Hello from Yakima

We went to our first flea market here in Maz. It is held every Sunday in a neighborhood (colonia) called Juarez. It was unlike any flea market in the states that we have been to and definitely represented the mexican culture. Very hot with shoulder to shoulder people, lots of noisey music and the aroma of all kinds of food cooking. Here are a few pictures and a video of the adventure.

We recently hired a pulmonia driver that we have known here in Maz for over a year. He took us around the city and showed us some of the interesting/historical places that we hadn't seen before. Lorenzo, the pulmonia driver, has lived in Mazatlan all of his life and has conducted many tours for the cruise ships that come into Maz. His wife Francis and their son Benjamin came with him. You will see a picture of them below. It was a very interesting day and we ended it with lunch at the La Puntilla Restaurant near the docks where the cruise ships come in. This open air restaurant hosts a breakfast buffet, lunch, and dinner. They offer a seemingly infinite selection of seafood dishes and a green salad loaded with avocado. Kind of pricey, but some think it's worth it for the ocean breeze, passing ships, and the view of Stone Island. After your meal, you can visit the statue of the Virgin of la Puntilla, located just across the parking lot. At the beginning of each hurricane season,...

Just wanted to let you know the long awaited drop in humidity here in Mazatlan has come. This week the temperature and humidity in the morning, about 8:00, has been as low as 79 degrees and 23% humidity. It is sooooo pleasant. We are enjoying being able to open the doors of our condo and let the cool ocean breeze blow through. The temperatures during the day are still climbing upwards to 90+ but with the humidity so much lower, it isn't a problem. Mazatlan is starting to get much busier as the snowbirds and tourists are returning daily. The Mexicans are very happy about this, as it gives them more work. We are looking forward to next Thursday, November 1, The Day of the Dead. A fiesta atmosphere surrounds the annual Day of the Dead walkabout, and the objective is visiting a series of altars set up in the traditional Mexican style in which the favorite objects and pastimes of the departed personality are displayed. The promenade starts at 7:00 pm in El Centro (old Mazat...

Having a car in Mazatlan has made all the difference in our adventure here. We have been getting out and exploring places that you just can't easily get to by pulmonia, bus or cab. During a recent drive, we found a restaurant out near the marina where the cruise ships and fishing fleets come in and out. It is called El Mirador Restaurant Grill & Bar. It overlooks the El Faro Light House. This lighthouse is considered the second highest natural lighthouse in the world. The journey to the lighthouse begins near the sport fishing fleets. There is an incredible view of the entire Mazatlan area and they say it is well worth the challenging hike up the hill, which is almost 500 feet above sea level. Here is one persons view of the experience. " You start out on a dirt road that requires good physical condition. Then you climb about a 100 concrete steps. It takes about one hour up and down. Ask your taxi driver to return in an hour; there are no taxis waiting there for the return...

Last week, we went to our first baseball game here in Mazatlan with our friends Jim and Fabiola. Fabiola is from Los Mochis, about 4 hours north of Mazatlan. The game was the Mazatlan Venados (deer) against the Los Mochis Caneras (canes). The game started at 8:00 pm. During the game, the generators blew and the lights went out. The game was stopped for a few minutes as the field was not lit enough for the players to see. Also, there were a few fights that broke out and the police hauled away about 20 people. As you can see in the photos, the vendors came around with some very interesting food. Some of which we didn't recognize. Also, a very unusual way of serving the beer. Greg and I aren't sure if we will be purchasing season tickets, but it was a very entertaining game. The Mazatlan Venados won 5 - 4. Here are a few pictures we took at the game. These ladies were waiting for us at the gate. This is the door to one of the suites. Jim's last name is Ramirez so that is why h...

We have visited the orphanage a few times recently. Once to deliver badly needed fruits and cereal for the children and to take care of some repairs. This time of year, donations are slim so their food budget dwindles. We went to the market and loaded up on apples, oranges, bananas, watermelon, boxes of cold cereal and even some Halloween candy for the children. Since it is very hot at the orphanage this time of year, we also took them some popsicles which we are sure they enjoyed. During one of our recent visits, a birthday celebration was happening for one of the little girls, Paulina. I have attached a short video clip of that celebration too. Enjoy the photos and video. The walls at the orphanage are made of a mixture of cement and plaster. To repair holes that have been left from prior nails or screws that have come loose, Greg must first fill them with wood plugs. Greg inserting the wood plugs. Now he can hang the badly needed coat/backpack rack. Repairing the broom/mop rack outs...

Today, I finally attempted to drive for the first time here in Maz. I had been agonizing over how hard it was going to be to drive our van out of the garage and out on the roadway. Turned out I accomplished it with no problem. I drove over to Sam's Club (about 1/2 mile) and back. It is Sunday and the traffic isn't as heavy so Greg thought this would be a good day to practice. I feel relieved that I now know I can do it. Of course, driving with weekday traffic will be a little different story but I am confident I can do it. Here in Maz the traffic lights are kind of hidden so that is one thing you have to watch for. You could easily drive right threw a red light. Also, lots of buses, motorcycles, pedestrians and cars cutting you off. So there are alot of things to watch for. As Greg says, you really need to be a defensive/aggressive driver here. Anyway, so far so good. If I do get a fender/bender now and then, our new van will look like the rest of the cars here in Maz.

We spent the night before we arrived back in Mazatlan in a pretty little town about 5 hours north of Mazatlan, Los Mochis. Here are a few pictures of the area around the hotel where we stayed. There was alot of farming land as we traveled closer to Mazatlan. We were amazed at how rich the soil looked and how green everything was. This is the rainy season in Mexico, hence all the green foliage. We finally see our first glimpse of the ocean. We were soooooo excited. Just a few more miles and Greg's 4,238 miles of driving is about to end. The next two videos reveal how Greg was feeling as we get close to Maz. Here is our parking spot in the garage. It has been so great to be home after a month of traveling. We are really enjoying having a car here in Maz. It is really going to make the adventure here in Mexico even better. After a week of being back, we are noticing a change in the weather. Tonight we took a walk on the malecon and the breeze was coming from the north and much cooler ...