past as we strolled from one end of malecon to the other, then returned to our apartment for siesta time and for me some reading time. I started reading “The Hunger Games” on the airplane and am finding very good. Today we will head to the “Comercial” the mexican equivalant of a super market. It carries just about everything we need and lots of american brands, we stock our cupboards here and then go to the old fashioned “mercado” for veggies and fruits. As the weeks pass we will buy our eggs and cheese and fish there also. Last year we created a standard shopping list for the first day shopping and it works quite well and keeps us from being overwelmed as we shop, and we just save it on the computer, print it up before we leave. It’s the only time I’ve ever shopped from an alphabetized grocery list. signing off KO

Three Weeks and Counting

It snowed this morning and is raining the proverbial cats and dogs right now but I am getting things out of the summer box and washed and ready for Zihuatanejo and looking forward to 80+ degree weather in just 3 weeks. Since my right knee is still swollen 2 inches larger than the left due to my my recent knee replacement I’ve got to try on pants and see what fits. Hoping to go with one large suitcase and two carry on’s and need to try out my blog and see what I do remember about posting it.

Adios Zihuatanejo

Sunday night in Zihuatanejo is always an experience and our last Sunday was no exception. A carnival had come to town and st up just a couple of blocks away. A very large carnival with lots of rides including roller coasters. Pretty much a rag-tag out fit compared to what we have come to expect with our Fathoms of Fun Celebration in Port Orchard. I’m usually up for most new experiences, but you couldn’t have paid me to get on one of their rides, especially in a country where there is no “liability issues”, which can translate to no safety regulations.

From the carnival I headed to the Zocolo to watch the dancers perform the native folk dances, couldn’t get close enough to get any good pictures, but as I turned to leave an impromptu Mardi Gras parade came thru, just a few folks with clever costumes complete with a band playing music. A great end to a last Sunday in Zihuatanejo!

Our last day in Zihuatanejo and so much of it is taken up with the organization of packing. We came with 2 large suitcases, and 2 small carry ons. when we arrived we picked up a carry on size suitcase we had left with our shopkeeper friend. This year we are leaving one of the large suitcases with our apartment manager which has everything from various kitchen items including our new crock pot to our beach and bath towels. some items are heavy others are just bulky and it just makes it easier if next year all we have to pack is our clothing and our personal care items and a couple of computers. So we are returning with 2 carry ons and one large suitcase. I think this is progress

So with the organizing done we head out for lunch after dropping off our laundry at the Laundaria. I had a great new soup, I think it was squash corn and poblano chile in a great broth, the Senor of course had a hamburger. We walked around town, visited with some friends for the last time this year, learned that pedicures cost 120 pesos, about 10 dollars. Surprisingly enough my manicure has lasted 6 weeks, I haven’t even changed polish while I’ve been here. That’s what a life of leisure (and a good manicurist) does for you.

We spent the afternoon in siesta mode, reading and watching TV then got real busy and went and picked up our nicely folded laundry and headed out for dinner. Being a “fish-aterian” I absolutely love the food here and always try new menu items. So tonight it was fish tacos al pastor, which was absolutely fantastic. Topped of with ice cream at our favorite ice cream shop. They have such a variety of wonderful flavors, with mango and capachino being near the top of the list. Tomorrow I will take what little produce we have left down to my chickens, and anything else left in our cupboards we will offer to our neighbor or our shopkeeper friend.

Tomorrow we will sadly pack the rest of our belongings,

Best eggs benedict in the world @ Zihua Pancake Houseeat our last meals here and head out to catch a plane back to the rain. Actually we will fly into LAX tomorrow and on to Seattle the next morning. I do want to thank the folks who have taken time to read this blog and have allowed me to share my joy and experiences of being in this wonderful country, and thank you to those who have left comment, they have been greatly appreciated. Signing off for the last time until Jan 10 2013 KOStreet artistYoung street artists at the Zocolo

From My Balcony

It’s Sunday morning and from my balcony I can hear the singing in the church which is only a block away, come Monday morning from my same location I’ll hear the Mexican Navy doing there calisthenics from their base 2 blocks away. On any Friday or Saturday night ( and sometimes well into the morning) I can hear the music and singing from several of the bars and cantinas.

I can observe the fishing boat lights in the early morning as they come in and also the occasional cruise ship. I can view the street life as each day begins. I recognize the sound of the knife sharpener’s whistle, the bicycle horn toot of the ice cream vendors, the call of “coco” from the men selling coconuts and other calls as women carrying a variety of items in baskets on their heads whined their way through the streets.

I see a variety of mexican street dogs, mostly the medium-sized, yellow tail turned up variety, that some people refer to as “everywhere dogs”. Most of the dogs are skinny, flea-bitten, scared and a bit mangy looking, but sweet-tempered.

Hummingbird at next door neighbor's feeder

I watch small herds of hummingbirds as the feed on my balcony neighbors feeder and the one hung on the balcony across the street. I wave good morning to my neighbors on their balconies across the street and enjoy a cup of coffee with our friends and neighbors on their balcony next door. I watch pigeons feeding their family under an old air conditioner on the movie down the street. I watch with anticipation as they change the movie markee to see if there is a new movies I want to see.

I watch folks hanging their wash on the roof top clothes lines. I watch as a grey cat trots along the terracotta roof tiles. and if I lived here I would grow plants and garden on my balcony.

I bring my net book to the balcony and I read my kindle on my balcony. I eat breakfast and dinner here on my balcony, but not lunch as it is too hot at that time.

From my 3rd floor perch I watch sunrises and sunsets, I start every day here and end every day here. It’s been a wonderful place to observe mexican life and learn about there culture. I will miss this very much.

Sunrise from my balcony

Signing off KO

Our Days are Numbered

We headed out to Playa Las Gatas today for one last snorkeling trip, I had bought some tropical fish food the night before to take snorkeling with me. I would open the jar and sprinkle some at a time. At one point I must have had

50 fish swimming all around me, absolutely fantastic! Next year I must have either an underwater camera or I’ll just put mine in one of the “otter packs” I have for swimming with a CD player. I also need book or chart so I can identify some of the fish I see.

Tropical drink ordered by friends we met at the beach

After a shower and a quick siesta we head out to eat at a small restauranrt that we won a gift certificate to, Marciscios Sextinos, which have probably spelled wrong. As we walked down Calle Adeleta, there were several places with many customers in them, but as we arrived at our destination we were the first folks there. With tourism down and many good places to eat here it didn’t surprise us too much, but nonetheless you do wonder if there is a reason it is under populated. But we had a great dinner, our host Pepe was charming and other guests did arrive. I ordered Fish Machacas, again pardon the spelling, I had never heard of it, but Pepe explained to me it was prepared with pineapple and had a tamarindo sauce and I’m always game to try something new, the senor on the other hand had Chicken Fajitas. I offered him a taste and he replied “manana” which has become a catch phrase with us as it dosen’t mean tomorrow, just not today. So much for his adventurous eating! We promised Pepe we would come back and I hope we do. We’ve come to that point in our trip where we don’t plan to buy any more groceries and will do most of our eating out for our last few days. Number one, we aren’t broke, and number two we don’t want to waste a lot of left overs and unused stuff.

Upon our return to our apartment the clan had gathered at “Liquor store and Scooter Rental Bar” about a half dozen mexican friends and our neighbors Dwight and Lynn and friend Jack were among them. I sat down to join them and tell of our dinner when Javier handed me a Tequila shot for sipping and the Senor made his excuses and headed up stairs. I visited for a short period of time then decided to call it a night. Now as I’m sitting on the balcony at midnight in still 80 degree weather, listening to a mexican outdoor concert in a field a few blocks away, which promises to go on for many more hours. But I can’t complain as so far the music is pleasant, loud, but not too bad as it is several blocks away. But I remember that I failed to post anything yesterday. So here goes yesterday.

Yesterday was Thursday and in Zihuatanejo Thursday is Pazole Day and I has heard that an Ixtapa restaurant had great Pazole and a floor show to boot so I was determined to go. But before we could go I wanted to go the the Flophouse bar for the 6:00 happy hour as Al was playing with Ralph and Roberto, we caught their showas they headed out to their performances elsewhere we headed out to Ixtapa and went to the No Se Los Digas Nadia restaurant and arrived during the floor show which included singers and dancers. The Senor informed me that the girls weren’t girls, but I couldn’t tell. The entire crowd was Mexican, and the Pazole was most excellant and a good night was had by all. Tomorrow Saturday my main objective is to make our reservations for 6 weeks in 2013. So if

any of our friends would like to join us for a week or more next year, there are apartments available in our building for about $37 a day, which include a kitchen, cable TV and Wifi and air conditioning and weekly maid service, just let us know. Signing off KO

Valentines Day in Mexico

Valentines Day seems to be a very big deal here in Zihuatanejo. Huge displays in the stores, beautiful flower

arrangements in the florist shops, balloons and trinkets being vended on the streets and beaches. As today was the day the maid came to clean we went out to lunch at Elvira’s and the proprietor gave me a red rose.

We had some very good news today, Javier our apartment manager will store a suitcase for us. That way we can leave our beach towels, bath towels our sun shield extra set of curtains, the crock pot we bought and other miscellaneous kitchen stuff we’ve bought to make this a real home away from home here and not have to lug extra luggage around airports.

As this is our last week here we are making sure that we have bought all the gifts we want to bring home, gone all the places we want to see for this year.

Top floor right side our home away from home!We will be making our reservations for next year for 6 weeks, the same time of year. I had wanted to hear Michelle Lavalle sing as we had missed her at the Sailfest Concert and knew she was going to be at Bandito's tonight so I had planned that I would go for an ice cream at the ice cream store next door and get to her her sing, But the Senor suggested we go for a drink at Bandito's and later decided we would do dinner there. He selected the steak and I had "fish molecejete" which is basically a fish stew, with cactus and other veggies in a tomato sauce topped with cheese. It is served in a stone bowls bubbling hot. Of course we brought home the leftovers andFish Molecejete

I’ll eat for a couple of days off it. It was great! As were the margarita’s, many of them. Michelle La Valle is an excellant singer, a Canadian married to a Mexican. She sang a variety of both American and Mexican music. An absolutely great evening! When we arrived back at our apartment, as frequently happens a group had gathered and Javier offered us beer and tequila. Here one sips tequila, no one does shots! Well maybe the Senor Frog crowd in Ixtapa. One last tequila was all I could manage and off to bed for us. Signing off KO

Lazy Day in Paradise

I set out on my early morning walk to feed my chickens, and walk down Calle Adelita. Calle Adelita is a narrow street with many small restaurants, B&B’s and hotels. Last year it was cobblestones, this year a torn up mess. I walked down it a couple of weeks ago and it was so rough I took another route home. This time the only part that hadn’t been torn up was now with hills of dirt and deep holes. I carefully circumnavigated the worst part of the mess and discovered some improvement on the rest. My motive was to locate the other restaurant that we had won a gift certificate to at the Sailfest raffle. And I did locate it, just one of the many small eateries on this street in a nice little court-yard. Basically all restaurants in Zihuatanejo are either court-yard or balconies. Eating outside is one of the great pleasures of life in this area. When we cook at our apartment we eat on the balcony. Sunrise was gorgeous this morning, I finally learned how to shut off the flash and could get a decent picture of it. I’ve always liked sunrise, birth of a new day!

Coming back from my walk, suddenly the sidewalk and street was filled with running kids headed straight at me, I stepped of the curb to get out of their way and

to observer the entire school, teachers included, out for a run around the block, and this particular block is enormous. The kids all in their uniforms,were about 2 thirds of the way back to their school and almost none were lagging. There doesn’t seem to be a child obesity problem in Mexico. This particular school is considered one of the best public schools in the area. There are many, many schools, most are small in size and the buildings are very basic and very, very old. Quite in contrast to our area where anything over 40 years old gets condemned. A couple of years ago I had an opportunity to visit a school up in the hills where the poorest children attend, those buildings were shacks that most people wouldn’t stable a horse in. But that’s what the money from Sailfest goes to is replacing those shacks with a useable classroom with electricity and an overhead fan and a beans and rice lunch program.

The day was a bit sultry and there was an interesting boat in the bay so I took my kindle down to Ta Ta’s beachfront restaurant to catch a breeze, take a picture of this fishing trawler as it’s the first I’ve ever seen in the bay and enjoy one of Ta Ta’s mango margaritas. Well one turned into 2 and then I decided it was definately siesta time.

We dined in or I should say out on the balcony, the Senor was most happy as his sling box worked long enough for him to watch his wrestling and catch a bit of the news. Just another wonderful, lazy day in paradise. Signing off KO

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