Spring has Sprung

I can hear some of you scoffing, but it does get cooler down here in the winter months and there are times when we actually do wear jeans and jackets. Of course, to be honest, we only do this in the evenings, and sometimes it is a 'fashion statement' rather than a real necessity. The Mexican nationals, however, really do wear much warmer clothing in January and February, sometimes going as far as leather jackets (with fleece collars), turtlenecks and knee high boots. I think the boots are a fashion statement as well.

However, even during the cooler evenings of the last few months, we have still gone to bed every night with the windows wide open and although I broke down and bought a pair of jeans, I still wore them with sandles. If that was winter in Mazatlan, bring it on!

Because we've had more rain than usual for this time of year it is still very green. However, in the past few weeks we've noticed a difference in town.



The flowers are back and they are lovely. Spring has finally arrived in Mazatlan.





There are blooms everywhere!

Is Anyone Home?

It's been over a year since we made our first long term visit to Mazatlan.

We retired in May of 2008 and had planned to be arrive in Mazatlan November 1st. Due to health issues we didn't actually make it until March 10, 2009. We stayed until the end of May, 2009, went 'home' for the summer and then drove south again, to arrive 'home' in Maz, November, 2009, for our planned 6 months. It is now March 16, 2010, more than a year since our first arrival date.

In the past year, we have left 'home' in Canada, spent three months 'home' in Mexico, have left and gone 'home' to Canada for 5 months and then have returned 'home', again, to Mexico. Soon, in 5 weeks, we leave, again for 'home' in Canada, to spend 6 months before heading south, again, in November, to go 'home' again, to Mazatlan.

Can you sense my confusion?

Could I choose, one over the other? First response would be "Yes, of course!" Everyone who knows me can tell you how very much I love my country. Canada is, and always will be, 'home'. Do I miss winter, the snow, sleet, ice and temperatures combined with a wind chill that can remove my fingers? No. Please don't tell me that it's not that bad - I just really don't like winter. We used to ski and loved it, a lot, but that was when we were younger, and foolish. However, the summers are lovely, and my country is beautiful. Last summer we realized that we have been in every Province (except me, in Newfoundland) and we have driven from one side to the other (not all at the same time, but it is a very large country)!

I'm just trying to figure out what 'home' is, and what I miss about it.

I miss my son. However, we do talk once a week, to be honest more than we did when we lived in the same city. Of course, I did see him at least once a month, and this has been almost 6. I miss seeing him, in person. My Mum I talk to every week, on the telephone, just like we did when I was 'home'. Mum lives in Ontario and the arrangements for my trip 'home' have already been made - I'll leave less than a week after we arrive back 'home' in Winnipeg. Yes, that's right, another 'home', except this one will be different yet again, as we lost my Dad last summer and 'home' for Mum is now the Manor, the nursing 'home' down the street from the 'home', they lived in since my Dad's retirement in the late 70's.

The 'home' issue is getting somewhat confusing.

I guess it comes down to friends, and family.

We have come to love our life in Maz. It's not all about parties and beaches (that's for the 'tourists!). That's not us at all. This is just 'home' now.

We came to Mazatlan, and Mexico, in March of 2008, after a truly dreadful year. Many of our friends, and family, asked us to email them to let them know how we were doing. I really didn't want to spend hours every day sending emails. Instead, our son, Jeff, suggested that I start a blog. At first, I was a bit hesitant, as I thought it was just a bit self-centered. I mean, really, how presumptious of me to assume that what I chose to babble on about would be be interesting to anyone more than me.

However, I soon discovered that it was a whole lot easier than sending individual emails. Plus, how was I going to explore, and find things to save with my camera, if I spent all day at the computer?? I haven't mentioned the food, have I? That's a totally different subject.

I have loved every minute of mexicoatlast, and I am totally amazed at the friends who now share my adventures with me. It is a bit intimidating at times as I started this whole thing to keep in touch with the folks at 'home' and now, at times, it has become somewhat of a personal journal. It's such a treat to get a comment on a post (they read it, they liked it, there are people out there!!!) and I do feel a bit guilty about not replying to each and every comment. Please understand and know that I read all of of them and appreciate each and every one. Don't feel that you have to comment - I know you're out there, somewhere!

I'm going to try to be graceful about some of the people at 'home' who didn't choose to read my blog. I'm not so full of myself that I feel they should. However, I know that once again, when I arrive 'home', they will ask, "How was your trip?"

How on earth can I condense 6 months of living into one sentence? How about, "It was lovely, thank you. I can't wait to go back'?

The Petroglyphs

After leaving Las Barras de Piaxtla, we stopped at Playa las Labradas. The beach, part of the protected area known as Meseta de Cacaxtla, is filled with large black volcanic rocks, many of which are covered with thousand year old petroglyphs.




To reach Las Labradas, we turned off the quota (highway) and drove down yet another dirt road through the village of Chilicoyote. The instructions were to drive under the railroad, and then follow the road to the beach.



There is a museum on site, a small thatched-roof building built in the traditional style of the area. We noticed buildings in the village built in this manner and Gail has used this technique for one of the Casitas at La Rosa de Las Barras. There is also a caretaker who has one of the most adorable guard 'puppies' we have ever seen!







The state of Sinaloa has approximately 40 sites with similar examples of prehispanic art, created by natives of many different cultures. Hopefully we'll have a chance to visit another in the future as we found the petroglyphs fascinating.

These petroglyphs, carved by the Toltec Indians, were made with stone chisels and hammers and are thought to have ceremonial and religious significance. There are approximately 300 volcanic rock petroglyphs on the Playa las Labradas beach, and some of them are in excellent condition, considering that they are thought to be between 1,000 and 2,000 years old. Many of them have been weathered due to the salt water and from the hundreds and hundred of feet that have trod on them. By the way, this is one of those excursions where 'sensible' shoes are very important! I did notice however that some of the carvings even though quite worn still photographed well.










I really have to stop taking so many pictures, but this one I couldn't resist!

How Many?????

I seem to be obsessed with the camera lately, and can't seem to stop. These I couldn't resist, found in the gardens of La Rosa de Las Barras. Once again, it's the digital thing, why take one when you can have two?

Did I mention that I took 222 pictures in 2 days? Gotta love those digital cameras. I'm not a professional, sure wish I was, but I do have fun!

So, to continue ...







I seem to have developed a fascination with driftwood. I could go on an on, as in, where it did come from??, what was it before??, how old is it?? .... but I won't. Instead, I'll just look at my photos again, and ponder to myself. Feel free to join me. And yes, I did notice that some of the wood is still in the ground. Does it still qualify or is it just dead wood? Whatever, it was stunning!

And by the way, every once in awhile it really is fun to ignore rules about puncuation, and sentence structure. But only occasionally, otherwise it could become habit forming.

I still use all my fingers to type, not just my thumbs! And I do try to pay attention to my spelling!!! Call me old fashioned.

The Get Away, Continued

The Lighthouse is no longer working, but it's a great spot to view the surrounding countryside if, that is, you are not afraid of heights!








We didn't walk each and every street of the village, but we did cover many of them, as the village really is quite small. We loved the church.














As in any Mexican town, there is a marked difference between the old and the new.




The surrounding area has been declared an eco-protected area, and any future development will be controlled to protect the environment. We have heard that there are plans to provide a more direct improved road into the village and work has started on a central plaza and covered market. Because the village is part of the projected eco-tourism zone, any hotels built will be restricted to no more than 2 stories high. At the time of our visit, other than Gail, the owner of La Rosa, and one other couple from Colorado who were staying there, I think we were the only Gringos in town. The children seemed to find us fascinating, and quite amusing. Everyone we met on our walks was very friendly and quick to greet us with a smile and a bright "Buenas Tardas".

On Wednesday, our second day, we decided to go back to take yet more pictures of the fishing boats.




I`m really torn, boats or ruins .... ruins or boats ....



We were hungry, but the beach was beckoning. We walked for a bit, still within the town, and started to find shells, many, many shells




and so we kept walking. The beach goes for miles and is stunning. There are no houses, no hotels, nothing but beach, sand, shells, driftwood ....

We had a bag with us as we had planned on stopping to pick up yogurt and juice on our way home after our 'short' walk, but by the time we were finished we had been gone for hours and the bag was filled with shells. We had to resort to a plastic bag at Abarrotes 'Zavala', the "corner store". By the way, we left the ray on the beach!!



When we finally made our way back to the Beach House, we were starving so Mike made us lunch and then we settled down to sort our shells.





Good thing drift wood is too heavy to carry!