HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

A BUSY DAY IN EL CENTRO

Last post I promised to show you the signs of Christmas around the RV Park.

However, I forgot that today was Tuesday - shopping day. It seems that Tuesday is now officially our 'going into town' day. Although we tend to look up against it because of the logistics of getting there and making our way around - once we arrive we are happy for the change of scenery. We do love the beach but you really can get beached out.

It was a long busy day so I have lots to show you.

Nice that today started out a little cooler than usual with the cloud cover left over from last nights rain storm - we got pounded overnight. Appreciated by most I bet, but the humidity was just starting to be manageable.

Our first stop today was the Doctor. Although Cassia and I are pretty much over our colds and flu, Derek's sinuses have been bothering him as well as a plugged ear. He had the same problem the last time we were in Mexico and didn't do anything about it - in the end lasting about three months. This time we decided to get some help early on. I found Dr. Rogelio Grayeb on ZihuaRob's site which is the go to site here for all things Zihuatanejo and Ixtapa.

I located his office via google map. Thankfully it wasn't difficult for us to find because we got off the combi at the same place we do to walk to the Commercial Mexicana. Although this time we had to walk further around the glorieta and down a few streets. 

Nice that they have good signage.

Nothing like having a large screen TV to watch while you wait. 

It took about 10 minutes for Derek to see the Doctor. We thought there was problem because of sand and ocean water but it turns out he had regular build up in his ear. A very nice - very funny Doctor as I found out when I came in to visit a bit and pay him. It cost 700 pesos which seemed a bit high and turns out it probably is but well, it was an issue that needed to be taken care of so there you go. He also gave Derek a prescription for nasal spray for his sinuses and cough medicine.

From there we went back to the glorieta - Plaza Kioto. Cassia asked to have her picture taken with the sleigh and rain deer.

From there we crossed the street to head into town. We had been promising ourselves to come this way to take a look at 'piñata alley'.

Which also had a section of plants.

Noche Buena.

A good 1/4 mile of piñata sellers!

I'm sure it's not hard to guess who had their eye on a piñata! Actually, Cassia first learned about piñatas from Curious George. We bought her a small one as a keepsake for 15 pesos. 

From there we walked along the canal to El Centro. Sorry, I forgot to take pictures. Along the beach front heading to the Cancha Municipal there are many restaurants. I took a picture of one of the advertisements for Christmas dinner. If you are here and want a Turkey dinner it's not to hard to find. 

It does sound good!

The tree that is standing at the main Plaza. I think it may have been for the Sunday night festivities.

Beside the tree the creation of this sand sculpture was in progress. 

Amazing - right?!

Where were we headed? Yes! Back to the Humane Society.

First, to visit with the kittens…

and then to walk the dogs. This time we took two - very very hyper dogs. Derek and I each had one as they were too much for Cassia. Funny, I have no idea what Cassia was looking at! (Update: Derek tells me she could see the water through the drainage hole.)

Needing a path to walk the dogs, we ended up in an area we hadn't been before. We are standing on the bridge and looking toward the canal that goes into Zihuatanejo.

Now I've turned to look out at the bay. 

When we returned to the Human Society, we replaced our dogs with a puppy for Cassia.

Cute little guy but he started shaking when I lifted him up on my lap. Guess he hasn't been held much.

Once he was returned we heard the coffee at El Cafecito calling our names, just as our friend Keith did last week. I think we'll be regulars here by the time we leave. Who can resist the hot and cold coffee and today Cassia got the blackberry smoothie.

From there we decided to have lunch at Pizza Loca. Now, we really are trying to love Jungle Pizza at Playa La Ropa but sadly we leave hungry after a 170 peso pizza. Not good. According to TripAdvisor, Pizza Loca is considered the best pizza in Zihuatanejo by many. Today was the day for us to put that to the test. However, it was 1:00pm and they weren't open until 2:30pm.

So, we decided to walk around town.

This guy is trying to talk us into dinner at his restaurant tomorrow night.

Too bad this picture came out blurry - we stopped for a bag of strawberries for a snack. The first strawberries we have had since Patzcuaro.

After that we went back to the beach area for a bit.

Then back for our pizza!

We were the first customers of the day.

Our large Loca pizza. It was good and very filling but not great. In the end, we like the price - 140 pesos and the amount of toppings of Pizza Loca, but the taste and atmosphere of Jungle Pizza. So - it's a toss up.

 After that we walked from El Centro to Commercial Mexicana. It's a bit of a jaunt so it was good that we had eaten for the stamina. Also for the stamina of taking on a packed grocery store. The combo of increased tourists and a few days before Christmas meant that it was a zoo.

We were happy to be home! First thing Cassia did was take her water gun over to play with her new friends. I haven't mentioned that a few days ago, Therese and her twins, Keller and Kaden aged 6, arrived from Michigan. Cassia is just thrilled as you can imagine.

Tonight, the RV Park here at El Manglar is full. In addition to Therese and her sons, a California couple arrived yesterday and today, Lulu and George's friends from Morelia arrived and are parked beside us.

Tomorrow night we are joining all the RVers here for a potluck Christmas Eve dinner. The restaurant is closed on Wednesday's so we'll be eating there. Pictures coming soon.

Teresa

IT'S GETTING BUSY AROUND HERE

We're not so busy but the place is really starting to fill up! It's hard not to notice that we are heading into the tourist season here in Zihuatanejo. We on the other hand, being homebodies, haven't ventured out since our trip last week to the Humane Society and Commercial Mexicana.

I had to download the camera to see what we have been up to.

I have to keep reminding myself that soon it will be Christmas. For us northerners - even though this is our sixth time celebrating the holidays in the warmth - we still associate this time of year with cold and snow.

My plan for the next post is to show you the signs of Christmas in our neighbourhood - there are a few. Nice that many of the RVs here have Christmas lights - including us  - it makes it very festive.

We haven't shown you the crocodiles lately but they are alive and well. Derek has had much fun picking up the dead fish off the beach and throwing them over the fence. The on lookers get a great show as the crocs crunch them up.

Our second RV Park get together was held last Wednesday. This time hosted by Lulu and George the Mexican campers, although I hear that Lulu had some help with the food. We had an extra few couples for the party including the newest arrivals, Barb and Dale, from Ontario.

Quite the spread - two tables worth!

Cassia decided that she would rather sit with her adoptive grandparents Bill and Jean.

There is a potluck planned for Wednesday night - we are still deciding if we are up to a third RV Park party or not.

Friday night we decided to try another restaurant on the beach.

Taking Rufus along means it takes us a little longer…

There's Martin the waiter from El Manglar - no idea what he was doing on the beach.

For Cassia, the delay only meant more time to spend jumping over the water.

Still quite a few people on the beach - many to take pictures of the sunset.

Including Lulu and George!

We were pretty excited to see that they were releasing turtles at the opposite end of the beach again.

The bucket was empty but a lady was nice enough to give Cassia hers.

Total concentration on the mission.

Good that I got this picture because when that wave came in it took them all out.

Our destination - the restaurant Marisqueria 5 Hermanos. We came here because we had met and befriended two of the waiters on the beach a few weeks ago.

Here they are - Alexandra and Raymond. They are actually from California - well, Alexandra was born and raised there. They are here because of Raymond. 

Sadly, it was not the best experience. We wanted to support our friends but ended up frustrated because the prices were very very high. Part of us just wanted to get up and leave but we didn't feel good about that. So - we ordered a couple of small things but had to swallow - literally - the out of this world drink prices. 

Before we left we thought it only fair to explain the issue to them. Surprisingly - or not - they told us that they knew this and how much of a jerk their boss was because he doesn't listen to the complaints - by other customers and them. He also takes their tips when he can and gives them back 5%. They are looking for another job and we sure hope they find something because this restaurant really shouldn't exist on Playa La Ropa with such steep prices, for mediocre drinks and food and for the exploitation of the staff.

Live and learn - right?

Today, Cassia and I spent much of the morning at the beach, as we did yesterday. Both days Cassia found a Mexican family to spend her time with as I sit back and watch. I figure she spends more then enough time with us - good for a change of scenery - and language. 

For the last few days she has been pleading her case for a bouncy ball - a Christmas present - so she says. 

This is the store of temptation we pass by many times a day. Because they are only open Thursday to Sunday, we figured if we were going to get the ball - today was the day. 

The blue and purple ball is THE one. While Cassia longs for this….

Mom spots this orange mug….. ouch - I know - 100 pesos is a bit high but I just might succumb. Orange is my colour and it would make such a nice memento with the turtle.

They have a ton of knick knacks. It seems there is more each time we go by - most likely because of Christmas.

This is the same place we bought Cassia's dragon.

I have a feeling we'll be dropping some more pesos here by the time we leave.

Since the girls were busy with a few customers, Derek managed to get Cassia's ball out of the net. Pretty reasonable at 20 pesos.

Success!

By this afternoon the beach was packed. It is usually busy on Sundays but not like this. Good for Zihuatanejo and the businesses, for us - well, not so much. However I do find people watching fun. The Mexican culture is fascinating to me - and well, the Canadian/America tourists in that culture is also fascinating.

 El Pirata has music on Sundays. It's nice to sit near by and listen.

There's our friend Bernie in the white shirt and jeans dancing up a storm. He and I were dancing in the alley but those pics hit the cutting room floor.

For our parasailing friends - Owner Beto and his group - Manuel, Louis, Obed and Abram it was a brisk business today.

A look back at the packed El Pirata on the left and Rossy's on the right.

So, that's about how it is for us here in Zihuatanejo these days.

Our days aren't very full but there seems to be something happening most of the time. 

Hard to believe that we have been here a month and five days already.

As I am sitting here writing this in the van there is a firework show outside. I ran out to watch the last few. They must be coming from El Centro at the Cancha Municipal since it's Sunday night. Many were lost behind our trees but the last two were huge - gold with red, green and white twinkly lights in the middle.

There is a fireworks show here on New Year's Eve in Zihuatanejo, we are pretty excited about that.

Teresa