¡Good-bye Mazatlán Blog!

It seems appropriate to discontinue my Mazatlán blog since I am no longer living there, BUT it's only temporary. I'll be back there again in 2008. This is my 100th and last post--for awhile!!

Mazatlán Portraits

Because I have returned home to St. Paul, Minnesota, USA, I decided to stop posting photos after I posted my 100th photo that I took in Mazatlán, which will be tomorrow Monday, May 14, 2007. As a tribute, I have posted some representative pictures of the wonderful Mexican people who live there.

A Real Chariot!

Whenever I walked by this garage, I fantasized..."what would it be like to own it..."

Leather Art Collage

Previously I posted several leather masks, and now I have put together a collage of nine masks and wall hangings. Two of them I posted before; do you recognize which are the reposts? I bought the black and white mermaid piece which is now hanging in my bathroom. Nice, aren't they?

Unique Restaurant

We wisely rented a condo for next winter within walking distance from this restaurant, which has great breakfasts. It is situated right across from the ocean on the Malecon. Good food, Good location!

Melville Boutique Hotel

This is the courtyard of the Melville Boutique Hotel located in El Centro, the old part of the town.

Let There Be Light!

Different, isn't it?

Casa de Leyandas

The Best Bread and Breakfast in town! Wouldn't you like to stay here??

Barred Window

This barred window is located in a restored home that used to be the Mazatlán women's jail. You can see how it was converted by clicking here. Quite a transformation, isn't it??

Suits Your Fancy!

This wrought iron bench is typical of most public benches in many Mexican cities. Some are black, others are white--any colour that suits your fancy!

A Door?

This building needs some restoration, which is taking place all over El Centro and, altho needed to continue its historical character, it's also driving up real estate prices astronomically.

Plaza's Pleasures

If you sit in the Plaza long enough, you see many different sights! This man on stilts delighted young and old.

Rooster Farm

It amazes me what humans do to entertain themselves. The concrete tepees house fighting roosters that are tethered to each "house," waiting to be sold for exorbitant sums to people who conduct cock fights. The two roosters at the bottom demonstrate their fighting spirit, without the spurs I might add.

Where Am I Now?

Where am I now? Will somebody please tell me! Actually this is a repost, and one of our smart bloggers suggested I use it for this theme day photo. It really is in Mazatlán, but looks like it could be elsewhere; the Middle East, perhaps. The restaurant's name is SHEIKS (pronounced "shakes" by the Mexicans).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------At least 82 other city daily photo blogs participate in this theme day today, why don't you pay them a visit? Remember, due to time difference they might not all be ready when you visit them.

Monte Carlo, Monaco -
Rome, Italy -
Singapore, Singapore -
Tenerife, Spain -
Rotterdam, Netherlands -
London, UK -
Montréal (QC), Canada -
Melbourne, Australia -
Naples (FL), USA -
Bastia, France -
Hong Kong, China -
Mazatlan, Mexico -
Buenos Aeres, Argentina -
Manila, Philippines -
Arradon, France -
Madison (WI), USA -
Evry, France -
Seoul, Korea -
Shanghai, China -
Bucaramanga (Santander), Colombia -
Sequim (WA), USA -
Singapore, Singapore -
Budapest, Hungary -
Baziège, France -
Hamburg, Germany -
Toruń, Poland -
Nelson, New Zealand -
Madison (WI), USA -
Vantaa, Finland -
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia -
Mainz, Germany -
Dubai, UAE -
Saint Paul (MN), USA -
Cork, Ireland -
Stockholm, Sweden -
Menton, France -
Tel Aviv, Israel -
Albuquerque (NM), USA -
Kitakami, Japan -
Stayton (OR), USA -
Szentes, Hungary -
Stavanger, Norway -
Grenoble, France -
Villigen, Switzerland -
Paris, France -
Hyde, UK -
Moscow, Russia -
Joplin (MO), USA -
Jakarta, Indonesia -
Greenville (SC), USA -
Cape Town, South Africa -
Asheville (NC), USA -
Seattle (WA), USA -
Kyoto, Japan -
Tokyo, Japan -
Madrid, Spain -
Auckland, New Zealand -
Oulu, Finland -
Lubbock (TX), USA -
Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina -
Baton Rouge (LA), USA -
Sydney, Australia -
Maple Ridge (BC), Canada -
Vancouver, Canada -
Seattle (WA), USA -
Selma (AL), USA -
Chandler (AZ), USA -
Sharon (CT), USA -
Manila, Philippines -
Lyon, France -
New York City (NY), USA -
Los Angeles (CA), USA -
Brookville (OH), USA -
Hayle, UK -
Wailea (HI), USA -
Saarbrücken, Germany -
San Diego (CA), USA -
Boston (MA), USA -
Saint Louis (MO), USA -
Cypress (TX), USA -
Anderson (SC), USA -
Torino, Italy

"A horse, a horse, my kingdom for a horse!"

Not exactly my kind of horse, but it is impressive!

Man Working

This is a common sight on the beach or wherever tourists or large groups of people gather. Vendors' jobs are not easy, but this one is definitely colourful!

A Different Kind

This window is a bit different than the others I've posted. It belongs to Iglesia Christiana, located on Cinco de Mayo and is generally referred to by the colour of its exterior, -- the blue church.

Lovely Way to Spend a Pleasant Afternoon

Daily Catch

Mazatlan is a fish lover's Paradise!

What a mural!!

While walking down a street in a neighborhood close to Zona Dorada I saw a house that was for sale. I was intrigued not only by its size, but by the mural painted on an entire end wall!

Bell and Flowers

"Don't ask for whom the bell tolls..."

My First Collage

I finally figured out how to make a collage. Since boats are such an important part of the port city of Mazatlan, I feel that this collection is highly symbolic.

A Tribute to Virginia Tech

Like the rest of the world, I watched with a heavy heart the tragedy of Virginia Tech. My symbolic tribute includes a setting sun for the lives lost that day, but the unlighted lamp-post holds out hope for a brighter period in the lives of the victims' friends and families. Time DOES heal, but it'll take a long, long time before more light shines in the hearts and minds of those individuals who have lost friends, colleagues, and family members..

Window Ajar

Are y'all getting tired of doors and windows?

A Window-of-Sorts

A glassless window atop an abandoned building.

Carved Door

Carved wooden doors have many designs. This one appeals to me!

Another Door

In this photo there are several elements common to decoration and architecture in Mexico: tiles, wooden doors, brick and stonework, and a decorative, wrought iron lamp.

Typical Window

Many windows have bars or grill work with the bottom half further protected with wooden shutters.

¡Fiesta!

The Pacifico Cafe has their doorway decorated for the fiestas of Carnaval February, 2007.

Cathedral Window

The Cathedral in El Centro is an imposing structure. Imagine my surprise to see this simple window in the rear of the church, instead of a loftier stained glass structure which is often found in many other churches of the same size. But, its beauty rests in its simplicity.

Window

Almost all casas with lovely doors and windows in Mazatlan are barred or shuttered. The flowers in this photo soften the image of the bars.

A Picturesque Door

Although it's Friday, the 13th, only good luck follows you through this gate into a lovely home.

Contemporary Door

There are many wrought iron and beautifully carved wood doors in Mazatlan. This is the most contemporary entrance I saw there.

Another Woof Dog

Another of my "friends" whom I barked at daily as I passed his home. See yesterday's post for another of my canine friends with whom I conversed---at a safe distance, of course.

Woof Dog

A number of homeowners in the city keep dogs on their roofs as a means of protecting their property. The canines appear quite vicious and ordinarily I would not mess with them. A few became "friends" and greeted me somewhat cordially as I passed their property.

Sheiks, A Fairytale Restaurant

This combination restaurant and disco club looks like a fairytale building. It is located on the edge of Zona Dorada, which is primarily a tourist, souvenir shops, and resort area. A meal in the restaurant offers a spectacular view of the ocean. Food isn't bad either!

This is what I'm Missing!!

Back in cold Minnesota, this is what I'm missing. No-one feels a bit sorry for me, though! Will start posting on visualstpaul tomorrow. I need to go out to take a few photos first.

Farewell Mexico-Three Countries' Flags

We will leave Mazatlan on Saturday evening and arrive home in Minnesota, USA, after midnight, ready for our Easter. Because I am having lots of problems with internet here and because the city is celebrating Semana Santa (Easter Week) many shops and cybercafes are closed. The beaches are packed with families. Jaded people tell us show awful it is, but we are enjoying the whole scene. These flags represent most of the people I met in Mexico while living here for three interesting months. Missing Mazatlan already, but since I have so many photos, I intend to continue to post some of the pictures that I think represent different aspects of the city and its culture. These three flags fly high on the roof of the Freeman Hotel, which I often visited to view the city. I'll be back right after Easter Sunday!!

Commercial Fishing boat

This is a different size boat used by some of the commercial fisherman.

Boats

There are boats of different sizes and shapes in this community, many of which belong to fisherman. One of my favorite pastimes is waiting for them to bring in the morning catch. These boats are beached along the Malecon and are used by commercial fisherman, but by those who have only small boats instead of the larger vessels.

Mazatlan at Night

On Saturday night I went to the top of the Freeman Hotel again to watch the sky for my husband's arrival on Sun Country Airline, and this is what I saw. To the left of the small hill is a white light that looks amazingly like the aircraft as it was approaching the airport; it may or may not have been the dot of the plane that I was tracking as it approached the distant airport, but it sure does look like it! A romantic moon-filled Mexican evening!

Where Are the Mailboxes?

65 Daily Photo sites are participating in the 1st April theme, "A Public Mail Box", please use the links to below to visit them. Due to time zone differences and other factors, the theme photo may not be displayed until later if you are viewing early in the day. 1 (London (UK) ) -2 (Grenoble (France) ) -3 (Rotterdam (Netherlands) ) -4 (Greenville SC (USA) ) -5 (Hyde (UK) ) -6 (Villigen (Switzerland) ) -7 (Albuquerque NM (USA) ) -8 (Mazatlan (Mexico) ) -9 (Montréal (Canada) ) -10 (Stayton OR (USA) ) -11 (Shanghai (China) -Jing ) -12 (Arradon (France) ) -13 (Sequim WA (USA) ) -14 (Newcastle upon Tyne (England) ) -15 (Seattle WA (USA) -Kim ) -16 (Bastia (Corse) ) -17 (Minneapolis MN (USA) ) -18 (Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) ) -19 (Joplin MO (USA) ) -20 (Sharon, CT (USA) ) -21 (Cottage Grove MN [USA] ) -22 (Houston, TX (USA) -Candice & Megan ) -23 (Singapore - by Keropokman. ) -24 (Guelph, ON (Canada) ) -25 (Menton (France) ) -26 (Monte Carlo, Monaco ) -27 (Naples, FL (USA) ) -28 (Kyoto (Japan) ) -29 (Tokyo (Japan) ) -30 (Aliso Viejo, CA (USA) ) -31 (Cape Town (South Africa) ) -32 (Jakarta (Indonesia) ) -33 (Kitakami (Japan) ) -34 (Tel Aviv (Israel) ) -35 (Vantaa(Finland)) -36 (Guadalajara (Mexico) ) -37 (Auckland (New Zealand) ) -38 (Nelson (New Zealand) ) -39 (Tuzla (B&H) ) -40 (Brussels (Belgium) ) -41 (Anderson, SC (USA) ) -42 (Lubbock, TX (USA) ) -43 (John, Melbourne, (Australia) ) -44 (Stavanger (Norway)) -45 (Tenerife (Spain) ) -46 (Stockholm (Sweden) ) -47 (Boston, MA (USA) ) -48 (Not Strictly Seattle, Susan ) -49 (New York City, (USA), Ming the Merciless ) -50 (Paris [Eric], (France) ) 51 (Ampang (Selangor) ) -52 (Sydney (Nathalie) Australia ) -53 (Ailea , HI (USA) ) -54 (Manila (Philippines) ) -55 (Sydney (Sally) Australia ) -56 (Cork (Ireland)) -57 (Saarbrücken (Germany) ) -58 (Saint Paul MN (USA) by Carol ) -59 (San Diego, CA (USA) ) -60 (Mexico [POLY], (Mexico) ) -61 (Budapest (Hungary) ) -62 (Singapore (Singapore by Zannnie) ) -63 (Madrid [Dsole] (Spain) ) -64 (Nottingham (England) ) -65 (Bandung (Indonesia))

Visiting a country different than one's own is filled with all kinds of surprises, both large and small. I've discovered a very different mail system here in Mazatlan. There are virtually NO public mailboxes and few private ones--at least that I have been able to find. I had to hunt for one on the main post office in El Centro and another posted on a fence by a restaurant in Plaza Machado I found two other private mail slots to photograph, but there are more of those: one on a restaurant gate and one on a garage at a private home. There are no mail drops on the street; mail delivered to my apartment complex is just tossed on the floor of the main foyer. One adjusts, however, whereever one travels!!

Baby Girl in Arms of Father

I had planned to post a different photograph today, but I couldn't resist this little face. I saw the couple with this small child on the street and told them how "bonita" she is. When I asked if I could snap a picture of her, of course they said, ¡Si! May her life be long and happy, and I hope that she knows the goodness that life can bring. I also wish that all the people I have photographed could see their pictures and know how many people around the globe have seen their portraits, but computers are not always available to these individuals in Mexico.

A Gourmet Meal?

Most of the food that I find at the market are things that I can use to produce a good meal. My culinary skills have never included these chicken feet. Anybody know how to cook them (and why I should ??!)

Snowbird

Have you ever wondered what expat snowbirds do while they are living in a sunny climate during the winter when people in less favorable environments are freezing, shoveling snow and driving in hazardous conditions? Well, here's one favorite activity!!

¿Mi Casa es su Casa?

I don't think that this owner believes that "mi casa es su casa!" Would you be willing to scale that glass-topped wall?