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?

Mazatlan Worker

At the Mercado in El Centro, a shopper can find clothes, household items, souvenirs for the gringo tourists, fruits and vegetables, spices and herbs, dairy products, fish, and meat. I decided that while I am living here I would shop as the Mexicans do. The vendors usually are happy to have the photos taken and pose willingly. This man obviously is proud of the work he does!!

Quite A Show!

Guest Photographer: My apartment neighbor and fellow photographer, Roger Evert from Sherwood Park, Alberta Canada took this photo. The diver in action is extremely diffficult to capture!

Another Folkdancer

The lovely young dancers have a great deal of poise!

Folk Dance

There is always something interesting happening at the Plaza Machado. On Thursday night a dance troup of adolescent girls presented several folk dances in stunning costumes. Tomorrow I'll post another photo of a different girl in another folk costume.

A Busy Bee

Could anyone be cuter than this little cherub?!

Father and Son

Watch Your Step!!

And here she is ...5 days later!
On the March 19th photo of Eric's blog, many comments were posted regarding obstacles on European streets for handicapped people. Uneven sidewalks, unusually high curbs, and cobblestone or slippery streets also pose problems for anyone of any age who walks the streets of Mexico. The Canadian woman pictured above and below is one of the friends I made during my stay here in Mexico. She hurt her knee after a nasty fall last Saturday night. She is pictured at the Military Hospital in Mazatlan on Sunday morning where she, a gallant young male bilingual neighbor and I went for her exam. After following the doctor's directions, she is convalesing nicely. But, watch your step!!

Leather Mask

As promised yesterday, here is a sample of one of the many leather masks I've seen here in Mazatlan and in other cities, both large and small, in Mexico.

Leather Art

Nid Art, an arts and craft store on the edge of the Plaza Machado, sells wall hangings of all different sizes, made of leather from cows, pigs, ostriches, and other animals. Tomorrow I will post one or more of the masks they make which seem to be quite popular. The artists are a family that live on the premises and who create their art forms in the studio behind the showroom, which has limited hours so that they can have time to make their creations.

Sand Sculptures

Today the beaches were alive with artists creating images and figures which will be judged for originality and creativity. This was just one of the many forms --a beautiful day with sun, sand, surf, and happy people.

Working Women

Almost every morning I walk to the Plaza to get a latte. The corner kiosk-type shop is unusual in that the workers are in a room with the coffee and supplies, but the customers order through a window while standing outside . When the "cafe" is closed the window is shuttered; when open the bars remain across the opening. These two women are efficient and personable. Their smiles are genuine and a real day brightener.

Cruise Ship Leaving Port

From my apartment window I can look out and see the docked cruise ships. They arrive early in the morning and leave around 6-6:30 pm. The passengers spend the day spending money while eating and shopping in El Centro and the Zona Dorada. I'm not a big fan of cruise ships because of the environmental damage caused in many ports around the world, but the economic factor for the town's people creates a "need" for them. Around 5 pm I smile as I see a parade of taxis and pulmonias taking the passengers back to the ferry for departure. I've gone to the docks and have been amazed because there is a city in itself right there: internet, restaurants, shops of all kinds, and entertainment. Twice I've been able to slip past security checking passenger ID's as they board the trolleys to be transported back to the ship. Had I wanted, I probably could have boarded and sailed away!!

Gala Musical

Every year the Orfanatorio Mazatlán has a fund raising gala musical, which is eagerly anticipated and well-attended by the people living here. I went last year and was enthralled by the talent and range of the vocalists who accompanied the concert music. Equally as good, this year there was a string quintet: bass, cello, viola, and 2 violins plus a solo clarinetist and flauist. It was a magical evening!

The Birds

I wonder how Alfred Hitchcock would react to this photo? These birds are everywhere. I could easily do without them because they leave their droppings everywhere. How healthy is that?! But, the children love them!

Mexican musician

Although I am not a regular church-goer, I attend Iglesia Cristiana on Sunday mornings to listen to to the fine musicians who play there each week. There are several adolescent boys and girls with violins and cellos who faithfully perform each Sunday. I'm enthralled by this group of Mexican children because of their poise, dedication, and talent. This young man is exceptional!

On the Beach

While having lunch in a restaurant above the beach, I noticed this old man with a cane walking past. Despite his slow pace, before I could grab my camera he had passed too quickly for a photo of his wonderful face. If I had only been on the beach! What a wonderful conversation we might have had!!

Children of Mexico

Children are God's gift to the world, and they are beautiful everywhere. I am of the opinion that Mexican children are probably among the most lovely!

Sunset

The Freeman Hotel, one of the earliest in Mazatlan, just recently got a face lift and is part of the Best Western Hotel chains. A pleasant evening can begin with a visit to the rooftop to see one of the spectacular sunsets in Mazatlan's sky. I frequently go up to the 12th floor to get a bird's eye view of the surrounding city, and if I'm lucky, I capture some fabulous sunsets. This is one of my favorites.

Mas Amigos

Mexican Army Soldier

This is a photo that I took surreptiously after our bus from Tepic to Mazatlan was stopped by soldiers in the Mexican Army who searched our checked luggage and items on the bus for drugs and firearms. I had to take pictures in a hurried, secretive fashion without too much attention to focus and composition. Of course, I was detected and was politely but firmly asked to stop. The soldiers were less intimidating that the guard dogs!

A Musician

This man played CD's and sang along with the music during a meal we had at an open air restaurant, La Pontilla, down by the ferry on Sunday morning. The popular brunch is busy with tourists and many Mexican families. The day was beautiful and the man most charming!

Another Amigo

Friends come in all shapes and sizes. On a recent brief holiday in Nuevo Vallarta I came across this colourful fella.

Mis Amigos

Friendly Mexicans can be found everywhere. While waiting for Jaime (mi esposo, Jim) at the Mazatlan airport, these young soldiers and I had a great chat!

Bridal Parade

It's interesting what one sees on the streets of Mazatlan!

This bench covered by an artist's quilt resides in the courtyard in the home of a woman who designs lovely quilts, wall hangings, and various other utilitarian, artistic objects. Her studio and other artists' studios were open during a recent art crawl.

Benches intrigue me because there is so much variety in these public objects.

This is another statue that was placed strategically up and down the Malecon during Carnaval. This photo with spectators gives an idea of the statues' scale.

This man emerged from his job looking pretty good!! These wonderful Mexican people seem always willing to be photographed.

Because I have linited access to internet, I have to post when it is available. Consequently, I had to post this early. Thanks for understanding, and please visit all the bloggers below on this Blogger Theme Day!!

Porto (Portugal) -Greenville SC (USA) -Hyde (UK) -Tenerife (Spain) -Albuquerque, NM (USA) -Stayton, OR (USA) -Rotterdam (NL) -Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) -London (England) -Richmond, VA (USA) -Sydney -Sally (Australia) -Newcastle upon Tyne (England) -Constanta (Romania) -Evry (France) -Lubbock, TX (USA) -Szentes (Hungary) -Villigen (Switzerland) -Mumbai (India) -Tel Aviv (Israel) -Twin Cities, MN [USA] -Jakarta (Indonesia) -Houston -Candice & Megan, TX (USA) -Budapest (Hungary) -Singapore - Zannnie (Singapore) -Dubai (UAE) -Singapore -Keropokman (Singapore) -Madrid -Dsole (Spain) -Mazatlan -Kate (Mexico) -Nelson (New Zealand) -Vantaa (Finland) -Kyoto (Japan) -Tokyo (Japan) -Joplin, MO (USA) -Auckland (New Zealand) -Sequim, WA (USA) -Menton (France) -Minneapolis, MN (USA) -Istanbul (Turkey) -Sydney -Nathalie (Australia) -Sharon, CT (USA) -Seattle, WA (USA) -Anderson, SC (USA) -Monte Carlo, (Monaco) -Milano, (Italy) -Grenoble (France) -Wailea, HI (USA) -Guelph, ON (Canada) -Melbourne - John (Australia) -New York City (USA) [Ming_the_Merciless] -Cebu (Philippines) -Bandung (Indonesia) -Antigua Guatemala (Central America) -Hamburg (Germany) -London -Jonemo (UK) -Hong Kong -Paris (France) -