Mexico April 2019

Hola Amigos!

I am visiting Mexico again for a few weeks – after having had my two knee replacement surgeries this winter and suffering a bit for several months of rehabilitation in cold Vancouver, I really had an urge to enjoy the the warmth of the south and many times dreamed of swinging in a hammock or lounging on a recliner without having to wear much clothing and let the sun heal me. So, still limping and using a walking stick, I boarded a flight to Mazatlan – this time using a new carrier called “SWOOP” flying out of Abbotsford. The base price was $161 (plus some 60 dollars for extra leg space and checking 1 bag), compared with Westjet flights that were all listed at over $1000.-!).

But the healing process here in the Mexican sun was somewhat not quite to be, at least during the first week: After a 10 min sunbath, I developed a photo-activated Type 4 Immune reaction with lots of itching on chest and thighs. I have no idea which of the several drugs I was taking (with to exceptions all had been with me on previous visits). I am sure the stress of surgery somehow was partly or fully responsible for this unusual and unexpected reaction. Anyway, halfway through a course of prednisone treatment, I fell OK now and within a day or two might risk exposure to the sun again and see what happens.

In any case, tourist season with its influx of Americans and Canadians is basically over anyway – but it is not too hot at all and not rainy as yet. I went to our old trailer court site at Burritos today – but none of our old neighbors and friends were there anymore and the place feels like a morgue. OK, so I have to make the best of it – this time staying close to the Historic Center of Mazatlan, In Joan’s and Randy’s house, while they are underway in Canada. In a previous blog, from my last visit, I showed a lot of pictures of the location of their house, and not too much has happened in terms of interior finishing work. But there is running hot and cold water, windows are in, and the balcony has a secure wall around it and lots of sun – as long as you can tolerate it which, I hope, I will able to do once this initial problem I developed is taken care of.

Good Bye Mazatlan #1 and Sinaloa History and Fun Time

Yes, friends, in less than 2 weeks it is Goodbye here for me: dictated by the price structure of Westjet, whose sharp increases of fares at my originally planned time (late March) force me to travel so much earlier.

I just received the link to a historical summary for the state of Sinaloa, dating back to the times of the Spanish conquistadores into the 20th century, which takes you through over a dozen of big and small wars among local tribes, Spanish, French and US forces as well as Jesuits and other orders...

If you are a history buff: try to read through this lengthy and detailed document! I cannot even think about summarizing it - much too complex and diverse. The only thing I can say is that bad things have happened here since the 16th century when the Europeans invaded.

Also, the document is referencing, and inserting below, a YouTube video that dances you through the many diverse natural beauty spots and wonders of the State of Sinaloa: This makes me somewhat sad that I have not seen or experienced most of these spots - but without having a vehicle at my disposition here, it is not really possible to visit all these places. The only towns I have visited outside of Mazatlan are Concordia and Kopala, and these are mentioned many times in the document mentioned above because of their significance in the silver and gold mining history of the state.

In the title of this blog I put in the number 1 - suspecting I may have something else to say before I depart on February 2nd.

Año Nuevo - at Playa Cerritos und Playa Bruha

Over the holidays tour buses and corresponding masses of visitors from the interior have invaded Mazatlan, including the beaches next to the trailer park.

Playa Cerritos:

Playa Bruha:

Happy New Year!

Juarez Market again

Mazatlan's largest market - Sunday Flea market at Juarez (=not the famous drug and crime center at the US border, but a part of Mazatlan) needed to be re-visited. But I must say, after a few minutes there I escaped to a side street and back to the bus stop. It is an incredibly busy and congested place, both with cars and people, where hundreds of businesses and traders congregate over a few blocks, without any special assigned place or area, everybody spreading out his wares on the sidewalks, under tents - and some walking among the crowds draped with their particular wares or items. In some streets, of course, there are regular businesses including fast food outlets and tace shops.Whatever the item, here is where you probably find the best prices for both new and used items, and gadgets you have maybe never seen before. I wanted to take lots of pictures - but it is so crowded, you feel inhibited and limited in what you can do. I bought some strawberries, fresh off some fields and some citrus - and fled the scene.

Slowly moving through the crowd:

Here a merchant created a small traffic obstacle - nobody cares:

And overhead I saw an advertisement for a young lady with the nice German name Gretel - candidate for "Child Queen" for the carnival (whenever that will be). Her Hansl probably got lost in the crowd.

Happy Hour

Some Park inhabitants have their daily rotating Happy Hour where they discuss philosophical, political, religious or ethical issues of the day.

One one of those occasions I joined them and actually supplied some sustenance in form of a cake and some condiments. Actually, these I supplied for some of the neighbors who kindly had helped with manpower and trucking of items from J&R's downtown location back to our trailer - during their temporary absence in Canada. But, the word spread and many others showed up - not to miss the sustenance:

Eventually some non-human visitors also showed up - they may well be recent arrivals from Canada: I learned a lot interesting things about these critters from an Attenborrough BBCvideo  (there re some others, look for them on YouTube).

 And all evening I had a view of the most recent palapa that was built by a newcomer to the Park - it now happens to be the highest or largest of palapas and has thus been labelled the "Trump Tower":

I doubt I will become a regular attendant of those Happy Hours sessions, because, as it turns out, political, ethical, religious, philosophical discussions do not really take place - and i do not need information on how to install a TV dish (have no TV), find parts for your truck (do not have a vehicle) or review restaurant menues (don't attend any). I am asocial and a certified bore. And the women are all taken.

Pickle Ball

This has become a widely enjoyed racket game, played in the US and Canada and increasingly elsewhere. Check the US association website where you can find national and international locations and times of play. That is where I found out that there are a few places right here in Mazatlan. If you have any experience with tennis or table tennis, you can be off and play very quickly, even if your knees are hurting and you have gotten a bit lame.

Here is a place where I have been playing a bit, but I must admit, it can be tough in the heat and I would like a few more people to join, because currently we have only about 4-5 regulars - of which one is very good, making it hard to sustain any rallies. This will be evident from the few scenes I am showing below:

Visitors at Cerritos Beach

On weekends the Cerritos Beach (and others, of course) are busy with local visitors and those coming by buses from the nearer Villages and towns - all the way from Durango up in the Sierra Madre. This beach is right besides or below our trailer park. The water in the middle of November is still pleasantly warm.

Mexicans are enjoying the beach and the services. 

And the Canadians are getting ready for a swim: