Clase de español

Twice a week for one and a half hours each class period, 7 of us meet with our profesor, Hector, to learn some Spanish. And, he piles it on--with patience and humor, tho. It's tough going for me but I keep trying!!

Everybody Loves a Parade

On Tuesday I was sitting in a stalled bus behind a long line of immobile buses and cars, with pedestrians lining the sidewalk. Rather than wait for the traffic to become untangled, I got off to see what was causing the impossible jam. A parade of trucks, carts, and cars loaded with high-school-aged boys and girls were having the time of their lives hooting, yelling, and snaking their way through the narrow streets of El Centro. Everybody loves a parade??!! I know I did!

ABC Wednesday "F"

Frida Kahlo, Mexican artist extraordinare, is the best selection for "F"

House Tour #6

Back to the house tours, and as long as I have a painting and portrait thread, I think you might enjoy this one. The lady of the house had her portrait painted, which was prominently placed in the home. If the house tours are any indication, Mexicans love to display family pictures. Some homes had entire walls with family portraits on display, often quite formal, too.

Choices

If you were to select only ONE of these painting, which one would you choose?

A Keepsake Performance

A favorite spot to take wedding pictures is the Angela Peralta Teatro by the Plaza Machado. I've seen many musical performances in that building, but this is a different kind of performance--a record of which will udoubtedly be treasured for years. ADDED LATER: Thanks for the flattering comments; no, I was not the official photographer. I just took advantage of the fact that they were having their photos taken and snapped away!

Flamingo Night

This evening of Spanish dance took place at the Antonio Haas Teatro and is part of Vamos Haciendo Publico. For only 60 pesos each, a friend and I enjoyed several hours of rhythmic music and dance. I loved being one of the few gringos in the audience who had sense enough to enjoy some local talent!

Te Amo Lucy

Lucy is our favorite chef in Mazatlan. We eat frequently at Te Amo Lucy which is close to the Plaza Machado.

ABC Wednesday on Thursday-"E"

Sometimes Wednesdays just fly by! Then, of course, Thursday will do for ABC Wednesday.

Mazatlán's Finest-Serving and Protecting

The friendliness of the people in this city constantly amazes me. I have seldom been refused a request to photograph them. In fact, many of these fine folks enjoy the process.

Meet Emma

Emma is one of my favorite new friends! Sometimes she comes to visit and we study Spanish together.

House Tour #5

In a country that is predominantly Roman Catholic, it is not surprising to see religious art on display.

Musical Mazatlan

Anyone out there remember the Platters, the '50's singing sensation? Well, the latest group of the same name performed on Friday, February 15th at the Angela Peralta Teatro. The audience was filled with fans of the original group, and altho the audience was a bit more sedate these days, it obviously brought back memories to more than a few people. Want to know some significant facts about the original group? Read on! The Platters were...

The biggest-selling vocal group of their era,
Considered the ultimate in Fifties "make-out music",
Helped bring pop vocal into the rock and roll era,
Lead singer Tony Williams is one of pop's all-time great tenors,
First African-American group to hit Number One in the rock era,
Were the first black group to beat out a white group's rendition of their song on the pop charts, and
Considered the classiest of pop acts, then and now

A MEMORIAL

Despite living temporarily in Mexico, the tragedy on the campus of Northern Illinois University in the United States has touched me from afar. I weep for my country, which I love. I weep for the parents, who have lost children that they love, and I weep for the dead students, who have lost the promise of life and love.

House Tour #4

This painting was prominently displayed in the bedroom of a teen-aged girl. Hmm! I wonder what her interests might be?!

Be Mine

ABC Wednesday-"D"

Meet Frida and Igor. The young man who owns these beautiful DOGS has a great sense of humor. He has named them after some pretty well-known artists!

A Friendly Sort

I think we need a break from the house tour, especially since I'm going on another tour next Monday, February 17, which then promises more posts on Mazatlan's lovely homes. This beautiful dog and his three other poodle companions living in the same casa, peered through the safety bars on the window. Joyfully barking at all the passersby, the four of them caught my attention.

House Tour #3

The Virgin of Guadalupe is a common icon in Mexico. This particular rendition is a picture composed of tiles.

House Tour #2

This ornate headboard reminds me a little bit of hand-carved screens or room dividers I've seen in some countries.

House Tour Hostess

I look forward to the house tours that are organized in Mazatlan because the homes are all different and represent different life styles. My favorite today was Hacienda el Recreo in El Centro, and the lovely young woman you see here is the daughter-in-law of the owners of the casa.

Look Closely

Mazatlan has some areas with very steep hills. While carefully navigating downward on one of the steepest inclines on Calle Pedregoso, my eye caught this small memorial tucked away and almost hidden on the side of the street. I stared at the very faded photo of a young boy on the cross. I paused for sometime, thinking about this child and the way he might have died on the hill.

Door or Window?

ABC Wednesday-"C"- Chicas: Carnaval #4:

Tres Chicas

Carnaval #3

Carnaval is wearing me out: fiestas, coronations, parades, fireworks, and crowds everywhere!

Clase de Español

I had to delete the original post for this photo and date because something happened to my computer on Monday evening, February 4) a computer voodoo, I think!) that recorded the number of visitors but was not recording all of the comments. So, I've reposted the photo of my Spanish teacher who is trying to clarify the correct use of the confusing (for me) estar and ser. Sorry, but I consequently lost the four comments that originally posted before the glitch occurred.

Carnaval #2

Fireworks are always magnificent, and eventually I'll learn how to capture them more skillfully. Watching from our rooftop patio was great but not quite as spectacular as last year when I watched it from a catamaran on the ocean.

Carnaval

Since I'm late posting today (this vacation is getting exhausting :-)!!), I thought y'all deserved a treat. The 5-day Carnaval festival began yesterday and these are two decorations in Plaza Machado, the main square in El Centro. Note the sizes compared with the people sitting on the park benches. Tonight we're going to the Coronation, and tomorrow we'll try to get within viewing distance of the Parade! Stay tuned!!

Mazatlán-A Working City

I think that a tourist might select a different scene to represent Mazatlán--probably sea, sand, and surf with some night life added, but I believe that a citizen might think of something a bit different. Since it is a working city I chose a returning fishing boat to represent one of its industries.

February Theme Day Bloggers are listed below. Visit as many as you can and enjoy the trip to many fascinating countries!!
Portland (OR), USA - Menton, France - Monte Carlo, Monaco - Memphis (Tennessee), USA - Manila, Philippines - San Diego (CA), USA - Anderson (SC), USA - New York City (NY), USA - San Diego (CA), USA - Mexico City, Mexico - San Francisco (CA), USA - Mumbai (Maharashtra), India - Mainz, Germany - Weston (FL), USA - Minneapolis (MN), USA - Turin, Italy - Las Vegas (NV), USA - Hobart (Tasmania), Australia - Bicheno, Australia - Durban, South Africa - Joplin (MO), USA - Nashville (TN), USA - Stockholm, Sweden - Kyoto, Japan - Tokyo, Japan - Brussels, Belgium - Chicago (IL), USA - Montpellier, France - Seattle (WA), USA - Mazatlan, Mexico - Saint Paul (MN), USA - Sharon (CT), USA - Sesimbra, Portugal - Toulouse, France - Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina - Susanville (CA), USA - Maple Ridge (BC), Canada - Saint Louis (MO), USA - Prague, Czech Republic - Helsinki, Finland - Pilisvörösvár, Hungary - Lisbon, Portugal - Mexico (DF), Mexico - Trujillo, Peru - Dunedin (FL), USA - Albuquerque (NM), USA - Port Angeles (WA), USA - Cottage Grove (MN), USA - Saint-Petersburg, Russian Federation - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - London, UK - Baziège, France - Jefferson City (MO), USA - Greenville (SC), USA - Selma (AL), USA - Mumbai, India - Naples (FL), USA - Norwich (Norfolk), UK - Silver Spring (MD), USA - Setúbal, Portugal - Stayton (OR), USA - Bellefonte (PA), USA - Sofia, Bulgaria - Arradon, France - Montego Bay, Jamaica - Athens, Greece - Austin (TX), USA - Singapore, Singapore - West Sacramento (CA), USA - Jackson (MS), USA - Wassenaar (ZH), Netherlands - Budapest, Hungary - Rotterdam, Netherlands - St Malo, France - Chandler (AZ), USA - Melbourne, Australia - Port Vila, Vanuatu - Cleveland (OH), USA - Nottingham, UK - Kansas City (MO), USA - The Hague, Netherlands - Crystal Lake (IL), USA - Wrocław, Poland - Chateaubriant, France - Cheltenham, UK - Moscow, Russia - Monrovia (CA), USA - Saigon, Vietnam - Toruń, Poland - Grenoble, France - Lisbon, Portugal - New Orleans (LA), USA - Sydney, Australia - Boston (MA), USA - American Fork (UT), USA - Boston (MA), USA - Montréal (QC), Canada - Wichita (KS), USA - Radonvilliers, France - Buenos Aires, Argentina - Christchurch, New Zealand - Rabaul, Papua New Guinea - Wailea (HI), USA - Aliso Viejo (CA), USA - St Francis, South Africa - Port Elizabeth, South Africa - Seattle (WA), USA - Pasadena (CA), USA - Vienna, Austria - Orlando (FL), USA - Torun, Poland - Delta (CO), USA - Santa Fe (NM), USA - Minneapolis (MN), USA - Haninge, Sweden - Paris, France - Stavanger, Norway - Niamey, Niger - Le Guilvinec, France - Bogor, Indonesia - Saarbrücken, Germany - Auckland, New Zealand - Wellington, New Zealand - Budapest, Hungary - Juneau (AK), USA - Bucaramanga (Santander), Colombia - Glasgow, Scotland - Chicago (IL), USA - Jakarta, Indonesia - Adelaide (SA), Australia - Sydney, Australia - Riga, Latvia - Subang Jaya (Selangor), Malaysia - Terrell (TX), USA - Terrell (TX), USA