Good-bye Mazatlán

No, I am not promoting religion, but this symbol from the NidArt Gallery shows how I feel about Mazatlán, México. My heart is heavy because I have to return to the world of ice and snow. My heart remains in Mazatlán!

Please join me at my regular St. Paul, Minnesota blog: http://visualstpaul.blogspot.com/

Nidart Gallery

In several earlier posts I introduced you to some of the enterprising family members who operate several businesses in or near the Plaza Machado. In one of the rooms of their NidArt Gallery stands a revolving statue of a very lovely young woman: the fountain gently sprays water as the statue rotates.

Theme Day Again!

I spent a great deal of my pesos in this small cafe.  While there many mornings, I noticed this young man who seemed quite popular with the senoritas.  Whenever he was there, and when a young woman came in, invariably they engaged in conversation with him.  I enjoyed watching and listening to them despite not understanding the language.  Because it is a short walking distance from the Art and Music school on the Plaza Machado, from various clues I surmised that he is involved in the institution one way or another.  I was very happy just to watch the interaction  between and the  women who came into the cafe.

Delectable rolls!

You met Anis last Friday when I posted a photo of her, her sister and her mother.  I was able to photograph her at work on these delectable rolls, filled with raisins, cranberries or pecans. A lovely and beautiful young woman who makes great pastries. 

Linking to Our World Tuesday and ABC Wednesday

February 1, 2016 Theme Day-Coffee House/Cafe

This is one of the rooms in my favourite cafe, which I visit every morning.  Later I met Peggy, an American visitor,  and took a different portrait of her.

Click here to see cafes from across the world!

Mexican Sense of Humour

Like many other cities throughout the world, Mazatlán has construction workers everywhere.  As I passed this site and captured a photo, this hombre's teammates identified him as El Chapo!!

!Only a Packer Backer!

Initially I noticed the Packers hat and had a chat about the team and their season with this man who was visiting from Ashland, Wisconsin.  When the waiter offered some of this "special" Mexican liquor.  I politely declined, but this brave Packer fan actually drank a slug or two.

La madre y las hijas

Loa Molina is an artist that crafts beautiful masks of leather.  She sells her work and those of other artists in the gallery, NidArt, located in the Plaza Machado, which she owns and operates with her husband.  They bought their casa located on Carnaval 26 years ago and established their gallery at their prime location 3 years later.  By coincidence I earlier had met her two daughters at the Saturday Market where they were selling delectable bakery goods.  Both young women, Nida and Anis help at the gallery,  a family-run business, but also have careers of their own.  Nida teaches yoga and Anis has majored in culinary arts.  Also by coincidence the family owns and operates the cafe across from the gallery, where I hang out when I crave a good latte that I get made to order because I like it muy caliente. I feel very fortunate to have made these delightful connections during our short stay here. What a lovely, gracious, and enterprising family!

La abuelita y la nieta

Two weeks ago I posted la casa de la abuelita, indicating that I had always loved the casa and wondered about the woman I had seen here years ago and again during this vacation.  After some inquiries and a lucky snap of the grandmother and her granddaughter, I learned that la abuelita lives in la casa that has been in her family for generations,  and she is well-loved by her neighbours. Because it is such prime real estate in the Plaza Machado, she has had many lucrative offers to sell her home, but she has steadfastly refused. One of the shopkeepers has promised to introduce her to me before I leave for home. I am anxious to greet her formally at her casa with its beautiful outdoor garden.

¡Magical Evening!

Last Saturday we enjoyed a wonderful evening of music, good food and conversation sponsored by  Mazatlán Animal Rescue.  Proceeds went to the group that rescues stray animals, neuters and cares for them and places them for adoption. Food catered by Cosmos was delicious and the music was magical. The musicians volunteered their time and talent.  What a great event!

Linking to Our World Tuesday

CDP February 1st theme day is a Scene from a Coffee House/Cafe

Colourful Beach Scene

Some kind of photo shoot was taking place on this beach will all these nubile young women.

Linking to ABC WEDNESDAY and Our World Tuesday

CDP BLOGGERS: The February Theme is "Cafe Scene"

Surfing

Good mural to entice a desire to surf!
Linking to Monday Mural

CDP Bloggers:  Don't forget the February 1st Theme: Cafe Scene

Topolo

There are many fine restaurants in Mazatlán, one of which is Topolo's.  Good food and good service.  We often visit at least once before we leave. I particularly enjoy eating in the outdoor space that is enclosed within the establishment.

Saturday Market

Saturday Market on Zaragosa is well attended by many of the snowbirds and expats living in the city.
There is a myriad of food items to savour and buy: delicious cheeses, produce, delectable bakery items, fruit, jams and jellies, and much more.  Tables and chairs are set up so if you are so inclined, you can enjoy coffee with your pastries and food. Volunteers at animal shelters often bring adoptable animals to show off.  A little something for everyone! Today I'll go again to see what more I can buy and enjoy! Have to get there early to get the best of the goodies.

Carnaval

Carnaval in Mazatlán will begin February 4, 2016.  Already festivities are being organized for the huge event that lasts through the 9th.  Selection of princesses is underway and statues are being placed strategically around the city and along the Malecon. This one is located in the Plaza Machado.  I've included a smaller photo of it so you could better visualise the actual size of these statues.

Mario's Missing!

Mario whom you have already met here is missing! He is an escape artist, or so it seems. He is very affectionate, and we really miss him.  If you see him around the Plaza Machado, or anywhere else in the city, grab him and bring him back to Loro de Oro Inn at 622 Constitucion. We are leaving in a week so I would like to see him again before we go back to frigid Minnesota.
Linking to Saturdays Critters and Camera Critters.

Variety of signs

There are an abundance of signs of every variety in Mazatlán.  In many cases one does not need to know Spanish to understand what is being advertised or sold.

Linking to Signs, Signs

Beauty in Decay

Last Tuesday I posted a photo for Our World Tuesday that was markedly different from this one, yet both are within walking distance of our condo.  There are many lots in El Centro Historico waiting for a developer to come in and transform the property.  But there is a certain beauty in decay for a photographer.

Linking to ABC WEDNESDAY-"B" and Our World Tuesday

Caning

The people in México keep themselves busy.  Saw this young man caning a rocking chair as we walked down one of the side streets back to our condo.  We could not communicate with one another because of our language skills, but he liked having me take his photo.  I like to give people whom I photograph a print copy of their image but in this case it wasn't possible.  Never go to a country without knowing the language! I had rudimentary skills a few years ago but I lost the facility without practice. One of my goals this year is learn Spanish again. Getting back to the photo, I am impressed by the work ethic of so many Mexicans I have met here in Mazatlán.

¡Talented hombre!

Several years ago we rented a casa next door to this man.  We returned to his family's outdoor food stand recently to say "Hola" again.  He was cordial as usual and posed for a photo with his very-tame bird that has freedom from outside his cage. As a young man Chuy toured part of the United States as a member of a band, playing trumpet.  Obviously a man of many talents.

Chihuahuas

Three of the five Chihuahuas that we see occasionally at the Oro de Loro Inn.  We seldom see them because the owners are very careful that they do not disturb or mingle with the guests.  I'd prefer to have them visit often.

Linking to camera critters and saturday's critters

Typical Mazatlán Sunsets

All the sunsets in Mazatlán are amazing!

Linking to Skywatch Friday

La Casa de la Abuelita

Several years ago I noticed an elderly woman sweeping this patio.  To my delight during my vacation I saw the same woman here in this same spot. The casa is located in the Plaza Machado, which can get very noisy and chaotic at times and during week-end evenings plus it is surrounded by a live theatre and many restaurants. It must be quite soundproof.  I need to find out a bit more about this casa and the woman; these are the times when I suffer from my limited Spanish vocabulary.

Adorable-ABC Wednesday "A"

What can be more adorable than a brand new kitten?

Linking to ABC Wednesday

Calle Sixto Asuna

 The neighbourhood in which we now live, at least for the month of January, is very different from our permanent home in Minnesota.  Although modernised the lamps give the streets an "an old world" feeling.

Linking to Our World Tuesday

Art Gallery mural

I don't think that this needs further explanation!

Linking to Monday Murals

Water Crafts

I have to admit that this collage is from the archives and is an earlier post, but I love these boats and ships.  I need to make a note to hike over to the beach to watch the fishermen early in the morning as they clean their catch.

Houdini

While sitting on our patio I decided to check the community room for an English/Spanish dictionary to replace one that I had forgotten to pack. When I returned, Walter, the inn's resident cat had made himself at home, lying atop my journal. . .probably sated after cleaning up the plate of cheese and crackers I had left behind. This is the same cat that has learned how to slide open our kitchen screen to come in to visit us.  The innkeeper (sadly) has foiled Walter by applying a "catch" that opens the window just large enough so the cat cannot enter our place.

Linking to Camera Critters and Saturday's Critters