Zihuatanejo

TODAY I SWAM WITH THE FISHES AT SHARKFEST

Today was my first open water ocean distance swim. How did this almost 69 an eleven twelfths year old lady from Port Orchard WA end up in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Mexico swimming? Well it’s been an adventure begining April of 13 when I first heard about Sharkfest in an entry on ZihuaRob’s message board. Always willing to try new adventures, I said to my self “I can do that”. Then I said to my husband, the Senor “When we are in Zihuatanejo next winter I’m going to take part in the Sharkfest swim at Troncones. The Senor’s prompt reply was “your nuts! You’ve never swam in open ocean waters.” True, but that got me going and the next morning I was at the South Kitsap High School swim pool at 6:00 am ready to start training. And train I did. After a couple of weeks I put together a string of 16 beads on a leather thong to count laps with and I was doing pretty good I could do what I thought was a mile in about 40 min. But the life guard set me straight you swim up and back to complete a full lap in the 25 yards. Gee I had a long way to go if I was going to get my time down to 1 mile in under an hour. So I swam 5 days a week lost a couple of pounds and figured if I watched a little better what I ate and dropped 20 lbs it would help with the speed. In a month or so I needed a new suit, in another month another new suit, my swim mates kept commenting on the shrinking me and I got faster. So 40 lbs later, with much encouragement from my swim mates and life guard I’m in a speedo swim suit displaying my wrinkled legs and arms and not caring because I AM A SWIMMER, maybe an old one, but one with great adventures in her heart.

As the Senor and I headed to Zihuatanejo for our 2 month vacation there was the conundrum of Seahawks Playoffs vs Sharkfest, both were going to happen on the same day. I would not have been happy if the Senor was to miss my big moment, and he would have if the times had conflicted. But there is a god in heaven and the Seahawks were to have their game in the late afternoon and my swim was going to be in the early morning.

So Saturday January 11,2014 arrives and I put on my suit, pack my fins, goggles and under water I pod and the Senor and I head out to catch a cab to Troncones which is around 20 or so miles away. Now at 7:00 am there aren’t many cabs around but we found a willing one and headed to Hacienda Eden in Troncones . I’m already registered so we don’t really need to be there that early, but the the Senor has a thing about time. Along the way a pick up truck with 4 guys standing up in the pack passes us and then slows down and pulls partway on the shoulder motioning us to pull up. Now we both are doing about 60 and we are wondering what the heck is going on. The two drivers exchange comments and the just is the pick up driver owns the cab and wants to know what the driver is doing so far out of town. He explains and all is good and we move on, but single file now.

It’s a beautiful day and a beautiful place at Hacienda Eden, the participants start trickling in along with folks who are doing support service on kayaks and paddle boards. Everyone is registered we each have a number written on our hands so that everyone is accounted for at race end. Mine is 1 as I was the first to register. The participants walk the 1/2 mile or so to Majhaua Palms where we will enter the water and swim out past the point back to Hacienda Eden. As we prepare to enter the water 2 pigs and one baby pig arrive to cheer us on. After a group picture everyone enters the water, putting on goggles, fins or what ever they prefer and the swim is on. Do remember this is not a race it is strictly a group event, everyone swims at their own pace. Now I knew I wouldn’t be the first one to finish, but I really didn’t want to be the last one to finish. The Senors parting words to me were “now if you get tired let them help you in the boat”. And I thought to myself it would be my lifeless body they would have to drag in that boat, I’m swimming the whole way, I’ve worked too hard to give in at any point now.

The only difficulty I encountered was keeping oriented, as I kept swimming out to sea and had to keep correcting my direction. For some reason, my left arm works harder than the right. The paddle boarders were a god send for folks like me who seem to be directionaly challenged as you could see them standing tall on the boards and I could keep altering my course towards them, but I know I swam a lot further than others as my arc was much wider.

Kathleen trying to get the fins off in the surf

None the less I finished swimming strong and not the last one in and feeling quite pleased with myself. I missed being in the group finish picture as I was stuck in “el bano” but they said they might be able to photo shop me in. I know I will hear flack from that one.

We enjoyed a nice breakfast at Hacienda Enden, called a cab and back to Zihuatanejo as the Senor was worn out and need to rest before his game started. We took a short nap and now I’m going to go out and find some ice cream.

So before I turn 70 I have accomplished a 1.1 mile ocean swim. What is next? I don’t know but I know I will continue to swim regularly as I feel better physically than I have in many years, I wore the same dress this New Years eve that I wore the night I met the Senor 20 years ago.

Please don’t say he should buy me a new dress, I love that dress and look fantastic in it. I’m just waiting for the next adventure so keep me in mind.

Signing off KO

IXTAPA ISLAND ALL WAYS AN ADVENTURE

Today the Senor and I went to Ixtapa Island, a great place for snorkeling. The trip in itself is always an adventure as we go by local bus. It’s probably a 30-45 minute bus ride. We walk a half dozen blocks to catch the bus, always worrying if we have the correct change, and since the price has not gone up we pay our 20 pesos and climb on board.

After a couple of stops a local “bus musician” got on and serenaded us enroute. We tipped him a few pesos ,and marveled at the fact the bus could actually stop even though the screech of the brakes indicated otherwise. The bus was well decorated with many hanging fuzzy dice and a baby doll swinging in a hammock. I guess all this reflects the personality of the driver.

At Playa Linda, the embarking place for the Island, we encounter some of the local inhabitants as there is a large wild life preserve there with dozens of” crocodillos” obviously iguana isn’t on their menu.

We board the boat and head for Paraiso Escondido our favorite beach restaurant were we had hoped to meet up with friends, but their plans must have changed as they didn’t arrive. None the less we had a great lunch of a garlic and butter grilled dorado fillet. This part of Mexico is heaven for a “fishetarian” like me. I did a little snorkeling, but there doesn’t seem to be as many colorful fish as there have been in previous years. All in all a very pleasant laid back day.

Doyle relaxing at Ixtapa Island — The Senor relaxing at Ixtapa Island

After a quick shower we went to the local Sams Club,(as in Walmart) why I don’t know. It’s too much like shopping at home and every thing is in quantities like Costco. I see no reason to return. Back at the apartment we dinned on a really good crock pot chicken dinner that had been busy cooking while we were at play. Pretty impressive for me. Spending a quiet evening in as tomorrow (Saturday) I swim with the fishes! Wish me luck.

Signing off KO

GETTING SETTLED IN

I’m an early riser. I think sunrise is one of my favorite moments in the day. It always reminds me of a line from an old song by Melodyen”watch a baby day be born.” Each day holds such new promise. We enjoyed a leisurely breakfast on the balcony where we were entertained by a roof cat. I swear they go miles with out ever touching the ground.

Today is a busy day, well not really busy as I’m on Mexican time but I did get our phones restarted. This is so the Senor and I can stay in contact with each other. The Senor is very content to just relax at the apt,me I need to be doing something so I run most of the errands do the majority of the shopping and now he can track me down. After the phones on to try to find a microwave turntable plate. No luck, but after going to the local internet message board I have several suggestions to follow through on. One of which was have one of your friends from north of the border bring one down to you. I think this is a great idea, any volunteers?? Of course enroute I stopped by the local fabric stores. They are fantastic places with huge varieties of fabric and very reasonable. Last year I made a pants and tunic set I wear when I perform wedding ceremonies which cost about $23 american.

I returned in time for lunch and siesta. We eat our breakfast and dinners on the balcony, but lunch is inside and with the air conditioner going.

Thats the Senor watching from our balcony

We cooked in tonight and as we were finishing our dinner 5 young Mexican youths were setting up their band instruments on the pedestrian street directly below our balcony. As they tuned up we kinda wondered what we were in for, but 3 guitars, a drummer an a gal on keyboards began pumping out CCR and other vintage rock and roll and were really quite good. And very respectfully quit promptly at 10 pm.

I get restless in the evening and want to get out and see what is happening. When you have alzheimer’s they call it “sundowning”. Maybe I have an early symptom,but the evenings are so lovely here i just can’t bear to be inside and love to walk about as do so much of the Mexican population.

I had hoped to see Jimmi Mamou play at Don Memo’s, but he wasn’t there so I headed to the Barracruda where the “Steve Allen” Show was in progress. They are both local boys, Kitsap and North Mason counties. It’s now 11 PM and from my balcony I can still hear them play music from the Barracruda as it is only a 1/2 block away. While there I ran into friends Charlie and Christine. While visiting with them I learned that other friends, Will and Sylvia from Canada won’t be coming this year. It’s disappointing that folks we had hoped to see this year just aren’t coming for one reason or another. We have plans to meet with Charlie and Christine at Juan’s place on Ixtapa Island tomorrow. I’m anxious to get in the water, it’s been a week since I’ve been swimming and Saturday is my big ocean swim event. Well I guess it’s time to call it a day, signing off. KO

WE’RE BACK!

The Senor and I are back, on vacation, but it feels remarkably like home. We are fortunate that they always reserve the same apartment for us so it is truly like coming home. We arrived Tues evening,were greeted by Arturo, the

owner, who helped us haul our 3 bags up 2 flights of stairs to our 3rd floor balcony apartment. We put our belongings away that we brought on the plane, knowing in the morning we would have another suitcase full of stuff we stored there to deal with. Changed out of our traveling clothes, into Mexico clothes and headed out for dinner. We opted for El Mirrador a new place at the foot of the pier that has had many positive comments posted on the local message board and we were not disappointed.

Doyle went for the spaghetti, but I had fish tacos. When in Mexico in a fishing village eat fish is my motto. The Frank the manager was very welcoming and explained all the plans they have for now and the future. It’s a place we will certainly return to.

On our return to the apartment we stopped to socialize with what I call “the gathering”. In the evening Javier’s liquor store and scooter rental business turns into an impromptu bar. The plastic chairs come out, people seem to form a half or full circle in the pedestrian street in front of the store, some one buys a bottle of tequila, the shots are poured and folks sip tequila or beer or beverage of choice. There will be tourists, snow birds, local mexican and expatriates, all are welcome, many languages will be spoken. We became reaquainted with friends from previous years, a very pleasant end to our first night.

Wednesday we headed out to the “Commercial Mexicana”, the Mexican equivalent of a super market. There is another big market, the Bodega, but we prefer the Commercial to pick up our basic supplies. Needless to say we had many, many bags and when the taxi driver dropped us off he could see that our street is a pedestrian only street. He couldn’t wait to bomb out of there. I think he was afraid we were going to ask him to help us haul our groceries the half block to our apartment. After off loading the groceries from his trunk he was back in his cab before Doyle even had a chance to pay him. Fortunately Javier our apt manager and next door bar owner Ron offered to help get the groceries to our building and then we hauled them up the stairs. It’s the only big shopping we do. The rest is pretty much done on a day by day basis.

We’ve learned to “live Mexican” which means honoring the siesta. We take it easy after lunch, maybe nap, read, rest or watch TV or a movie, but we rarely go out in the “noonday sun”.

Late in the afternoon we retrieved the suitcase and storage box that Javier stores for us. Opening them was like like Christmas all over again. We were as excited as little kids opening presents discovering our refound possessions. Oh look this is our ……..or I forgot we had one of these. The only casualty of our storage items was my very pretty plastic wine glass. The stem broke from the base. Now those of you who know me understand why this is such a tragedy. So tonight I must sip my wine from a coffee mug. just not cool! Also plastic wine glasses are very rare around here and with tile floors glass isn’t the most practical. I proved that today by dropping the glass microwave turntable. It hit the floor like a shrapnel bomb, scattering shards of glass everywhere.

In the very late afternoon we headed to the very Mexican Mercado where we buy our fruit, veggies and eggs. You can buy everything there, pots, tools, vanilla, sea salt, meat ,fish, whole chickens complete to head and feet and beautiful fresh vegetables. Its best to go in the morning when everything is freshest, but that just didn’t work our today.

It never ceases to amaze me that eggs in Mexico (and most other countries) are not refrigerated, nor are they protected in cardboard egg cartons. We brought home our dozen eggs in a plastic baggie. Our fruits and veggies we soak in microdyne before using, many people don’t but why take a chance. We set the fresh produce out to drip dry in the dish drainer and headed out to

For dinner we choose not to go far, just around the corner to Chez Leo where we had a nice meal, with a young man singing and playing acoustic guitar. Great back ground music. While there the “canasta” or basket vendor came buy and we asked for a basket por fruita, he had none of a size or shape that was suitable but promised he’d be back in 10 minurtes with one. Well it took him 3 tries but he found us one. I’m sure he had to trade with another basket man to get it. They work very hard to please.

We have had great difficulties getting our “dish sling media” working. Morgan, our granddaughter has been trying to straighten it out on her end at our home in Washington. I don’t know what did it, but the Senor is happy at last, he has TV. It is a little smaller screen than he is used to, but TV just the same. Hope it holds.

The nights here are soft and warm, it after 10 and I’m on the balcony listening to the music from the restaurant we ate in tonight. The last of the folks who spent there evening at Zocolo walking and socializing are headed home. The streets will quiet down as none of the noisy bars stay open late during the week. So I must call it quits on this day leave my balcony and head to bed.

Signing off KO

ADIOS ZIHUATANEJO

Today is our last full day, it is with sadness we leave yet we have obligations at home that require our attention and we know it’s time.

I will miss church bells on Sunday morning, revelry from the military base, streets that are swept by people not machines.

I will miss the cart vendors, especially the ice cream man with the galvanized tub. I will miss the whistle of the knife sharpener man and the, “dutily dut du du charge” followed by the call Gaaazzz from the propane man. I will miss the roosters waking the dogs to wake the town. The daily sounds of Zihuatanejo are music to my ears.

Cart vendor with fresh veggies and fruit

I will miss sunshine every day, wearing sandals and loose-fitting clothes, I will miss our friends new and old. I will miss mango margaritas, and mango daiquiri, fish fillets in garlic. I will miss the music at the Flophouse Bara and Pacalos and listening to Jimmi Mamou on the beach. I will miss the strolling musicians who play for tips. I will miss taking the water taxi to the beach, buying new jewelry from Juanita while I sip margaritas. I will miss evenings and early mornings so warm you never need a sweater.

I will miss my balcony where I watch the sun rise and the sun set each day. I will miss my a bird’s-eye view of everyday people going about the daily tasks of living. I will miss watching the street dogs looking for a friendly pat on the head or a handout, I will miss seeing roof dogs on guard on the roof. I will miss watching the roof cats travel blocks on red tile roofs. I will miss having time to read and write my blog each day.

I’ll miss Zihuatanejo, but I have lovely memories, the wonderful people I’ve met, Warm and friendly Mexican people who have struggled to understand my spanish, our new friends and old, the kind people who have stopped me on the street to tell me they have enjoyed my blog, and those that have sent me comments. I have really appreciated meeting and hearing from you.

Beautiful Zihuatanejo as seen from the water

So today will be filled with organizing the packing as to what goes home and what we store for next year, busy enjoying our last Mexican meals, saying good-by to friends and the “good life”. Adios until January 2014. Signing off KO

Quest for Jimmy Dean Sausage and other shopping experiences

The Senor’s quest for sausage in patties rather than links has brought him to becoming a Sam’s club member. This would not be my choice of a place to shop. I love the Mercado, I like buying six or even 7 eggs or any number I want and getting them in a plastic sack. I like telling my cheese man I want a meter of cheese as he rolls it out. I enjoy picking up items in the little miscellaneas and conducting my transactions in Spanish. Of course we do a lot of our shopping at the Commercial, we can find every thing we need there, but I won’t get fruits or veggies there and the eggs at the Mercado are bigger and I think fresher.

We just needed a couple of items, fruit juice and a storage box to leave some items here with our landlord. The Senor decided it would be cheaper to buy our Sam’s club membership here and more convenient as our home Sam’s Club is over 30 miles away. We wandered through the whole store, it is amazing the array of items they have there, but guess what? No sausage patties! I told the Senor next year we will simply freeze some Jimmy Dean sausage at home and see if we make it through with it. Worth a try and cheaper than a Sam’s Club membership! We didn’t even find the right size storage box there and the juice you had to buy 4 ,so we left empty-handed and walked over to the Commercial.

Energetic 6 yr old racing to the taxi with our cart art Commercial

We found our storage box and a dozen other items we didn’t know we needed until we saw them. At home we shop in military commissaries and are used to tipping the baggers and carry out people, but it still blows my mind to have an eager 6 yr old grab your shopping cart, saying taxi,taxi and rushing out with your cart to load your groceries in the cab.We had a won a dinner at an Ixtapa restaurant and decided we would do an early movie, then dinner. We saw the latest Bruce Willis “Die Hard” movies which is full of impossible chase scenes and impossible situations. Caught a cab back to Zihuatanejo and stopped at the little balcony bar next to the stairway to our apartment. Kind of a dark hole in the wall type place, with a very friendly accommodating bar tender and with a view of the Galeana side of the street. We noticed some friends sitting on the bench below us and shortly went to join them.

While visiting with them my scruffy little street dog that I’ve become fond of showed up. I told him to wait and visit with my friends while I ran upstairs and got the meat scraps I’ve been saving for him. He dined well that night, with some chicken, ribs and steak. We walked into Zorro’s for a night-cap and Scruffy followed, but just to lay down and sleep off his great meal. He has developed a bit of a limp, the thought crossed my mind to take him to the vet, but I wouldn’t be around to give him antibiotics, or even know if I could find him every day so I decided to let nature take its course. I’m sure plenty of other people have noticed this sweet funny looking dog with a very gentle, happy disposition and save their dinner scraps for him. Signing off KO

Playa Las Gatas

Yesterday was beach day, and probably for the last time this year. What is so great here in Zihuatanejo is every day could be a beach day, the weather is always perfect for the beach. The senor has struck of a friendship with the Jose at Gloria del Mar so we headed there so they can visit while I swim and snorkel. There are so many more fish in the water, not just on the reef, but on my way to the reef some fish were swimming all around me so i sort of clapped my hands at on in front of me and he turned and challenged me. I thought you are quite nervy as you are only 6 or 8 inches long and I am over 5′ 7. Who are you to challenge me? But he stood his ground and I back peddled realizing I’m swimming in his pond and have no ideas what is behind his fishy lips and swam on a different. Which turned out to be very cool as that’s when I spotted a big ray laying on top of the sand.

For our lunch we had Huachinango, which I probably can’t spell and spell check won’t help. Lunch was great, way to much food for 2 and when the Senor flipped it over I realized it was head and all was there including teeth. Very tiny, very sharp teeth! Made me think that my earlier decision not to disturb the fish was a good one. I brought the bone with the teeth back to the apartment with plans to boil all flesh off it and bring it to my granddaughter. She is always asking me if I can find her a shark tooth, so this would be the perfect gift, trying to convince her it was a baby shark teeth. But I out smarted my self, I decided I would let the army of ants that we have been battling daily as they march from the planter box across the railing do the job. I’ve done that before with shells that I have collected that weren’t empty. So I placed it in the planter box and when I went to check it this morning it was gone. And clear evidence that we had been visited by a neighborhood cat. So I figured he had just buried it with what ever else he was burying, but no luck. He must have run off with my treasure.

The Senor taking picture of the brothers

We spent much of the day watching 3 brothers enjoying playing in the sand and water, kids about 13,10, and 2. The older 2 boys had snorkel masks and since we have an abundance of swim goggles, the senor gave the 2-year-old a pair of our swim goggles which the brothers helped put on the little tike and then told him to put his head under water . Which he promptly did. The kids tried to return the goggles but despite the language difficulties we convinced them it was a gift. They were very appreciative, real nice kids.

There are always interesting sites to be seen on the beach at Playas Las Gatas.

As we returned home we could smell the barbecued ribs I started early that morning in the crock pot, a short siesta and an easy dinner on the balcony which I thought would bring this day this day to a pleasant end.

But then I had to make a quick trip to the Misceleana for a couple of items we can’t survive without, and the evening was so lovely I decided to go down the beach and listen to Jimmi Mamou and was invited to join folks there as they recognized me from this blog. Thank you Norma, Patty and Wally you made my evening most enjoyable.

Upon return to my home my apartment friends & neighbors were gathered outside where we sat and visited until the liquid refreshments gave out bringing this day to a wonderful end. Just another truly wonderful day in Zihuatanejo.

Will being the "mixologist" — Will being the “mixologist”

PS Thank you Curtis for stopping me to say hello, this blog has given me a wonderful opportunity to meet wonderful people. Signing off KO

THE ARCHEOLOGIAL SITE AT LA CHOLE

Silvia and Scott getting ready to board our transport to the museum

I’ve been wanting to get to the archeological site at La Chile ever since I first heard about it. I had been to the village many years prior, saw the huge, ancient cactus but the site was off-limits and the museum was just being constructed.

We arranged for Scott to be our interpreter and accompany myself and friends Will and Sylvia as the Senor opted not to go. We met at 8:30 am, and headed off to the local bus depot to catch the Petalon bus which leaves every 5 minutes. Our bus was a newer model not one of the “music and curtains” busses and we were dropped off on the highway at an intersection the bus driver said was La Chole. If you are not familiar with the area you would feel like you had been dropped real close to “nowhere”. Now starting right here is where Scott proved himself invaluable as all we saw was a rough bench with an equally rough palapa over it occupied by 8 or so mexican folks. Scott spoke with them and we learned this was the bus stop to go to La Chole and the museum. They are not one in the same as the digs and the museum area bout 5 km down the road and the village of La Chole is further down the road. By the time our transportation arrived Scott was laughing and joking with the m en like they were old buddy, they all helped us board the pickup, and we learned the fee was 10 pesos, we felt very welcome and not like strange people in a strange place.

Once at the museum we were met by another guide who spoke almost no english and wanted to read us every information in Spanish

"The goal post from the ball court" — “The goal post from the ball court”

without giving Scott time to translate. Soon a new guide Estaban or Eddy as he smilingly told us took over . Eddy speaks decent enough english and was happy to answer our questions and explain all about the artifacts we were seeing. He kept apologizing about his english, without need, as when we didn’t understand him Scott would translate. Scott not only is fluent in Spanish but has a broad knowledge of Mexican history and the history of pyramids and the Mexican pyramids all inter-relate how they inter-relate. We learned that many of the artifacts we saw at the museum while found there at La Chole were actually trade items from other village some distance away. After we completely investigated the Museum we walked down the road about 200 Meters to the excavated ball court.

We had already seen the “goal posts” in the museum”, but here in front of us was a perfectly preserved ball court where people played games many years before Christ was born. We next walked a short walk to where the pyramid was. The pyramid is 100 meters square and I don’t remember how high, but it’s high. Absolutely spectacular! There are additional ball courts and pyramids on the site, but due to financial restraints they have not even begun to excavate. I’ve heard that this site is a very important and significant archeological find and they will be working on it for years to come.

The pyramid showing stone steps to the top

KO,Scott,Silvia,Will at the bottom of the pyramid

We didn’t go to the village, but returned to the museum area to wait for our transportation back to the main road. We tipped Estaban, and thanked him for all his enthusiastically shared knowledge. Across the road from the museum is a small refreshment stand, beer, water soda and a few snacks, where you can sit and wait for the return transportation.

Here again Scott was with his language skills was invaluable as he makes friends where ever he goes and in turn that makes us comfortable as we know exactly what is happening. So when the pick up truck passes us by we don’t have to panic as he explains the transport will drop people off further down and return for us on his return trip.

Once again we board the back of the pick up, which appears to be standard mode of transportation for folks living in the country and are dropped off at the highway where we cross the highway and just miss the bus, but true to what we were told in less than 5 minutes another one is there for the return trip to the bus station in Zihuatanejo.

We were back at our apartment before 2:30, a very interesting day. This trip can be done with adding in the village of La Chole, and Petalan, you could include a meal. Just however you choose to go. But I do highly recommend going if you have any interest in history. I know there are cab drivers and guides that you can book formal trips with, but for a personal, informational and economical adventure Scott would be a great person to contact, he usually is in front of the Barracruda Bar. Stop and visit with him, as he has a wealth of knowledge of this area and all of Mexico. Once at he museum unless you can read and understand Spanish I highly recommend asking for “Eddy”

We finished off the evening at one of our favorite water holes, the Flophouse Bar to listen to Allan and Buddy and joined by Nelson later. One of the many things I love about the Flophouse is the music comes early in the evening, you can enjoy some great music, great drinks, then go for a bite to eat and it doesn’t have to be a late night.

Our time is getting very short, we still have so many things we want to do, places to eat, people to say good-by to. Tuesday will be here all too soon. Signing off KO

UNA ADVENTURA

After returning from a day of luxury at Pacifica Resort it’s unpacking and back to the normal routine. I had talked to a fellow about a trip to the archeological site and wanted to firm that up for Thursday, but his phone number goes to a spanish message, I don’t know if it was machine where you leave a message or even if I dialed correctly so I set off to find his relative who has a silver booth in the Artisan Mall and of course it was his day off so I sort of figured I was going to be out of luck. While talking with a friend along the way I discovered he has been living in Mexico for 31 years during the season working timeshare and tours and during the summer he returns to Washington State. Since he speaks spanish, and offered to be my guide I certainly took him up on it. so today I’m off to see the ruins. I had been in that area many years before and did visit the village, but at that time you couldn’t get anywhere near the digs themselves and the museum was just being built. So more later after I return Signing off KO

WRIST-BAND PEOPLE FOR 1 DAY

We have become wrist band people, well at least for 24 hours. At the sail –fest auction the Senor successfully bid on an all inclusive overnight stay at the Pacifica in Ixtapa. So this morning we became the wrist band people. The people we so often we so often make fun of.

The Senor and me on the terrace of our room at Pacifica

The all inclusive places have guards at the entrance and you can’t enter without a wrist band or special permission. We joke that they won’t let them leave either until their time is up Or they get a short furlough. Many people never leave the resort and subsequently never experience the real Mexico. But for 24 hours we are living the life of luxury.

We arrived at 0930 hungry, ready for breakfast. Our room is exceptionally nice with a small kitchen plus eating area, large room opening up with a full wall of sliding glass to a very large and totally private terrace with a hot tub, hammock, 2 lounge chairs and umbrella table. Views to die for with surprisingly easy access to the pool and beach area considering this place it tacked onto the side of a hill with tons of stairs and vans to drive you from one point to another as the roads are too steep for comfortable walking.

First order of business was the breakfast buffet. Buffets are not normally my favorite as the food is usually quite ordinary, but the selection they had there was quite interesting. The Senor had pancakes, but I had peppers in cream sauce, sautéed mushrooms, fresh fruit, yogurt and granola.

After lounging around in our room, reading in my hammock we were off to the pool. We swam, ordered screw drivers and mango daiquiris. We swam, well I swam, the Senor and everyone else just sits in the pool and drinks; we visited with new friends and generally enjoyed the afternoon. We did the lunch buffet as it was seafood buffet today. This gave me the opportunity to taste many different items that I’ve never knew enough about to order off the menu. The items were all labeled or otherwise I wouldn’t have known what I was getting. Then back to the room for a siesta, reading and TV watching.

The Senor entertaining some of the ladies in the pool

For dinner we opted to go to the Moon Bar, a small cozy patio area on the beach, with a nice view of the new moon thru the palm trees. Since we are all inclusive I ordered an appetizer, soup and main course. I never order that much food as I have a small appetite. But with all inclusive I could sample items I never heard of before and not worry if I liked them or not. I just wanted to try them. The soup was oyster cream, excellent, but didn’t find any oysters, the appetizer I think was called “sashimi” raw fish in citrus dressing and it was good. Main course was fish for me and chop suey for the Senor. And because I was only able to eat a little of each they thought I didn’t like the food. I did take the Oyster Cream back to the room for a late night snack. After dinner, our friends Jo and Des who stay here at the Pacifica invited us up to their place where we had a nice visit before calling it a night.

Pacifica is a beautiful place, its fun to order your meals and drinks without regard to price. They do make you so comfortable that you have no desire or need to leave the property and that’s where I have the problem. You don’t experience the real Mexico; you could be located on any warm weather beach. Some of the people we visit with said they go into Ixtapa and eat in one of the restaurants

occasionally and do experience the real Mexico. But Ixtapa isn’t a real town, it just a series of resorts and businesses to serve the people who visit the resorts and now with so many of the all inclusive resorts, the business that were once thriving are disappearing. It was great fun for a day, but it’s not our style. Besides the check out time is 10:00 am which is way too early in the morning.

It isn't GSA! It isn't Las Vegas, but it is pure luxury — It isn’t GSA! It isn’t Las Vegas, but it is pure luxury

Our 24 hours of luxury is over, we got our gate pass, our permission to leave, walked out the gate and didn’t even wait for a taxi caught the first bus back to Zihuatanejo. Signing off KO

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