Tuesday March 20, 2012
I haven’t been downtown to Centro at all this year to have a look at the market or even to have lunch so today was the day.
Six of us (Connie, Val, Mary, Marilyn, Sharen and myself) set off on the big green bus for lunch at a restaurant Marilyn had seen rated as a best… “Macaws.” The big green bus costs 9.5 pesos or about 75 cents to travel downtown. We call these buses “snail” buses since they move at a slow to normal speed. The older buses are fine too but are apt to give you a wild ride!
The bus.
We got off the bus right where it turns off the Malecon and headed out on foot to find the restaurant. It turns out we could have stayed on the bus until we hit the market and then walked west towards the Malecon and the restaurant but we did get to see lots of the back streets. Marilyn was our leader and she did admit that since she and Dennis walk everywhere she didn’t really think much about having to do a big walk. Good exercise before lunch and it sure didn’t hurt any of us!
Way off in the distance to the other side of the bay is where we are all staying.
Over hill, over dale ….we have hit the dusty trail and the walkers just keep walking along!
Are we there yet?
Always another beautiful door. Arches, gates and doors are big in Mexico even if there is nothing behind them!
After a little wandering around we found the restaurant and it was time to eat!
Timed pictures are always awful! Me, Mary peeking out, Val, Marilyn, Sharen in front and Connie to the right.
The Macaw’s restaurant is not too big but we had a really nice lunch and a cold drink or two. It is attached to an art gallery and a bed and breakfast. Val had been here a number of years ago to look at the bed and breakfast so she had a chat with the gringo lady who owns it about the changes that have taken place. The restaurant used to be a garage!
Outside the restaurant there was a beautiful tree in flower. Mary pulled this bloom down so I could get a picture. Gorgeous! The lady who owned the bed and breakfast told us what it was but….of course I forget!
The restaurant is across the street from an Art Museum and they were dragging things out to set up in the square for some sort of exhibition. While we waited for lunch we had a look at the prints that were upstairs in the restaurant. Marilyn and Sharen bought a couple of Mazatlan prints which are photos on canvas and they were quite pretty but you would have to have the right place to put them. I don’t have that kind of place so I didn’t buy anything.
After lunch we continued on towards the main square and there were tons of younger Mexican students getting ready to head into the Angela Peralta Theatre for a performance. Turns out it was International Day. When I brought out the camera they all started yelling and waving to have their picture taken. I obliged!
Overwhelming enthusiasm and energy! Super!
We popped into a little designer shop along the way and had a look at t-shirts and other “objets de art.”
Connie liked this one.
I did buy a t-shirt made and designed in Mexico City which was a bit different. Pricey for Mexico but really only $32 so still an okay buy for something unusual.
We passed this restaurant and popped in for a look. Very gracious and I have always wanted to eat there. Maybe next year.
We passed a Dulceria (candy shop) and this fellow was stirring up a local treat of nuts in sugar over a gas flame. They turn out delicious and kind of taste like candy corn to me. I bought a guava log which is like a very sweet fruit leather. Once again the Mexicans just love sugar!
From there it was on to the Centro Market where you can buy everything from watches and clothing to all types of vegetables and meat including a pig’s head! No gracias! A couple of watches for a few of us…a couple of t-shirts for me….flowers for Mary and Val…cheap wallets and then some material across the street for Connie. By this time we were all hot tired and ready to go home.
Back on the green bus to the park for happy hour. A good day.
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