Category: Jennifer

Friday, September 05, 2008 - 04:23 PM

An ice-cold Pacifico and a Mazatlan sunset. There truly is nothing finer in this world. There is something magical about our local brew, and no where else on Earth does it taste as good. We used to drink Pacifico in Fort Worth, where it arrived world weary from it's travels across the border. It was a very fine beer even there, but here, at home, it is excellent. On a hot day when the sweat is trickling between your shoulder blades and into your bra, add a pinch of salt and a squeeze of lime, and its sublime.

Tuesday, August 26, 2008 - 03:02 AM

I know I complain, so I thought I should mention some of the things I love about all the rain. The field across from the house is in full bloom, which means it is covered with thousands of butterflies in glorious shades of red, orange, yellow, and white. The temperatures have been low enough for cozy socks and soup. And I certainly have had the time to get some pleasure reading done. But the very best thing about the rain has been the sunsets. I took this picture just a few minutes ago from our terrace:

Sunday, August 24, 2008 - 05:56 PM

It's been so long since we have talked! It's been a pretty rainy week here. It's been cloudy most of the time, and with the rain cooled air, I actually hunted out a pair of flannel pants, socks, and a robe. It got down to a chilly 78°F in the house. Okay, I also have the flu and was running a fever, but when normal room temperature is 86°F, 78 really is kinda cold.

Friday, August 15, 2008 - 08:21 PM

Around 3:00 this morning, one heck of a thunderstorm blew through. The Spanish word for thunderstorm is one of the best words ever - tormenta. I think that sums it up pretty well. The wind was relentless and oh, the lighting. Not to mention the copious amounts of water that left us with some mop up to do this morning. What a gift the storm was!

Monday, August 11, 2008 - 08:28 PM

When we came home today, our neighbors were standing around outside. We have been waiting and watching for a chance to talk with them. We were hoping that we could make a last ditch appeal with them do something. What, I don't know. Maybe kick him out. I hadn't thought that far ahead. We were just waiting to see them outside because we didn't want to knock on the door and risk having Pepe answer. And they haven't been outside much lately.

Sunday, August 10, 2008 - 06:39 PM

The next morning, around 11:00, an old, dirty, beat up, red Tsuru with no license plates pulled up in front of Pepe's house. Our street is very narrow, and the car completely blocked access so no one could come or go. A man got out and started calling to Pepe. I just thought, "What now?"

Saturday, August 09, 2008 - 08:31 PM

The police who work our area are very conscientious men and women who are really trying to do their job. When we were robbed, the police reaction was immediate and thorough. They fanned out through the neighborhood, checked all the known fence places, rousted known bad actors, and really tried to recover our stuff and arrest the culprit using good, old-fashioned police work. Unfortunately, they are hindered in their jobs by a number of factors.

Friday, August 08, 2008 - 09:00 PM

One thing about living next to a meth head – life is never dull. For awhile, we tried to tell ourselves that he wasn't really back on the drugs, and he did indeed have sober stretches that lasted a week or more. But, although self delusion can be entertaining, it is not very helpful, and we finally admitted we were going to have to do something or come up with a coping strategy.

Thursday, August 07, 2008 - 05:05 PM

Most of you know that we were robbed last August. It was a terrible and beautiful experience that taught us so much about our new country and our new neighbors. For a while it was like a raw, festering wound that kept us on our toes and never quite comfortable in our own home. It was like that hole left in your mouth when you lost one one of your baby teeth. No matter how hard you try to ignore it, your tongue continues to find that tender spot and explore it despite the pain. But eventually the pain fades, and a new tooth grows in its spot, so you don't even quite remember it was ever gone.

Thursday, July 31, 2008 - 04:36 PM

When we woke up at 7:30 yesterday morning, we noticed it was really dark for that time of day. It was just starting to rain. It's very unusual for it to rain during the day here. Mazatlan usually abides by the rulebook for Paradise and restricts the rain to the night time hours. No big deal. On the rare occasions it does rain during the day here, absent a hurricane, it is always a gentle rain shower. Did I say always? I guess I should add – until today.

Saturday, July 26, 2008 - 10:51 PM

I am sitting here at my desk gazing out at the sun glinting off the deep topaz Pacific, creating diamonds in my vision. The ocean stretches to fill my view, meeting a sky so bright and blue it could have been delivered by Tiffany's. The recent rains have turned the three islands into verdant hills that bisect my view. Up close, the waves gently crash on the shore, creating an impossibly white foam that contrasts with the deep golden sand. A fresh ocean breeze sends the palm fronds to swaying and tickles the hair on my neck. It's another perfect day here in paradise, and I'm sick of it.

Thursday, July 24, 2008 - 05:32 PM

We have been avoiding opening a Mexican bank account. Everyone we have talked to has told us it is a long, grueling process that takes most of a day. I certainly didn't want anything to do with that. I have much better things to do with my time than sit in a bank all day, thank you. And really, we have gotten along just fine without one. All our money is in an American bank account that we access through an ATM without problems. In fact, our bank charges us no fees to use any ATM anywhere in the world, so keeping our American bank account has been a very practical and economical choice. Until now.

Sunday, July 20, 2008 - 11:36 PM

Joss Whedon, the king of camp, my hero and the most under appreciated man in television, has done it again. If you are not watching Dr. Horrible's Sing Along Blog, you are really, really missing out. It's vintage superhero camp in three easy-to-digest webisodes, and you can watch for free at drhorrible.com.

Thursday, July 17, 2008 - 07:41 PM

I know I have been a bad blogger lately. My posts have been sporadic at best. Even this doesn't really qualify as a post; it is an excuse for not posting. I am truly sorry, internet. But the good news is that my lack of posting is due to an upswing in our new business. It seems that word has finally gotten out that I am the best web developer in all of Mazatlan. Well, okay, good enough to talk to. And that means I have had a lot of meetings, which as I mentioned before, take hours.

Saturday, July 12, 2008 - 06:15 PM

Almost no one uses the mail system here. All of our bills are hand delivered. There is practically no direct mail marketing. When someone has a sales circular or flyer to distribute, they hire people to stand at busy intersections and hand them out to passing motorists. Some people refuse them, but I always eagerly stick my hand out the window when it's my turn. The ads are a good basic Spanish lesson and a great way to find out about small stores in the area.

Thursday, July 10, 2008 - 05:55 PM

When we woke up this morning, our house had been utterly invaded by great, winged waspy things. Gross. I don't know where they came from, or even what they are, but I do know they were everywhere: hallways, kitchen, dining room, living room, office, even the garage. The only place they hadn't infiltrated was our bedroom, thank god. I'm not sure I could have ever recovered from waking up with giant bugs in my bed.

Sunday, July 06, 2008 - 06:17 PM

It's funny how we are taught from a very young age that it is not appropriate to talk about going to the bathroom, like its some dark secret. People who will happily tell you about their sexual escapades will still revert to euphemisms when referring to using the bathroom. Crazy. So why am I breaking with social norms, and talking about that most taboo of subjects? Because the procedure is different here. Or, at least, people believe it is.

Tuesday, July 01, 2008 - 03:27 PM

I was completely surprised and delighted to find an email in my inbox requesting an interview. The requester came across this very site and thought it was well done and entertaining. Of course, he had me at hello, the compliments were really unnecessary, but nice nonetheless. In case you are wondering, I said yes.

Monday, June 30, 2008 - 04:35 PM

I woke up this morning much earlier than I wanted, but Tasha was well rested and refreshed and ready to play. Not in a particularly good mood, I sat at my desk and gazed out the window at a leaden ocean and slate sky, an indifferent start to the day that matched my mood. My hand wandered around my desk until it found my ChapStick. I started to put some on and that's when I realized something was definitely wrong.

Sunday, June 29, 2008 - 06:51 PM

Summer is on its way. The temperature is up. The humidity is definitely up. Comments about the weather are starting to change from observations to complaints. But really, its not too bad...yet. And the warmth is far preferable to the butt puckering cold we suffered through in the winter. I think it's still quite pleasant, and anyone who has been here for any amount of time has developed some very good coping mechanisms.

Thursday, June 26, 2008 - 01:03 AM

I have had my own business for a number of years. Mostly, because I am really awful at working for other people. Just ask my Dad. But that's another post. We'll just call the business decision a choice of necessity. And you know what? I have gotten pretty good at this independent business woman thing.

Sunday, June 22, 2008 - 07:22 PM

We knew it was going to happen. In the front of my brain it was inevitable. But in the back of my brain where all my secret desires and my belief that I am immune to the foibles of the real world live, I harbored the faith that my computer would be perfectly immune from the extreme environment where we now live. Alas, it is not so.

Saturday, June 21, 2008 - 05:10 PM

We're starting to get into that time of year where cooking becomes a task too onerous to consider. Two days ago, the humidity shot up suddenly, making it feel 10 degrees warmer. It's still comfortable if you keep your activity level low, which for me is usually pretty easy. I am a web developer and spend 80% of my awake time sitting in front of my computer. But even low level activity is guaranteed to bring a good sweat, and going into the kitchen and firing up a couple of burners or the oven is a trip to the second ring of hell.

Thursday, June 19, 2008 - 04:57 PM

I have fans! Who knew? Yes, I know this site is read. I have a counter on each article so every visitor can tell how popular each one is. The fact that the counter has anything to count is evidence that people are at least clicking on the articles. But I don't get a lot of comments, so its easy to think my only readers are friends and family.

Tuesday, June 17, 2008 - 05:02 PM

I love this time of year in Mazatlan. It is just now starting to get truly warm, with the afternoons getting hot enough to make you sweat, promising future mysteries like a tentative, clumsy first kiss. The heat has been enough to drive most of the gringo tourists and snow birds back north. The city has heaved a huge, collective sigh of relief and let its hair down.

Monday, June 16, 2008 - 05:31 PM

In Mazatlan, the loudspeaker is the single most common form of mass communication. It is the cheapest, easiest, most effective way to get your message directly to your target audience. Every gas and water truck is equipped with loudspeakers that play a repeating sales message to let you know they are in your area with goods to sell. But the use of loudspeakers goes way beyond the direct vendor-buyer relationship.

Tuesday, June 10, 2008 - 06:58 PM

And now for the most bizarre twist of events in the continuing saga of our relationship with CFE: our electric bill has gone down – drastically. Our kWh usage has gone up some, from 513 kWh last month to 576 kWh this month. But our bill went from $1,051MXN last month to $368MXN this month. The structure under which we are billed has changed. I don't know what twist of fate or computer malfunction occurred, but I will take it.

Sunday, June 01, 2008 - 05:04 PM

The federal electric company, CFE, works in ways I do not understand, and sometimes hurts my brain. Of course, a lot of my confusion stems from the fact that I have NOB sensibilities and ideas about how things should be done. I am sure this will change slowly over time, as I become more integrated into my new home and culture, but for now, I am really annoyed.

Friday, May 30, 2008 - 04:34 PM

Every time we think we are doing well with our Spanish, something happens to humble us. We do pretty well most days, which is what starts to make us think we are stellar students of the Spanish language. But really, most of the times we are speaking Spanish, we are in control of the situation and dictate the flow of the conversation, which means we are usually shopping or eating out.

Thursday, May 29, 2008 - 04:24 PM

One of the best things about living in Mazatlan and a tropical climate is the incredible biodiversity around and even in our home. It's something I am simply not used to. In our suburban, planned neighborhood in Fort Worth, which was completely transformed and landscaped by its inhabitants, the biggest wildlife sighting was what bugs were eating my roses. Here, we have daily interaction with animals I never imagined I would be sharing space with.

Monday, May 26, 2008 - 10:26 PM

There is no law in Mexico requiring that any motorist carry insurance. There is no penalty if you get pulled over and cannot provide proof of financial responsibility. However, if you get into an accident, and it is decided that you are at fault, and you do not have insurance, then you are going to Mexican jail, and there you will stay until all the damages and medical bills are paid by someone on your behalf.

Saturday, May 24, 2008 - 11:35 PM

One of the wonderful harbingers of Spring in Mazatlan is parade time. That doesn't mean there aren't parades all year round – there are. But spring brings extra clusters and fits of random paradeness, especially with the closing of the school year and elections for king and queen of each school.

Tuesday, May 20, 2008 - 06:42 PM

In Mexico, all public schooling is free, up to and including the university level. The schools are open to any student who has the motivation to attend. I was very surprised when I learned this fact, because most students here don't make it past the 6th grade. Huh? That's when I learned that while tuition is free, transportation, uniforms, and school supplies are not, and that is an incredible expense for the average Mexican family.

Saturday, May 17, 2008 - 05:15 PM

The first time we ate out here in Mazatlan, I thought we had the worst waiter that ever fell to Earth, and I was good and angry by the time we left the restaurant. Etiquette and social behavioral norms are different here than NOB. Not extremely different, but enough to cause you some problems, even doing something as simple as dining out.

Friday, May 16, 2008 - 09:00 AM

Today is my Mexican birthday. I have two birthdays: the date of my actual birth, and my Mexican birthday. How did I get so lucky? By being hugely disappointed last year. We were supposed to be in Mazatlan in time to celebrate my real birthday, April 16th. I was really looking forward to going to my favorite palapa on the beach, eating a ton of garlic shrimp, and enjoying the beach, but the darn house just wouldn't sell.

Thursday, May 15, 2008 - 08:41 PM

Like clockwork, wherever Gringos gather, at the beginning of the month talk turns to electricity bills. Of course, the subject is usually brought up by those of us who have the higher bills. During the Winter, most of my friends have bills in the $300MXN - $500MXN range. Ours has been consistently in the $1,100MXN - $1,200MXN range. This has troubled us off and on, especially since most of our friends have larger houses than we do. Finally, we called in an expert.

Wednesday, May 14, 2008 - 06:24 PM

Back in Fort Worth, we bought Tasha a Giggle Ball. It's a sturdy, red, rubber ball that has one of those gravity whistles inside that makes a cute sound when you turn it over. We brought it home to her, and it was love at first sight. She kept the ball with her at all times. She loved Giggle Ball so much that it didn't get packed in a box with the rest of the dog paraphernalia. It made the trip to Mexico in the over-packed truck with us.

Wednesday, May 14, 2008 - 12:55 AM

We have a large, empty lot between our house and the ocean. It has been wild and overgrown since we moved in. I have been known to complain about it, as it has been a source of hordes of ticks, some snakes, clouds of mosquitoes, numerous feral cats, and the crash pad of the occasional drunk. The brush has been getting taller and taller and blocking more of our ocean view. I have fantasized more than once of setting the whole thing ablaze.

Monday, May 12, 2008 - 08:14 AM

I have been tinkering with the web site again. Those of you who are regular readers have probably noticed already. I am actually always making small changes to the code, trying to make things work a little better or a little faster. The average user would never notice most of the stuff I do, but this last round of changes made a visual impact, so I thought I would explain.

Sunday, May 11, 2008 - 04:52 PM

Here in Mexico, there is no figure in society who is more important than Mom. Without her, everything falls apart, and everyone knows it. Mother's day doesn't fall on a convenient Sunday here. It is May 10th every year. On Mother's Day, everything stops. If you haven't completed all of your shopping by 3 pm, you are out of luck. It's easier to find an open market on a Sunday.

Friday, May 09, 2008 - 12:14 AM

We have a large and fairly useless construct in our bathroom. It's kind of a large, tile box - with faucets. I think it's supposed to be a bathtub, but it is rather useless. There is a small pipe set into the tile that drains into the shower. I haven't yet been able to figure a way to adequately plug it. Even if I did, with our gravity-fed water, it would take 5 days to fill the ginormous thing.

Thursday, May 08, 2008 - 02:29 AM

Today is the one year anniversary of our border crossing into Mexico and the start of our new life. We celebrated it by going to migracion to finish the renewal of our FM-3s. Yes, we just took our final proof that we had registered with Hacienda to pay taxes 9 days ago. It took us so long to get our working permission, that we only had 9 days of sweet, blessed legalness before we had to reapply.

Wednesday, May 07, 2008 - 03:57 AM

When Chuck and I were contemplating our move to Mazatlan, we knew we were going to be working. Let's face it, we're in our low-to-mid 30's. We haven't worked long enough to build up the kind of nest egg necessary to retire. We have an online computer components store, and I have US clients for my web development business, but we knew that if we wanted our house with a view and to go out to eat whenever we wanted and a maid and all the other little things that make life great, we were going to need to generate some additional income.

Sunday, May 04, 2008 - 05:42 PM

One of the best parts of a vacation in Mazatlan is eating your way through the bounty of fresh, wonderful seafood and fish available here. First and foremost is the shrimp. Mazatlan is the shrimp capitol of the world. There are more ways to prepare shrimp here than I ever imagined possible. You could stay here a month and not eat shrimp the same way twice. But you shouldn't overlook the other wonderful options: scallops, lobster, oysters, clams, conch...all fresh and yummy.

Friday, May 02, 2008 - 02:42 PM

If you are going to drive into Mexico, there is one very important thing you need to know: how to get gas. Unless you are from Oregon or New Jersey, you are probably used to pumping your own gas. Here in Mexico, your gas is always pumped for you, which means you need to be able to tell the gas station attendant what kind of gas you want and how much.

Thursday, May 01, 2008 - 05:03 PM

Tuesday dawned astonishingly warm and humid. A sudden change from the weather we have been having. We hit 80 degrees in the house. Finally, blissful warmth. We drank in the warm breezes – the first hint of the Summer yet to come. When Wednesday came and was even warmer than Tuesday, we realized this wasn't a tease – Summer really is coming. I performed the season's first Ritual of the Space Bag.

Wednesday, April 30, 2008 - 06:09 PM

Today, April 30th, is Children's Day here in Mexico. It's celebrated throughout the country in a variety of ways. In Mexico City there is always a big parade. In most places the kids still have to go to school but there are no classes and they don't have to wear their uniforms. There are usually lots or games and toys and candy, and, of course, piñatas.

Monday, April 28, 2008 - 01:19 PM

There are many things strange and wondrous in Mazatlan, completely different from the cultural norms in the US. One of the big differences is the attitude toward noise. Noise is a very real fact to be dealt with here. I've gotten pretty zen about it, and usually find myself enjoying it. I've come to see it as the daily, exuberant celebration of life, and a wonderful part of living in this vibrant city. Not so this morning.

Monday, April 28, 2008 - 01:37 AM

The lime is a very overlooked fruit in the US. It's use is pretty much restricted to margaritas and Key Lime Pie. I certainly never kept limes in the house. They were expensive and would often shrivel up in the fridge before I got around to using them. But here in Mazatlan, the lime is as pervasive as the tomato, and I always have 15 or 20 around.

Monday, March 31, 2008 - 12:02 AM

Today marks the end of Mazatlan Bike Week 2008. It's the last festival in a closely packed season. We were just recovering from Carnival when Semana Santa started, which blended directly into Bike Week. It has been a veritable cornucopia of eye candy with all the custom bikes.

Thursday, March 27, 2008 - 12:18 AM

Today is the first official day of Spring. I know your calendar may have told you different. Ignore it. It's wrong. Today is the day – the one, glorious day. You know that day each year. You wake up and can just smell it in the air, and then, you see that ultimate harbinger, that signal that Spring has truly arrived.

Wednesday, March 19, 2008 - 09:12 PM

For the previous two days, we experienced a singular wind that furiously assaulted the house like an angry banshee, wailing through our imperfectly sealed windows and mischievously tossing small belongings around the house. The wind speed was higher and the duration was much longer than any tropical storm or near miss with a hurricane we have experienced. Occasionally, the wind would manage to wriggle free the suggestion of a latch on one of our windows and fling it wide, causing complete, swirling chaos in the house.

Wednesday, March 19, 2008 - 04:13 PM

Shortly after we moved here, I decided to get a maid. Wait, that's not true. I decided to get a maid before we ever moved here. It was one of the many benefits of moving to Mexico. I am a wretched house keeper. Everyone who knows me will tell you so. Shortly after we moved here, I hired a maid. And boy, was I delighted.

Wednesday, March 05, 2008 - 10:32 PM

I have talked with several recent expatriates who are surprised at the daily cost of living in Mazatlan. It is not expensive by any standard to live here, but it is also not cheap. It's easy to be fooled into thinking Mexico is cheap, especially with the proliferation of travel books out there like "Mexico for $18 a Day". It is possible to live here for $18 a day, but you are probably not going to like it.

I have a cousin who lived in Mexico for a scant $500US a month. He lived in a hut on a remote beach with a few meager possessions: a hammock, a blanket, a pot, a pan, a few plates, cups, and forks, a change of clothes, and that's about it. He didn't even have walls. He fished for his meals. Honestly, most of his budget was beer money. While that may be a great, carefree adventure for a 20-year-old, it's not the way most of us want to live.

Monday, March 03, 2008 - 11:07 PM

Getting fresh fish in this town is easy. Especially if you avoid the large grocery stores. There are numerous pescaderias and vendors that will sell you the daily catch. Even better, just stroll down to Fisherman's Beach when the boats come in (which they do three times a day), check out the catch, point, and start bargaining. You don't even have to know Spanish. But for us, it's even easier. We have a Fish Fairy.

Friday, February 22, 2008 - 08:58 PM

The following two posts are about the exact same events. Unbeknownst to each other, both Chuck and I wrote about the same events at the same time. I was getting ready to publish mine when he gave me his to look over. After reading his, I decided to post them both.

Friday, February 22, 2008 - 08:49 PM

Words for the day:
Lock: Chapa
Key: Llave
Locksmith: Cerrajero

Chuck and I got a surprise, intensive vocabulary course Saturday night. After many years of vigilant service, the lock on our front door finally surrendered to the salt air. The internals were rusted. We couldn't get into the house. We were facing quite the predicament. After our robbery, every possible entry and exit point to the house had been fortified. All of Chuck's tools and anything else that would have been helpful was in a locked toolbox behind two stout metal doors. The keys to the doors and toolbox were in the house.

Saturday, February 16, 2008 - 05:08 PM

Two years ago, I got my very first brand new washing machine and dryer. Before then, we had always bought a used replacement whenever the current one became irreparable. So not only were they my first new models, they were my very first matched set. I studiously researched brands and models for quality, value, durability, service, and feature sets. It took a couple of months for me to finally make a decision, a luxury I didn't usually have since I had previously bought replacements when my current one was hopelessly broken and need dictated a speedy purchase.

Friday, February 01, 2008 - 05:43 PM

I have to keep swearing to Chuck that I'm not trying to tour all the hospitals for a multi part series on health care in Mazatlan. It's really not a goal of mine, and there are many things I would rather be doing that lying in hospital beds, like pouring alcohol on paper cuts or attending a live taping of the Jerry Springer show. It's just that fate keeps conspiring against me; well, that and my own stupidity.

Wednesday, January 23, 2008 - 06:56 PM

We did move to the tropics, right? So why are we freezing? It has been cold here. And, since we don't have heat, cold outside means cold inside. We struggle to maintain 15 degrees (60 Fahrenheit) in the house. Brrr!

This is our first winter here, so we have nothing to compare it to. The locals keep assuring us this is highly unusual. All I know is it's cold. Every time there is a whisper about a store that has some space heaters, it's mobbed. Street vendors are selling knit caps and scarves. The beaches are empty. Local crops are in danger. People have died. The other morning, we woke up to 2 degrees: an all time record for Mazatlan on any date in history.

Friday, January 18, 2008 - 09:55 PM

I was in the middle of making a pot of vegetable soup when my stove quit. No problem. The primary tank is empty, and the gas supply needs to be switched over to the secondary tank. I called out to my beloved and sent him tromping down the stairs to accomplish the task. I waited at the stove for a fresh supply of fuel so I can finish cooking lunch. And waited. And waited. Finally, Chuck comes back upstairs and tells me both tanks are empty.

Sunday, January 06, 2008 - 08:30 PM

My life has been powerfully and irrevocably changed by a shift in geography. A small change, really, only 9 degrees of latitude, but a significant 9 degrees. I do and accept things that I never could have imagined before. I call it "The Mexico Effect". We have been here for 6 months now, and I figured it might be nice to share some of the ways – both inconsequential and monumental – my life has been transformed.

Thursday, December 27, 2007 - 04:56 PM

Christmas was quiet. Very quiet. We didn't hear even the usual shuffling and breakfast making noises from our neighbors until after 1:00 pm. Not a soul walked down our street, not a car drove by. The previous evening's celebrations didn't wind down until about 5:00 am, so I guess everyone was sleeping in.

Tuesday, December 25, 2007 - 06:52 PM

Christmas Eve in Mazatlan is a spectacular event celebrated with joy and gusto and quite a bit of noise. If you like a quiet, spiritual Christmas Eve, or if you want to sleep, don't come here. If you want to be a part of an epic celebration with people who know how to have a good time, Mazatlan is the place to be.

Wednesday, November 28, 2007 - 05:34 PM

Every day in Mazatlan brings some sort of pleasant surprise. Today it was a peppy serenade from a wandering group with a big drum and a saxophone. I was sitting at my desk working when the lively music started directly below my window. I went to look and saw a small band of Mestizos standing out in the street.

Monday, November 26, 2007 - 07:03 PM

Dia de la Revolucion (Revolution Day) is celebrated on November 20 and commemorates the beginning of the Mexican Revolution in 1910 which ended the rule of dictatorial President Porfirio Díaz Mori. The war, which gave rise to folk heroes like Emiliano Zapata and Pancho Villa, lasted seven years and killed 7% of the population. The end came in 1917 with the ratification of the current Constitution of Mexico. Revolution Day is often confused with Dia de la Indepencia (Independence Day), September 16, which celebrates Mexican independence from Spain.

Wednesday, November 14, 2007 - 04:47 PM

Sometimes I really want to sit down in the evening, have a cool beverage, sit in the dark, and watch the latest episode of Heroes. Will Hiro make it back to the present? Will Mohinder save Molly? What is Syler up to? These are questions that burn in my mind. My problem is that getting American TV in Mazatlan can be tricky.

Tuesday, November 13, 2007 - 03:12 PM

The 13 Wonders of Mexico (Maravillas de Mexico), a competition organized by TV Azteca and the Council of Tourist Promotion Mexico (CPTM), ended on September 25 with Mazatlan chosen as one of the 13 Man Made Wonders of Mexico. Mazatlan competed with over 40 other locations in Mexico in the 10-week contest which received 1.5 million votes. Now the celebrations start.

Sunday, November 11, 2007 - 07:16 PM

You may have noticed that things look a little different around here. Okay, a lot different. Why? Well, the easy answer is it was just time for a little sprucing up. I couldn't make over my living room, so I did the web site.

Sunday, November 04, 2007 - 06:30 PM

November 1st (All Saints' Day) and 2nd (All Souls' Day) marked the Dia de los Muertos celebrations here in Mazatlan. When I lived in Texas, I heard that November 1 is a day for deceased children, while November 2 is a day for deceased adults, but here in Mazatlan, it seemed more like the first was a publicly celebratory day, while the second was reserved for private celebrations with family at home and at the cemeteries.

Sunday, October 28, 2007 - 05:55 PM

Today is the day my beloved was born; I am so grateful that God put him on this Earth. He is my reason for waking up in the morning, my joy in each day, and brings vibrancy to my life. I can't fully conceive what my life would be without him, but I know it would lack the adventure, tenderness, laughter, intimacy, and acceptance that I receive so fully, I sometimes take it for granted. Happy birthday Chuck. I love you.

Sunday, October 28, 2007 - 05:47 PM

When we were at the weekly Gringo Gathering at Canuck's on Friday, I finally got to really meet fellow bloggers and very new Mazatlan residents Nancy and Paul. One of the things we discussed was the possibility of a revenue generating site about Mazatlan, and it reminded me that way back when I started this site, I had that possibility in mind. So I went and blew the dust off my Google AdSense account. The result: the ads you see on each page. I have no fantasies about getting rich from these ads, but it would be nice if it did offset the cost of maintaining the site.

Sunday, October 28, 2007 - 05:32 PM

Today is the day all of us here in Mexico (and most of the world) set our clocks back 1 hour. So for the next week, our time will be an additional hour earlier than most of you: 2 hours earlier than Texas, same time as California.

Sunday, October 14, 2007 - 02:31 PM

The day after I got home from the hospital, Reku decided to get in on the act with an emergency of his own. He somehow managed to torque one of his rear nails off the quick. Well, not completely off, that would have been easier. The nail was still hanging on, just unwrapped from the quick. Ow.

Saturday, October 13, 2007 - 05:05 PM

I know a lot of you reading this are cringing in horror at the thought of going for surgery in a Mexican hospital. Many people conjure up a picture of a glassy-eyed bandito type with a knife in one hand and a bottle of tequila in the other getting ready to cut me open. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Friday, October 12, 2007 - 05:14 PM

Last Saturday, I awoke with some stomach discomfort. I figured I was paying the price for the previous night. We went out with friends, drank more than is prudent, and had dinner at a restaurant I had never visited before. The dinner was the kicker: a salami and cheese sandwich and French fries. It was a shock to my system. I have become accustomed to a diet that prominently features fish, seafood, and fresh fruit and vegetables.

Sunday, September 23, 2007 - 12:59 AM

Our very low electric bills have been very exciting to us. We came from Fort Worth, where in the Summer, our electric bill could be $800USD. And ours was low compared to a lot of our neighbors. So when we got our first electric bill, a scarce $204MXN, we were astonished and did a happy dance. Other people we spoke with thought that was a little low, but we reminded them that we don't have air conditioning. We insisted that fact, combined with the different rates charged to each neighborhood made up for the difference between our bill and theirs. A theory proven false.

Friday, August 10, 2007 - 07:13 PM

Yesterday started out the same as any other day. Chuck woke up about a quarter to eight, slid out of bed, and took the dogs with him out of the bedroom for their morning potty break. I stretched and yawned, and remained there in bed, enjoying the comfort of the mattress and the coolness of the bedroom, steeling myself to get up, turn off the air conditioner, and face the heat of the day. After a few minutes, Chuck came back into the bedroom, and with four little words, dramatically changed the course of my day: “Babe, we've been robbed.”

Tuesday, July 24, 2007 - 04:04 PM

Chuck and I were having a lovely brunch on the terrace, enjoying the breeze and watching the sun glint off the ocean. Pretty much an idyllic morning here in Paradise. Suddenly, Reku jumped up and back pedalled so quickly he almost tripped over his own feet. I looked at Chuck, puzzled, wondering if he knew what was bothering Reku. He thought perhaps something had bitten him. But Reku wasn't looking at himself. He was staring intently behind me. I followed his gaze, and there, right behind my chair, was a bat. And Tasha was trying to make friends with it.

Friday, July 13, 2007 - 07:27 PM

Having any type of work done here is a new and interesting experience. Everything is different, from finding someone to do the work, to how the work is done, to how you pay for the work. Nothing has taught us more about the cultural differences between the US and Mexico than trying to get simple jobs around the house done.

Friday, July 06, 2007 - 07:06 PM

Our stuff is here! OK, we actually got our stuff June 29, but I haven't posted until now because I've been digging through boxes like a kid on Christmas morning, tossing bubble wrap into the air as I try to discover what treasure each box holds.

Monday, July 02, 2007 - 04:21 AM

With the temperature continuing to rise, (89.6°F in the house with 78% humidity,) I find myself less and less inclined to cook. But eating out all the time is expensive – or is it? We have found several places that serve up a superb meal for less than $6.00 US – for both of us combined, including drinks. Here's my list:

Wednesday, June 27, 2007 - 07:55 PM

Actually, we were the only ones surprised by the party, and it wasn't in our honor, so in the grand scheme of things the surprise only mattered to us.

Sunday, June 24, 2007 - 07:36 PM

Sunsets are pretty sacred for Chuck and me. We drop everything we are doing, grab a cold Pacifico, and go onto the upstairs terrace and enjoy a cool ocean breeze and the show. And the show is usually quite spectacular. Sometimes the sky is a riot of blues, greens, purples, oranges, yellows, reds and pinks, with the sun a fiery magenta disk in the middle. Other times, the sky is tranquil, and the yellow sun simply drops behind the sea.

Tuesday, June 19, 2007 - 06:52 PM

It's 5 am. Its 5 am, and I'm awake. Its 5 am, and I am awake and upstairs and writing. We moved to paradise, the land of no schedules