Zihuatanejo

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

New Years 2017 Zihuatanejo

December 31-January 1 20 17

We have loved New Years in Mexico. The Mexican people are friendly, colorful, loud, and love to have fun. New years is colorful, friendly and loud. Very loud. We started with New Years Eve dinner at our favorite breakfast spot, Mito’s as we had seen their menu on line. It was excellent, appetizer of stuffed mushroom cap with goats cheese, a wonderful salad that I’m sure had cerviche in it (but I never mentioned that to the Senor) and choice of mahi mahi or steak. I’m the fish eater he is the meat eater and followed with a small serving of ice cream. It was a wonderful meal. We then went on to Daniels to enjoy Jimmi Mamou play the blues and old-time rock and roll and visit with friends. We had planned to watch the fire works from there as that is where they shoot them off from. But not being quite the party animals we used to be we got tired and decided to watch from our roof top. We fixed our drinks, pulled out the patio chairs, watched the fireworks and promptly went straight to bed. The fire works were spectacular, shot from 3 different beaches around the bay. Quite the show! It is definitely where we will watch the show in future years.

Fire

New Years day arrived with hopes of doing our grocery stock up only to discover there was a city wide taxi strike. That’s OK I love to eat out. Not knowing what might be open for breakfast we headed down our pedestrian street and went to the first place we found. Won’t do that again. The menu was interesting, I ordered strawberry crapes. My Spanish isn’t great but I can read a menu quite well. The Senor ordered 2 eggs over easy and 2 hot cakes.I ordered coffee he black tea. 10 minutes later we were told no black tea, OK, he got and received an orange juice. She made coffee, but other patrons filled their own cups before my cup arrived and of course no sweetener. Ok, that is my problem for wanting something special. Finally my crepes arrived filled with strawberry jam and chocolate syrup drizzled over them and a large hunk of what she said was ice cream. What in reality it was was frozen cool whip. Not exactly the breakfast of my dreams, but I ate half of it and the Senor ate the other half, him having quite a sweet tooth and being hungry as his

Strawberry crepe with chocolate syrup and frozen cool whip

breakfast had not yet appeared. I am way done before his eggs finally arrive with 4 pieces of bread. We thought maybe they ran out of hotcakes, or she forgot. But half way into the eggs, his pancakes arrived, again drizzled with chocolate syrup. He was not happy, but at least the eggs didn’t have any chocolate syrup. Interesting place, just not to our liking. We didn’t take a chance with dinner and went to LaBella Vita where the proprietress greats you like you were her best friend. Never had a bad meal there either and the service is excellent

Monday January 2

Truly getting settled in. We have by now discovered everything we thought we packed and didn’t. Have our shopping list in order and will go to the Comercial this afternoon to stock our shelves. Promptly at 7:30 am I head out to the community pool which is about a mile and a half from our apartment. One of the maintenance workers greats me, saying so happy to have me back. I’m a senior citizen so I don’t have to pay so isn’t for the money, it genuine. I love this place! I swim for 30 minutes, the only one in this Olympic size pool. Afterwards I stop at the “mercado publico” for my fruit and veggies and this time I also bought chicken from one of the chicken sellers. These chickens are so fresh they arrived there that morning still clucking with their feathers on. This market is the very traditional old mexican style market that has been there forever. I make a quick stop at the bank and back to the apartment to fix breakfast.

In the after noon we do the rest of our shopping and arrive at the bottom of our block long pedestrian street with about 15 bags of groceries. Half are in our rolling cart, so I head up the street with it only to get a strap caught in the wheels, a couple came and helped free it. The senor stayed at the bottom of the street with the rest of the bags sitting on a bench waiting for me to return with the cart. That cart is a real “ATV” of a cart I pulled it up the stairs with out a struggle knowing it was too heavy for me to even lift. Before I had it off loaded the bartender and a patron had grabbed the rest of the bags and hauled them up our 3 flights of stairs. The Senor strolled in after them carrying 1 small bag. Where else would you find so many helpful people. Love 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

Things I will miss and things I won’t

Our time in sunny Mexico is drawing to a close, sadly we are on our last day. I love Mexico and Zihuatanejo with all it’s quirks and interesting culture. There is so much I will miss, but there are somethings that you just have to say “Ah it’s mexico” and overlook. I will miss all the friendly faces that speak to you on the streets and greet you with a quick Hola! or Buen Dia even when they don’t know you at all. I will miss warm days at the beach with

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA — View of sail boats from the beach

the breeze blowing, I will miss nights without ever needing a sweater, I will miss 25 peso cab rides, and riding water taxis, I will miss the pigeon who lives in our balcony planter and the iguanas that entertain us during dinner on the balcony at night. Let’s face it I will miss my balcony!

I will not miss toilets with no seats in public facilities. Where do they all disappear to? I won’t miss needing to discard TP in the waste basket instead of the bowl. I will miss daily fresh fruit. I will miss fresh fish cooked to perfection. I will not miss Mexican bars that play music until 6 am, but I will miss yummy drinks expertly prepared. I will miss mercado shopping, but not barking roof dogs, but I will miss the sweet, gentle street dogs.I will miss swimming long course at 8 am at the “Alberca Olympica.” I will miss walking all over town and taking 10 peso bus trips for longer distances. I will miss our Zihuatanejo friends new and old.

I will miss always seeing folks I know where ever I go in town. I will miss taking my camera every where as there is always something interesting to see. I will miss the time I have here to read book after book with out guilt. I will miss having time to blog about simple daily events. I won’t miss washing dishes by hand.I will miss coconut palms, flowers and greenery all winter long.

I will miss my trips with Sylvia to the the little Saturday morning market, where everything is home grown, or made or recycled and hand made or organic. I will miss lovely sunny mornings as we return to gray rainy weather, but all good things must come to a close. So this is my final blog of the season Signing off until December 30 2016. KO

A Stormy Time In Troncones

Friends had a certificate for a couple of day at Mi Casa Su Casa in Troncones. We decided to join them and reserved a room. They had a very nice 2nd level room with good cooking facilities and a very large balcony with a hammock. Ours was a very nice, but small room

The Troncones bus stop on the hiway

Our veranda

The Senor with Paul’s bottle of rye whiskey

and no cooking facilities but a large tiled out door area with hammock. We arrived noonish and were able to get right into our room, we had lunch and played in the pool and joined our friends at their room for conversation on their large balcony over a couple of bottles of wine and a bottle of Rye Whiskey. We could see the weather starting to deteriorate as we were discussing where we would go to dinner.

Well the weather decided that issue for us as it began to rain like it can only rain in the tropics. The guys quickly bared the elements and made the rush to the in house restaurant that was starting to close up due to the weather and ordered dinner for us that was soon delivered to the room. We enjoyed a pleasant meal while we watched palm trees sway and listened to the ocean roar.

The Senor and I ran to our room as quickly as two senior citizens run and were only mildly wet. We were tired from a good meal and plenty to drink and had no trouble falling asleep, but woke very early in the am to the sound of crashing thunder and a few flashes of light and the sound of dripping rain. Yes, dripping rain inside our room. To be exact directly

20160308_124128 — This is where it rained

dead center dripping on our bed. Fortunately it was dead center as we each hugged the outer edge to try to sleep at least until daylight.

Once we informed the manager he was quick to up grade us to a nicer, larger room across the hall from our friends at no additional cost. The rest of the day was an on again off again rain storm and during one off the off periods we attempted to make it down the road a block to a restaurant for dinner. But wouldn’t you know half way to the restaurant another tropical storm dumped on us. But we continued on, a little torrential down pour can’t frighten us, we are from Washington! It was a good meal and retreated back to our 20160309_050653 neighbors balcony for more libation and conversation and then on to our own room and a nice dry bed. The storm seamed to abate in the morning I walked the beach for an hour and marveled at the high surf and heavy waves.But all good things must come to an

end and we left in sunny skies to return to Zihuatanejo and an evening at Guitarfest. Signing off KO

Playa La Ropa to Guitarfest

20160304_114456 I was surprised when the Senor suggested going to La Ropa instead of our regular Friday at Playa Las Gatas then it dawned on me, no walking. We could catch a cab at the end of our street and it would take us directly to El Marlin. At Las Gatas we would need to walk a couple of blocks to the water taxi and then the length of the beach. He is really having a tough time getting around.

La Ropa was wonderful, the surf was low, the sun was high, we snacked on jicama, bobbed in the water. I don’t care for the swimming at La Ropa, too many boats and skidoos

zipping round. It’s always fun to watch the Picante come in and see the folks flying on .the spinnaker. And nice to see the Senor out and enjoying himself.

I enjoy getting out and around town, nice people to meet and visit with and interesting things to see. Zocolo there is art in many forms, at the artist park there is always something of interest.

20160306_145711

And if you choose to take a break a little charmer will sell you her wares, with mama always close in the background.

Last night was Guitarfest at the Casa de Cultura, a fancying sounding name for what at first glance looks like a large out door lot with some sail shaped coverings overhead. But it truly is a spectacular music venue.

Of the 3 performers I watched Lipbone Redding was my favorite with a New Orleans vibe. I have a ticket again for Thursday night and I’m looking forward to it. My taste in music run more to the country/bluegrass than anything classical so I was fairly selective as to which nights I purchased tickets for but I will say there was something for everyone’s personal taste. A really great week-long event.

Today we meet up with friends Paul and Faye for a couple of days at Mi Casa Es Su Casa in Troncones. Then back to Zihuatanejo for a couple of days before heading home.

Signing off KO

The Fish Market

I finally figured out how to download pictures from my cell phone. But because the phone part doesn’t work I’m not in the habit of carrying it with me. As a result I have no pictures of a lovely day spent prowling around Troncones with my friend Bonnie and no pictures of the grand opening of the Flophouse under new management featuring Jimmi Mamou.
The Flophouse has long been one of our favorite spots. Carlos the proprietor and bartender served good drinks, friendly ,knowledgeable conversation with great music weather live or recorded. We will miss him. Time will tell how successful the new managements endeavors will be, but it will never have the same vibe.
I wanted to buy dorado but there is none at the fish stalls at the Mercado, so I decided I

would try buying direct from the fisherman at the beach. My spanish is quite limited so I have shied away from shopping at the beach as it is a super busy place with folks buying fish by the bucket or bag load and I just want a couple of fillets. In my very best spanish I requested dorado and the reply was the same every where “no hay dorado, muy dificil” There is

20160303_052331 — Red snapper by the bag full

no dorado, it’s very difficult to find. I think it is probably the end of the season or run as there seemed to be plenty in December.

The fishing industry is the heart of Zihuatanejo, weather it is the commercial fishing, subsistence fishing or sport fishing. It’s what pays the bills here. I was Playa Principal at 6 AM, the night fishing boats were in with more arriving on the beach every few minutes, the ice seller was busy delivering ice, women selling fruit drinks, knife seller hawking wares and of course the fishermen and their wives were selling their fish.

Some bought fish by the bucket load, other by the fillet, house wife and restaurateurs alike. At the pier it was crowded with folks headed out for a day of sport fishing trying to find the right boat captain, packing coolers of drinks and little mystery sandwiches just purchased from the ladies at the head of the pier. Out on the bay are the net fishermen who seem to be in competition with the pelicans. All

dependent on the fishing industry. Signing off KO

Feliz Cumpleanos and Frustrating electronics.

My camera is broken, now I am using my cell phone camera. It has taken me 3 days to figure out how to get the pictures trapped in the phone down loaded to the computer and once there find them again.The Senor and I gathered with friends at El Meditereano for dinner, a lovely courtyard restaurant shaded by a huge tree. As it was an outside location I thought it would be cool. Wrong! the courtyard seemed to have trapped the heat of the day.

I guess that big tree doesn’t provide enough shade during the day because it was very warm there. The courtyard is pretty, but so dimly lit it was difficult to read the menu.On the positive side,the menu was excellent and the food was very good. I was serenaded by strolling Mexican troubadours who upon request sang “De Colores” for me.. It was a fantastic evening spent with good friends

Oyster appetizers

The Senor and I split a fish fillet, this is half!

.
Everything electronic is just a bit wonky right now. The real camera will only snap 1 picture and that is as it is turned on, so you have to have it aimed before turning it on. Then turn it off and aim and turn on again. The cell phone only functions as a camera here. Now my new computer is stuck on trying to shut down, but it won’t shut down, so I can reboot it. I unplugged it and I thought that when the battery ran down I could re boot it. . Nope still won’t work.Computer isn’t 6 months old yet. sure glad we brought both computers. This all makes taking pictures a bit more of a challenge, but I will pursue. Signing off KO

Stranded by the side of the road!

I woke up yesterday morning feeling just a little queasy and no energy at all. So I laid in bed and read my book until it was time to get ready to go to the Sailfest volunteers Party at Las Palamas. I had looked forward to going to this event being held at a big beautiful new hotel and beach club on Playa Blanca. I was sure I would feel just fine once I got going. I prepared the tapas I’d been asked to bring and loaded up my chilled box of wine and headed out to catch the bus to the airport, then transfer to a taxi to Playa Blanca. I caught the very first bus that said “Aeropuerto”only to discover it turning off just prior to the Airport. We traveled through several small villages and finally drove 3-4 blocks through a village with only dirt roads where the driver honked his horn the whole way through alerting residents of his arrival and 4 more folks hopped on. one of the ladies asked where I was going and I said areopuerto and she said no and said something to the driver. I did pick up the word “regresso” and I assumed I would have to ride back into town and catch a different bus that actually went to the areopuerto, but no he back tracked a little and left me off at a side road by a highway with a sign saying Aeropuerto 2 miles.

Now it was too hot to walk there so I went into the gas station to call a taxi, no one working there knew a taxi phone number. While in the gas station I saw the little bus pull up at the corner where I just standing that said aeropuerto but I couldn’t get there before he left. So I figured another one would be by in about 15 minutes, but in just a few minutes a taxi drove up dropping folks off next door to where I was waiting and I flagged him down and headed out to my party.

What should have taken 45- 60 minutes max had taken me almost two hours. But none the less I was there. I set out my tapas which survived the ride just fine, gave the wine to the bartender to re-chill, pulled out my camera to take my first picture of the lovely place only to discover the chilled wine had sweated all over my camera and the camera was not operating. One picture and it would not “click” again to take a picture and the view screen was blank. I got one picture that was it. Still not working today

Still not feeling my best, I choose to spend some time in the beautiful infinity pool. It’s a beautiful spot with The food was great, but I had no appetite, an open bar but I carried around the same drink all day just not quite able to drink it. It is a beautiful hotel and Beach club with two pools, lovely grounds and ocean front views. While I certainly had a nice time I just wasn’t up to party mode.

I left early and was able to catch a ride most of the way back to the apartment where I went to bed and slept all night.

I feel OK today, but still no energy, finished my latest book and plan to continue watching Game of Thrones the rest of the afternoon. Signing off KO

Surprise Trip to Troncones

Friends invited us to go with them for a day trip to Troncones. Much to my surprise the Senor said yes, he would like to go. Even though his sciatica is really bothering him he was tired of doing nothing. So 3 couples set off for Mi Casa Es Su Casa, a new destination for us in Troncones.

The trip in itself is always an adventure as you travel through many dusty little villages with folks getting on and off along the way carrying a variety of packages, including one very well behaved chicken that sat on his masters lap and was very content to just be petted. Luckily we caught the big bus on the trip out and it wasn’t even crowed, but not so lucky on the return trip, where our 14 passenger bus soon held 20 some people and a large basket of bread, the kind they wear on there heads while hawking it.

Mi Casa Es Su Casa is a lovely place right in the village with a white sand beach with

rolling surf, a nice pool and covered patio dinning area. I think paddling around in the pool helped the Senor feel better, at least relieved some of the stress. .water in the pool was delightfully warm and we all began to look “prune-ified” before getting out. We enjoyed a pleasant, leisurely lunch while watching the waves.

At the Sailfest auction Paul and Faye had purchased a 2 night stay at this establishment and wanted to make reservations for it plus one

night. We enjoyed our day so much that the Senor decided we could come out again when they did and we reserved for 2 nights in March. All in all it was a lovely day with good friends, and looking forward to more good times.

Signing off KO

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