The Grace

We are so lucky, and we had a truly lovely day today.

When we stopped at the Motel 6 in Nogales, on our very first drive down three years ago, we met a couple who have become very special friends. We lived in Winnipeg and they lived on their 42 foot sail boat in San Francisco. Not a great deal in common, other than our mutual dream of life in Mazatlan and the fact that they had two dogs and we had one, but it's been 3 years and we have become close friends. This year they sailed their boat, The Grace, down to Mazatlan as they have decided to make the city their permanent home. Grace is moored at the Marina, and they keep an eye on her from the terrace of their condo.




Today was the day, finally, when we took Grace out for a sail. It was the perfect day, the sun shone, it was hot, but not too hot, there were some waves, but not too many, and thanks to our hosts, who provided ginger pills for the weak at heart, I felt amazingingly well all day. (I've had a few not so great experiences on the water, so to be honest I was a bit apprehensive!)









Oh, if I could do this again tomorrow, I would be a very happy woman!

I finally made it - the end of the walk to the Library

I really did need to pick up speed. Even though we are volunteers, we are expected to show up on time, and I was seriously behind schedule. Still time, however, for a few more quick shots ....






.... especially one of one of the 'car wash guys' next door. I'm a wimp, I can never get the gate lifted on the days I open at the Library, and they always come to my rescue.

I made with just minutes to spare.



To be honest, I don't think we'd ever be 'fired' for being a few minutes late. It's just the principal of the thing - I hate not being on time for anything!

The Library was just the way I left it.



The books were still on the shelves ....



and the members were there waiting to check out their books ....



This, by the way, is Gordon Gilkey, who owns a business in Maz called Gringo Solutions. He does all sorts of renovation/repair work and employs Mexican Nationals to do the work. He is a highly respected business person, because of the quality of his work, and also because he uses skilled Mexican tradespeople who so need the jobs. Gordon is one of my favourite members - any questions why when you see that happy smiling face? He has also recommended several books that I have very much enjoyed!

(Gordon was so willing to pose for me that I told him I'd give him a good plug on mexicoatlast!)

So, this was my trip to the Mazatlan Membership Library, in Historico Centro, Mazatlan.

I have worked at the Library every Monday afternoon since we arrived in November, and this Monday is my last shift. I have also traded shifts, which is why I have bonded with the car wash guys! We are reverting to summer hours on April 1 (10am til 2pm) and so only need one volunteer per day and as we are leaving on April 16th, my time at the Library is over until next November. It's been a great season. I cannot imagine giving up my shift permamently - whatever would I do on Monday afternoon?

Most of the time, I do walk at a quicker pace, but this just seemed like a good idea at the time. It was a truly wonderful walk.



Oh, and on the way home, I couldn't resist taking just a few more pictures.

Library Walk, Part 2

And the walk continued ....







I wasn`t hurrying ....















I noticed, once I had made my way down the hill to the Malecon, that the fog had still not totally cleared.








I also realized that if I didn`t pick up speed I was going to be late for my shift!

The Library Walk,Part One

We are all creatures of habit. Admit it, we all do it. We go to the movies and sit on the same side of the theatre. We dine at our favourite restaurants, and order the same thing at each of them. We park in the same corner of the shopping lot at the mall. Okay, we're off the hook for that one because we all know we do that so we can find the car when we're finished shopping!

However, what we also do is walk the same routes day after day, even in Mazatlan! We might vary it slightly, this block versus that, but we walk the same paths endlessly. In Maz, we know where the friendly dogs are, and also where the loud, barking beasts live! We've memorized the bumps in the pavement and where the air conditioning units jut out from the walls at temple height, just waiting to snag the unwary pedestrians.

I think what often happens is that we become so used to the paths that we travel that we stop noticing them. It's just the same old, same old, which really is a shame, especially when we live in a city as vital as Mazatlan. When I realized that it was happening to me, again, I decided to bring the camera with me when I walked to my shift at the Library last week. For some reason, having a camera along just seems to make me look at things in a different way.

However, as usual, I seemed to find a lot of images to capture. So, this is Part One of the Trip to the Library.

Oaxaca Craft Fair

The Oaxaca Craft Fair is in town again, set up in tents in an empty lot along the beach in the Zona Dorada. We've all be anxiously awaiting the arrival of the vendors as their crafts are truly unique and lovely to see.

The young people who work in some of the stalls are very helpful and hugely entertaining!




As well as admiring the amazing embroidered fabrics, the rugs, pottery and profusion of jewellry and shoes, we also did some sampling. Mango Chili ice cream is delicious as are the dozens of different flavours of mole that are available.




I decided not to sample the grasshoppers, but Mike tried them and said they had an 'interesting texture'. I took his word for it!!



The Fair is on for another week and I am planning on returning. I'd like to buy some mole, and possibly sample another flavour of ice cream. I will still pass on the grasshoppers.