Daniels in Zihuatanejo

JIMI MAMOU SINGER MUSICIAN SOUL MAN

Jimi has always been a bit of a Zihuatanejo legend. Starting when he and wife Judy came to Zihuatanejo at the invitation of Guitarfest and never turned back. Jimi plays, blues, soul, and rock and role from it’s heydays of the 50’s and 60’s into the 2000’s and still draws a crowd. It’s the music we grew up with and many believe, as I do, we had the best music ever.

Wednesday night a film crew was here from California to complete a documentary about the music scene in the North Beach area of San Francisco which Jimi was a big part of.

Jimi with a painting of himself, a gift from a friend and fan

North Beach was the “happening place” with great clubs that gave many a star their start. Places like The Hungry I, and the Purple Onion, Big Al’s and of course the Condor, famous for Carol Doda who originated topless dancing. It was also the home of the Keene Art Gallery among others. An exciting vibrant place during simpler times. My sister was a chorus girl, dancing at Bimbo’s 365 club the summer of 61.

I grew up in a small town 40 Miles north of San Francisco, and even though we were under age and couldn’t get in to many of the clubs it was still a thrill on a Saturday night to roam the streets of North Beach and listen from the sidewalks and alley ways.

I imagine only a small handfull of those musicians are still around and not many would still be playing. But here in Zihuatanejo we have had the pleasure of spending our winters listening and dancing to the music of our youth, with one of the greats, Jimi Mamou.

I would be remiss not to mention that not only has Jimi blessed this community with his music but he and Judy have been a vital part of the community, one of the original and continuing sponsors of Sailfest serving on boards and committees, working in the background helping to strengthen this community for all the citizens here.

Signing off KO

A little bit of this, a little bit of that

I’ve been both busy and lazy. Doing quite a bit of reading, with American Dirt being the stand out book of the season. Currently reading Mitchner’s Poland, almost took much history and war to wade through but interesting all the same as I have never known much about Poland and I have a very special Polish friend.

I’ve been doing the majority of my beach time at Playa La Madera. I’m always amazed when people think it is OK to place their towels on the only available beach lounges at 9 am but not come to sit on them still 1:00 or maybe not at all. Further more it amazes me that the restaurant owners allow it. Watched several days where all lounges were occupied by towels only and possible patrons by passed the restaurant as no place to sit.

Pet peeve, towels reserving chairs for people who come very much later if at all

The music scene in Zihuatanejo still exists, Jimi Mamou at Daniels, Steve’s Friendz at Rossy’s, Solo Tres on Wednesday afternoons, weekend dancing at Baracruda for those who don’t mind waiting until 9:30 to start, Jose Louis Cabo at La Canta de Las Sirenas on Mondays, early for the gringos and others here and there that I haven’t quite caught up with.

My Christmas poinsettias are thriving, but I found it necessary to give them a bath last week. As they live on my balcony which over looks a busy street I discovered their leaves were covered in dust and dirt, coming from rain country I’m not used to dirty plants.

Have had the Poinsettias since November 30, that’s my friend “Pidge” who I have lovely morning conversations with. This is what happens when you live alone.

Signing off KO

LAUNDRY AND A NIGHT ON THE TOWN

The Senor decided we (he) needed some V8 juice and we were out of eggs. There is only one store in Zihuatanejo that carries V8, The Bodega. It’s about a 1/2 half mile from the pool where I swim. Since it was Saturday and I don’t swim on weekends I thought I would just walk up there as it was still early morning. It was a pleasant walk and like all shopping trips you go for one thing and come back with 4 bags full. So of course on the return trip I took a cab.

We have a leisurely breakfast on the balcony and I decide to do our laundry in house instead of the Senor taking it to the laundry as we have always done previouly.But last year there were some issues. I said I would do the laundry which is normally the Senor’s area of expertise. The roof top washer fills at a drip drip rate so to help it along I filled big buckets of water to add to the machine and it started to wash. Of course the rinse cycle is again at drip drip rate, but I went and took a nap and when I work up the clothes were washed and I hung them to dry, starting the second load the same way. Fixed and ate lunch and the first load was dry and ready to hang the second load. Watched some TV and went and retrived the second load from the line all except our big towels they needed another half hour. I find if you hang things nice and tight on the line they look as good as if freshly pressed. The laundromat folds and packages your clothes so everything ends up with fold marks.

We have been taking it quite slow for the most part but we decide to go out for dinner at Daniels. The Senor never seems to learn that he will always be disapointed by his steak. Beef here in Mexico just isn’t what we are used to. On the other hand you can’t go wrong with fish, it is what they do here.

20141231_173641 From there we strolled, watch a sand artist at work, found a nice street dog to give meat scraps to and at a small kids arcade a birthday party was in full swing, litterly. The pinata was about to be hung, hit with sticks,

Birthday party

Birthday boy blindfolded with a stick, should have done video

broken and candy and small trinkets scrambled for among the shrikes as a half dozen young boys.

20141231_202037 — Jimi with a friend joining in

A couple of drinks at Zorro’s and on to the Barracruda to catch the great Jimi Mamou and renew old friendships. Agreat night on the town, Zihua style. Signing off KO

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM BEAUTIFUL IF NOT SUNNY ZIHUATANEJO

Yesterday it drizzled on and off all day, not the kind of rain that is cold or that gets you wet. But the skies were cloudy and it was definitely cooler. But by the time we were getting ready to go out for the evening the drizzle became rain. Not the tropical down pour that soaks you in minutes, just plain rain. It wasn’t cold, no wraps were needed but to keep dry getting to our destination, dinner,at Daniels, we had one street and the plaza to cross out in the rain. And who likes to arrive looking like a wet dog, so we used our beach towels as serape and arrived no worse for the weather. Everyone is grousing about the strange weather, they say it is never cloudy or rainy this time of year. The forecast is warmer today and back to normal tomorrow.

We had a great Christmas dinner, most of the folks we know were there. They moved all the tables inside, which made the dance floor small but adequate. As alway Jimmi Mamou’s music was outstanding. My lobster was good, the Senor enjoyed his turkey, even if there was no cranberry sauce, and the chicken and fillet that came with my lobster came home in a box for the Senor to enjoy today along with a large slice of rich gooey chocolate cake. There was a really great fruit salad that came with the meal. I could enjoy just that for another meal some time. sometime during the evening the rain stopped so we arrived back at our “casa” dry and no worse for the weather. I will admit it seemed strange to people wearing long sleeves and some folks in jackets and women wrapping up in shawls. It was cool, but not that cold. Had a brief chat with Santa on our way back, Signing off KO

IT’S CHRISTMAS EVE DAY

Woke up this morning to the sound of rain, it’s another cloudy day with a bit of a fine Washington mist now coming down. Not enough to get you wet, and it’s warm. I decided that I need to swim more or I won’t be in shape for Sharkfest in Troncones on Jan 10th. So at 7:30 this morning I went to Playa La Madera, just a short walk from where we stay and swam 3 laps out and back around a sailboat anchored out. This is to become my new morning routine. I can walk at other times, but there is almost no one at the beach at that time of the day and it is close to my normal home routine.

Since our TV service is not currently carrying the Senor’s favorite channel, I’ve learned to stream it from another source. I use the word learn loosely, more like just plain luck, but it keeps him happy and informed.

The Senor decided he needs a new white shirt to wear with his dress white shorts for our Christmas Eve dinner so we will do some brief shopping this morningand hopefully check in with the sand artist as I hope this rain hasn’t damaged his work of art. Meantime we are playing Christmas music on my I pod and enjoying our little Christmas display, feeling just “Christmasy” enough.

Met with success on our shopping trip, the senor got his new shirt and I learned that a “bolsa” is not only a bag or purse but also a pocket. Checked in with the sand carver, I’m so impressed. It’s been fun watching the progess and so glad the rain hasn’t hurt his work of art. He has brought me much enjoyment

Tonight we will join friends and enjoy a Christmas feast at Daniels, and enjoy the music of Jimmi Mamou FelizeNavidad from our casa to yours. Signing off KO

I LOST MY FAN

I arrived in Zihuatanejo with 2 fans, lost the first one the very first day. Probably left it in the cab going to the Commercial as I was not yet in the habit of carrying one every where I went. To most folks this would be minor inconvenience, for me a small disaster, but I have a spare. That is until yesterday, when I must have dropped my fan in the movie theatre when I stood up to leave. The issue is I perspire, not only do I perspire I sweat like the proverbial pig. Especially my scalp and face. It’s embarrassing, and if anyone has a better solutions than I have come up with please let me know. My friend Cathie (who first introduced me to Mexico) gave me a sort of headband/scarf with elastic band across the back so it fold up compact but opens up to fit your head like a cap. Originally I used it so I could snorkel and not sun burn my scalp and made several extras. But now I have learned to wet them, keep them in the refrigerator and put it on under my hat, cold & wet before I go out. It acts as a sweat band and protect my eyes, and while it doesn’t totally solve the problem it reduces the issue and keeps me cooler with less perspiration. This in addition to a fan and a wash cloth to dab away with I maintain comfort even though I look like a drippy mess.

So my last fan disappears and I have to bargain with the “Fan Man” for a new fan, but this one is too big to fit in my purse. Anyway I got him down from 50 to 20 pesos and I think that’s 10 more than I paid last year, but I have it and am happy.

It’s Super Bowl Sunday in Zihuatanejo and almost every bar and restaurant has the specials and the game going. I’m not a fan, nothing against football I’m just not a fan, but the Senor is and has his favorite bar to watch it at. So Sunday evening I’m a football widow, which gives me a chance to just wander the streets and admire the beautiful statues that are placed around town. Each statue represents a specific area of the state of Guerrero which I am in. My favorite is “The Pescadore” the fisherman, which just doesn’t photograph well, but certainly speaks of not only the past but of the present of Zihuatanejo. I visit him on a regular basis.

oNE OF MANY STATUES — ONE OF MANY STATUES

After a dinner of Pescadillos at Daniels I return to my balcony to listen to the beautiful Mexican music being featured this Sunday evening Zocolo. I can hear it like I was there and here I have a place to sit and glass of wine and no crowds. Can’t beat that. From time to time I hear the roar of approval from the crowds at the bars as the Super Bowl continues. I do love my balcony, my view of this small part of our world. Signing off KO

Back Home in Zihuatanejo

The senor and I are glad to be back in Zihuatanejo after 3 days in Morelia which is quite cold compared to Zihuatanejo. The trip was good, but one of those that if it could go wrong it did, even our on bus ride home. 60 Kilometers out of Zihuatanejo the air conditioning on the bus went out, a brief stop to fix it with no luck so we finished the trip with the doors to the bus wide open. It took almost 3 hours longer on the return trip than it did on the going trip, don’t really know why as it was also a non stop trip. Upon our arrival back at our apartment we discovered we had no electricity. Now it 1030 PM on a Friday night with the Mexican Hootnany going strong down below, but the building manager contacted the owner who got the electrician out to fix the problem. And with in a couple of hours the problem was fixed. The Senor was quite amused at the electricians tester, 2 wires and a light bulb, but what the hey, this is Mexico.

Our day was a quite day, laundry day and then a stroll along the waterfront and lunch at the

: Jimi Mamou at Daniels in Zihuatanejo

Sirena Gorda, bean soup and smoked fish tacos, much later in the evening a visit to Daniels, a beach side restaurant as Jimi Mamou plays there regularly. I got to visiting with him and discovered he has a San Francisco back ground and we knew several people in common. Once again, small world.

Sailfest is this week, which is sponsored by the “cruisers” those folks who live on sail and power vessels. The harbor is full of sail boats and the proceeds of the weeks events go to helping the poorest schools here. We bought our Sailfest T-shirts today and plan to attend most of the events. Signing off KO