cute kids

Inside the school

Getting ready for parade

Flag ceremony

The girl in yellow on the left was giving the orders.

Paula McKnight school

This past week we visited the Mexican school that the park sponsors. It was the first day of spring, so they were having a parade. The kids were dressed in costumes and were so cute. They did a little ceremony for us that included a raising of the flag and some singing. Of course, we couldn't understand a word.

We then went outside and decorated our trucks for the parade. Some of the mom's helped us decorate our truck with balloons and streamers. Then about 10 - 15 kids and moms got into the truck bed for a ride through their neighborhood. We really saw firsthand just how poor these families are. Some of the homes were no more than tin shacks. Not that we should let in all of the Mexicans who want to cross the border, but it is understandable that they would want to enter the USA. It doesn't appear there are very many opportunities for them here in their own country. There is so much poverty. We're really lucky to live in such a wonderful country with so many opportunities. The place where I've had my haircut charges just $5.00. During the tourist months the beautician works 6 days a week about 12 hours a day.

And, a word about driving here in Mazatlan. It's sometimes crazy - but we've only seen one accident since we've been here. They have a lot of circles, and if a vehicle can jump in front of you they certainly will. Also, the little motorbikes weave in and around traffic. They cut inside of you when you're trying to make a turn, so you have to make sure they aren't somewhere you don't expect them. We do drive to the grocery store and to Walmart. But, sometimes, we just take the bus because we don't have to find a parking place and we can let the Mexican bus driver to the driving!!

Sand Sculpture

Sand Sculpture contest

 

Cooking class

 

Sand Sculpture contest

This past week we spent time with Blane, George, and Sharon. These are Alpenlite owners that I mentioned in last week's blog. One day we again went to Stone Island for lunch. Saturday night we went to the Bruha - an open air restauraunt on the beach.

Friday Connie went to her cooking class. We made Chicken mole, Jicama & Pineapple salad, cinnamon rice, and capiritada (a lenten dish that is like bread pudding).

Sunday we went to the sand castle contest. In the afternoon we went to a wine and cheese party sponsored by the Friends of Mexico. This is a social and charitable organization that we have joined. They had a raffle and we won 3 times. Of course, we helped them by buying lots of raffle tickets.

Flamenco dancers Angela Peralta theatre

Flamenco dancers

Cooking class

Notice the kitchen cabinets

Mazatlan theatre

Another week here in Mazatlan has lazed on by. This past week a couple we know arrived here in Mazatlan. We met the couple, Sharon and Blane, at the RV Life on Wheels seminar in Moscow, Idaho last July. They had been on an Escapees club caravan to Mexico that left on February 8th from Texas. They brought along a friend, George, who they met while on the caravan. We all have Alpenlite fifth wheels. It's nice to meet someone while on the road and then catch up with them somewhere else on the road.

Saturday night the 5 of us went to the Angela Peralta theatre in old town Mazatlan. This theatre opened in 1874 and was restored in 1987. The opulent interior is amazing. We saw the Flamenco dancers at the 5:00p.m. show. We had second row seats that cost us $180 pesos (about $17) each. And there was no one in the front row, so we had perfect seats. Afterwards we went to dinner at one of the better known restauraunts, Pedro & Lolas, which is on the Plaza Machado.

Connie has started a cooking class on Fridays. Last Friday we made two kinds of enchiladas, green pepper soup, rice, and, and mango cream dessert. All of the dishes were excellent. The class is put on by an American woman in her home in Oldtown. We actually do the cooking, but it does get a little crowded with 10 women in the kitchen. And of course, once we're done cooking we get to eat what we've made. The class runs every Friday until March 30th.

Another naptime pose

I'm not sure how I get into this position. 

I'm so tired

I just can't stay awake while reading this book - must be time for a nap.

Buddy eating his grass

Flowers in Mazatlan

We see these on our morning walk.

Bushes in the shape of houses

These houses are along our 3 mile walk

View from our RV park

We've been getting some very high tides and it's undermining the wall in front of the RV park.

Connie on the beach

This is from the RV park where we're staying. Connie was out near the beach reading a book and taking in the scenery.

Another week in Mazatlan

This past week we went to Stone Island. We took the bus from our RV park to the Ferry landing. From there - for $15 pesos (about $1.50) round trip we took the short ferry ride to Stone Island. It's just across the bay from where the cruise ships tie up. We took a swim and had lunch at a restaurant right on the beach.

Saturday we took the bus into old town Mazatlan. There is an old hotel there with a beautiful bar and swimming pool on the top floor. We went up there and had a diet coke and enjoyed the view. We then went to the Machada (town square) and sat on a bench for awhile - just watching a hummingbird and enjoying the day. We then took the bus home and had lunch at the huge timeshare resort next door to our RV park.