Category: Zihuatanejo Mexico

I’m a reader, I’m a reader in the same sense that others are TV watchers. Some folks can’t sit in a room with out the TV on, I can go days with out turning a TV on but have to have something to read at all times. In a waiting room or office, I’ll read any magazine available and in lieu of magazines, I’ll read posters, signage, anything with print.

I’m a bit dyslexic, but fortunately it didn’t affect my ability to lean to read as I began reading quite early and well as it made sense to me. Math and numbers are a whole different story, I transpose numbers. I didn’t become aware of it until I was 17 and working as a file clerk in an big city insurance company. In 2 months I had their numbered filing system throughly screwed up. They quickly transferred me to an alphabetical filing department.

Numbers do not stick in my head, I can not do even simple adding and subtracting in my head. I need to write it down.

I went back to college in my mid 40’s and took all the prerequisites for an AA degree at the local 2 year college except I needed a math. Knowing that algebra was over my head, (I failed it in high school) I opted for Basic Math (which the synopsis said would allow use of calculators). The reason I could take basic math and have it be credited towards my degree was, as 15 years prior I took both a furniture refinishing class and an upholstery class through the college and that dated the beginning of my college term. At the time I took those classes basic math was all that was required for a math credit. Just pure luck, but I would be able to transfer to any 4 year state college with only basic math in stead of algebra or higher. Sometimes you just got to work the system.

When I began my basic math class and pulled out my calculator my instructor said “not allowed.’ I explained to him that when I registered I verified with the registrar per the synopsis that calculators were admissible and won my case being told I was the only student that would be allowed that luxury. I passed the class with an A.

Unfortunately I never did get to complete my last two years, family obligations and needing to commute to either Tacoma or Seattle to a 4 year institution just didn’t make it possible. But I think that I have continued on to be a life long learner in many other ways. Signing off KO

We drove in a very comfortable “Sprinter” van from Creel to the City of Chihuahua. Here the landscape again becomes very arid and the temperatures rise.

As we drove through the Mennonite farming areas it became obvious that they are very successful farmers, heavily mechanized, very modern both in farming methods and how they live. I had expected this unique area to be something special, but for me as a tourist, I found it very ordinary.

Once again our hotel, the Capitol Boutique was quite special, right in the heart of the old city across from the cathedral and quite near the federal buildings, in an old colonial building. During the middle of the night I needed to get a drink of water and as I had a roommate I did not turn on a light and found the glass bottle of water, pulled the pug, took a sip and spit it right out. It wasn’t water! I hoped it was some form of alcohol and not cleaning fluid, burned like crazy. In the light of morning I learned it was Sotelo a potent alcohol with a price tag of 999.00 pesos for the bottle. I obviously wasn’t the only one to have taken a sip from it and felt no obligation to pay for it. Never did find the water bottle.

In Chihuahua City we had opportunity to visit the colonial homes of two of the area’s richest families. One is now used a very excellent restaurant and following our meal there we were given a tour of the upstairs rooms, the ladies restroom/lounge was larger than most master suits. Opulence was everywhere.

Visited this colonial house which is now part of the local college’s music and arts program

In another district of the city we visited the home of Poncho Villa. He was quite the interesting character, at times ruthless and brutal, not above wiping out an entire village if he thought it was an enemy stronghold and at the same time, offer schooling for street children, giving them both food, lodging and means of employment and schooling. He was both feared and revered.

The conclusion of our trip was at a private winery hacienda out of town in the countryside. There we wined and dined in two lovely hacienda courtyards. The first with lovely cheese and fruit platters and an in house Chardonnay, then a tour of the winery facilities and on to the second court yard for a fantastic dinner accompanied by more varieties of the house wine. A lovely end to a lovely trip.

Seated and ready to enjoy our most excellent dinner

If you get the chance, do the Copper Canyon train trip, fascinating, educational and very enjoyable. Signing off KO

Six ladies led by Sandy and Vidal of Zanka Travelers set out from Zihuatanejo on March 25, 2025 to tour the Copper Canyon. None of us had been before including our intrepid leaders. But they had researched it well, arranged for all transportation, hotels and tours and events and took us on a marvelous 8 day adventure that far exceeded our expectations.

Day 1 had us arriving at Topolobampo Bay off the Sea of Cortes. It is the 2nd largest bay world wide, with San Francisco Bay being the largest. We stayed at very nice hotel which I will describe as “Mexican modern, minimalist”. It was a concrete block building, very comfortable and a deck with spectacular views of a spectacular sunset.

The next morning we opted to take a tour of the bay and meet Pechocho, a long time resident dolphin that loves people and the attention they give him. He loves to be scratched on his back and swims right along side the boat so folks can per and scratch him. He is a loner and not part of any pod, probably having been stranded there as a baby and prefers people than the other dolphins we watched swimming and breaching.

More dolphins performed for us, (tap the picture for full view.)

From here we boarded a large passenger van heading to El Fuerte.

The scenery is varied and interesting, quite arid in this part with steep canyons and tall mountain peaks. Because Cesar, our local guide for the rest of the trip, has an “in” with everyone, he was able to secure lunch seating in the “vista dome” of the dinning car for our group where we enjoyed a great lunch of Black bass if memory serves me correct.

We crossed 86 tunnels and 39 bridges. Ridding in the open club car I soon knew exactly why dogs love to ride with their head out the window. The weather was perfect, pleasant neither hot nor cold.

In El Fuerte our first destination on the train, our hotel I only could describe as “old world elegance”. It is the combination of several houses, one of which is supposed to be the birth place of El Zorro. It had seven patio”s and many levels. We entered via an fairly steep up hill ramp, which I envision must have been the stable entrance at one time. I could just picture horses running up this ramp, or pulling elegant carriages, even though it was quite steep. During happy hour at the bar I even got romanced by Zorro

While in El Fuerte we visited the fort which is now a museum and then a Mayo indigenous family and were treated to hand made blue corn flour tortilla’s learned of their culture and how they are keeping it through changing times. The head of the family shared their traditional dancing with us explaining the symbolism of the clothing and danced for us.

Next chapter, (hopefully by tomorrow will be about our trip to Divisdero. (I must just add these are my insights and my memories and if names, dates and information isn’t exactly as the experts say consider the source, me.) Signing off KO

Every day there is something going on, to the point that occasionally you just have to say no, I need to stay home and rest and recharge.

There are birthday parties.

Fundraisers for very worthy causes such as “Libros por Nino’s” which was held at the lovely Capricho Del Rey restaurant, one of the loveliest buildings in Zihuatanejo.

Spaz had their annual fundraiser to support the work they do at the animal shelter, spaying, neutering and adopting pets to new foster and forever homes.

Enjoyed a Paella Fest sponsored by the local Rotary Club supporting their many causes, with at least 20 different paellas to sample.

My book club meets monthly to discus the book we have just read, then select a new one for the next month and a location to discuss it.

We are in the middle of the two weeks of Sailfest, I’ve completed my shifts on the Sales/Information desks. I still have the annual M-Dock concert to attend and a champagne brunch to enjoy, which leaves me time for lunches and dinners with friends.

And now for the latest update on my cat. She finally decided I could pet her on her back and tail, but not too close to her head. I know she is really enjoying it as I’ve actually heard her emit a purr or two while I stroke her now long silky fur. It’s amazing what regular healthy meals have done for her appearance. She loves spending time on my porch and balcony gardens She is free to roam the neighborhood roofs as she always has, but she sure likes sleeping indoors at night and always returns in the evenings and some days she just hangs around all day. We have become comfortable companions.

It’s nice to live in Zihuatanejo with a busy interesting social life, where everyone is friendly and helpful and I never need a jacket or a sweater or even long sleeves. Signing off KO

You would think following the busy holidays things would slow down, but not so much here. There are always fun things to do in Zihuatanejo.

Three Kings Day was celebrated with friend Judi bringing a Rosca de Reys, which we respectfully referred to as the “baby cake” to share with some friends. It is the traditional pastry of 3 Kings day and whom ever gets the piece with a baby baked in it serves tamales to the group on Candlemas/Candlario which is Feb 2nd.

Our cake had three babies in it so those 3 folks are bringing the tamales for a tamale party on Feb 2. January 7 found me taking down my Christmas lights, I was so glad to bring down the blinky lights. When a holiday is over I am so done with it. By choice I’d take them down on December 26, but I respect their traditions here and leave them up through Jan 6.

Then it was on to our Saturday night dinner out group where we like to try a variety of restaurants, this time it was at Agave.

I had a lovely wine and tapas get together at La Tasca to catch up with a long time friend and then visit to the open mic at Miguels

But the spectacular event was the first of the seasons Sailfest house parties to raise funds for Sailfest. Sailfest is now a two week long celebration to raise funds to build schools for the most needy children in Zihuatanejo. This dinner event was held at the personal residence of one of the main supporters of Mexican children’s education. It was a sit down dinner for approximately 117 people held on the patio of their home over looking a lovely lagoon.

The dinner was excellent and the evening was complete with dancing on a lighted dance floor with music provided by Vertical.

My Creative Writters group met the past week at a Tanino Wine shop where we did some writing, met new friends and sampled the wine. Always an enjoyable time.

Seldom a dull moment and certainly no dull people in lovely, sunny, warm Zihuatanejo. Signing off KO