In Mazatlan there are many ways to socialize and enjoy your day.  And there are groups that meet for just about anything and everything.  We in Mazatlan meet for surfing, biking, yoga, coffee, dinner and dancing. We meet to walk the Malecon, or jog up the lighthouse. We have clubs for motorcycles, poker, art and theatre, running and swimming and there is one interesting club whose sole objective is to try out the beer and tacos at all the different local Mexican Cantinas, (the true Mexican experience!)

Friends at the Bridge Club in Mazatlan

Many groups get together to play.  Every day and night of the week there is a game going on somewhere.   People gather to play Bingo, Poker, Cribbage, Canasta, Dice and some to shoot some Pool.  My personal favorite is Bridge.

Kathy McCaw started a Bridge group here in Mazatlan in 2005 with an attendance of only 4 people.

Playing Bridge by the ocean.

This group now meets three times a week and will have as many as 80 players, depending on the time of year.  The roster has over 150 people who will come to play with the crowd, at some point, during the year.

During high season, Canucks de Leon, along the Malacon, is the playing ground for the eager Bridge Players.  They have plenty of room for two large groups….the “Newbies” and the “Big Dogs”.   Kathy very generously, donates one day a week of her time during the high season to teaching us, newbies, how to master the game of bridge.

Thanks Kathy!

This year, in 2012, there were almost 30 new people. We met every week, to be pushed and challenged to try and learn this complicated but fascinating game.

Kathy is a tireless and patient (oh…how patient!) instructor, with very clear and well laid out lesson plans.   She took us through the maze of “bidding” week by week, making it (hopefully) all fall into place.

You may note that there are 5 aces on the cake! Mmmm...cake

Towards the end of the season, a gathering was held to honor Kathy and this wonderful group that she has created. A few speeches were made, a delicious cake was consumed, goodies, prizes and big gold stars were awarded out…followed…of course….by a good round of Bridge.   Bridge days are Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.  But be careful if you decide to join.  It is very, very, very addictive!  Don’t say you weren’t warned.

Lost corner of cemetery in Mazatlan

The graveyards in Mexico are very demonstrative of the some of the differences in our two cultures. Our flat fields of graves with our headstones laid out shallow to make the groundskeepers jobs easier are in stark contrast to the Mexican graveyards.  Here, their dead are laid to rest in cemeteries full of chaos, disorder, color and beauty.

Tombs of Mazatlan

Los cementerios en México son muy demostrativas de algunas de las diferencias en nuestras dos culturas. Nuestros cementerios canadienses tienden a ser de césped bien cuidado, con nuestras lápidas presentado poca profundidad para hacer el trabajo más fácil jardineros. Esto está en marcado contraste con los cementerios mexicanos. Aquí, los muertos son enterrados en los cementerios llenos de caos, el desorden, el color y la belleza.

A simple, wooden cross.

Simple graves with wooden crosses are nestled in-between large crypts with florid inscriptions and angels with wings spread wide. Grass grows where it will and trees shade final resting spots, their roots beginning to force their way past the confines of cement and brick, tearing open tombs and dislodging headstones.

The Beautiful Home of the Dead

Fosas simples con cruces de madera, se encuentran en entre las criptas grandes con inscripciones floridos y los ángeles con las alas extendidas. La hierba crece en todas partes y los grandes árboles dan sombra a los últimos lugares de descanso. Las raíces comienzan a abrirse camino más allá de los confines de cemento y ladrillo, lagrimeo tumbas abiertas y lápidas se desprenda.

Old Crypts in Mazatlan

As in all cultures, families move, separate or die out.  So in some of the older cemeteries, there is no one to tend and keep up the grave sites.  “El Pantéon #3” is one of the older cemeteries in Mazatlan and it’s disrepair adds another layer of beauty to the history of its land. The wingless angels bring a bittersweet melancholy to the energy of quiet repose.

Mazatlan graveyard

Como en todas las culturas, las familias se mueven, se separan o mueren. Así, en algunos de los cementerios más antiguos, no hay nadie para atender y mantener las tumbas. “El Panteón #3″ es uno de los cementerios más antiguos de Mazatlán y del mal, añade otra capa de la belleza a la historia de su tierra. Los ángeles sin alas traen una melancolía agridulce a la energía de tranquilo reposo.

Picnicing amoungst the tombstones with Meg.

My friend Meg and I decided to have a picnic lunch at the Pantéon #3 and we sat in peaceful companionship enjoying fruits and sandwiches, discussing life (and death).  As we strolled around the grounds, paying tribute to those who stay beneath the earth, our attention was captured by a giant tree.  It’s trunk was outside the gate but branches overhung and filled the air with its green leaves and stoic energy.  The most captivating part of the tree was that its branches were filled with childrens’ colorful kites that had been captured within its massive limbs.  It seemed a powerful symbol of the continuing unity between life and death.

The Kite Eatting Tree

Mi amiga, Meg y yo decidimos tener un picnic en el Pantéon #3 y nos sentamos en compañía tranquilo disfrutando de frutas y sándwiches, hablando de la vida (y muerte). Mientras paseábamos por los jardines, rindiendo homenaje a los que se quedan debajo de la tierra, nuestra atención fue capturada por un árbol gigante. Su maletero estaba fuera de la puerta, pero las ramas radiales y llenaban el aire con sus hojas de color verde y la energía estoica. La parte más fascinante del árbol es que sus ramas estaban llenas de cometas de colores para niños “que habían sido capturados dentro de sus extremidades enormes. Parecía un poderoso símbolo de la unidad continua entre la vida y la muerte.

On Wednesday afternoons, a large crowd gathers at “The Place” for a chance to win at bingo.  Now you may just think it is a friendly game of numbers but let me tell you…these people take their Bingo seriously!

El miércoles por la tarde, una gran multitud se reúne en “El Lugar” para tener la oportunidad de ganar en el bingo. Ahora sólo puede pensar que es un juego amistoso de números, pero déjame decirte … que estas personas toman su Bingo en serio. Read more

Valentine's at the Mariana Hotel.

Margret was the first to come around and suggest a Valentine’s party…a potluck on the rooftop.  We all readily agreed and the cooking began.

Margret fue la primera persona que sugiere una fiesta para el Dia de San Valentin…que podemos hacerla en la terraza. Todos nosotros fácilmente concordamos y empezamos a cocinar.

Tables were moved, chairs dragged upstairs and everyone began to gather.  There was a lovely warm wind that kept us cool as we relaxed in the heat of the

A feast at the Mariana Hotel for Valentine's day.

afternoon.  Soon plates of food were brought and presented with much ooohing and aahhing.  We feasted on tiger shrimp, ceviche, roast pork and pastas.  There were salads, beans, chillies and breads.  For dessert we were served plates of apple pie and Margret made a cake that had Yarnel licking the plate. Read more

Nuestras chicas...our girls, Dora, Chuyita and Lupita

Chuyita is our round little bundle of joy that works with us here at the Mariana Beach Apartments and Hotel.  She is a lovely young lady who,if you are staying here with us, will probably clean your room and steal your heart .  She comes to work everyday with a smile on her face and an open heart which she shares with everyone.

Chuyita es una mujer gozosa y maravillosa que trabaja con nosotros aquí en la Mariana Beach Apartments y Hotel. Es una señora encantadora que, si permanece aquí con nosotros, probablemente limpiará su cuarto y robará su corazón. Viene a trabajar diario con una sonrisa en la cara y un corazón abierto que comparte con todo.

Read more

Copala

Copala is a beautiful, old mining town about 45 min outside of Mazatlan.  It is a quaint, historic pueblo with hand built cobblestone streets, flowering trees and colonial architecture.  It was founded in 1565 and has a population of about 600.

Copala es una hermosa ciudad, antigua explotación minera a unos 45 minutos fuera de Mazatlán. Es un pintoresco e histórico pueblo de calles empedradas construidas a mano con flores, árboles y arquitectura colonial. Fue fundada en 1565 y tiene una población de alrededor de 600. Read more

The crowd at los Venados Baseball game

My husband, Alfredo, talked me into attending a “Venados” baseball game.  The “Venados” are the major league team here in Mazatlan and their fan base is huge.   In 2008 the Venados won the Mexican championship and they also represented Mexico in the Caribbean World Series in January 2009, which made our fellow Mazatlecos very proud.   They play almost every other night between October to December and it is a great way to spend an evening.

Mi marido, Alfredo, me convenció de asistir al estadio a un juego de béisbol de los Vendaos. Los “Venados” son el equipo de Grandes Ligas aquí en Mazatlán y su base de fans es enorme. En 2008 Los Venados ganaron el Campeonato Mexicano y también representó a México en la Serie del Caribe en enero de 2009, lo que hizo que nuestros compañeros mazatlecos fueran muy orgullosos. Juegan casi todas las noches entre octubre y diciembre y es una gran manera de pasar una noche. Read more

The guide letting the girls get used to the sharks.

If you have a teenager…put this on their “must do in Mazatlan” list….    swimming with the sharks at the Aquarium in Mazatlan.  Seriously, this is something everyone will remember.   It is now on MY “must do” list.

Si usted tiene un adolescente … poner esto en su lista de actividades ….”nadar con los tiburones en el Acuario de Mazatlán”. En serio, esto es algo que todos recordarán. Esta ahora en mi lista de “actividades”.

My family went to the aquarium when they were here the last time.  The aquarium isn’t very big but we ended up spending the whole day there.  By the time we had walked the grounds and gardens and saw all the shows, the day had flown by.  But the shark swimming was definitely the highlight of the day. It was was probably the highlight of my nieces’ entire trip.

Mi familia se fue al acuario cuando estuvieron aquí la última vez. El acuario no es muy grande, pero nos terminamos de pasar el día entero allí. En el momento en que había entrado al recinto y jardines y vi todos los espectáculos, el día había pasado volando. Sin embargo, la natación del tiburón fue sin duda el más destacado del día. Fue probablemente el punto culminante del viaje de mis sobrinas.

Read more

We have just had one of the best experiences in Mazatlan.  A seriously good time.  Our good friends, Al and Marisa were visiting us from Canada and we decided to go out to Verano and experience what this small, Mexican “pueblo” had to offer.  (Verano is “summer” in the Spanish)

Acabamos de tener una de las mejores experiencias en Mazatlán. Un tiempo de buena y seria. Nuestros buenos amigos, Al y Marisa se nos visita desde Canadá y hemos decidido salir a Verano y experimentar lo que este pequeño pueblo tenía que ofrecer.

The beautiful old tree in the center of town.

Verano is home to Mr. Lyons Zip-lining and Kayak Tours and is a little town of probably 100 homes.  They have a great little restaurant out in the center where there is no menu but they offer up scrumptious meals of the day for any customer that comes by.  I got the feeling that their open air café is probably the hub of this little community.  There is a beautiful old tree growing in the middle of the square and people sitting below it in the shade. Horses, cows and chickens were roaming free and the children were playing in the street.  It was peaceful and serene.

Verano es el hogar de el Sr. Lyons Canopy y Excursiones en Kayak y es una pequeño pueblo de probablemente 100 viviendas. Tienen un pequeño restaurante en el gran centro donde no hay menú, pero ellos ofrecen deliciosos platos del día para cualquier cliente que viene a través. Me dio la sensación de que su café al aire libre es probablemente el centro de esta pequeña comunidad. Hay un árbol antiguo y bello crece en el centro de la plaza y la gente se sienta debajo de él en la sombra. Los caballos, vacas y gallinas vagaban libres y los niños estaban jugando en la calle. Era tranquilo y sereno.

Filming the day's adventures for the Mexican public.

We drove out to Verano on our own but the river rafting guides will actually come to your hotel and pick you up as well.  It is about a one hour drive from Mazatlan to Verano.  We met some other people that were also out there for the day.  They were there filming a documentary about different things to do in Mazatlan.  So we decided to all go kayaking down the river together.

Salimos de Verano por nuestra cuenta, pero los  guías de río de hecho llegará a su hotel y lo recogeremos también. Se trata de una hora en coche desde Mazatlán hasta Verano. Nos encontramos con algunas otras personas que también estaban allí para el día. Ellos estaban allí filmando un documental sobre las diferentes cosas que hacer en Mazatlán. Así que decidimos ir todos en kayak por el río juntos. Read more

Gilberto Alcocer, from Demon Airbrushing, starting on my bike fender.

I decided it was time to upgrade from my Harley-Davidson Sportster (which my butt has been on for 10 years now) and I began to shop around.  But the more I looked and the more bikes I tried…the more I discovered that my little Hugger Style Sportster fit me just right.  So we changed our minds about buying fresh and decided just to overhaul my baby instead.

I bought a bigger tank and had my fenders remodelled and enlarged.  We sent off 35

my new, bigger tank.

 parts to be chromed and sent the rest off to the paint shop.

We were lucky enough to hire the talents of Gilberto Alcocer from Demon’s Airbrush here in Mazatlan.  He is an amazing artist with an exceptional vision and I couldn’t be happier with the work he has done. Read more