SNOWBIRDING IN MEXICO – Page 6

SHARKFEST at TRONCONES ONE MORE TIME

We took the bus out to Troncones drop off point, and then began to walk to the taxi stand which isn’t far. A nice young couple in a mini van with 3 kids stopped and offered to take us part way in, we were in the process of accepting their hospitality when the “combi” pull up behind them. We thanked them for the offer, but would have greatly over crowded their rig and we took the combi to the Inn At Manzanillo Bay.

Bungalow #8 poolside with the ocean a few steps away ocean

Our room was a charming bungalow with an ocean front view and a hammock from which to enjoy it and the sunset on our patio. It also came equipped with a 10-12 inch iguana, who had established territory in the wall pocket where the door slides. I asked if we got charged extra for the

iguana and was told it came free of charge. The windows are all wood louvers including the sliding pocket doors where you are cooled by an overhead fan and a nice sea breeze. So cool that the Senor got up in the middle of the night and turned off the overhead fan. Before dinner we went for a swim in the pool, then changed for dinner. The Senor enjoyed a sirloin burger, while I had quesadillas of cheese shrimp and mushrooms. We retired to our patio and had drinks before calling the lovely romantic (that translates to no TV) evening quits. It appeared that the iguana retired else where for which I was thankful. In the morning I convinced the kitchen staff to give me a little yogurt to mix with my protein stuff and we were ready for the short walk to Hacienda Eden to sign in for Sharkfest.

This is my second “Sharkfest “swim at Troncones . It is a 1.1 mile fun swim, not a race but still a competitive event. It is not for novices, but for folks who swim a mile in a pool in 50 minutes or less. I just barely make it as I average a 46 minute mile. At 70 and 11/12ths, I’m the oldest swimmer, the youngest was 21. My goal is simple, to complete and not come in last. I was successful coming in about in the middle, unofficially number 10 of 17 swimmers.

We start in Majahua and swim out around the point ending at Hacienda Eden. Many paddle boarders help mark the course and keep people like me from swimming out to sea.

One paddle boarder’s dog rides with him. As this was my second swim it was easier in respect I knew what to expect, but I think there were more swells this year keeping it interesting. It’s a fun event!

As we walked back to the Inn at Manzanillo we noticed the sign posted on one of the residences requesting the fruit vendor to stop. It’s like

businesses at home putting out the UPS sign when they need a pick up. Near the entrance to the Inn was this huge boulder encased by the tree’s roots. The tree was tall and the roots thick and most likely quite old. So how did this happen? Did the tree grow on top of the boulder and an earthquake push the boulder up, or did the tree grow in dirt and the boulder got push up into the roots, or did rain and erosion finally wear the dirt away or was it unearthed in bulldozer construction.

Some things you just have to ponder . I’m the pale one in pink with fins in the group picture.

LOST A DAY

On the afternoon of the 6th, Tree Kings Day here in Mexico, I set out to buy some trim at the fabric store and instead discovered that for 5 blocks and maybe more a whole new bazar of temporary shops had been set up. Tarps had been hung street-side and on the side-walk between the tarps and the shops are a myriad little booths of toys, clothing , mandarin oranges, and Rosca Cakes all for Three Kings Day.

Between the tarp and the shops a whole new bazaar sprung up on the side-walks

Evidently they started on the 5th and I guess will be gone on the 7th and disappears like a circus leaving town. Evidently the Mexicans don’t believe in shopping early, and this looked like a bit of a shopping frenzy to me. The Rosca Cakes are a wreath type pastry cake within it is a small baby Jesus figurine. I’m told that whom ever receives the piece with the baby Jesus in it is to host the same guests to a fiesta on February 2nd, Candlemas Day, the 2nd of February. I’ve also been told that it’s tamales that are to be fixed for the fiesta on Candlemas Day. Later that evening our

balcony neighbors brought us a slice of the Rosca cake and I got a lamb in my piece , Lynn got a shepard in hers. I didn’t realize there were many little figurines in the cake. The cake was a little on the dry side, but should be great with strawberries or ice cream on it.

Since I didn’t find any suitable trim to make straps for my new pant/jumpsuit I decided the sewing ladies would be able to put straps on it for me. They are so sweet and agreeable, I will pick it up from them this afternoon. It was a good decision because I was wanting black straps but out in good light I discover I really need navy blue straps. That was the whole extent of my yesterday as I really wasn’t feeling up to par and found it necessary to keep close to home and slept or read most of the day.

Work up this morning feeling like my old self, scratch that, my normal self again. After my morning swim my street dogs found me, they were in luck, I had bones left over from our ham hock soup last night. As I walked by the Plaza, a pick up game of soccer was happening at the basketball court. Just another Zihuatanejo day.

The rest of the day will be spent with an excursion to the Comercial. Signing off KO

STREET DOGS, ROOF CATS, AND OTHER CURIOSITIES

Hard working lady cleaning the La Madera path and beach

Zihuatanejo is much quieter now that the Mexican tourists have returned to their homes. The morning path to La Madera is no longer crowded with the health seeking runners, soon to be replaced by different tourists as more and more American and Canadian visitors arrive fleeing from the cold climes. I often have the feeling that here in Zihuatanejo if you are willing to work, there is work to be found. I marvel at how hard the lady who cleans the path to La Madera works, it’s not a glamour job, but it’s honest work and one whose labors we reap the benefits of. I’m amazed at the piles of sand she sweeps off the path, and the wheel barrows of litter she removes each day. Same with the daily street sweepers who appear early each morning and clean up the careless, thoughtlessness of others. Definitely unsung heroes!

My gentle little street dog was not at the bridge to meet me this morning, I don’t think I’ll tell her that I gave her breakfast to a friendly street cat. Actually “Luna” is not a true street dog as she does have an owner and a home, but I doubt she is being fed a High protein

Street cat enjoying the Senors left-over chicken

Science diet formulated for lactating mothers. She belong to the coco man who owns the chickens I feed. There are many street dogs here vying for scraps from the garbage sacks or the kindness of strangers. There are many of the yellow “anywhere” dogs of which Luna is one. There are many of very questionable parentage that have produced some very odd-looking dogs. The one common trait they all seem to share is a gentle nature.

Cats tend to be roof cats, traveling blocks without touching ground. But also found along the fisherman’s walk, and the occasional shop cat. We have planters anchoring each end of our balcony which tends to attract the roof cat population cats for their nature calls. We know as we see kitty tracks across the balcony, and occasionally , in the wee hours of the morning we have even heard their loud discussions. Just before day light last week I heard a cat on the tile overhang just below us, my flashlight has a laser light on it and I couldn’t resist a game of laser tag . But the laser scared the hell out of this cat. She ran as I chased her with the light. She didn’t understand what a fun game it can be.

There is a curious library kiosk in the artist park, it looks quite similar to the one just erected on the campus of the college I attended, with the main difference being this one is locked up tight and the one at home is open for anyone to take or leave a book. Maybe it is used by the school once the children return to school?

Today is 3 Kings Day, I’m not sure if it is a true holiday or a day of celebration, I don’t know if the children wake up to their gifts or if it happens later tonight. But I’m curious to find out. Signing off KO

MAS FIREWORKS

The fireworks display last night was the best fireworks display I have ever seen and it came as quite a surprise. The Senor had gone to bed early the results of a hard day watching football with his cronies. I was on the balcony watching a movie with my earphones so as not to disturb anyone, when the fire works started with what appeared some smaller one down at the plaza where the usual Sunday event was going on. Then the fireworks began in earnest! Huge bursts one right after another, actually on top of each other. The sky rained beautiful colorful starburst and kept going on. A far better display than my town does for July 4th. Thank you Zihuatanejo. At the end of the show the people started leaving the plaza and our street became wall to wall people, I have no idea how many people attended, but it looked like the whole town plus all the tourists.

Yesterday when I went to swim by boat was gone, the”La Raya ” had left and only the mooring buoy was there. Not a great land mark to swim to as there are small swells and some times bigger swells and then I can’t see it and I’m a bit direction-ally challenged anyway. It’s just a lot more stopping seeing where you are, and changing course. I will admit lap swimming in a pool is much easier, but I’m ready for the “Sharkfest ” swim in Troncones Saturday the tenth.

I have learned that the children here get toys on “3 Kings Day”. La Playa bar, where the Senor enjoys his football games, is doing a toy drive. The Senor and I will pick up some toys today to add to the collection. My understanding is that the toys will then go to the bomberos for distribution. Last night I met a lady who is going to help distribute the toys and am hoping I can meet up with her afterwards to learn more about it. For the last several years we have brought a dozen or so boxes of colored pencils and sharpeners to be distributed to children in the poorer schools. And of course we are big participants in the “Sailfest” activities when it rolls around in February. We feel like we are enough of the community to want to participate when we can.

Had to laugh as I walked by the museum the other morning, which has iron bars on every door and window, none the less they also have a security guard on duty. Having worked many grave yard shifts when I was working in corrections, I could sympathize with him how difficult it is to stay alert when absolutely nothing is happening. I would just suggest a less public place to rest. Signing off KO

ONLY IN MEXICO

Some things we see here just boggle the mind, things you would never see at home. The Senor with 22 years of Navy service has a strong safety ethic, something that is so frequently ignored here. In the grocery store we see folks stocking shelves by climbing on several cases of goods stacked on top of one another to get to the top shelves, or standing on crates on a flat dolly and pulling himself down the row as he needs to move on. Yesterday a box delivery truck was determined to drive down what is a pedestrian only street to make his delivery. This was accomplished by one person standing on the roof of the delivery van lifting the electric light cords to allow the truck to fit under. It was slow going, I think a hand dolly would have been quicker, but maybe there was no dolly.

Somethings we see only here are so wonderful, like vanilla ice cream. At home I would never order a plain vanilla cone, but her they are so rich and full of flavor and not pale white but a rich golden tan and yummy. My preference is still to buy it from the old gentleman who bushes the galvanized tub through the streets. There are many ice cream vendors, but his ice cream is my favorite.

From inside our apartment I can recognize the many different vendors by their calls, early morning you hear the call of the man selling the rolls, I still can’t pronounce the name he calls out, then the paper seller calling the name of the paper he is hawking, the knife sharpener wheels his grinding wheel through town with a tin whistle sound and the clown horn honk of the ice cream sellers. The produce seller is one of my favorites, I love buying fruit and veggies from his hand wheeled cart right at our door step. And his produce is always ripe to perfection. Signing off KO

THIS TOWN IS FULL OF MEXICANS!

That may seem like a strange statement since we are in Mexico, but Mexican tourist have arrive by the bus loads, big beautiful touring buses. I saw a row of at least 10 buses day before yesterday They have come from all over Mexico to spend their holidays at the beach. Families travel together, large extended families with grandparents, all their children, sisters, brothers, cousins down to babes in arms. They move through town in large groups of 15 to 20 people sometimes and the main goal seems to be the beach. I do hope they visit the restaurants as they all say business has been slow. But the streets are full, the plaza is crowed to the max and has some type of entertainment every evening.

Yesterday was a busy day trying to get the Senor more comfortable, his recent back surgery has not relieved his sciatica, and he was getting more and more miserable, and grouchy as one does when not feeling well. So we went to the doctor. This amuses me because last year when I had a sore throat and needed to go to the doctor he gives me the money and tells me to go. But when he needs to go It’s required that I go also. He makes fun of my taking Spanish classes, but it’s times like this that my exceeding limited Spanish is helpful. The Dr Speaks perfect English and thinks part of the Senior’s problem is that one leg is shorter than the other, he measured him and said a lift in one shoe would help. So we out to find the “ortopedia” store, (actually a neighborhood of 3 orthopedic stores) it was about 6 blocks away with a map and some directions, we got close but not quite there when a group of people walked by and the one in the group that spoke English asked if he could help us and while he wasn’t from the area but his friends were and knew where we needed to go and took us there. Mission accomplished, we got the heel lift. Later that afternoon when I went out to get the Senor’s prescriptions filled and had been to 3 pharmacies with no luck again I run into the same group who again offered assistance , or if I needed help with translations. I explained it wasn’t a language issue, just lack of supply. I’m always impressed how helpful people here are. Stand on any street corner and look confused and someone will come by and offer assistance. In turn when ever I see English-speaking folks looking for something I been coming here long enough I can frequently offer assistance.

I love grocery shopping here, and buying eggs in plastic bags amazes me.

While reading and napping in the late afternoon I set my glasses down on the bed and then later rolled over on them bending the frame, I’ve done this before here so I knew exactly where to go get them fixed. 20 minutes later they were fixed and it only cost 20 pesos (about a buck 35 cents). Just amazes me, the price of things, or people’s time.

By night fall the Senor was feeling better so we went out for dinner at The Captains Daughter and finished up the evening at the Barracruda listening to Steve and friends play.

Usually it is the ladies that take off their shoes to dance

Their music just makes folks want to dance. Signing off KO

TWAS THE DAY AFTER CHRISTMAS

Christmas in Mexico has been, fun, interesting and very different. There isn’t the “in your face” commercialism, not on the TV, not in the stores, and certainly not in the tiendas, the little shops. I had to look long and hard to find some interesting Christmas ornaments to bring home to my family. The big Comercial had the standard balls and a few

cheap decorations, but nothing special. But I did pursue and found some nice ones. Christmas trees here are interesting,

many are quite creative. I was disappointed that the church bell seems not to be working this year, with the church just round the corner I usually hear them. I misses that. We spent Christmas day much in our usual way, the Senor watching television, I went for walk, visited with friends at one of the beach front restaurants, feed the chickens, and found sweet street dog to

give our left overs to. The day was overcast at first then changed to sun, we ended our day watching movie just like we would have at home. But this time we watched on the computer transferred to the TV instead of going out to a theater. there are 2 theatres here, but none showing anything we liked in a language we could understand.

For the past several days there have been programs t the plaza, they last until 10 or sometimes later. None on Christmas eve as it would have been rained out. There is music, comedians and children programs and because of the mexicans love of loud speakers they can be heard from our balcony loud and clear. When it’s music it’s nice, but the comedians and other speakers tend to be a bit annoying. Last night I decided to go see hat the action was as it didn’t appear to be to busy. I’m not fan of tight crowds. Lots going on but not jam-packed but they little battery powered cars for kids to rent and ride around all over the plaza. to me it looked those carnival bumper cars turned out in public, with kids

creening all over, some running into each other purposely, some not on purpose. Absolutly crazy, sometimes you had to move quick to avoid being run over, but I don’t believe there is a mexican word for “liability”. Signing off KO

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM BEAUTIFUL IF NOT SUNNY ZIHUATANEJO

Yesterday it drizzled on and off all day, not the kind of rain that is cold or that gets you wet. But the skies were cloudy and it was definitely cooler. But by the time we were getting ready to go out for the evening the drizzle became rain. Not the tropical down pour that soaks you in minutes, just plain rain. It wasn’t cold, no wraps were needed but to keep dry getting to our destination, dinner,at Daniels, we had one street and the plaza to cross out in the rain. And who likes to arrive looking like a wet dog, so we used our beach towels as serape and arrived no worse for the weather. Everyone is grousing about the strange weather, they say it is never cloudy or rainy this time of year. The forecast is warmer today and back to normal tomorrow.

We had a great Christmas dinner, most of the folks we know were there. They moved all the tables inside, which made the dance floor small but adequate. As alway Jimmi Mamou’s music was outstanding. My lobster was good, the Senor enjoyed his turkey, even if there was no cranberry sauce, and the chicken and fillet that came with my lobster came home in a box for the Senor to enjoy today along with a large slice of rich gooey chocolate cake. There was a really great fruit salad that came with the meal. I could enjoy just that for another meal some time. sometime during the evening the rain stopped so we arrived back at our “casa” dry and no worse for the weather. I will admit it seemed strange to people wearing long sleeves and some folks in jackets and women wrapping up in shawls. It was cool, but not that cold. Had a brief chat with Santa on our way back, Signing off KO

IT’S CHRISTMAS EVE DAY

Woke up this morning to the sound of rain, it’s another cloudy day with a bit of a fine Washington mist now coming down. Not enough to get you wet, and it’s warm. I decided that I need to swim more or I won’t be in shape for Sharkfest in Troncones on Jan 10th. So at 7:30 this morning I went to Playa La Madera, just a short walk from where we stay and swam 3 laps out and back around a sailboat anchored out. This is to become my new morning routine. I can walk at other times, but there is almost no one at the beach at that time of the day and it is close to my normal home routine.

Since our TV service is not currently carrying the Senor’s favorite channel, I’ve learned to stream it from another source. I use the word learn loosely, more like just plain luck, but it keeps him happy and informed.

The Senor decided he needs a new white shirt to wear with his dress white shorts for our Christmas Eve dinner so we will do some brief shopping this morningand hopefully check in with the sand artist as I hope this rain hasn’t damaged his work of art. Meantime we are playing Christmas music on my I pod and enjoying our little Christmas display, feeling just “Christmasy” enough.

Met with success on our shopping trip, the senor got his new shirt and I learned that a “bolsa” is not only a bag or purse but also a pocket. Checked in with the sand carver, I’m so impressed. It’s been fun watching the progess and so glad the rain hasn’t hurt his work of art. He has brought me much enjoyment

Tonight we will join friends and enjoy a Christmas feast at Daniels, and enjoy the music of Jimmi Mamou FelizeNavidad from our casa to yours. Signing off KO

slowly findi g my way in espanol

The plan for the day was to attend the Sat morning market, the “ecologiatianguissanka”, a charming littlebazzar composed of local artist making hand crafted items, many from recycled materials and organic foods that are usually served on a banana leaf. I found several things I liked, but settled on a Christmas decoration for one of y daughters. I have more time for other purchases and limited suitcase space. My purchase had tobe done in Spanish, rocky but successful. Next was to get our phones set up. I knew where a

Telcel store was, the one with the handsome young man with the grey eyes who spoke fair, but not proficient english. Together we got my regular home cell phone up and running, and then he ran out of sim cards. But one phone does us little good as we use them just to communicate with each other. So now I’m off to a different Tel cell (they are as common as coffee stands at home.) But here no english is spoken. None the less I leave with the Senor’s phone up and running. Next I run into our friends from Ixtapa, Iswear all you need to do is just walk around town and you will eventually meet everyone you know.

Onward to purchase a hamburgerguesa from the corner bar for the Senor who has opted for a day of football and socializing at the Captians Daughter. The cook speaks good english but he his going to make me do it all in Spanish. Good practice, but makes me nervous but I do try.

After a brief siesta I’m off to the Posada in the La Madera neighborhood. I am told this is very traditional Mexico. A block or two is blocked off from street traffic. Both sides of the street are lined with tables with a variety of food, drink and other wares, much like at any bazar.

It begins with the children dressed as Mary and Joseph along with an angel and another child at the top of the street where folks are gathered arround singing what appers to be a song with many, many verses, then the ribbon across the street is

dropped and the children parade down to the front of the stage and sit in the first row and you don’t see them again. On stage sits the childrens orchastra, dressed in jeans and white shirts. The program proceeds much like the School Christmas programs, the orchestra plays and they are good, a group of children singing stand below. Some music was familiar, others not. Christmas carols that we are familiar were sung in spanish of course, but the absolute star of the program was when they sang the beatles

“Imagine” in english, show casing the voices of two teenage fellows with great voices, an absolute show stopper. The startling difference between this program and kids christmas programs at home was much of the audience had beer or other drinks in their hands. Next were some folkloric dancers, very good, and then a group of latin dancers who were ok.

A pinata was hung from a tree in the center of the street and the kids gathered around to take turns batting at it until it would break. The man from the latin dancers got upset came and told them to stop the pinata until his group was done dancing on the stage. I was takings pictures of the kids and he told me “pinata later, now dancing” I think they did one more dance and it was pinata time again. He wasn’t making any friends They did several pinatas and when the pinata finally breaks it is definitely a dog pile and the kids grab all they can get. I’m amazed no one gets hurt, but the kids here tough and not whiney at all. Fun evening!

After returning to our ‘casa” Ii look out from the balcony and there is an art show set up in the street below. Of course I went down to see, I’m forever amazed a the beautiful

art here. The big news for the day is the Senor finally has his TV going, still can’t get all the channels he wants but he cn live with this. Thanks to all who helped. Signing oiff KO

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balcony neighbors brought us a slice of the Rosca cake and I got a lamb in my piece , Lynn got a shepard in hers. I didn’t realize there were many little figurines in the cake. The cake was a little on the dry side, but should be great with strawberries or ice cream on it.

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