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

Protecting and Serving!

A rather raucous group of policía turista were having lunch in one of the restaurants when we walked past and were more than pleased when I asked for a fotograhía. When the cruise ships come into Mazatlán with large numbers of tourists in the city for the day, I have noticed a much larger group of volunteers and police that are around el centro and the plaza.

Popular photo

I wonder how many times this hill and houses have been photographed?  Everyone I know has at least one photo of it, and I manage to get one each time I visit.  It is spectacular, though, isn't it?

Shopping at the Mercado

 Tourists, expats, and Mexicans have many shopping options in this country.  Groceries can be obtained at small tiendas, larger supermarkets like Sam's Club and Mega, or my personal favourite, the Mercado in El Centro. The Mercado is filled with vendors of all kinds: clothing apparel, sunglasses and hats, souvenirs, pharmaceuticals, fruit, vegetables, grocery staples, dairy,  poultry and meat. Although I haven't purchased meat products here, on the advice of friends, I have gone to smaller markets to buy some of my perishable groceries.

Street carts

You won't go hungry in México.  If you cannot make it to the market, just buy some street food.

Mazatlán International Center

Although we could not get close to the building, I was able to photograph from afar the mosaic on the side of the new convention center in Mazatlán,  It depicts part of the history of the city. Look to the left to see a deer which is a Nahuatl word meaning "place of deer." The other symbols refer to the founding of México and the aquatic element of this seaport city.

Detail of the mural (click on the photo for a clearer image)
Linking to Monday Murals

Narcissus

I haven't been out and about yet to take photos since we have been busy getting settled into our January apartment: changing money, buying groceries, and trying to remember bus routes.  This morning we are meeting friends for brunch.  I think then I will feel settled. Incidentally, our apartment is behind the black fence partially circling the small pool.

One of the resident cats in our inn likes to visit our apartment ("not allowed," said the owner), but the cats roam freely in the common area.  This little one is a bit narcissistic, don't you think?

Linking to Saturday's Critters

Great way to start 2016-Monday Mural

Our flight from St Paul on January 1, 2016 was uneventful but the day was long, especially since there was only one agent on duty in immigration to process the full flight.  Yet I consider ourselves lucky since we were the only flight that arrived at that time.  If more than one flight arrives, the immigration lines can be very long!

Photo is one of the murals on the patio wall at Loro de Oro Inn, where we are staying.  It is centrally located in El Centro, close to shops, markets, restaurants, buses--all within walking distance. Great way to start the New Year, 2016.
Linking to Monday Mural

May 1, 2015 Theme Day-REVOLUTION OF FIREARMS

I think that Zapata would have been surprised to see the REVOLUTION of weaponry over the years and would undoubtedly been delighted to have had these firearms during the Mexican REVOLUTIONS.

To see how other City Daily Photo bloggers from around the world has interpreted this month's theme, go here.