¡Adiós Mazatlán!

It is always difficult to leave this city.  My visit this time was way too short! 

A Quilter's Heaven

The San Francisco Quilt Shop on Carnaval  is an extraordinary shop! When in Mazatlán it is a must stop.

Garage Door

Now isn't this a remarkable garage door?  Only in Mazatlán!!

Falling in Love Again!

I am falling in love with Mazatlán all over again. I have not been here for awhile nor as regularly when we used to stay as snowbirds in the past; I had forgotten how much fun it is! Looks like all the houses on my favourite street, Angel Flores, have had a new coat of paint!

New Paint Job

Although not dilapidated, in all the years I have been coming here and staying in El Centro this building needed something to bring out its beauty.  A new paint job and doors did the job! It is a colourful stand-out in the neighbourhood.

Tenor, Ezequiel Ojeda

 Ezequiel Ojeda is a strong tenor with a masterful presence. He gave an outstanding performance Thursday night at the Museo de Arte de Mazatlán.  His accompanist was also very talented and performed well. After 3 trips to the museum, I was sold the last available ticket and considered myself lucky. I had forgotten how getting one's needs met in México can be very challenging, especially if not fluent in the language. During the program I tried to be unobtrusive with my iPhone camera, realizing that my larger "good" camera would be difficult to conceal so the photos are not as good as I wish they could be. Incidentally, do you like the hair colour of the woman who was sitting in front of me? PS. Because there are so many varied activities in El Centro, it is one of the many reasons I love Mazatlán!

Jam Session

My first night back in Mazatlán El Centro's neighbourhood  offered some surprises. I walked around  to check the changes, and found that some things are the same but there are some differences--improvement of streets, curbs and sidewalks are a huge and welcome change. I found that the Art Museum has a musical performance tonight for which I will buy tickets, and some of the restaurants are the same but others have closed their doors. I was delighted to find some good jazz.and 7 musicians jamming together. Many of the snowbirds have returned home, but some of the remaining musicians get together and perform at the Mazatlán Film and Theatre place on Constitución 209. Will return there tomorrow night for a movie. I even peeked into a church service for a few minutes before finding my evening meal at a small family restaurant a block from my inn. Although I am alone without friends or family,  I will find enough to do to keep busy yet I intend to do much relaxing.

Approaching Mazatlán

Since most snowbirds have left Mazatlán already and the season here is almost over, the flight today from St. Paul had breathing room with a fair amount of empty seats. I gave my aisle seat to a family travelling together so they could sit together, and the flight attendant moved me to a row all by myself. Heaven!

It was a quiet flight with a terrific cabin crew.  I suppose when I leave next week  the plane will be full with people going home from vacation and for religious holiday.

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