THE WEATHER WE LEFT BEHIND

Friday, February 27, 2009

It's Friday morning and currently experiencing heavy fog for the fourth morning. Really has everything wet. It burns off by around 9 or 10 and the sun returns, but the humidity and heat is here all day long lately and the daily breezes with their cooling effect have disappeared.

Ellen has all her pictures and commentary about her Carnaval experience almost ready to post. Other than that, not too much new to report. We met with Mazatlan Lee at her casa in Mazatlan yesterday afternoon for a house tour. We only have two days left before we head north and had one last opportunity to finally visit her at home. She treated us to lunch at a local restaurant just a block from where she lives. Our friend at the RV park who is traveling alone, Terry, joined us on this trip.

We took the city bus to get there from the panga dock (embarcadero) at the fish market. It was an interesting experience. Many, many people use the bus system in Mazatlan and stopping at every street corner is the norm. They have dozens of routes that go everywhere and only cost $5 pesos. Very inexpensive method of transportation for the local residents. However, we touristas are always in a big hurry. So instead of a 30 minute bus ride back from Lee's we hailed a taxi and had a 10 minute $50 peso ride to the dock returning to Stone Island.

Many people have left the park or plan to do so soon. It's clearing out fast! Those on the ocean front sites, however, have longer term reservations and will be about the only ones left. To get one of those spots requires a 3 or 4 month stay so they will end up being here through March or April.

Today we are going south to Villa Union, a small Mexican town, with what is reported a "do not miss" seafood restaurant. I'll let you know how that goes. So far our restaurant experiences, although very inexpensive, have been no more than good at best, acceptable in the least, but nothing ever outstanding. The lunch today is to be the outstanding meal. We'll see. As usual, our best food is what we prepare ourselves (aren't we the food snobs).

If pictures of yesterday's trip to Lee's casa are not seen below, look back in an hour or two - I have to go make coffee.

Night before last was a "good by" dinner of our good neighbors next to us - Kitty & Mike. A small group gathered at 5:00pm for seafood at a little palapa restaruart just down the beach. We had to talk them into staying open (ahead of time) because by 5:00pm most restaurants are closed here on Stone Island. So as we were sitting at the table this cruise ship was pulling out of the harbor and I had to take one more picture with a sunset included.

Our little dinner party

One must drink plenty of fluids here in the tropics or risk dehydration

Arriving at the gate to Lee's casa

Lee showing Ellen her kitchen

Lee's small, but very comfortable, living room. You have to see the beautiful colors of her tile floors, painted walls, works of art, ceiling detail, and all the rest to really appreciate all the work she has put into her home.

The cornor convenience store in Lee's neighborhood

Street view as we walk to the restaurant for lunch

The menu. It's only pork served here. They cook a whole pig early every morning. Starting at breakfast the carve it and serve it in a taco, or by the kilo all cut up with all the fixings - sauce, onions, peppers. That's it! Look closely or click on the picture for a bigger view and you'll see the menu and the prices. The four of us ordered a 1 kilo basket. In total we made 15 wraps and had plenty to take home in a "perro" bag. The price - $220 pesos or $15.00 US dollars total! Now that's a deal.

The pig!


Saying good-bye to Lee and making a promise to return some day

Ellen buying fruit and vegetables from the produce truck that drives through the park every morning.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

So sad you have to leave. It sounds so nice there. Where is your next destination? !Buen viaje!
- Amanda

Anonymous said...

Hi
It sounds like you guys have had a very interesting time. We are still looking forward to hearing about Ellen and Patty's carnival experience. Have safe trip back across the border. We are looking forward to our next camping trip. Talk to you soon.

Dale and Gayle