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I had envisioned that I would post twice weekly on my progress as a student. Well because I am a student I have no time left to post. I don’t know how these kids do 2 and 3 classes with all the homework.

Plus the fact that our rental house has imploded on us hasn’t helped the situation. I have successfully ( with the help of the courts and the Sheriff) successfully evicted a half-dozen squatters from the house and I am now am in the process of getting it cleaned up and rent able. Since it is located directly across from the college I attempted to post a listing for it at the school, but the person I asked where to go to do that was house hunting so she and her roommate have rented it and are helping with the cleaning and painting. They are two cute young gals attending Olympic College and are so excited about having a house with space. I think this will work well for all of us.

I have come to the conclusion that I will probably take this same class again next quarter rather than moving on to Spanish 102. I can do the written work, I can pass the tests, but it’s the oral part that I’m still weak in. My goal has never been to become a translator or even be truly “proficient” in Spanish, I just need to improve my vocabulary and my ability to “hear” rapidly spoken Spanish. Also to be able formulate basic sentences. I’m in no hurry, I won’t move on until I feel I have mastered the material. This is the luxury of taking a class for personal enrichment rather than credit.

What amuses me is that my costs for going to school on a $5 senior waiver ended up costing $47. On top of the $5 fee they had a security fee a student fee and a something else fee. But it’s cheap at twice the price so I’m sure not complaining. Signing off KO

WHAT WAS i THINKING ???

Spanish class has been another of those moments of “What was I thinking!” ! I was sure I was on the right track, doing my home work, studying the vocabulario, only to find I’m half a chapter behind. Did I not listen well enough in the class room? Why can I not find the information I need to complete this assignment? And then I remember I’m taking this class for fun? and relaxation? And to improve my mind. So I’ve come to the conclusion I now can’t spell in two languages!

I’m sure this is just getting into the swing of things. My vocabulary is ok, but I do struggle at composing proper sentences. But that’s OK as I will be happy if I only end up with the ability of speaking “pigeon” Spanish, rather than University perfect Spanish. My goal is simply to communicate

CAMPUS LIFE, MY PERSPECTIVE

The campus at Olympic College has changed so dramatically since I attended there in the 80″s that the only building I recognize is the Administration building. As a result when I went to school for my first day of class on Tuesday I knew which building was the Humanities Bldg where my class was to be held, but my registration sheet gave a number that I thought would be the room number but of course BIG Mistake. As I stood around looking totally bewildered a young man, a very young man, asked if he could help, I explained my dilemma and he then took to the registration area logged on to the computer used his ID number since I didn’t know mine and located the room number and showed me where the room was. I was impressed! How helpful was that, I wish I’d gotten his name. As I walked through the halls I couldn’t help but notice the variety of ages of the students and no I don’t look out of place. There are many of us Seniors on campus. But we dress a little more conservatively than some of the young ones. I couldn’t help but notice a platinum blonde, so platinum that it was a silvery shade. At my age that’s a shade I avoid like the plagues, but she was very young so I guess silver was OK. She wore ripped and almost shredded black tights, a short skirt and a black T shirt with a fur cape draped around her shoulders. I assume the cape was mink. Muy interesante,but not quite my style.

My fellow students are a mix of ages, with a couple comfortable enough in speaking Spanish that I’m sure they have just completed High school Spanish. Most of us are a bit tongue tied when asked to say or repeat something in Spanish. This has always been my short coming, I can read and write Spanish far better than I can pronounce it. That is why I choose this class with this teacher as she is all about speaking. At this point my head is swimming , I’m correcting a few bad habitats I have collected over the years. I try to offer my self up as the guinea pig, to volunteer to speak when a question is asked in Spanish and I must reply in Spanish. But then my answer gets critiqued until I get it right. The written work and the reading work at this point is a not a problem, but I know as time goes on it will get much more difficult. What was I thinking!

ZIHUATANEJO, I WILL MISS YOU

Last night we had happy hour at the Catalina’s Sunset Bar, with our friends Will and Sylvia and balcony neighbor Ruth, and then we stayed for dinner

Doyle and Kathleen sunset at the Catalina Sunset bar

which was quite good, actually my shrimp tacos were excellent. We finished off the evening with a night cap (or 2) at Zorrito’s. We had breakfast at the Zihuatanejo Pancake House, a favorite of ours, met and said goodbyes to friends along the way. It’s getting that time of year when many of the seasonal people are leaving. We spent the rest of the morning sorting what stays behind to be stored and what gets packed. I’m always amazed at how much we purchased that needs to be brought home. Then off to La Madera Beach for one last swim and a massage for the Senor. Finish the last minute packing and off to dinner at Don Memos with friends.

We fly home tomorrow, back to the land of doctor and dentist appointments, doing our own laundry, cooking all our meals, jackets, coats and all kinds of other responsibilities that we have enjoyed not having during our 2 months in Zihuatanejo.

I will miss this land where a pickup truck is transportation for a large family including aunts uncles, cousins friends and a dog or two, a motor scooter will carry mom and pop and a baby or two. Where on any street corner you would never wait more than a minute or two for a cab, where ten pesos on a bus gets you 15-20 miles. I will miss the friendly people who help me with my fractured Spanish. I will miss eating at least 2 meals a day out side, I will miss the sunrise from my balcony, and sunsets over the bay, warm evenings, the cooling breeze off the bay during the heat of the day, happy hour with friends. I will miss everything Zihuatanejo. But knowing we will be back makes it all bearable. We’ve reserved our little apartment for 3 months next year and we will be here for Christmas. That will be a new experience for us. Adios Zihuatanejo

Signing off until December KO

ALIENS GONE COMPUTER OK

The aliens have left since I deleted every program that got added on 2 27 14. I have no idea where they all came from but the appear to be gone. As soon as we get home” Larry the computer guy” gets my net book as it is still very slow.

I attended Guitar fest last night and while I found it enjoyable and interesting, but I did I leave before it was over as it was too long for me. During the first hour I sat at a restaurant next to the area and ordered dinner as all the seats inside were in the sun and I can’t sit an hour in the sun without burning. While I know a lot of people sat there for most of the evening or just generally hung around, once the sun went down I paid my money and went inside. It’s a benefit, it’s not expensive and I would have felt like a cheat if I had stayed there the whole evening.

Colorfful building in Barre de Potosi — Octopus cooking over an open fire at La Condessa

Today we went to Barre de Potosi with friends, Will and Sylvia and Charlie and Christine. Charlie and Christine picked us all up at the very early hour of 8:00, we’ve made this trip a couple of times, but always on the bus and then the pasajara. We found scenery we had never noticed before as the view from a car is much different and very enjoyable. Christine and Charles brought us to their favorite, La Condessa and we found it most

enjoyable. We spent the morning beach walking and watching the surfers. Our lunch was delicious, my oysters were done to perfection, the Senor’s fillet was great, but those who ordered shrimp were disappointed as they hadn’t been deveined adding a lot more work than just pealing. We topped it off with that wonderful ice cream you get from the galvanized tubs. Nothing like strawberry ice cream where you can see that it was made with real berries

The Senor and I walked thru the town so that I could photograph the flowers and church that we found there on our last trip when I was sans camera. It sometimes amazes me what beauty you find in these dusty little villages.

Beautiful Flower in the village Bbarre de Potosi

This evening we have a real conundrum, the Senor is dreaming of fried chicken, and I can’t eat chicken. The place he wanted to go to only has chicken and potatoes. Other places have chicken,

Simple but beautiful Church in Barre de Potosi

but not “fried”. I suggested each of us getting what we wanted take out and bringing it back to eat here, but that was vetoed and we can’t fry it ourselves as the building has run out of gas, and like before when that happened it will probably manana before we have gas. Anyway I’m sure we won’t starve and will find something. It was another wonderful day in Mexico Signing off KO

LA CHULA VIDA, THE SWEET LIFE

The Senor had purchased at sail fest a dinner for two with bottle wine and desert at LA Chula Vida. Of course we had never heard of the place, but soon discovered it was on Playa Blanca, which we weren’t entirely sure where it was or how we would get there. A little research paid off and we received several suggestions on how to get there. The plan was to do a bus to the airport , and if the pick up with benches showed up we would take it, if not we would take a cab. Sounded simple enough. Next we located where to catch the bus to the airport. convinced our friends Will and Sylvia we really knew what we were doing, and planned to leave about 4 as I wanted to be there for the sunset, and really didn’t know how long it would take to make all the connections. Only waited about 5 minutes for the “colectivo” to the airport.which is a van with benches along all sides and hand rails on the inside roof so an unlimited amount of people can be packed in. For 10 peso each we rode to the airport stop, not seeing a cab insight we sort of wondered … what next? There were two Mexican fellows sitting in the shade across the road so I got elected to ask them how to get to Chula Vida . I was told in 5 min a collective would come. And sure enough it did but of the “pasajara” type, a covered pick up truck with benches. So for another 10

pesos we were on our way, this ride is truly air-conditioned as we were traveling quite fast as the road was empty except for one or two cars.

The ride was quite comfortable until we hit the dirt road and then it was very bumpy. Along the way we saw some beautiful villas, stunning views of the ocean a restaurant or two and one condominium complex. As we arrived at our destination we were greeted by a beautiful saddled burro which we learned later was the “town mayor’s” transportation.

La Chula Vida has a tiled dining patio, both floor and roof and a beach bar palapa with table made from huge tree stumps. Our hostess Lisette welcomed us and visited with us a bit and we learned that she hails from Woodland WA which is quite near us. We sat watching the sun go

down, cooled by very cold drinks and a lovely breeze from the ocean. One of the most peaceful relaxing places I have ever been. We opted to eat our dinner on the patio as after dark the breeze was getting a little too cool. The Senor and I had grilled”sierra” fish which was thick and moist, our friends had grilled shrimp which they proclaimed excellent. All served with a plate of grilled vegetables and followed up with a dish of almond ice cream. The setting was beautiful, the meal excellent, the company enjoyable, just can’t ask for more than that, definitely the sweet life, Chula Vida.

We had anticipated taking a taxi back to town, but Lisette said her husband Jorge needed to drive employee’s back to Zihuatanejo and if we didn’t mind waiting until dishes were washed he would bring us all home. How is that for hospitality! Of course we accepted. I rode in the cab with Jorge who had an oldies radio station on playing “All Shook Up” and “Good Golly “Miss Molly” sung in Spanish.. What a fun evening! Signing off KO

ME CUMPLEANOS

I had the most wonderful birthday, the best birthday since my 50th birthday when I first met the Senor. It was a beautiful sunny Zihuatanejo day, there was not a single thing I had to do, just the things I wanted to do. I was very happy to donate some items to the garage sale held in the artist plaza. It was a benefit for 2

law school students. We have been storing some items in a large suitcase here each year and we decided to replace it with a couple of storage boxes as they wouldn’t be so heavy for Javier to lift onto a shelf that he has to climb a ladder to reach. So 45 minutes ahead of the start time I took the suitcase with a few odd items of clothing that we have found we have no use for and a couple of odds and end to the plaza to donate and found a half dozen tables set up and a good crowd already bargaining.

Kids in cute uniforms during a busy garage sale

There was also a class kindergarten or first grade children at he plaza to look at the paintings as the teacher discussed colors with them. I’m sure the garage sale came as a surprise to them, they were so cute in there school uniforms and were fascinated by all that was going on and all the people. I understand the sale was quite successful.

I had been eyeing a pretty yellow shirt that I could see thru the shop window. I had never been in the shop as it’s air-conditioned and I assumed things would be expensive. But surprisingly enough they were not so I bought myself a birthday present, it is something I will wear at home rather than hear as it has long sleeves. Now I don’t mean to say that the Senor does not buy me gifts as he

certainly does, but he will buy something a week or two ahead of my birthday and then can’t wait until my birthday to give it to me. So this year a couple of weeks ago he gave me a cute pair of silver frog earrings for my birthday, plus he takes me out to dinner often here in Zihuatanejo and is really quite generous if not romantic.

We had decided to have my birthday dinner at El Agave, we had eaten there last year with a group and all thought it quite good. There turned out to be 14 of us and everyone seemed to enjoy the dinner and the company. Along with best wishes and cards I received a wonderful bottle of wine, a cute coin purse and key chain, and a lovely shell pendant necklace that Charlie made. Thank you to everyone for making me feel quite special The senor had purchased a couple of cakes and after our crowd

had all had a piece I gave a piece of cake to all the other diners leaving part of one cake for the house and brought back part of the other one for Javier our apartment manager. Since birthdays are such fun, I think I will keep on having them. Signing off KO

MONDAY SWEET MONDAY WITH NOTHING TO DO BUT…..

Woke up a little later than usual this morning as we had dined in on salmon cakes that I made and went to the 9pm showing of Vince Vaughn in the Delivery Man, very sweet, very funny we enjoyed it. It’s unusual for us to go to the movies that late but when you don’t have dinner until 7 or later it makes sense. At home we do a 4pm matinee. We had no agenda for today, but while breakfasting on the balcony I noticed a cruise ship was in. I always like to go down to the malecon, sit in a restaurant and have a drink and feel quite smug that I am here for a long period of time and watch them race around trying to shop and take in all the local color in a few hours, But actually this boat stayed longer than most, we hear it won’t leave until 10PM.

My plan was to go photo the ship, but the Senor suggested that we go to the pharmacy and see if he can get one of his prescriptions refilled here. And then go to the bank, then see about getting his watch fixed. Knowing the boat would be there later it sounded like a good plan. The prescription could only be refilled if we went to our Mexican doctor and get a new prescription from him first. As this is only sleeping medicine he decided to try a natural type instead and see if it would work before going to the Doctor. I keep telling him wine works great for me, I have no trouble sleeping and it’s a natural product. But he never listens to me. So on to the bank and then to the watch repair shop where they reassemble his watch that got dropped on our tile floor and disintegrated into many pieces, 20 pesos later it was reassembled and we were on our way. We took a different side street on the way back where we found gifts for our neighbor girls, the peanut brittle candy the Senor so loves, and my mango light drink that I have become addicted to and an old lady and her grandson selling strawberries and plums among other things So for 30 pesos we had fruit for a day or two. Back to the apartment for lunch and siesta.

My lunch of left over fish did not agree with me due to my ongoing digestive problem and I have decided any left overs from dinners we will bring back and feed to the roof cats who have come to our balcony nightly to enjoy the fine dinning. It seems like everyone here feeds someone, some

Jaavier's pet pigeon — Jaavier’s pet pigeon

feed the street dogs, Javier our apartment manager and owner of the Liquor Store and Scooter rental business feeds the pigeons. There is a pair who spend their days sitting on the side walk in front to of his store, I tell him they are his pets. I’ve taken to feeding the roof cats this year. The only problem I have is getting very little feed back from them, they come in the night and I never see them on the balcony, but still I know they appreciate. Otherwise the street dogs and cats are left to rip apart the garbage bags that are put out on the streets each night for the garbage pick up in the morning. I have a fondness for cats and feel a little guilty for leaving ours for so long, even though I know our granddaughter does her best to take care of all his demands. In addition I feed our scraps of produce to the chickens who have come to know me and expect tasty treats.

Zihuatanejo from the roof just before sunrise

Tonight the Senor wanted to go to Banditos for dinner , but we opted instead to go to Porto Ill Mare as they have great soup and I wasn’t wanting a big dinner. Tonight I had Gazpacho, a cold tomato soup I learned to love on my visit to Spain many years ago, the Senor with a bigger appetite selected the Spaghetti Bolognese, great service good food it really hit the spot. Signing off KO

SUNNY SATURDAYS TURN TO SUNNY SUNDAYS

The siesta is one of the great aspects of Mexican life which we have adapted to quiet well. We usually retreat to our room in the later part of the afternoon for TV

watching or reading and frequently one or both of us eventually nap. Yesterday as I awoke from my siesta a kite flying across the lane caught my eye. A Dad was helping his young son fly a kite off the roof of the hotel across from us. At first all I saw was the dad and the kite, but then the kite got caught and dad lifted the young boy up to retrieve it. There was almost no wind so the kite wasn’t flying to high, but no matter father and son were enjoying themselves together. I watched until the sun began to set and turned the sky gorgeous colors. Then it was time

Dad boosts his son onto roof to rescue kite

to get ready for dinner as we had decided to return to Don Memo’s for dinner.

In my opinion he serves the absolute best fish in Zihuatanejo. I’ve had the fish in wine sauce before at Don Memo’s and ordered it again last night and wasn’t disappointed. It is the most moist flavorful fish I’ve ever had, and being a ” fishetarian” I’ve tasted a lot of fish. On this visit we sat at a table looking out towards the alley and Coconuts restaurant, it gives you a great view and a cacophony of sounds. We could hear the Mexican music video being played in Don Memos of a beautiful out-door concert with a huge orchestra and many singers singing more

classical music, we would occasionally hear someone in Coconuts singing and then the lilting tunes of the flute and guitar player that plays in front of Monkey House came drifting in. All very pleasant. And Don Memo’s has the best price for wine I’ve seen in Zihuatanejo, 40 pesos. Following dinner we walked to the zocolo where we discovered a visiting Volkswagen car club. I’m a VW fan, having owned several of them from bugs to square backs to our 72 bus we camped in for many years, so I took pictures of all of them, but didn’t set the flash so most

Beautiful blue VW bug with a sound system to die for

pictures weren’t very good.

We returned home to listen to the last half hour off our young street band that performs every Thursday and Saturday night under our balcony. They draw a big and enthusiastic crowd, including an occasional street dog or two.

Another Saturday night with no loud music from the “tranny” bar around the corner, the decibel police have done a good job this year. I know they stay open past the legal closing time as we hear people wandering down the street about 4:30 with alcohol loud voices. But that is so much better than years previous where we had to sleep with ear plugs and the music still kept us awake.

Sunday morning brought an unusual mix of sounds around 7AM, church bells from the church around the corner, followed by a large crowd of people cheering and shouting. Then I remembered Zorro’s Bar was to open for the Canadian Hockey game at 6:00 am. From the sounds of the crowd I think Canada is doing well. Actually Canada won the gold. Signing off KO

YESTERDAY AND TODAY

Yesterday the cleaning lady was due so we went out for breakfast, while I ordered breakfast, in Spanish I might add, the Senor did his task of running the laundry to the laundaria. At home he does the laundry and has continued doing so here. But here all he has to do is deliver it in the morning and pick it up in the evening. Everything is simpler here. After breakfast we decided to check out a hotel near the “hole in the wall” bus station . Brand new hotel offering $250 (mexican pesos) a night rooms if you stayed 2 weeks or more. This was a hell of a good deal so we decided we had best check it out. The desk clerk spoke no English, but my 2 or three words got the message across and she showed us a room. Nice room with great bath and a balcony, but small and no micro or refrigerator. I asked her if they had any rooms with cooking and she said no. So we thanked her, briefly considered if the lesser cost would make up for eating out every night as it did have a pool and wifi and cable. We decided no, it just wasn’t for us, but very nice for someone who just needs a room. Then on to the archeological museum at the end of the malecon where both the history of the area is displayed but also lots of art work for sale.

We then went for a stroll on the malecon and ran into a couple I had met on the boat parade. I introduced them to the Senor , we visited briefly as they were just finishing their lunch and we took over their table when they left. Our waiter brought out a white board sandwich board which showed the selections offered that day. Cheese quesadilla for me and a BLT for the Senor. He was very happy to find a real sandwich. We people watched, watched the fishermen and enjoyed a very leisurely lunch. Soon a friend we had made through other friends stopped by and we visited with her for a while remarking we hardly go anywhere any more where we don’t run into someone we know. A very pleasant feeling.

New vendor came by the flop house, cakes by the slice

We opted to go to the Flophouse for drinks, and get dinner at the restaurant next door. Not my favorite place to eat, but we always have a good time at the and meet friends and enjoyed, Allan on the guitar, Nelson on the sax and a couple of singers joined in. As we expected several of our friends showed up so it was a pleasant evening.

Morning has us filling out our shopping list and heading to the Commercial, we are on our downhill side of our vacation so we are trying to buy only what we absolutely need, purchasing in small sizes. On the way we discovered a new type of Mexican Roof dog.

Different type of "roof" dog — Different type of “roof” dog

He really startled us as we walked by. We tried to shop carefully, but still came back with more than our rolling bag holds, but sure love that bag, it makes getting the groceries the block to our apartment from the taxi stop a breeze.

We have set our dates for next year, December 15 to March 15, we’ve never been here during the holiday season nor have we ever been away from home for Christmas. It will be a new experience for us. Now my job is to try to negotiate a better rate at our apartment as we are staying longer. My Spanish dictionary isn’t any help with phrases, we will see how we do. Signing off KO

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