A trip to El Tigre.

Marilyn and Dennis have had company from home in northern Alberta.  Marilyn’s friend Linda and Wally (Marilyn’s brother) and his wife Marilyn all joined us on a road trip to El Tigre for lunch.   Us on the bike and them in the truck.

Marilyn, Marilyn…Wally sitting, Dennis and Linda off on a journey.

I decided to make this a long blog of pictures showing what you might see if you are riding along Mexican roads, through small Mexican towns and then out to the beach. 

Heading up the road out of the park these workers were sweeping the edge of the road.

Torres the nice low level complex across the street.  

A decorative element on one of the divided roads heading out of town.

Chicken anyone?

Heading south to Villa Union.

The bridge coming into Villa Union. 

Turn right to El Walamo and the beach.

Main road to El Walamo through Villa Union.

Everything is colorful and for sale in Mexico.

National….national what?  Beautiful old building.

Turn left at the end of the street to head out of town towards El Walamo.

More open highway and huge Guanacaste trees.  They are protected in Mexico.

What can you pass….well how about a tractor.

The fields were full of corn.

And more corn.

And more Guanacaste trees.

Maybe a horse.

Mango trees. 

Welcome to El Walamo.

Down the main street….where is everybody.

Small motorcycles everywhere….this one was just washed.

You can buy beer anywhere.

The road has deteriorated since last year….look at those pot holes.

You don’t want to drop a wheel into one of those.  Makes for a slow trip.

Restaurants everywhere in every small town and village.

What’s growing here….who knows.

Come to town in your tractor and stop for parts at the local hardware store.

Another small town….turn right to head to the beach and El Tigre.

Fields of chili’s growing everywhere.  Quite a bit dryer out this way than last year.

The ocean is straight ahead….turn left please.

Buses to bring the farm workers to the fields.

Lots of new construction everywhere.  Shrimp farming.

Fruit farming.

Ponds for the shrimp….the ocean is right behind them.

This house is prepared….it’s up on concrete pillars.

Coconut palms with smaller, young trees underneath.

Another small village….need any groceries?

And….more shrimp farming.

Now on our right is the ocean, open empty and going on for ever.

The gate to an RV park that never happened.  What on earth would you do out here all winter and beyond that ….where would you shop.

El Tigre Restaurant on the right and a small Malecon leading up to it.

Everyone piles out of the truck and are happy to get out and walk around.

 

 

Wally, sister Marilyn, wife Marilyn and Linda.

Same people except there is Dennis on the right.

 

A Safari Magico Bus from El Rosario with kids who were wandering the beach. 

Big Red and Dennis’ red truck wait while we have lunch.

Where shall we sit for lunch?

A beautiful view while we eat lunch.

Pacifico…..lo siento no Pacifico.  So….Indio and Dos Equix.  Hot day and cold beer….bueno!

Water for Marilyn and Linda.

Dennis and Wally decided to have Pescado Zarandeado….or a whole fish split and cooked on the grill with onions, peppers, tomatoes and spices.

Dennis is checking to see that they are fresh.

I’ll have this one.

Liquor license.   Prohibited to sell liquor to minors and men in uniform.  

The grackles are lined up on the railing hoping for lunch too.

Eric ordered Ceviche with shrimp….chopped vegetables and shrimp cooked without heat in lime juice.  I tasted and it was good.

Ceviche.

Marilyn had shrimp diablo which was supposed to be really hot (spicy) but she said it wasn’t.  Maybe they knew she was a gringo….she likes her food smoking hot like a Mexican.

Marilyn and Linda had camarones empanizado or breaded shrimp…..looks delicious.

Here is Wally’s fish…can he eat it all? Holy cow Dennis….that’s a big one.  You probably won’t need dinner.

Did those two hungry men eat all that fish?   You bet and there wasn’t a bite left.  Good job men!

Relaxing after lunch.

A walk out onto the beach and Marilyn takes a picture of Marilyn!

The Marilyn’s dipping their tootsies.

What a beautiful setting for a restaurant.

A gorgeous, hot beautiful day on Playa El Verde Camacho.    http://mazatlantoday.net/playa_el_caimanero_mazatlan_day_trip.html This hot link will give you directions, maps and information about the area.

Bye bye El Tigre….great lunch.

Heading to El Rosario and then home.

Water in the lagoons.

More crops in the field.

Another small village on the way to El Rosario.

Nufy S Disco Bar….out in the middle of no where…you’ve got to be kidding me!

Not sure what happened here….I was aiming for a picture of the three school girls in the town of Agua Verde.

Once again the road to El Rosario was full of potholes and in much worse condition than it was last year.

Turn left at the big church in El Rosario to head out to the free road and home.

Looking back at the church.

See those headlights way behind us….that’s Dennis.

Once we hit the highway we had to pick up our speed to cool off the bike.  It was really overheated from going so slow on the potholed roads and then through El Rosario. 

Some odd church just north of El Rosario.

Newly planted fields of agave…..lots of tequila from that!

So that’s my pictorial ride in Mexico.  Everyone arrived home safe, sound and full.  Another good day.

A trip downtown to Centro

 

Today Betty, Jeannette, Jeri and I hopped the green bus to head downtown on a shopping trip.  Everyone had a mission and mine was Carnival T-shirts.  The grand daughters like them for schlepping around in so they are a good present.

 

Off the bus and heading down the street.

We wandered in and out of stores looking at this and that.  A little nail polish in one store, some crazy pants in another and then on to the fabric store.

 

Every time I go in I am overwhelmed by the colors.  Everything is bright, abundant and cheap.  How can you not like that!

I just wish I still needed to sew.  What a rainbow of colors.  Our oldest grand daughter Holly is a dancer and just think of the costumes you could make with this material. 

This little sweetheart was standing on the fabric cutting table.  I, of course had a big Grandma grin on my face and her mother was delighted that I appreciated her beautiful little girl.  I asked permission to take her picture and when I was finished she told the little one to shake my hand….and she did!!!  Did I have tears in my eyes….you bet!   It is so nice to be able to smile at small children and have their parents want you to touch and appreciate them. 

Off down the street to the plazuela machedo to find lunch. 

One of the Carnival Statues in the plazuela. 

After lunch I had Jeri, Jeannette and Betty pose for a picture.

 

One of the local jewelry salesmen stopped and said he’d take all our pictures.  We laughed and asked if he was going to rush off with the camera but he said” I have to work here….I can’t be doing that!”   Nice guy.

This poor old bike was on the way back.  Well used…what is it….who knows?

Beautiful old streets….that’s Jeri up ahead.

Walking back to the Plaza Machado to buy what was on the list. 

Everything is colorful in Mexico…even the vegetables.  Fresh, cheap and delicious.  This is just one of many vegetable stalls in the market.  You can buy everything from soup….to nuts in the market!!!

Our bags were full….we were tired and hot so back on the air conditioned green bus and home.  Another good day.

We bring them, light, water, propane and food!

The 5th annual Las Jaibas Chili Cook Off is complete, the money has been counted and now it was time to bring money to Geraldo and Lupita who run the Hogar de Los Ninos Orphanage.   Yearly bills have been paid in advance for power, water and propane and today a group of us took the balance of the Chili Cook Off money to Geraldo and Lupita at the orphanage.  

The children were all around the table waiting for us to arrive.  

Everyone says hello and there were hugs all around. 

Upstairs where the girls new dormitory is being constructed.

Looking down on the main complex.

 

I asked Frank to stand where I thought it would be a good place to take a group photo,

 

Frank was the organizer of this year’s Chili Cook Off event and he did a stellar job.  He started organizing months ahead of the event and continued after it was all done.  Thank-you Frank!!!

The first group photo….John is pointing to our official Chili Cook-off T-shirt.

Now we have Jeri, Betsy and I added to the group. 

I wore my winning Chili Cook-off apron so Geraldo and Lupita could see what was won.   John told them how many people had attended the event….500 and they were amazed.

 

One more group photo!

Frank has a green bag full of green money and he is giving it to Geraldo.

They are so happy and beyond grateful.  They receive from us and we get just as much back.  There is true joy in giving.

This money will help them to feed the children and pay for whatever they think is necessary. 

John speaks Spanish so he explains how much money we have donated and also what bills have been paid.

We all joined hands while Lupita said a prayer for us all.

We were blessed for our good deed, blessed while we are in Mazatlan and also on our journeys home.  This includes all of you who have helped, attended and donated to this worthwhile cause.

Geraldo and Lupita are religious people and we felt truly blessed. 

Drying Jamaica Hibiscus flowers.

So what’s in Sandi’s bag.  Well…treats for the children of course!  Fruit snacks and a bag of mixed nuts. 

 

Geraldo and Lupita will dole them out and the children happily share. 

 

 

Geraldo and Lupita.

Snacks in a bowl…..take them to the table.

Sandi made sure the young man on the right at the back got his share.

 

What child doesn’t enjoy a sweet treat.  Good job Sandi!

This is the group who came.  Lupita is on the left and then it’s John, Jeri, Betsy, Sandi, Frank and Dick.

 

This is Wally the dog giving Geraldo a kiss.  He is gentle like most Mexican dogs.  I kidded Lupita that now it was solo (only) Wally and no Lupita.  She thought it was quite funny. 

It was now time to load ourselves back into the vehicles and head home. 

A good job was done by all.