The Twins

While in Mazatlán I volunteer at the English Reading library and Jaime volunteers at Amigos de los Animales. Both of us are involved with fund raisers to relieve the lives of stray street animals. Interested animal lovers who live and visit here help, for example, by capturing strays (often bedraggled, sick, neglected, and frightened), taking them to vets, neutering, and, in the case of cats, releasing the animals after the surgery. One individual has, in addition, provided a "kitty orphanage" on the roof of her apartment building. If she had not found them, rescued them, and provided for their health and well-being, these twins certainly would have died. She now has 11 orphans, hoping that some people will adopt each one.

La Playa

This is another painting that I particularly like. Another friend of mine owns similar versions of yesterday's and today's paintings, and has become a collector of Loretta Gallacci's artwork.

Calle Típica en Mazatlán

I have many favorite paintings, but this one is special because it is so typical of the streets in El Centro. This is one of Loretta Gallacci's paintings.

Art Crawl #1

From November to May on the First Fridays of the month, several artists open their studios from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. in El Centro Mazatlán, México. These oil paintings are in a studio belonging to a artist friend of mine, Loretta Gallacci. Come back to see my favorite paintings on Monday and Tuesday.

Another view

Looking in another direction, this view is a bit different from the one I posted on Tuesday, January 3. Laundry hanging from lines on rooftops is a common domestic sight.

The Potter

During Carnaval in Mazatlan many activities take place in and around the Plaza Machado, the focal point of downtown El Centro. While buying our tickets at the box office for one of the musical evenings at the Angela Peralta Theatre, we noticed this man, giving a display of his art form. Quite a crowd had gathered to watch him. Did any of you guess what he was doing when I introduced you to him last Wednesday?

Thursday Night Entertainment

There are lots of different kinds of entertainment in Mazatlán: fine restaurants, street food carts, sports bars, cinemas, theatres, night clubs and many others. Our favorite restaurant, Te Amo Lucy, has a special Thursday night show...old episodes of The Twilight Zone!! This is where we'll spend part of our evening while eating Lucy's delicious food (or the special sandwich...the price is in pesos, not US$).

What's He Doing?

Can you guess what this man is doing? Come back on Friday, and I'll show you what he's doing!

Cathedral

The top photo is a side view of the main Cathedral in El Centro as seen in the distance from my terrace. The small photo is a partial view of the front of the Cathedral. "This large 19th-century cathedral, right in the heart of Old Mazatlán, has high, yellow twin towers, a dramatic interior and some beautiful statues. Built from 1875 to 1890, it faces the Plaza Principal, which has lush trees and a bandstand." (from The Lonely Planet website)

Angel Flores

Angel Flores is a street with an incline that is not as steep as some of the other calles which are nearby on Icebox Hill. It's a midget compared with the killer hill on the final block to mi casita. I'll be in great shape when I return home, though! Many of the flower boxes on this street, unfortunately, are empty. When all the boxes are filled and when the flowers are in bloom against the stone wall, the street is a wonderfully beautiful sight. The smaller photo gives you an idea of the blossoms when in bloom and in abundance.

Paths and Passages-February Theme Day, 2009

Although this looks like a Baja ferry carrying only freight, there are passenger ferries available if you want to book PASSAGE! Baja Ferries was established in 1999 because there was an increased demand from companies like Wallmart and Costco for a modern shipping route between mainland Mexico and Baja California. Smaller companies with mixed success had preceeded it, going in and out of business, but this private company looks like it's here to stay.

Because we will be enroute from St. Paul to Mazatlán and busy getting established, I might not be able to immediately restart this blog on Day 1, which is why I am posting the Theme Day early. Hurry back so I can show you Mazatlán, my Paradise!

Click here to view thumbnails for all participants

January 2009 Theme Day Photo

I have many favorite Mazatlan photos and it was difficult to choose, but I selected this one because it shows the beauty of the people. The Angela Peralta Theatre where I took this photo is a favorite staging ground for bridal couples. We are snowbirding in Mazatlan from January 31-April 30th this year when I will again resume taking snapshots of this wonderful city. In the meantime, please visit as many blogs today as you can to see the wonders of the world and the favorite photos of 2008 for 151 daily bloggers. Keep in mind that there is a time difference among the photographers. Click here to view thumbnails for all participants

FOG and the FARO

Fog: A hydrometeor consisting of a visible aggregate of minute water droplets (or ice crystals), suspended in the atmosphere near the Earth's surface. According to international definition, fog reduces visibility below one kilometer. Fog differs from cloud only in that the base of fog is at the Earth's surface while clouds are above the surface. ONE LAST POST: STAY TUNED FOR NEXT SEASON!!

WHEN YOU VISIT THE 178 THEME DAY POSTS, COME VISIT ME ON MY VISUALSTPAUL BLOG.

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Mazatlán Memories

Fiesta

Our Spanish class ended today, and we celebrated our successes and our friendships with a fiesta--of course!! A diverse group we came from different points on the globe: (Top row, left to right: Hector, our much loved instructor-México, Bill-Chicago, recently retired from England, Rollie-Minneapolis, MN. and part-time resident in Mazatlán, and Barry-México and resident of many far flung places; Bottom row, left to right: Kate, Minnesota Snowbird, Cathy and Agatha, Newfoundland. We were very compatible and consequently enjoyed quality friendships, despite our short-term relationship. Perhaps we can gather for many reunions!

Valentino's

Whether you see it at night with the show of coloured lights or during the day, Valentino's is a unique building for this city.

COUNT DOWN: Tick! Tock! We fly home to Minnesota on Saturday, the 29th.

ABC WEDNESDAY-"J"-JOY, SHEER JOY

Watching the sunsets in Mazatlán, México is sheer joy, especially from the Malecon or a boat!

Another Canine Friend

I have made a number of canine friends since we've been here. This German-German Shepherd (a bit smaller than other Shepherds) is owned by someone I met here in Mazatalán. Isn't she a beauty?!

Feliz pascua

I thought that the celebrations of semana santa would cease on Easter Sunday. Nope! The beaches were still full and the malecon was still filled with spectators and roving automobiles. Later in the evening, however, the streets turned to normal.

In Honor of Abigail Taylor, Age 6

I need to interrupt my regular Mazatlán posts to honor this little girl, who just died on Thursday evening, March 20. As some of you know, I live in the Twin Cities, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA. but I have been spending the winter here. "Abigail was injured when she sat on a pool drain, and its powerful suction ripped out part of her intestinal tract on June 29. She underwent transplant surgery in December at the Nebraska hospital to receive a new small bowel, liver and pancreas." (Home: Omaha News) No, I don't know the child or the family, but I was filled with horror when it occurred last June and have followed the ongoing story. As a mother and now a grandmother of a little girl the same age, I have been deeply affected by this tragic incident and the terrible impact it has had on this family. I am filled with sorrow and grieve for the child, her parents, and siblings. For more information, click here.

ADDED LATER: I received this message via email on Wednesday, March 26th:

I live in Abigail's neighborhood in Edina, Minnesota, and our beautiful city's streets are lined with thousands of luminaries in honor of Abbey tonight. Her visitation was at a local funeral home, and afterward, her family felt the support of this community as they made their way through Edina's neighborhoods amidst the thousands of lights shining for Abbey. It is beautiful and touching. Abbey's life and death have affected so many ... and her light shines bright tonight. She won't be forgotten! Thank you for caring ...