MEXICO 2017 – Page 2

AS SAILFEST BEGINS

Sailfest is an annual week long event during the first week of February that raises funds to build schools and give educational opportunities for Zihuatanejo’s poorest children.It originated about 12 years ago by the cruisers, those folks who arrive here and may winter here on sailboats. It does a tremendous amount of good for the community and provides some great fun and opportunities. There are tours of the schools, dances concerts, opportunities to crew in a sailboat race or another day to just go out and cruise about the bay and out to Ixtapa.

Friday was my first day of manning the sales desk. I teamed up with my friend Faye.and we sold T-shirts, caps koozies and event tickets. Since this was only the 2nd day of sales and Sailfest is still a week away I didn’t think it would be too busy. Boy was I wrong! But it was fun and you get to meet a lot of great, interesting people from all over the globe.

After our shift we went down the beach to the next restaurant and had lunch and mango margaritas waiting to hear from our husbands about their day of deep sea fishing. They had a good time, but no fish. So we met up with them at Zorrito’s . Then my friend Lori from about 4 years ago in Zihuatanejo called and wanted to meet up. They were at the Flophouse about a block away , went down there and met up with them and friends of theirs and we all returned to Zorrito’s and had this great picture taken. But my internet won’t go in until Monday so I probably can’t add it. Followed by dinner at La Vita Bella, a great restaurant but a little on the pricey side for us. Signing off KO PS Hope pictures soon, maybe Monday

TODAY I SWAM WITH THE FISHES

Friday afternoon we went out to the village of Troncones and checked into the beautiful Inn at Manzanillo Bay. Checked into our beach bungalow to discover they have been completely redone since last year. Very luxurious, complete with a private outdoor courtyard shower. Had a lovely dinner, a couple of drinks and retired to listen the sound of the rolling surf.

Saturday morning at 8:00 am we walked a short way down the road to check in for the swim at Hacienda Eden, get our numbers written on our hands which is how we check in and out of the water. We walked about a 1/4 mile down the road to the beach at Majahua, giving us a chance to meet each other and get to know one another. Several of the group have swam the Alcatraz to San Francisco Sharkfest and other like me are mostly pool swimmers. At just short of 73, I am one of the oldest swimmers. My goal is always to finish strong and not come in last. At Majahua we got our instructions on how to swim way out past the rocks and the current at Punta Majahua, then make a left turn and use the light house on the beach as a beacon to head for. We counted out our numbers and into the water go 15 swimmers. The 8 paddle boarders serving as spotters and guide posts were already in the water. One paddle boarder was accompanied by her small dog with his life jacket on. A panga (small motor boat) accompanies the group for anyone who might choose not to finish.

The distance is a little over a mile. The challenge for me is not so much the distance but swimming in the open ocean. It is very different considering the waves, currents and no black lines on the ocean floor to keep you oriented. At one point one of the paddle boarders placed her board in front of me so I would run into her so she could give me a course correction. I was swimming way to far out to sea. That’s their job to keep everyone on course and account for all. Being a crawl stroke swimmer all I see is sky and sea as the land is on my left. So you swim awhile and stop to check the direction and swim on.

Last year I had a great deal of trouble at the finish point as the surf was very high and I needed help getting oout after being tumbled several times.. This year was so much easier, but I did come in with a side stroke so I could keep an eye on the waves and made it “no problema”, proudly calling off my number to man checking the swimmers in. I don’t know and really don’t care where I placed, I’m not fast, but pretty steady. Friends said they thought I came in about 6 or 8. Middle of the pack, feels good, and I know I’ve had a good work out.

This year we were awarded medals, kind of a nice touch, had a group picture, and were busy congratulating ourselves. What made this year special for me was I had my own rooting section. Along with Doyle, friends Faye and Paul with two of their friends and Bonny were all there at the finish line to cheer me on. Hopefully some one has a picture of me coming in as Doyle was on guard to help me if I got caught in the surf.

Bonny went back to our hotel and we had a great breakfast and returned back to Zihuatanejo. Will I do it again, probably, but will just have to see what next year brings. Signing off KO

SUPER FUN AT THE BEACH

A few days ago I received an e mail from a friend I met at swim with at the pool back home. She was letting me know she and her husband were going to be in Ixtapa for 8 days and could we get together. Of course they have an agenda of things they want and need to do and we had some prearranged plans and it looked like we might not meet up. But today it worked out. We invited them to Zihuatanejo, they came and fortunately prepared for the beach. So after a quick tour of El Centro and our apartment we were off to Las Gatas Beach.It’s a water taxi ride out to the beach which is always fun, then we walked down the beach to our favorite spot,Gloria del Mar and our favorite waiter, Jose. Some how he has radar and seems to sense when we are coming as he spots us a half block down the beach and starts waving at us.

We stake out our territory, get buckets of Dos XX’s and margaritas. (Drinks not buckets) and settle in to the business of becoming better acquainted. Siuling and I swim together, and mostly just visit in the locker room. Our husbands have never met, but both are retired military and soon we are all laughing and joking like we have known each other for years. We order a red snapper and some shrimp, all heavy on the garlic and all but lick the platter clean. The guys decide they want to go deep sea fishing. We ask Jose, our waiter if he has a recommendation for a captain and soon the “Black Tuna” arrives and the guys make all the arrangements while Siuling and I swim. Sunday is to be the fishing day. We’ve had all the sun and fun we can handle for the day and head back to the water taxi for the ride back to Zihua, with plans to meet on Sunday. A wonderful day with great amigos. Signing off KO

AHHH! IT’S MEXICO

It’s been a couple of interesting days, trying to get organized and setting up our living quarters. The Senor dropped his partial plate on the tile floor and of course broke it. So we drop everything and are off to the dentist. Fortunately she is english speaking and in the same building as the wonderful doctor we found last year. She was able to put it back together for him but he is having her make a new one as the price was right. I marvel at how simplistic doctors waiting rooms are here compared to what we see in the US. Some what like my doctors office was when I was a kid back in the late 40’s. Strictly utilitarian, actually the waiting room furniture looks like it came from a 2nd hand store, no fancy paintings on the walls. But the medical and dental care is very modern and up to date and extremely reasonable. I have no problem with this philosophy. Ahhh, it’s Mexico

Tried getting our cell phones up and running but the cell store we usually go to was closed and neighboring stores and other cell phone kiosks said we had to go to Ixtapa to get new “chips”. So we make the trip to Ixtapa, lined up and waited our turn only to be told our phones were locked they can’t do it, only our carrier But Verizon tells me that they don’t lock their phones like mine. At least that’s what they say on line (can’t phone them, no phone). But the upside is we got to go to the movie theater while we were in Ixtapa, saw Passengers,very good movie, and then had dinner at Franks.I like eating out! Ahhh it’s Mexico!

Today as I was headed to the bank to get more money as our landlord upped the rent $200 a month, even though we had a written contract. Ahhh, its Mexico. I discovered the Telcell store that was closed yesterday,the one everyone said couldn’t help me and I needed to go to Ixtapa, was open today. And guess what, they were more than happy to put a chip in my phone and it works perfectly now. Ahhhh it’s Mexico.

The first few days we are so busy getting what we need where we need it. Just starting to get in the relaxed mode of rolling with the punches, sometimes it takes a little time to get into that laid back mode of a mexican minute could really be sixty and manana does not mean tomorrow, it simply means not today. AHHH it is Mexico

This is how holes in the sidewalk are fixed. At least this on has a “bandaid fix” most don’t along with odd pieces of metal and re bar that have been cut off close to sidewalk level leave walking the streets a bit of a challenge especially at night. Ahhh, it’s mexico

Signing off KO

BACK AGAIN IN ZIHUATANEJO MEXICO

We traveled this year with far more luggage than usual. Normally 2-3 suitcases max, but due to wanting to get our shopping cart that rolls upstairs to Mexico we had to put it in our largest suitcase. Between the suitcase and the cart we had already used up 25 lbs of the allowed 50.That and 3 months supply of meds for the Senor 3 months supply of protein

Our 3 wheel cart that rolls up and down stairs with ease

powder for me and a few other items that we can’t find in Mexico we soon had two big suitcases and 3 carry ons, only one of which we planned to carry on. We had arranged for a wheel chair for Doyle as he doesn’t walk or stand well for long periods. We breezed through TSA with just the customary full pat down I receive because of my artificial knee. But after 20 years or so of traveling to Mexico we finally hit the “red light” where their security folks take a very in-depth look through all our 5 bags and my small back pack. No problema, just a few questions about my protein powder , were soon on our way We got a cab only to discover that both the Senor and I had a brain fart about the name of the street we were going to. We know the way and can give good directions, but not so good in Spanish. A few blocks from our apartment our driver fell afoul of the local traffic cop and got pulled over. I have never heard such arguing, hand gestures and money offered. If it hadn’t have been for our luggage we would have bailed at that point. But again no problema and we were soon on our way . From there it is a right turn and 2 lefts and we are at the foot of our pedestrian street where our apartment is. But it is at the opposite end of the block, and here we are with 5 bags. Doyle was going to wait with the baggage and I was going to run them up the street one at a time. ( That’s figurative speech) As I started up with the largest bag the friendly “little old lady”who sells fans, grabbed my suitcase and almost ran it up to our building. What a dynamo! Needless to say I bought a fan and gave her a bit extra. Friends and apartment mates were gathered outside socializing and bless them they carried it all up the 3 flights of stairs. Isn’t Mexico wonderful!

I arrived with a bit of a cold, which has left me with less than my normal energy and since the Senor’s energy is improved but still very low we have been slow to get organized and out to shop for supplies. Oh well, manana! Signing off KO

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