Gala Flamenca #7

These are photos of the younger children who came onstage after the performance to present flowers to the dancers and muscians and also to thank the audience for supporting the fund-raiser.

Gala Flamenca #6

Here is another young girl who was serving tapas after the flamingo performance.

Gala Flamenca #5

After the performance at the Orfanatorio de Mazatlán, the audience was treated to tapas and beverages. The younger children presented floral bouquets to the performers and the older children served the crowd with trays of the tapas.

Camera Critters-Cat Collage

There is a small group of expats in Mazatlán, México who trap abandoned street and feral cats, take each to a local vet for health care and neutering after which they release the animals. Their ears are marked for identification. Like many cities, these undomesticated cats breed and produce many animals that continue the cycle. Too often the cats suffer diseases and crippling accidents but, if they're lucky, they are trapped and given a new lease on life by members of this group. I have participated with this group and went along for a photo shoot. I snapped these cats who had been neutered and are often fed by neighbors or individuals in the expat group who live here year long. It's a big job!! To see more CAMERA CRITTERS, Click here.

Stop to Smell the Flowers

Gala Flamenca #4

The final bow with the first guitarist, lead dancer, and vocalist.

Gala Flamenca #3

Gala Flamenca #2

The parents of this beautiful young dancer sat behind us and couldn't have been more proud. She kept me in rapt attention during the whole performance.

Gala Flamenca

In March of every year the Orfanatorio de Mazatlán has a fund raiser, a musical program held in the courtyard of the orphanage. For the past four years we have attended and have never been disappointed. We have been treated to operatic arias, classical symphony, and jazz. This year the program was a flamingo fiesta. The dancing was fantastic and the dancers were both gifted and gorgeous. At the end of the program, some of the children joined the audience for tapas and beverages. I'll show your more pictures in the coming days.

Photo for Olivia

This photo is for my granddaughter, Olivia, in St. Paul, MN USA who is anxious for her grandparents to return from Mexico. Our Mexican neighbors gave this two-month-old puppy to their granddaughter recently, and I thought that Olivia would like to see the sweet little dog that lives next to us here in Mazatlan.

Woof Dog-Camera Critters

Living in another culture often brings many surprises. One practice that is very different from mine is the presence of dogs on roofs of buildings, both public and private, used as a means of security. Some are very intimidating. This one that was walking the edge of one roof seemed particularly vigilant, neither as fierce nor as noisy as some I have seen. To see more Camera Critters photos, check here.

"The Day is Done"

And the night shall be filled with music
And the cares, that infest the day,
Shall fold their tents, like the Arabs,
And as silently steal away.

---Wm. Wordsworth Longfellow

Cody and Baby Daughter

While eating at an outdoor foodstand last week we met a delightful 3-generation family: the grandparents, young uncle, and father from Australia and the mother from Mazatlan. (I imagine the baby has dual citizenship.) Because we seem to frequent and congregate in many of the same places and also because the Mazatlan expat and tourist community is really pretty small, we again met them in the Plaza a few days later (minus grandfather this time). I was delighted that they agreed to pose for a photo.

100 Stranger Project #11

Ilise is a beautiful Canadian woman from Vancover who is working in Mazatlan for a company named Sendero Mexico, and she was one of the spotters for the young girl I featured yesterday. The small photo is another picture of the child navigating the climbing wall. Who would have thought climbing a wall could be so much fun??

A Nimble Climber

While strolling down a street in Zona Dorada on Sunday, we saw this young lady happily climbing a wall.

Mexican writer

People of literature can be found in the most unlikely places. Senor Torres is a gentle, kindly man who owns and operates a tienda next to the English Reading Library where I volunteer once-a-week. Much to my surprise and delight I discovered that he is a published author. Behind him you can see the titles of the books he has written.

Oaxaca Rugs

Once a year a friend of mine brings Oaxaca weavers to Canucks in Mazatlan to sell their beautiful weavings. The woman I featured yesterday is one of the artisans. I bought a purse for myself and one for my daughter's birthday. Because of the airline's luggage weight restrictions, I can't bring home one of these beautiful rugs. Perhaps one of these days we'll drive so I can load up the car with this kind of treasures!!

A Mexican Working Woman

This woman came to Mazatlán with some of her compatriots for a definite purpose. If I tell you that she is from Oaxaca, you might guess why she was in this city. Tomorrow I will show you why. Can any of you guess her purpose?!

Electrical Lines

Seeing how our electricity source is designed is a bit intimidating, but it's a common sight in many neighborhoods.

Getting Ready!

A fiesta doesn't just happen; it takes a lot of preparation and manpower!!

Damn the Dam! A Photo Essay.

There's a tale to be told here! On Tuesday afternoon the main road in Zona Dorada was blockaded by women whose homes are to be removed for a federal project. As I understand it, casas in 6 villages and small towns have been purchased by the government as part of eminent domain for the building of a dam. Women from these villages were protesting both the project and the unfair, small amount of remuneration they received for the abandonment of their homes and property. Spokeswomen were there handing out information about the protests. Most motorists in the long lines were sympathetic, but one woman was visibly angry and tried to bull her way throught the blockade...to no avail and to the jeers of the crowd. Other motorists used the opportunity to use their cell phones, probably to inform friends and family about the situation in which they found themselves. The bystanders watching the protest supported the women as far as I could tell.

Mexican neighbors

Lori and Chuy are our friendly next-door neighbors, and lucky for us, Lori has a food stand a few blocks away. She's an excellent cook and serves typical Mexican food which is devoured by appreciative fans, both natives and gringos. We like being able to eat economically, spending usually about 6 USD for both of our meals. Plus the food is delicious!!

Festival Internacional de Guitarra

The Museo de Arte hosted Adriano del Sal, a classical guitarist who was one of the featured musicians in the International Guitar Festival. The one hour performance was held in an open courtyard on a warm evening, attended by an audience of appreciative music lovers. It was fascinating to watch him play and a pleasure to hear this talented young man.

Concert

Another fantastic musical event! It was held in the Art Museum...an enchanted evening surrounded by remarkable images and equally remarkable sound.

Shy!

This dog, unlike too many strays out roaming the streets, lives in a lovely home and is obviously well-maintained and secure. He peered out at me as I walked by, but retreated when I stopped with my camera at-the-ready. When I approached him, he left the window, but then curiosity got the better of him, and he returned. We played this little game for awhile, but then I went on my way. I'll have to go back again to see him to see if he recognizes me.

OOPS!!100 Strangers Project #5, 8, and 9!!

Because my 100 Strangers Project is also on Flickr, I often post the photographs at different times; consequently, I sometimes get confused...imagine that! Earlier I had skipped the three that I have posted today on CDP so here they are, out of sequence, but they have arrived: Tina was a stranger but now she is a friend since we're both involved in two groups together: volunteering in the library and taking care of stray animals. Manuel is a vendor in one of the souvenir shops in Zona Dorada, and Don with the flowing beard is a frequent patron of the English Reading Library. Whew! Now I'm caught up.

100 Strangers Project #10

Gabrielle is a 19-year-old student attending a local college in Mazatlan, Mexico. While I was reading in the Plaza on a warm and sunny day, she approached me and asked if she could practice her English by interviewing me. I gladly agreed to help her with her class assignment. When she was finished, I turned the tables and then interviewed her for my 100 strangers project. She is a refined and gentle young woman who is majoring in science.

Bon Voyage

Several days a week from our terrace we can see the cruise ships when they dock in the channel miles away, arriving at 6am and then departing between 5:30 and 6pm on the same day. Watching them is fascinating because these behemoths can turn on a dime as well as move swiftly through the water. The wharf area is a city in itself with every kind of shop and service imaginable; however, instead of remaining in the immediate area, most passengers hustle off the ship, ride into El Centro or Zona Dorada, spending the day looking at local culture and spending money in souvenir shops or the central mercado. A lucky few find Stone Island which is a paradise of thatched roof restaurants and a sandy beach along the shoreline. One night this ship left just a little behind schedule which is rare since their arrivals and departures are dependable as clockwork. The lighted Cathedral's spires and the ship's lights made a spectacular scene.

Home Sweet Home #2

I think I could live here, high on a promontory overlooking the Pacific!

Home Sweet Home

Because of the deterioration of El Centro in the 20th Century, and despite recent efforts of new home owners to restore the historical buildings, there are still many structures that are in need of TLC (and lots of renovation effort!). The house in the top photo has captured my imagination. Despite its current neglected condition (broken shutters and windows, crumbling cement, rusted iron work, trashed interior, and garbage-strewn courtyard), I love the building! If only I had been able to see it and visit it at the turn of the century! I seldom miss an opportunity to walk by and wonder at its past glory. If I ever win the lottery, my first purchase and effort will be to restore lovingly this place, and y'all will be invited to visit!!

“We carry our homes within us which enables us to fly.”
John Cage (American avant-garde composer, 1912-1992)