street dogs – Zihuathyme

BACK HOME IN ZIHUATANEJO

It was a good trip toPatzcuaro, but we know we have only scratched the surface of this beautiful town and we will go again. We loved the little 5 table restaurant that was across theGertrudisBocanegra Square from our hotel. We had great interesting breakfasts, and a wonderful trout dinner there. We found both food and hotels to be very budget friendly. I really got to use my limited spanish, sometimes successfully, sometime not so. I became quite good a reading signs, directions, menus and such.

loosely translate the dogs are not of the street but of the people

But this sign was our favorite and I was able to tell the lady so. We had already noticed the street dogs in Patzcuaro didn’t seem” happy”, certainly not friendly, and very wary, quite unlike the street dogs we see in Zihuatanejo. I never saw anyone feed one or offer any kindness. And there is a large number of them.

I loved traveling in the upper deck of the bus, the front window seat is amazing although the fact that double yellow lines on the highway appear to be just a warning or a suggestion that this might not

be the best place to pass because our buss passed anywhere anytime he wanted to and oncoming traffic could just move over what I would normally call the fog line onto the shoulder. I don’t know how many times we were 3 abreast on a 2 lane road. As you board you are handed a “survival pack” your choice of water or bottled fruit drinks, an “empanada” sandwich and earphones for the video console that is directly in front of you that plays music, games or movies of many types. Of course they are all in Spanish. The seats are roomy, they lean back, it’s far more comfortable than the airlines.

the countryside was lovely everything from agricultural crops to avocado orchards to long needled pine trees reminiscent of the California mountains pines. We drove past this prison, I’ve seen a documentary on it and it wasn’t pretty,ours compared to this are resorts. I’m always impressed with how the Mexicans will make do and use what is available. But after driving through 3 other toll plazza that were manned by regular staff was was this on manned by a group of young people behaving rudely and collecting money.

I guess this road work crew ran out of orange cones. I do so enjoy mexico, everyday is an adventure. 2 14 15 Signing off KO

M-DOCK BAND, SAILFEST AND MORE

The Senor and I went to the M-Dock concert last night at El Pueblito restaurant. It is a large open court yard restaurant, very beautiful. The M -Dock band I believe is out of Michigan, or one of those cold states.

They’ve been coming for the last 13 years to benefit Sailfest which will officially start the first week in February. While here they pick up a couple of local musicians to play with them, Steve Calvert and Allen Alto. An when I say local, they are local not only to Zihuatanejo, but also Kitsap/No Mason counties in Washington. Also was Paco Padilla, a charming Mexican recording artist, with a great voice and beautiful guitar.

We arrived early to get good seating and frankly we got there way too early. Our previous experience was get there early before all the good seats are spoken for. Not so much last night. The crowd was good, but not packed. anyway we had a fun evening dancing. It was good to get the Senor away from his TV.

Anyway we bought our new Sailfest T Shirts and today I delivered a shopping bag full of colored pencils and crayons and a few odds and ends for the needy children. I guess I failed to mention that Sailfest raises funds with a week full of fun activities that replaces sub standard schools with real buildings. These are the schools of the poorest children, many of them of lesser quality than our chicken coop. When replaced they have bathrooms with running water and concrete/brick buildings with electricity. It’s a project we choose to support.

On my morning walk to feed my chickens I also needed to find a deserving street dog for meat scraps from El Senor’s dinner. I am noticing a preponderance of cats and not so many street dogs. I

have heard that from time to time and as funds are available the local humane society rounds up some of the street dogs to neuter to keep the population down. I finally found a nice fellow who checked me out first to make sure I was friend not foe and then eagerly accepted my treats. Street dogs are remarkably well behaved, they seldom bark, they don’t beg, and they don’t follow you after getting a treat, they are very gentle, but wary enough to watch out for those who will give them a swift kick.

Later in the afternoon I past a shop with 2 ladies sewing on an antique, rusty looking sewing machines making beautiful dresses. There was one I really wanted, but it was strapless. At my age straps to cover bra straps are a necessary thing. I tried on the dress, loved it but said Yo nessicito (I need) and snapped my straps. They showed me some extra fabric and told me 10 minutos. So I waited while she put on the straps, paid my 500 pesos which converts to $37.55. An absolute bargain and I love the dress. Pictures tomorrow.

SUNDAYS, SWEET SUNDAYS WITH NOTHING TO DO

Sundays are usually quiet for us here in Zihuatanejo, but I’ve been harboring a head cold so I decided to go to the Farmacia and get some medicine to knock it down. While I was out I brought the left over meat scraps from Doyle’s steak he brought home from the restaurant and was going to make some street dog very happy. Little did I know that the street dogs take Sunday off. Did not see nary a one! At the pharmacy, with a little Spanish, a lot of pantomime I got my medicine, although I think now she might have spoken some english. Went down to the TATA’s, took my medicine along with a Mango Margarita, still looking for a hungry street dog and none to be seen.

Went back to the apartment and slept all the rest of the day until 5. The new movie across the street from us is The Impossible, about the huge devastating tsunami in Thailand. We can see the bill board from our balcony but I still have to go check and make sure it’s in English. It was so we went. The seats are old and cracked, the popcorn is microwaved. A few years ago you could get guacamole and chips instead of pop corn which was infinitely better, but not any more. The Senor got a hot dog and I opted for an Ice Cream during intermission. surprised to see intermission but it also happens at the theatre in Ixtapa. Movies was good, story was a true story and after the movie we had a night-cap at the new location of the Beachcomber Bar. For the first time in months I slept until almost 8 o’clock. No sunrise for me today. The medicine did it’s trick, I’m not sneezing, blowing or coughing any more. I never felt bad, just not real good. Now I feel great.

Monday morning while our room is being cleaned we head out to Tres Amigos for breakfast where we watch the fruit vendor make his first sale of the day. Then on to feed the chickens and I’m still looking for a hungry street dog to feed the Senors left over steak. We are almost back to our apartment when I see “Scruffy”, our cute little friend from La Madera beach the other day. He was more than happy to be given a breakfast of left over steak.

Scruffy getting breakfast of left over steak

We are headed on an adventure today and need to pack. We are off to Acapulco to see the cliff divers. We made this trip a couple of years ago and now that we are the seasoned travelers that we are we know how to do it better. We purchased !st class bus tickets from Autovisa at the bus station here in Zihuatanejo, I made our reservation for the Flamingo Hotel on-line in Spanish, as our computer is smart enough to know we are in Mexico, but still has us on Pacific North west time. We stayed at Los Flamingos before and just love the place. So more on that Manana. signing off KO

THE MOON, DOGS, CATS AND LOUD MUSIC ALL PART OF THE CULTURE

Setting moon 1 27 13 over hills of Zihuatanejo

Moon set on 1 26 13I’ve been so busy trying to capture the sunrise here that I’ve missed a site of exceptional beauty. Yesterday I discovered if I looked the other direction there was a bright orange full moon rapidly setting. In less than 2 minutes it was gone and I was so excited my shots are blury but it was breathtaking. I tried again this morning, while beautiful it wasn’t quite the same bright shade of orange.

I enjoy the many differences in the way of life here, that’s why I come to Mexico. If I just wanted warm weather I could go to Palm Desert or Honolulu. I enjoy the culture and life style here and am fascinated by the many things that are so different.

This roof dog is clear out on the tile awning

Roof dogs for one. The first time I saw a roof dog I thought he got accidentally trapped on roof and was going to jump off to get out of his predicument. At home I would have been calling the humane society or the fire department to have the dog rescued. But I learned thats their security system. One that is always on duty.

Street dogs are sad. So many of them have very sweet dispositions and would make great pets, but no one wants them, no one takes care of them, they have scars and sores that speak of their tough life, yet none are agressive, except with each other.

Roof cats seemed to have it pretty good.

I've seen this cat slip into buildings through small cracks — I’ve seen this cat slip into buildings through small cracks

They travel the town from building to building, no danger from people, cars or street dogs. They know where the cracks and the holes in the walls and ceilings are and slip into their favorite buildings at will. Although one one them is making themselves an unwelcome mid nite visitor to our planter boxes on our balcony. We can always tell when he has visited us as the dusty paw prints show his route

The only part of the Mexican culture I find fault with is the all night bar in El Centro. Tequila town has been going strong for more years than I’ve been coming here, but it is basically an indoor venue and while some of it spills into the street it’s not keeping us awake at night. On the other hand the one that is across from Zorros and Murmello’s dosen’t start ther LOUD music until 200AM and it is an out door venue. They pump out what they believe is music until 6AM. Then they roll out into the streets, make a lot of noise, drop a lot of trash on the streets and are barely out of town before the churrch bell rings calling the faithful to mass. I just don’t understand why they continue to operate in an area that caters to mature tourists, has many apartments and hotels that cater to an older clientel We’ve learned that no door or window can be left open on Friday or Saturday night, run the air conditioner as it’s hum helps drown out the noise. Ear plugs and “sound canceling ” airplane ear phones all help reduce the sound to a level conducive to sleep, while we entertain diabolical thoughts and ideas on how the establishment could meet it’s demise.