Zihuatanejo

SAILING, SAILING, OVER THE BOUNDING MANE, WELL SORT OF

Sailfest’s sail parade is one of the most popular and en joy able events. For a mere 300 pesos you sign up for adays ride on one of the many sailboats that have arrived to help invest in the future of the local children.

It’s a bit of a “cluster” at the beginning, all the participants arrived at the pair before the organizers, with everyone wondering what’s going to happen. Once folks find out the name of their boat and gather together loading goes fairly smooth. You first get on a panga to take you out to your assigned boat. I was on the Patricia Belle and it took 3 boat loads to load her 30 passenger and before we set sail 2 more arrived. So you can see what a massive job this is as I think there were 20 or so sail or power boats with over a hundred guests to be loaded.

The Patricia Belle is a very large wooden boat hand-built by its captain from trees on his own property,

Exterior of cabin built with trees from near the Bear Creek store , Old Belfair Highway

aside from the captain and his lady they had a crew of 3 who were very informative, accommodating and hardworking . It’s quite a job to raise the large heavy sails by hand. Shortly after boarding the boat I learned the captain was not only from our town of Port Orchard, WA where he built his boat was just a short was from us. He was building his boat at the same time my father-in-law was building his boat. Not only was he familiar with the boat, he had a tally done some work on it for him. Truly a small planet!

Aside from the personal connection, this was one of the best sailfest voyages I have ever participated in. Many of the guests were better prepared than I and took advantage of the wait time from boarding to sail time and took a refreshing dip in the bay. The crew showed off their skill at swinging from a rope to enter the water just before one would hit the boat broad side.

Even a couple of the braver guest tried it. The boat was roomy, even with that a y people aboard you could walk around and find either sun or shade. It was a very friendly crowd, my wine glass sippy cup was a hit.

Wine glass "sippy" cup. — Wine glass “sippy” cup.

We spotted a few dolphins, I’ve given up trying to photo such sites as I never quite get the picture, and get so busy trying to get the picture I don’t really get to watch the dolphins. Today I enjoyed the dolphins. After the parade, and a bit more swimming, the Captain returned us to the bay where we were promptly picked up by I’m sure was a pretty arranged panga and our wonderful day on the water came to a close. I will return to the Patricia Belle next year, but with a swimsuit. 02 06 2015 signing off KO

SAILFEST IS UPON US

Xpresion Immune

Projects that Sailfest did for the community in 2014

This first week of February is full of Sailfest activities, there is definitely something for everyone. And it’s a wonderful opportunity to meet folks from all over the world and do some good for the children of Zihuatanejo. Last night at the concert the opening with the “The Brothers Mendosa” very traditional mexican strolling trubadores, followed by the very talented Mexican gentleman whose name I can’t remember, and should have as he was excellent singing a variety of songs about Zihuatanejo.

Next on the bill was the very, non traditional Mexican hold time rock and roll band,

Xpresion Immune. These young Mexican musicians had all most everyone up on their feet dancing and swaying to the music. They have become favorite of the snowbird crowd who first became acquainted with them last year when they played on the street for tips, hopefully someone will help them get a Cd together. They would really sell here. The next group was the extremely popular rock and roll band headed up by long time, Zihuatanejo musician Steve Calvert that also had the same effect on the crowd, having everyone on their feet rocking and rolling to the music we all grew up with. We were disappointed that Michelle LaValle had to cancel as she is one of our favorites, so as Steve was winding up the hour was getting late for the Senor ,we headed out for a night cap at the Flophouse bar.

Thursday is the Senor’s favorite event, the chili cook off and silent auction. The Senor loves the chili as long as it doesn’t have too much heat, and I don’t care for spicy at all and just stick with the key lime pie. The Senor also loves an auction, something about the thrill of the win.

Since we had won 2 dinners the night before through the raffles, we decided that we would plan on just picking up 2 more dinners. These auctions can become a contest of who is more determined than who to win despite the cost, but

the Senor was on his best behavior and when the prices got to high he said well we can just go there anyway. Our big desire was the lunch at La Chula Vida on Playa Blanca, as we had one of our most memorable evenings there last year with friends, but we will just have do it on our own as it wasn’t to be ours this year. A couple of dinners later the auction was over for us and we retreated to the shade. Another great event, another great day. Only to be followed by Fridays sail boat parade, another day another story. 02 05 2014 Signing off KO

VERY RANDOM THOUGHTS

While selling T-shirts for Sailfest the other day I saw the police in action for the very first time. They have a huge presence here, but all I see them do is ride around it trucks in large groups. But this afternoon a fellow must have had too many and choose to sleep it off in the sand, unfortunately he fell asleep with his trunks at half mast, sunning or airing his buns in the sun. This seems to be frowned upon as the Policia arrived and woke him up and made him move on.

The Senor likes Spaghetti. So I fixed it for his dinner the other night. Our kitchen is not fully equipped, basic cooking equipment only. Since I’m a very basic cook that works great . Most of the time! But I have no colander to drain the spaghetti. Time to improvise better use. I ladle the spaghetti into the bag, it drains and works like a charm

Today at the Ecco Tianguis I bought what constitutes art for me, a beautiful native statue made locally from paper mache, I think she is gorgeous, the Senor had a different comment. Signing off 02 01 15 KO

FROM FRUIT TO ART

I’m really enjoying my morning routine of walking to the pool, swimming, then busing back to el mercado, do a little shopping for fresh fruits, veggies and eggs on pretty much a daily basis. At home this is a chore, I would do once or twice a month, but here it is an adventure. I’ve tried several different fruit vendors and have settled on one that will help me select what I need if I ask. I used to deal with one where a grouchy lady took the money and would select my avocados, but twice in a row she gave me over ripe avocados, so now I go else where. Some of the amazing art isn’t in galleries but on walls for all to enjoy.

Horse race mural on wall coming back from the pool

Also the fruit cart man stops by our apartment and today I was able to buy just a baggie of papaya. A whole papaya is too much for us even thought we frequently breakfast on just a variety of fruits.

I do ok at the fish mercado, but when it comes to meat at the carnecerias I just don’t see anything I recognize as a steak for the Senor. So I buy them at the commercial.

I really enjoy the many art galleries here. I have learned that I can’t afford art so I treat these galleries as one would a museum, look but don’t touch, ask before phtographing. But art casn be found in many, many places here.

BUYING FISH AT EL MERCADO

Someday I will try buying fish directly from the fishermen, but for now my language, and the required bartering skills aren’t aren’t there yet. I do good just dealing in El Mercado. Within el mercado there is a meat market, a chicken market, and a huge fish market, each with many individual proprietors. I

return to the same stall I have used before as she is helpful and friendly, even though she speaks no English. We establish that I want Mahi mahi, even though there is mahi mahi on display, she calls out to her helper who produces a whole fish I’m sure was still swimming a couple of hours ago..

I watch as she skill full removes the head and tail, divides him in half, removes the bone and whats left of the bloodline, and skins him. A few short minutes later I’m showing her how big of a piece I want, and I m out the door with enough fish for 2 meals, for 85 pesos.

The workmen are coming along nicely with the project across the street, they have been putting on tiles all day. They start by carrying them in bundles from the street corner to the work site, then carrying them up the ladder and then individually placing each one. Signing off KO 1 26 15

CONSTRUCTION PROJECT

We have been watching with interest the removal and repair of the tile overhang on the side-walk across the street. Two of the buildings lost their overhang in last year’s good Friday earthquake, and the third just needed replacing. The Mexican people work very hard, and with little help from modern technology. This is a project of labor with only the barest of hand tools. I’m amazed and somewhat horrified at what is being used as scaffolding for the ensuring work, and the fact that the men work in “hurrachies “instead of steel toed boots while working with huge bags of cement, heavy tiles and timbers. The Senor groans every time he sees two men on a ladder, or coming down the ladder like a stair case. His years of working”hazmat” and being safety officer just have him shaking his head. They mix the cement on the flat roof of one of the buildings, then shovel it into a 5 gallon bucket, lower it by rope to the fellow below who then carries up the ladder to the top of the form for the supporting pillars, pours the contents in, goes down the ladder , throws the bucket up, to the man on the roof while getting the next bucket off the rope. All this is happening with pedestrians walking under this construction project and two children playing in front of their mothers shop. Absolutely fascinating, no TV for us today this is real life drama. Almost no power tools, the wood is notched with a machete, they work very hard through the heat of the day and are real craftsmen. I am so impressed but at the same time fear for their safety.

When they clean up at the end of the day, they do their best to block off holes the holes they have dug so no one falls in them, but none of the yellow tape we are so used to seeing around construction projects is ever used

Had a nice dinner at La Vita Bella, the Senor loves their Spaghetti and they have good fish. Then met friends at the Flophouse for a couple of drinks. I sure miss the music they used to have, but it is still one of the nicest friendliest bars in town. Then on to the Baracruda for some music ending up at Zorros for a night-cap. We haven’t been out in a week or two but sure made up for it last night. (The Senor is still napping) The Baracruda was featuring a Mexican trio who were quite good and the crowd was lively, so lively that a couple of

Music was so good you would dance with anyone available

fellows got silly dancing with each other, when one sat down and the other sat in his lap bumping our table, drinks hit the floor, glasses broke I got a bit wet, but” no problema’. The gentlemen kindly bought us new drinks, all part of the fun. I think I have finally discovered my drink, Sangria which is basically a red wine punch. It comes in a tall glass, is very refreshing, very pretty and not too potent. I’ve never been a “sipper”, the Senor reminds me “your not drinking coffee” so I like a tall drink or it disappears too quickly. While I like white wine, it’s quite expensive and you only get served half a glass. That has always frustrated me. So Sangria it is.

ANOTHER GREAT ZIHUATANEJO DAY

A quick trip to El Mercado on my return trip from the pool has now convinced The Senor on the wisdom of Mercado shopping. The bulk of our supplies we get at the comercial, but he always wants to get eggs and some produce while we are there. The produce is never as good and the eggs are more expensive. This morning I got a flat of 15 eggs for almost 1/2 of what he paid at commercial for a dozen. I think I have him convinced.

Our cleaning lady showed up a day early this week, we usually do a beach day when she comes but this through our schedule into a tizzy and we at last decided we go visit La Bodega as we haven’t been there yet this year. Surprisingly enough the Senor suggested we walk there. It’s so good to get him out of the room and moving around a bit. La Bodega is basically on the back side of the pool complex so at least we knew the way. We did a little shopping, had just two bags so we took the bus back. We are reallylearning to live and travel the Mexican way.

Lights of Zihuatanejo in the background.

In the evening it was the “Chic Party” held on the enormous patio of this lovely home high up the hill next to Amueleto where the view is to die for. Especially the sunset. This is pretty much an open invitation party where all “interesting” ladies are welcomed. I’d guess the crowd at maybe 150. There were some local crafts people displaying their wares. I bought 2 pair of one of a kind type shoulder duster earnings that I thought would be fun to wear. Ladies from Ixtapa and Zihuatanejo and all parts of Canada and the US were there, giving everyone a chance to greet old friends and make new . A very pleasant day.

My dear friend Cathie ,who first introduced us to Mexico, suggested I might date my postings. I think that’s a great and helpful suggestion as some times I’m writing about yesterday or even two days ago or both. So when I sign off I’ll let you know what day I rambling about. 1/22/15 Signing off KO

M DOCK AND SAILFEST

M Dock at the concert last night was fantastic. These are real showmen who can handle any emergency like multiple power fuse blow outs and still keep the show going. And what a show it was. A terrific band and a great boost to the Zihuatanejo community.

We arrived way to early at the venue ( my fault), and that should have been the clue to go eat dinner elsewhere and return later for the show. But that didn’t happen. In efficiency upsets the Senor’s military mind. We spent the first hour with him explaining how things should go, with me saying this is Mexico, this is Mexico. I roll with the punches a little better than he does, most times.

No se la digas a nadie formerly El Pueblo to is a beautiful venue for concerts

The menu was extremely limited ( and I will remember that for future events there) all items were meat, no fish or vegetarian. The Senor ordered a hamburger and I went down to street and bought some cheese for my dinner and was happy. Getting our first

The Senor and I enjoying the evening. Photo cour test of Patty a great photoGrapher as this is about our best picture

drink as slow, but they were barely open. Later proved to be a real game of patience, waiting in a long line while one bartender prepared drinks.

This was a first time for these folks, so I will cut them some slack. But they lost the opportunity to make a real bundle off the generous gringos to-night by being under staffed.

Tuesday was my first shift selling T-shirts for Sailfest , thanks to my experienced and charming partner it was a fun experience

. Although in the future I think I would prefer a committee that doesn’t deal in cash.

Money makes me nervous. Signing off. KO

EGGS AND OTHER ISSUES

I’m getting in to a new morning routine of walking out to the pool, swimming for 30 minute then taking the bus back works for me. I’m always amused by the differences that make Mexico so charming. On my walk to the pool I noticed an attractive building that was an architect and construction company, the appearance would lend credabilitycredibility to the company. But as you look higher up the building to the second story, the attractiveness ends. The paint job only

went up half way. The residents up stairs I guess are responsible for their exterior area. My gringo attitude says the architect is

WeI going a dozen eggs — Weighing a dozen eggs

cheap and would cut corners.

I marvel at how eggs are sold by weight and packaged in plastic bags. But if the Senor goes out for eggs he takes a carton with him. I do marvel at the facts that eggs aren’t refrigerated here. That’s because they don’t pasteurized the eggs thereby ruining their natural protection. Lime is added to many things including mayonnaise, especially since there is no refrigerator in many homes.

Speaking of eggs we have planters at each end of our balcony . Both had an egg in them when we arrived. In one a pidgin has been nesting on this old egg on añd off. In the last couple of days she has added quite a bit of new nesting material so maybe she is ready to lay a fresh egg. I wish her sucess. Signing off KO

PLAYA LAS GATAS, A COLD, AND A SUNBURN

Maids day and beach day are often synonymous, we take off early and return to spic and span quarters. Playa Las Gates is our preferred beach for swimming and general relaxing. It’s never to hot, a bit of a breeze and our friendly waiter at Gloria del Mar. before we left a put on the crock pot to make a chicken stew so we would have dinner when we returned. Had a great lunch shrimp and fish shiskabob, swam just a little and then I made the mistake of thinking i could sit in the sun for 20 minutes to let my suit dry out a bit before going home. Bad mistake, the water must have washed all the #50 sunblock off me and I’m burnt to a crisp. And my cold is getting worse, by the time we sit down for dinner I have laryngitis so bad my voice is cracking. Of course with his bad hearing to begin with the Senor is up able to understand anything I say. Which at this point is probably a good thing, I don’t feel good— leave me alone! This has spoiled my plans of going out and listening to music tonight. Fortunately I have a real good Barbara King solver book in the works, read through most of the night, slept enough to feel a hundred times better this morning. But I know in the next couple of days I’ll be itching and peeling like a snake shedding its skin.

Little guy getting his picture taken with Iguana

Still is was a good day at La playa, I’ve always enjoyed the “stores” coming to you while you enjoy your drink and curling your toes in the sand.

I have so much of Juanita’s jewelry I had to pass, but I bought a lacy cover up to go over a stripped dress I have.

People watching is half the fun, this man was getting money from people who wanted their picture taken with his iguana. I keep thinking the marching band should get cooler uniforms as in lighter weight, it’s just tough enough carrying the heavy instruments. Signing off KO

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