Kathy & Eric go on their first Art Walk.

Friday March 1, 2013

I have never been on the downtown art walk that is held on the first Friday of every month from November to May here in Mazatlan.  When I found out Betty and Connie were going with Dennis and Marilyn I asked if I could tag along.  No problem and wonder of wonders Eric in a weak moment agreed to go too. 

So….3pm on Friday and we were all off on the bus. 

The happy group ready to hit the bus. 

We got off the bus in front of Edgar’s Bar just down the street from the central market and walked down toward the Plazuela Machado and our first stop and on the way we peeked into this shop.  Worth a look on another day.

Still some floats from Carnaval around on display in the square. 

Beautiful buildings no matter where you look.

First stop…..

Baupres #14

A nice gallery with beautiful woodwork.

Onward…..

Beautiful greenery in the square.

Up the long walkway to the next gallery on Icebox Hill.  Eric wonders where these people park their cars and how they get their groceries to their houses….A bit of a hike!

Next stop…

Marilyn, Betty and Connie on their way up.

The happy art walkers!

Entranceway to the house with another stunning door….Mexico is full of them.

Lots of stained glass in the house….the artist said it was easy to do. 

The house was open for us to walk through….bedrooms….bathrooms etc. 

Out the bedroom window.

We enjoyed the houses as much, or more than the art.

Off the hill and down to Olas Altas and our next stop.

A beautiful evening on the beach….Eric wanted to go sit and watch the surfers….big swell and good waves!

Next stop Mariano Escobedo – Nan and David Robb…beautiful house.

Chairs in front of the pool in the inside courtyard.

Could that be Connie and Betty peeking out?

The last artist suggested we should go into this studio.

Old lithograph machine for print making.

Upstairs…out the door…there is the city!

Beautiful old streets.

 

The group trudges on.

Another courtyard in another gallery. 

Next stop Moonstar Galleries….

Crowded with people and when I got upstairs there was an older woman who had lots of pictures of cats….not my thing.  I did find Gail Blackburn’s mosaic art (remember the lady from Barra de Piaxtla) and took this next picture.

I thought this was an interesting way to use the beach glass that I am forever picking up.  Cost….?

As we walk…another beautiful door.

I just love the old buildings….can you tell?

I wonder who lives there?

Here comes Dennis and Eric….everyone is tired now and it’s time to find some dinner.

Back to the Plazuela Machado but we continue up the street towards Topolo’s where I have always wanted to eat.  Everyone says it is very nice. 

Out of luck…no reservation….and they are full! Drats….another place that won’t feed us.  I don’t have much luck with that!

Here we are at Pedro and Lola’s next to the square.  A nice setting and everyone needs a drink and some food….

Boy…that Dennis can really pound the beer!   Right…he only had one while Eric and I drank most of them!

Eric and I had Calamari for an appetizer  and Almond fish in a spicy Guajillo chili sauce over fettuccine and it was very good although the food could have been warmer. 

A beautiful setting for dinner.

Getting dark now.

Looks like we were well fed and now……time to head home. 

We walked up the street back past the church to the west side of the Mercado to catch a bus home. 

Beautiful downtown at night. 

A bit blurry but…you get the gist of it!

On the big green bus for another wild and crazy ride home. 

Home by 9pm after a nice evening out.

So….what did we think of the artwork.  Well….I would have preferred to see more Mexican artists and less Gringo’s and ….Art is like politics religion and music….some opinions are best kept to yourself! 

Eric’s youngest brother is an artist and if you are interested have a look at his website….We particularly like his Black Tusk and Japan series.   http://tychoart.com/

A trip to the Doctor and lunch.

Thursday Feb. 28, 2013

I mentioned in an earlier blog that I was going to try a product called Immunocal to boost my immune system as I deal with the inflammation of Temporal Arteritis and Polymyalgia Rheumatica.  As Eric was down with an intestinal bug last week I had not been to the Doctor to order this product and yesterday was the day. 

We hopped on the bus and headed down to Centro to see Dr. Olalde for an 11am appointment. 

Nice waves along the Malecon….picture out the bus window.

Today I asked Eric to come into Dr. Olalde’s office with me so he could listen but really I wanted him to talk to Dr. Olalde about his ongoing problems with stomach and intestinal problems.  I said Eric had used Treda last week when he was sick which contains Neomiacina and Caopectate and although it helped it still took 5 days or more for recovery.  Dr. Olalde asked him a few questions and did an abdominal examination and said it was likely he was dealing with salmonella that was staying latent in his digestive tract or gall bladder and was recurring on a regular basis as the bacteria built up.  He suggested a one week course of antibiotics and we agreed that this was a good idea.  Dr. Olalde also said that we should take an ant parasitic “after” we left Mexico to clean out any bugs we were harboring .  He said that using it while we are in Mexico was not of much use as we get reinfected while we are here.  We always routinely wormed our farm animals so it makes sense to do the same for us!  He suggested a product called Daxon so we will buy that I take it home with us.  So….lots of good sensible information and hopefully it helps….can’t hurt!

The Immunocal will be delivered to the park and after one week of large doses I will repeat my blood tests and see what they show.  Dr. Olalde thinks I will feel and see a big difference.  As this is approved in Canada (where it is being shipped from) and is not a drug I am hopeful it will help.  Right now all is well. 

After our Doctor’s visit we walked a few short blocks to Centro and the Mercado for lunch.

Streets by Dr. Olalde’s office.

Walking up to the Church and the Market.

When we walked through the market I did buy a few cheap knock off Carnival T-shirts and then Eric and I went upstairs for lunch.  Hal and Helene in the park had mentioned that could find really good Chili Relleno’s there and that is a favorite with us.  As luck would have it I couldn’t remember the name of the restaurant where they said to go so we just had to wing it!  No gringo’s up there as it is a bit rustic but it doesn’t bother us so we just picked a restaurant and ate.  Chile Relleno in caldo (stewy broth) frijoles, arroz and ensalada, tortillas and a Coke each for 84 peso’s and with a tip about $8 for lunch.  Good but could have been hotter.  I talked to Hal later and the restaurant we were looking for was Carolina’s…….next time. 

After lunch I had a quick look through the fabric store behind the market while Eric waited with the group of men standing just outside the door.  They of course were waiting for their wives too.  I was looking for some plain,white, cheap bridal netting that I like to use to cover my row of carrots at home.  Sounds silly but it works to keep off the carrot fly and then I don’t have little black worms in my carrots.  I couldn’t find anything that wasn’t  pink, blue, yellow or covered in sparkles and satin…but this is Mexico!   I’ll look again later!

Onward home on the usually slow, big green bus.  Today we had “Juan Andretti” driving so we were at top speed, grinding gears and just missing every car that got in our way.  A wild ride home but we did make it. 

Last night I ventured out to Bingo and it was fun as usual.  A good burger, a couple of beers and a three games of Bingo.  I didn’t win this time and we were all home by 9pm.  A big night on the town!