swim – Zihuatanejo

Sorry, I’ve Been Lazy, but also busy

I’ve become quite lazy and have ignored this blog too long. I will try to do better in this new Year of 2025. I think I will work from yesterday and go backwards over the past several weeks, months.

Christmas and New Years were spectacular especially as my eldest son Shawn came to visit for two weeks over the holidays. So I wowed him with dozens of parties, parades, and fireworks. I don’t think any town could decorate better than Zihuatanejo for the holidays, it glitters and sparkles every where.

New Years Day we celebrated with our 3rd annual “Polar Bear Swim“, where the only thing cold is the ice in your Margarita. Each year we get more and more participants to brave the waves at the rousing hour of 11:00 am.

I had decided that New Year’s Eve fireworks might best be viewed from our favorite infinity swimming pool/ restaurant Escollera, so I made reservations for Shawn and I, but before the big night came 4 more friends choose to join us for a full table. The food was excellent, after dinner, while waiting for midnight and the New Year display we enjoyed card games.

Shawn, who is a DJ by profession, treated a group of friends to a karaoke evening at a friends house. Where we soon discovered not many of us are singers, but these gals did a great job on Dolly Parton’s Jolene

Parties and dinners almost every night what a wonderful season of fun

30 friends gathered at Mikes’ Diner for Christmas Eve dinner

We went swimming at Escollera

I even got some work out of him while here, he cleaned my curtain rods, installed a couple of screws and nails where I needed them, helped me with my Christmas lights. Unfortunately he took out my folding step ladder but were able to complete the tasks with the landlords ladder. It’s been kind of nice to have a man around the house.

The city/government has restored the building dubbed the “Partenon” to it’s original glamor from it’s dubious past when it was a playground for a very dishonest Police official from Mexico City. Now it is a lovely event center for the people of Zihuatanejo. I attended a fashion show there and was impressed with the finished project. The fashion show was fun too, but I am amazed that in Mexico they say it will always be a alcohol free establishment. Quite a surprise as everywhere else the booze flows freely. Part of the culture it seems.

Partenon before restoration when the steps (replaced by bleachers) went down to a swimming pool (replaced by a stage.)

I’ve now been a full time resident of Zihuatanejo for just over two years, even in the humid summers when I suffer from heat rash I know this was the very best decision I’ve ever made. Getting to live in this warm friendly place where everyone talks to everyone, friends, shopkeepers, neighbors. It’s impossible to walk a block with out meeting people you know. My son was quite surprised to see when you get on a bus every one greets you with a “buenas tardes” or “buen dia“. Strangers will stop you on the street to pay you a complement. It’s still affordable to live here, but long gone are the days of Mexico being cheap. Somethings are far less expensive, medicine for one, and labor is quite cheap. I have no need for a car here, buses and taxi’s are plentiful an very inexpensive. I live quite simply here after having shed myself of 60 years of collecting stuff, and only have just enough for my personal needs.

I do have some wonderful things to look forward to in 2025. In the spring I am going with friends to ride the train through the Copper Canyon in northern Mexico, about a 10 day trip. Then in late July I am going to take my first luxury cruise on a very large (3000+ passenger) cruise ship through the Greek Islands. Every day is still an adventure here in warm sunny Zihuatanejo. Signing off KO

Spanish Class, Growing Tomatoes and Other Unrelated Stuff

I signed up to take some Spanish classes at the English Plus school here in Zihuatanejo . I’ve been very impressed with how they teach Spanish. Of all the Spanish classes I have taken this is the best. We are learning how to use the language correctly but with out a lot of drills in conjugation of verbs and learning of rules. Lots of conversation and frankly being put on the spot. I know I’m progressing, but certainly not a star student. I do much better with the written word than the spoken one. I have a lot of trouble hearing what a native speaker says. I will continue with the classes during our entire stay as any progress is good.

Last year the Senor grew a couple of tomato plants and they were full of yummy tomatoes before we left in March. It was helpful that our balcony had full sun all day. This year he brought a few seeds from home in our luggage and planted them about mid November. They took forever to germination so he bought more

seeds at the Bodega and planted them in a different container, I think we have one plant growing from the roll out mat of seeds from home and the packet of seeds we bought here are thriving. He is still worried that they may not produce as our balcony this year is shaded.

I woke up Wednesday with a bite on the calf of my leg. Hurts doesn’t itch. Over the years I have had this kinds of reaction several times from bug bites .I have always been a

veritable smorgas-bord for mosquitoes, they are attracted to me and completely ignore the Senor. At first this looked like any old bite, but the area around the bite is becoming more inflamed at bit swollen and warm to the touch. Thinking I may need to go to the doctor, after all Sharkfest is tomorrow.

The vacant lot next door is no longer vacant, but a hub of construction. Rumor is it is going to be restaurant. One day we watched a huge dump truck maneuver its way down our alley, jockeying back and forth between the gates to the lot and the

Holes being filled with rock all placed by hand

driveway on the opposite side of the alley so he could dump a full load of BIG rocks into the first deep hole that had been dug previously. Then by hand the workmen broke the big rocks into smaller rocks and again by hand moved them into the rest of the holes. Then using what appears to be a jack hammer they added dirt and tamped them all down. Sounded like a helicopter getting ready to take off.

Yesterday they created vertical towers of re bar and are all wired in place. I swear I never saw a single level being used, just eyeballed into proper position. They work so hard, with so few of the tools that we would expect to see on a construction site. This is real manual labor. It will be interesting to watch the progress.

As I write this it is 4:30 in the morning, my balcony door is open, I see the restaurant across the street is still open, with only one or two patrons left. They will be closing soon. From down the street I hear singing, no music. just one voice reverberating up and down the narrow Pazole Alley. Some day I will get dressed and check it out. My guess is he is just returning from one of the many all night bars and enjoys the sound of his own voice. I hear no others, no laughter, no talking, just one melancholy voice. Signing off KO

Bienvenido 2019

When I was a child, about 8 years old, my parents explained to me that it would be 2000 before we had a new century. I got to figuring it out and I was going to be in my 60’s and flatly stated that was terrible, I would be too old to have any fun on New Years. Well we aren’t quite the party animals we were at the turn of the century put we still went out with friends, ate , drank, saw the New Year in with our toes in the sand watching the fire work all around Zihuatanejo Bay. Little did the 8 year old me know, it’s 19 years past the turn of the century and I’m still not to old to have fun and celebrate.

The Senor went fishing with his friend Dave both of them caught a dorado. They are really good eating. I put up enough fish in our freezer for at least 12 meals. While the Senor went fishing my friend and I went shopping, but first a stop at “Fishers” at the Ixtapa marina for breakfast. They have the most delicious breakfast cocktails where I indulged in a Pepinillo a mix of liquid cucumbers, lemon and lime soda and Tangarey and a fantastic poblano enchilada and egg dish. Then on to the shopping at the MicMac shop which specializes in very cool clothes made of very cool cotton. It’s hard to say who enjoyed the day more, the Senor and I.

This morning when I arrived at the swimming pool for my morning laps there was no one in the pool. There usually are two or three other folks enjoying the pool, but this morning I had the entire Olympic size pool entirely to my self for a full 45 minutes. Great way to start a day. My ” Sharkfest” swim is just a week away. Signing off KO

KAYAKING TO PLAYA LAS GATTAS

On the best of days it is difficult for me to disembark the water taxi on the Zihuatanejo side. The pier is way to high, it takes 3 men and a small boy to haul me up from the boat. Don’t get me wrong, I really appreciate the help. But this year due to the very recent knee replacement my knee just isn’t bending properly yet. And the thought of having someone yank me up to the pier causing my knee to bend more than it wants to is terrifying. But I love Las Gattas , swimming to there was out of the question as I have a great fear of twirling propellers and I decided the best way to go was to was to paddle there.

My friend Bonny thought it would be great fun, so we rented two kayaks and set sail. The Senior, not up for such an adventure, took the water taxi and he met us there. The beach at La Madera had big waves that day but Andreas took us out and showed us

when to start paddling to get over the waves and it was easy going from there. It was a beautiful sunny day, while the water was not flat it wasn’t too choppy either. About 40 minutes later we were pulling up in front of Gloria del Mar and my favorite waiter Jose pulled us in and stored the kayaks out of the way.

It wasn’t long after the Senior arrived and we had a lovely lunch of red snapper, I tried out my new full face snorkel mask. I think I’m really going to like it. I’m great in the water, but I can’t back onto the beach. Between the waves pulling me back, sand moving under my feet and stiff knees I feel a bit like a beached whale and needed the senior to come haul me up to a standing position.

With Jose’s help we relaunched the kayaks and paddled our way back to Playa La Madera. Here again we had breaking waves to deal with and I have to admit that Bonnie made a perfect landing, whereas I came in a little to much sideways causing my back pack to get a bit wet, but no harm. Next year I’ll remember to bring a dry sack. Signing off KO

SAIL FEST: concert, chill cook off, auctions

M- Dock Band name came from the dock where their boats were parked

Wednesday night was concert with M-Dock, a Michigan based band that we have heard many times over the last few years. While we have always enjoyed the concert the venue was only so so. Food not very good and service extremely slow as probably a couple of hundred people show up. This year the venue was excellent at the Casa de Cultura but the food that a vendor was to provide was MIA and Sail fest was doing the bar and unfortunately it was running out of supplies by 9:00

pm. But by that time with no

dinner and we had been enjoying wine and beer since 6:30 and even though we were dancing, it was time to leave and get food. Next year they will have the bugs worked out.

Thursday was much looked forward to chili cook off and silent auction. They had a live auction Tuesday evening, but it is a little too rich for our blood so we skip that event.

The Senor danced to much at the concert and was nursing aches and (he hasn’t moved that much and that quickly in the last year) said he wasn’t up to going out and handed me a fist of money and said enjoy the silent auction. So I did!

Friends Paul and Faye at Chili cook off and silent auction

I managed to get 6 dinners and one breakfast and a 2 hour ocean kayak adventure for me. Had 2 mango margaritas, and with the tip went back to the apartment without a single peso, but happy. This guarantees the Senor will take me out to dinner at some new and interesting places and the money goes to a great cause, the poor children of Zihuatanejo.

As the Senor was feeling a bit better today we headed out to Playa Las Gatas. In a drawing I won tickets for the water

Me hiding under one of my many sun hats at the auction, note my nails match my ring and my straw.

img_20170210_094647 — Playa Las Gatas, wonderful as always. Signing off KO

taxi so we took advantage of them today. As always we go to Gloria en Mar and visit with Jose our favorite waiter and friend. I tried the go pr again to catch some under water life, but it is a complicated camera for a non techie like me. But as always the beach and the swimming was wonderful, we ate a different type of fish today, good, but not a favorite.

WHY WE DO WHAT WE DO

After 2 week here in Zihuatanejo I am settling into a bit of a routine. I’m an early riser, I like to enjoy the sunrise from the balcony, take my morning supplements and swim 4-5 laps out and around the blue sailboat anchored there.It’s not as long as I swim at home but I feel the walk makes up for it. On my way back I stop for coffee at La Tregua. Why do I do this. Fear! Fear of gaining weight and fear of feeling old. Now I don’t mind being old, for that matter I rather enjoy the many privileges of being old, one of which is being semi retired giving me the luxury of time to be able be here. But let me tell you I don’t want to feel old, I would prefer not to look old, but I can handle that, I just don’t want to feel old. So I’ll swim, I’ll dance and participate in life rather than being a spectator for as long as I can.

After my swim i find a place to stop for coffee, this past week it has been La Tregua where the kind staff pours coffee from beautiful pitcher. As I return”a la casa” the Senor is rising and is ready to cook my breakfast. In 18 years I have never cooked his breakfast, he cooks for me. . After showering and dressing I’m ready for the day. Today I need to go to the fish market and get a white fish fillet for a fish dish I have mastered at home. This is a big deal as I’m not much of a cook. I’m supposed to have “cananelli beans” per recipe, but I’m using some white beans I found in El Mercado. If it turns out poorly, I guess I’ll blame the beans.

It’s also manicure day, I should have had my nails cut at the first manicure, but vanity prevailed and I thought I could let them be long as I’m not working or gardening. Big mistake! Include a short siesta , fixing dinner and that will just about take care of this day.

I’s just amazing how busy a vacation day can be. Signing off KO

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