Saturday, August 01, 2009

A Magical View

When we lived in Mazatlán during the winter months, the view from the terrace both day and night was spectacular. Watching the cruise ships arrive in the morning and then depart at night, sitting in a chair either under the sun or enjoying the cool night air was very enjoyable.

Click here to view thumbnails for all participants

Monday, June 01, 2009

Pedicure, anyone?

Although I'm now home in St. Paul, MN I couldn't pass up the chance to post this photograph that I took at the Central Mercado for this month's theme day.

Click here to view thumbnails for all participants Come visit me at my visualstpaul blog, too!

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

¡Adios!


Farewell to Mazatlán and to my favorite spot, Stone Island. I am now back in St.Paul, Minnesota, still yearning for sun, surf, and sand. From now on, please check my Visual St. Paul blog.

Monday, April 20, 2009

A Change of Pace

Who has more fun at a beach than children?

Sunday, April 19, 2009

Aquarium #7-The Acrobat!

Do you see what I see? Perhaps standing on your head would help!

Saturday, April 18, 2009

Camera Critters-Aquarium #6

This scary critter was in an area filled with turtles. They must have developed a friendship! To see some more interesting critters, click here.

Friday, April 17, 2009

Aquarium #5-More Fish


On Sunday I'll show you an amusing little creature.


No human being, however great, or powerful, was ever so free as a fish.
John Ruskin

Thursday, April 16, 2009

Aquarium #4


Despite knowing that the glass and lights would cast a reflection I couldn't resist snapping photos of some of the colourful tropical fish.

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Aquarium #3



This beautiful peacock strode confidently among the other birds and spectators...amazingly friendly!!

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Aquarium #2

The Aquarium also had a small aviary containing all kinds of birds: quail, duck, geese, parrots, macaws, and a host of others.

“It is the beautiful bird which gets caged”-Chinese Proverb

Monday, April 13, 2009

Aquarium #1

The Mazatlán Aquarium is a small but very pleasant facility. During Samana Santa the city was filled with vacationing Mexicans, many of whom brought their families to this pleasant little spot.

Sunday, April 12, 2009

Saturday, April 11, 2009

Camera Critters-Newfound Friend?

I never did figure out whether I was supposed to buy him or eat him?! To see and enjoy more photos of critters from around the world, Click Here.

Friday, April 10, 2009

My Mexican Neighbors



The colors of a rainbow.....so pretty ..in the sky
Are also on the faces.....of people ..going by
I see friends shaking hands.....sayin.. how do you do
Theyre really sayin......i love you.
"What a Wonderful World"

Thursday, April 09, 2009

Wednesday, April 08, 2009

Another Day at the Beach


Stone Island is my favorite beach in Mazatlán. After a short boat ride, the beaches, coconut grove and many restaurants, especially Lety's and Carmelita's, offer a pleasant, relaxing day. The many vendors are a constant presence, but they're polite and friendly without being aggressive. I'd like to buy one of everything from them because their work is hard and arduous.

Tuesday, April 07, 2009

Fishermen's Day


I love going to the area where the fisherman and their boats are kept. Watching the activity in the area gives me a different feel for the city. The boats they use are called pangas. Here is a brief description of them: From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia...

The Panga is the Central American/Mexican version of a skiff. The term "Panga" was used historically for any small boat other than dugout canoes. Today it usually refers to an open "semi-dory" type skiff. Pangas form the backbone of the small-scale fishing effort in Mexico, Central America and much of the Caribbean.

Pangas are usually between 19 and 28 feet in length, with capacities ranging from 1 to 5 tons and powered by outboard motors of between 45hp and 200hp. They are planing hulls capable of speeds in excess of 35 knots.

The hulls are made of Fiberglass or FRP, heavily reinforced by numerous bulkheads and usually have bow and stern enclosed flotation compartments.

In the hands of an experienced operator they are considered extremely seaworthy. Most pangas are expected to have a working life of between 5 to 10 years if properly maintained.

Monday, April 06, 2009

Who Could Be Sweeter


One of the best things about the Mexican culture is the way I have observed that children are treated. They are included in almost all activities, and I see them everywhere: in restaurants, in the plazas, at family gatherings, and many other public places. No-one has refused me when I asked if I could take a picture. Beautiful, isn't she?!

Sunday, April 05, 2009

Saturday, April 04, 2009

Camera Critters--A Dog's Life

Isla is a shelter dog who was adopted by a resident of Stone Island, Mazatlán, México. She spends her day roaming the beach, visiting residents and sunbathing tourists until her owner comes to collect her and take her home. When she was in the shelter my husband who volunteers there often walked her. When we recently went to the beach to relax, sunbathe and eat good food, Isla recognized him and spent the day with us. A dog's life!! For more Camera Critters photos, click here.

Friday, April 03, 2009

El Faro, the Lighthouse

My son is flying from Minnesota to Mazatlán to visit for a week, arriving on the fourth of April. One of the favorite activities for some people, but not for me, is to hike up to the lighthouse on that very steep hill. I'm going to challenge him to hike to El Faro. Do you think he'll do it?

Thursday, April 02, 2009

Recipe?

The Mercado has everything one needs to maintain a household: clothes, shoes, notions, baked goods, canned food, spices, vegetables, fish, chicken, beef...you name it. This fine specimen was in the meat department. I should have asked for a recipe.

“If you knew how meat was made, you'd probably lose your lunch.”
K. D. Lang quotes (American Singer, b.1961)

Wednesday, April 01, 2009

Theme Day-Temple of San Jose



"If I were going to convert to any religion, I would probably choose Catholicism because it at least has female saints and the Virgin Mary." - Margaret Atwood (Canadian)

The church of San Jose (known in Mazatlán as a "temple"), located on a rise of land at the foot of an area called Icebox Hill, is said to be the oldest church in the city, built in 1837 and completed 5 years later. The beautiful mosaic background and statues form a side altar in the small church, and the bottom photo is the main altar, made of wood.

To see more "yellow" theme day photos from around the world: Click here to view thumbnails for all participantsf

Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Gala Flamenca #7

These are photos of the younger children who came onstage after the performance to present flowers to the dancers and muscians and also to thank the audience for supporting the fund-raiser.

Monday, March 30, 2009

Gala Flamenca #6

Here is another young girl who was serving tapas after the flamingo performance.

Sunday, March 29, 2009

Gala Flamenca #5

After the performance at the Orfanatorio de Mazatlán, the audience was treated to tapas and beverages. The younger children presented floral bouquets to the performers and the older children served the crowd with trays of the tapas.

Saturday, March 28, 2009

Camera Critters-Cat Collage

There is a small group of expats in Mazatlán, México who trap abandoned street and feral cats, take each to a local vet for health care and neutering after which they release the animals. Their ears are marked for identification. Like many cities, these undomesticated cats breed and produce many animals that continue the cycle. Too often the cats suffer diseases and crippling accidents but, if they're lucky, they are trapped and given a new lease on life by members of this group. I have participated with this group and went along for a photo shoot. I snapped these cats who had been neutered and are often fed by neighbors or individuals in the expat group who live here year long. It's a big job!! To see more CAMERA CRITTERS, Click here.

Friday, March 27, 2009

Thursday, March 26, 2009

Gala Flamenca #4


The final bow with the first guitarist, lead dancer, and vocalist.

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Gala Flamenca #2

The parents of this beautiful young dancer sat behind us and couldn't have been more proud. She kept me in rapt attention during the whole performance.

Monday, March 23, 2009

Gala Flamenca



In March of every year the Orfanatorio de Mazatlán has a fund raiser, a musical program held in the courtyard of the orphanage. For the past four years we have attended and have never been disappointed. We have been treated to operatic arias, classical symphony, and jazz. This year the program was a flamingo fiesta. The dancing was fantastic and the dancers were both gifted and gorgeous. At the end of the program, some of the children joined the audience for tapas and beverages. I'll show your more pictures in the coming days.

Sunday, March 22, 2009

Photo for Olivia

This photo is for my granddaughter, Olivia, in St. Paul, MN USA who is anxious for her grandparents to return from Mexico. Our Mexican neighbors gave this two-month-old puppy to their granddaughter recently, and I thought that Olivia would like to see the sweet little dog that lives next to us here in Mazatlan.

Saturday, March 21, 2009

Woof Dog-Camera Critters

Living in another culture often brings many surprises. One practice that is very different from mine is the presence of dogs on roofs of buildings, both public and private, used as a means of security. Some are very intimidating. This one that was walking the edge of one roof seemed particularly vigilant, neither as fierce nor as noisy as some I have seen. To see more Camera Critters photos, check here.

Friday, March 20, 2009

"The Day is Done"


And the night shall be filled with music
And the cares, that infest the day,
Shall fold their tents, like the Arabs,
And as silently steal away.

---Wm. Wordsworth Longfellow

Thursday, March 19, 2009

Cody and Baby Daughter


While eating at an outdoor foodstand last week we met a delightful 3-generation family: the grandparents, young uncle, and father from Australia and the mother from Mazatlan. (I imagine the baby has dual citizenship.) Because we seem to frequent and congregate in many of the same places and also because the Mazatlan expat and tourist community is really pretty small, we again met them in the Plaza a few days later (minus grandfather this time). I was delighted that they agreed to pose for a photo.