Checking in...

Strange but true, again it is a small world here in Mexico.

In my neighborhood, Olas Altas, there is a plaza named Plazuela Machado. It has a small parklike setting with benches around the interior and restaurants lining the exterior triangle. At night the plaza becomes entertained with various musicians hired by restaurants and numerous artists lining the goods for all to see and of course buy. I decided this past Friday to stroll through the Plaza and grab a quick beer. As I walked past one restaurant in particular I saw a man playing whom I recognized from Richmond Beach. I had met him this summer with his dog strolling the beach and remembered him saying he plays music in Mexico in the wintertime. Where, or how, or any of the particulars I had not remembered until now as I walked past him. I waited until the end of his set and went up and introduced myself, thankfully he remembered me and didn-t think I was some crazed fan. I walked away with the promise of coming back to see him on a slow night, but then realized I would be gone by then. And as I walked past a couple of more restaurants, I also realized I knew the musician there. He is one of my neighbors that I had met on my first day here, he told me he played music sometimes...little did I know he meant to actually entertain. So once again, in a small little big city called Mazatlan it is possible to know people of past and of new.

Speaking of new, I've seemed to acquire a new dog, lady. She really is the best dog ever and if could I would bring her home. Whenever I come out of my apartment she comes running up to walk with me whether I'm walking the dog or not. In fact, as I type this she is sitting outside of the internet cafe waiting for me. She is just a young thing, and as typical with a lot of Mexican dogs very skinny. But I think the neighborhood does take care of her as I see she sleeps in one guys carport, and she seems to be liked by all. But as the neighbors say, she loves me. I can always turn around and Lady is following right behind me. Some of my friends had said before I left, don't come home with 20 dogs...sometimes it is tempting.

Unfortunately I have also seen some tragedy. Every afternoon I take Maddie (and Lady) to la playa for a little romp in the sand and water. Madison about pulls my arm off struggling to get to that beach as fast as she possibly can and I always pull her back and hold the leash right next to me. But usually as we hit the Malecon I let her jump up on the bulkhead and walk there until we reach the beach stairs. This time as we hit the malecon I saw all sorts of crowds gathering and policia y medico units pulled in. I didn't want to seem like the nosey tourist so I didn't ask any questions and continued walking, but you could tell something awful had happened as everyone looked rather upset. All I could think was that someone had drowned. Afterall, this is wintertime, the waves are high and the undertow is great. I constantly stand at the waters edge poised ready to jump in. Even though I'm not a lifeguard, I am always concious about the powers of water and I think people constantly misjudge when they should be out swimming in the ocean. So as I throw the rocks for the dog, I am counting heads to make sure no-one disappears. There is a lifeguard but he is way up on the Malecon, typically talking to friends. It would take him a long time to reach a struggling person way out in the water. Well today as I was leaving the beach it was confirmed that indeed someone had drowned. There was a small funeral procession coming down the stairs and most were dressed in black with small flowers in their hands. I took the dogs a little further up and sat down to watch. But most accounts he was 20 years old, and a student from Japan. I think. I get confused as to the translation for Japan versus Asia. Regardless, he did perish and at such a young age...a terrible tragedy.

Besides that I'm just learning how to live in Mexico, or particulary in Mazatlan. I've gotten my haircut, which was entertainment itself. Armed with my dicinario, I showed up at 10am as planned and started describing what I was looking for. Unfortunately the word "bangs" nor "highlights" were in it, but somehow we managed to make it work. I actually got an awesome haircut and highlights for 250 pesos, or about $23 USD. And just like at home, the salon is full of people and gossip. In my broken Spanish, I found out my hairdresser is divorced and "why does she need a man"..."they are too much trouble"...and all the women in the small cramped salon would agree, or talking really fast about something and they would all start laughing. It really was entertainment. I felt like I was in the Mexican version of the "Barber Shop". I am really working on my language skills as my interaction has been strictly with Spanish speaking people only; going to the Lavenderia Super, calling the DiesGas to get propane, the cable guy showing up...so I think I will be enrolling in a short immersion language class in Guadalajara. But more on that later...

Until then folks, I'll be signing off for awhile. I'll be heading out of Mazatlan on the 26th and heading south to camp at a place called Santa Maria Del Oro. It is a beautiful crater lake, you can check it out here: www.geocities.com/cfrenchkoala

Then possibly off to Guadalajara. So, I will be out of touch with all for awhile. But I will be thinking of you all over the Christmas holiday and the New Year. I wish nothing but the best for each and every one of you. And for all the little kiddies out there, if only Santa could stop by here in Mazatlan with his sleigh, I'd pile it high for all of you...Felize Navidad. Y Felize Ano Nuevo.

A beso por todo...
Heidi