Adios Zihua! Hola Morelia, el seis de Marzo, 2020

I made a final tour to the beach this morning.  A lot of the sailboats are gone - there have been at least 30 most of the time I’ve been here-

The letters are at the entrance to the new pier and need a touch up-

The fishermen were in with their catches and the shore was busy with mainly locals-

The streets are decorated for the guitar festival which starts tonight and runs for a week.  Tonight all the performers play- I wish I could have stayed but wanted to see the marisposas more-

In the central plaza by the beach, there’s a basketball court that hosts a game or more every night and the plaza is filled with food and trinket vendors. They’ve even decorated the tree-

Angie and Rene were at my place at 9 sharp to get the keys so I caught a collectivo to the bus depot, exchanged my ticket and waited.  This is the first double decker I’ve been on-

The lower level is a good option for older people who don’t want to or can’t manipulate the stairs.  The only bathroom is on this level-

There were only 5 of us riding up top but unfortunately the front seats were occupied.  We stopped in Ixtapa to pick up a passenger-

And then we were on our way-

We drove through mountainous areas and every bridge is bright yellow-

They’ve dammed up a river for a power plant and the lake is long and lovely-

with some fish farming-

The landscape was dry until it wasn’t-

There’s no need for divided highways in Mexico.  Everybody pulls over.  There were times our big bus was passing a semi pulling two full sized trailers on a double solid line while meeting another semi pulling two large trailers.  The shoulder is rough so the smooth ride isn’t so smooth.

Once in Morelia, we limped along in traffic trying to get to the huge bus depot.  Along the way-

Blocks and blocks of homes are painted brightly.  Once at the depot, I caught a combi - sillly me and we weaved and backtracked and snaked along until we were close to my room.  The combi filled up to standing room only and I had a hard time getting out with my backpack.  I should have just taken an Uber but usually it’s not so complicated.

My home is right beside El Templo de San Jose-

which has a nice altar in muted colours-

and an equally nice dome-

I’m staying in a room with a family that runs a restaurant.  I think it will be okay-

I went wandering and came upon the Cathedral, started in 1660 and finished in 1774.  It’s in baroque style-

I’’m staying in the Centro Historico so the buildings are old-

I had enchiladas for supper and am finally back to “reality” after spending two months on the beach.  Prices are reasonable and every place takes credit cards-

There’s a party happening at my place - the son in law has just completed chef school so they are celebrating.  I’m very tired so am going to bed early because I have a big day tomorrow.  I’m going to see the Monarcas!  

Playa Linda, Mexico, el cinco de Marzo, 2020

After swimming, I had planned to go back to Playa Ropa and then go to Ixtapa to my dentist appointment.  While swimming, I had the brainwave to go to Playa Linda instead which is much closer to Ixtapa so my combi ride to the dentist wouldn’t be so long, so that’s what I did.

The beach was practically deserted so I easily found a chaise longue.  The waves were big and crashing against the shore.  Soon, a man was sitting at the next table and we started to chat and that was the beginning of a 6 hour conversation.

He’s a retired kidney stone doctor in Vancouver.  He poured out his heart to me which was okay but I’m sure he won’t make the changes he needs to in order to be happy.  He was telling me about where he’s staying - Cala de Mar which has 71 rooms, all, repeat ALL with their own private swimming pool!  And, if you want to turn your pool into a jacuzzi, the staff just turns on the heat!  He’s paying $300/night and that’s the cheapest room.  Some cost $700.  Our plan, after a lupper of pulpo, was to go there so he could show me. He also said the mini bar was well stocked and included in the room price.  However, we didn’t get on the combi until 5 pm, and that’s the last one for the evening, so he got off and I came home.

I went to Zoro’s to watch the curling, visited with Ken and Dixie from Shoal Lake and also met a man from BC who lost in the BC provincial curling semi finals.  After, I went for a short walk and felt sad about leaving tomorrow.

However, how lucky am I to have chosen to spend the most time in the best place?  I am slightly looking forward to heading off to Morelia tomorrow.  My time in Mexico is quickly drawing to a close but luckily the weather is pretty nice at home so that will be a bonus.

And as for my teeth whitening, well, Doc talked me out of it.  Not really talked me out of it, but made me realize that getting that done was so out of character for me.  I’m fine with who I am and my teeth aren’t bad at all. Did I really want a strong solution of chlorine put directly on my teeth to be absorbed into my body and brain?  Why would I do that to myself?  So, I cancelled.

Zihuatanejo, Mexico, el cuatro de Marzo, 2020

I don’t go swimming on Wednesdays - my old body needs a rest!  So, I doddled until I couldn’t doddle anymore, then went to Playa La Ropa which is my favourite beach ever.  It’s a good thing I bring my own beer because it took about an hour before a waiter came.  Now that’s service!  What’s even more frustrating is that they still demand a propina and 10% isn’t enough apparently.  The next time someone complains about the tip I leave (they should be surprised - I usually don’t tip at all), I’m going to take it back and walk away!  That’ll teach ‘em..... nothing!

Lunch was delicious guacamole and I love how they serve it - with homemade tortilla chips and pico de gallo-

I sat near people from Ontario and Quebec.  Even the Mexicans don’t like the Quebecers.  They are loud and speak French, which is fine, that’s their language but they’ve also been accused of not following rules at hotels and condos and even dining and dashing.  Some restaurants won’t even let them sit down!  Seems like kind of strange stories but....

Cam and Sandy Gjosund as well as Cam’s daughter Danielle and her husband Derrick came along and we had a nice visit.  I had to leave too early to get back to my ‘job’ - last one - work cutting into fun again.

I had 15 students and most of these people came consistently-

My favourites were Daniel who is on the far right with the blue ball camp and Ani who is in the grey t-shirt behind him - she had to go to the bathroom at least once/day and it took her forever to come back.  She also rarely said a word and if she did, she spoke so softly I couldn’t hear her.  She’s only 7 but came almost every day.  I also like Ana, her sister who is at the back on othe right in the blue dress.  The first day she told me she was angry that she had to come but she is very smart and caught on quickly.  She was glad her Mom made her come after all.  Violeta is the woman in the centre in the yellow.  She came with her two sons who appeared petrified of her.  She was constantly telling them what to say and they were always looking at her, rather than participating.  She bugged me.

We dismissed early and Itzel gave me beautiful flowers-

How thoughtful!  Then, Daniel - my favourite - he’s the only student I had to kick out twice because he was misbehaving and Maria both gave me bracelets-

I enjoyed my two weeks of teaching but that was long enough without access to paper and technology. It was time to start writing and reading and my little whiteboard at the front of the class and the lack of desks for a solid writing surface prohibited that.  I saw a lot of progress and enthusiasm for learning and hope they will continue to practice by using EAL websites and by visiting with tourists they meet in their beautiful town.

I hurried to Zorro’s to watch the curling, hoping they would feature Saskatchewan instead of Wild Card but we were playing Yukon and that was going to be a train wreck so I watched Wild Card play New Brunswick until my beer was warm, then came home.

Tomorrow I’m looking forward to my last day in the pool, possibly another visit to la Ropa and then I’m going to Ixtapa to get my teeth whitened!  I can’t believe I’m doing that but I’m tired of my yellow rattish looking smile.  I know I’ll have to cut down on the coffee and red wine if I want to keep my new look so it might turn out to be a waste of money but I’ll try it and see.

The past three weeks have flown by and even though I was a bit apprehensive about spending such a long period of time here, Zihua is where I would like to someday return.  It’s been a great stay!

P.S.  My FOUR year old grandson!

Zihuatanejo, Mexico, el 2-3 de Marzo, 2020

I’m living life in the slow lane!  Everyday has been pretty much the same - after breakfast go swimming, then head to Zorro’s to watch The Briar, leave after 2 or 4 margaritas - it’s happy hour! to go teach English, then go back to Zorro’s to watch the evening curling game.  The End.

I have met some interesting people though - tonight Cole was in Zorro’s and is on his way to Morelia tomorrow, hoping to do a monarch tour.  He’s now going to go with the same company as me, seeing as that seems to be the only option.  He worked for the city of Vernon, retired a few months ago and started travelling at Huatulco, heading west while I started west and headed east.  He’s looking for the perfect Mexican get away.

The combis are such awesome transportation.  One of the Ixtapa drivers said there are 39 combis travelling back and forth.  Drivers need to turn in 1500 pesos ($103)/day and the rest is theirs.  It costs 14 pesos per person for a ride so that’s 107 passengers.  Usually there are at least 10 people in a combi but it takes 40 minutes at least to do a run so you would start making any money until after driving 7 hours or so.  Tough life.

It’s been fun watching the curling, especially since Dunstone and Saskatchewan are doing well.  The Manitoba people are also cheering for him - he’s a former very successful Manitoba junior player.

School is going well.  It’s more fun after a few margaritas - NBCHS probably would have been too!  I had 16 students today and 15 yesterday.  They’ve come a long way but are very noisy.  I’ve enjoyed my time with them - they are very appreciative but some are soooo shy!  They’ve improved as the days have unfolded.

Today is Nico’s 4th birthday!  It’s hard to believe that he is already that old!  This morning when I FaceTimed, he was busy making a craft - he’s in to that.  He was putting stickers on a paper and zombies were eating something or someone.  Andi’s birthday is the end of March so they have one party - with an ice cream cake and a lot of balloons but I guess they don’t have any cameras because I haven’t gotten a picture.

Tomorrow I may meet Cam and Sandy at Playa Ropa.  It’s my favourite beach and so I should go there one last time.  Life is awesome!

P.S.  What do you know!

Ixtapa, Mexico, el primero de Marzo, 2020

Walking home from the concert, which I would rate 7/10 - I really don’t know much about The Doors except for the few videos I googled.  Jim Morrison jumped all over the place and so did this guy.  He sounded lots like Morrison but I couldn’t help but wonder why on earth anyone would want to cover The Doors - I guess if you have a singer who sounds like the original, you just go for it.  I don’t think the night would have been easy for the band because there were only about 30 people there.  Patty and I sat with 3 other women from Sherwood Park, Winnipeg and Rock Lake, MB.  On our way home a few lit up party floats went by-

Pulled by quads-

Patty has an awesome place!  The view from the deck is out to the pool and the marina-

The deck is large and has two great chaise longue-

Inside is the living room-

Dining area-

And kitchen-

Outside is the Olympic length pool-

And the marina-

We talked all day!  Finally, it was time to come home so I caught a combi - the slowest driver yet and stopped at a local place for supper.  I wanted fish but got filete - I was thinking filet of fish but no, it’s filet of pork-

and so thin it only had one side!

I was dreading cutting in to it because I’ve seen this meat in the market.  It’s killed this morning and eaten this evening so tougher than shoe leather but I was pleasantly surprised.  It wasn’t satisfying though because I had been looking forward to fish.  Oh well.

I’ve been making plans for Morelia.  I’ve been trying very hard to find a tour and finally this afternoon received an email that there’s one going for a reasonable price - $60 on Saturday.  I’ve already discovered I can easily switch my bus ticket and that my landlords will give me back rent for the one night I won’t be here.  I can also check in a day early at my place in Morelia so it’s looking like I’ll be leaving Zihua this Friday!  Wow, time has flown!  As well, I’ve got tickets for two concerts in Saskatoon: ZZTop in May and Burton Cummings and Randy Bachman - The Guess Who and BTO June 30!  Very, very exciting!  Tomorrow it’s back to swimming and teaching.  Maybe I’ll get up the energy to go to a beach.  I better enjoy my last few beach days!

Zihuatanejo, Mexico, el veintinueve de Febrero, 2020

I walked down to the beach at 7:30 for the first time since I’ve been here.  I’m always up but haven’t bothered before.  There’s quite a lot of activity because the fishing boats are in-

so there’s quite a crowd gathered-

selling their catch-

Red Snapper is so delicious but they can’t filet on the beach so I wasn’t bringing it home to clean it here.  The streets are pretty quiet in the early morning-

And there are so many statues honouring women-

I took a combi to Ixtapa and had an awesome visit with Sandy and Cam Gjosund.  We walked along the beach-

and then had lupper.  I don’t know why restaurants serve shrimp with the shells on-

I came home and got ready for my first night out of the trip - I went back to Ixtapa to see The Crystal Ship Band play The Doors music.  I’m spending the night near the Ixtapa marina with Patty at her condo. I’ve had a great day!