Crazy Legs Mexico

Today we went to visit El Catedrál by the Mercado. However, we got distracted feeding the horde of pigeons in city hall square. I bought a packet of seeds from the bird lady. They lasted about an hour! Unfortunately, by the time we got to the Catedrál, it was closed. So, we continued our walking tour of Old Town. I did a recon a few days before S&M arrived to check accessibility.

Today, we celebrated Hanukkah instead of Christmas (at Macy's suggestion). We enjoyed a day of mostly just hanging out with short little trips here and there. I had made a Reservation at Restaurante Topolo. Macyr helped Martín make salsa for the table. Since I'm not Jew-ish, I had pork shank.

Today, the four of us went to the Observatorio. This is a great area of old buildings on a hill overlooking Old Mazatlán. Relics from the time when there were regular pirate invasions. Now it's restaurants, a beautiful garden and parrot apiary. There is also a very good museum on the hilltop. It's heartening to see that old Mazatlán, a crumbling area long neglected, has been resurrected into a very special place for residents and visitors 

Pepe's daughter Georgina met us out front of the condo this morning at six for our deep sea fishing trip.  I was somewhat apprehensive since we were going out twenty-five miles, out of sight of land, in a small skiff.  Also, I can get seasick pretty easily.  Fortunately, everything went well.  We caught a couple of dorado and saw sea turtles, a sea lion, and a whale. Also, a pack of dolphins swam alongside the boat for 20 minutes.

Sadie and I went for a ride on the Malecón early this AM then back to the apartment to pick up Macy for breakfast. We were to meet Carlos for the Segway ride around old town. Carlos took his time training us, and, after we were ready we set off to explore Old Mazatlán. Dina and had been living in this area since early November so I knew most of the places we visited. It was still fun and informative. Wait. That's not all. Sadie and I climbed El Faro after the sun got lower in the afternoon. Still 1/2 mile hike and 336 steps.

It's been very busy since Sadie and Macy arrived! After they were settled in, we went for dinner at Patio Escobedo, a crumbling old building in El Centro with the roof long gone. The food was good and there was a great cover band playing oldies from the seventies, eighties and ninetys. Great for dancing! Later, a little walk on the Malecón.

Long day yesterday. I started out with a ten mile bike ride on the Malecón. Then, met up with Pixie for coffee and brekkie at our new haunt, Rico's Café. We watched pelicans swooping and diving for fish for an hour.  Later,  I then took the "hard way", walking over the Observatorio hill to the Embarcadero.  The Head Waiter at El Mirador restaurant was kind enough to let me take a couple of snaps from the dining room(above). I was ultimately heading to Isla de la Piedra by water taxi (five minutes)on a recon. I went to check out restaurant and beach accessibility.  I found a nice, easy-to-access restaurant. But, the beach and restaurants are full of vendors selling knick knacks and costume jewelry. Also, there are loud  "musicians"  everywhere playing for tips. At times, three performing at once. I quickly ate a bowl of so-so fish soup and left.  Coming back, I took a picture of this boat with the unfortunate name " Titani

I can't believe it's been a month since we arrived! It's been a very busy time learning new names and places, and exploring Old Mazatlán and the seacoast. I've been reserving trips in preparation for Sadie and Macy's visit. They're coming on the 21st for almost 2 weeks. I have been learning a lot by eavesdropping on the tour guides. I'm thinking about being a volunteer guide for los turistas for a couple of hours a week. Isn't that what old people do!? I started yoga this morning. It's a fairly easy class and was very enjoyable and relaxing. I met a Mexican women who was living in our neighborhood in Portland a few years ago!   I finally climbed El Faro in the evening when the sun is behind the hill and it's much cooler. Dina and I went to the beach early yesterday to watch the diving pelicans. Also, many frigate birds gathering up fish guts the Pescadores were throwing out. it's Christmas here in Mazatlán.