Plus or Minus? Mazatlán México

A bright full moon lies over my right shoulder as I'm typing this. The surf seems to be louder this early morning, and the moon illuminates the water to make the surroundings much brighter than the previous mornings--or so it seems.

During the 80s when I did a fair amount of travelling, the International Tribune was my main source of information, and, because I am a news-junkie, finding a copy was critical to my mood. In the 90s the newspaper was enhanced (for me) by CNN--a quick fix. Now I need neither since I travel with a laptop. I still take a small purse-size journal with me to record impressions, but I use it infrequently now. Daily I am irresistibly drawn to the computer to stay in touch with family and friends, read local and national newspapers, and now blog. But, is this a plus or a minus? A question that needs some reflection. Any opinions out there??

Yesterday we bused to El Centro which is far more "Mexican" than where we are staying, which incidentally is very serene and very quiet. When our grandkids arrive, I do believe that they will change the environment!! I LOVE the mercado with all its stalls and wares. I prefer shopping there, but it takes an act of sheer determination to bus, transfer and bus again in order to get there. For pleasure and the ambience , that's fine, but to haul groceries requires more effort.

As I suspected, the stalls for the Art Fair in the Plazuela Machado were just being set up so the activity was not conducive for browsing. Instead we visited a woman we had met last October. She has an interesting history, not all of which I know yet. She has spent years teaching English as a second language all over the world, the most recently in China. She bought a condo which is still under construction right on the malecon, a great location. Prices here in Mazatlan, incidentally, are rising astronomically. Jaime and I decided (he more than I) to rent rather than buy to avoid home ownership responsibilities and woes. Plus then we're not tied down to one city and one location. After greeting Teri, our new friend, we went to Cannucks where expats from North America and Canada meet regularly--an interesting group of people. Everyone has a story to tell. We left early because the buses stop running early in the evening to our place because of the distance. Rather than walk or taxi, we decided that going back to the condo was prudent. No regrets, despite that it was St. Patrick's Day. Another question: are we just growing "older" (and wiser or duller) or just more serene and content with our quiet vacation spot?

I have neglected any Spanish study; taking my books with me and a resolve to spend an hour a day to build vocabulary and grammar has been ignored. But, because I am missing an entire unit in my Spanish class, I'd better mend my ways. Yesterday I managed to explain the meaning of St. Patrick's Day to a curious waiter at Cannucks. Between his fractured English and my equally fractured Spanish, we communicated beautifully. It has stimulated me to learn more, tho! I'm even considering buying Spanish newspapers and listening to Spanish TV programs, yet either might tax my brain too much!

Taking an early morning walk on the beach with Jaime is a far-fetched dream because he prefers to dream in his trundle bed; I guess I'll have to go alone, which I fully intend to do--right now, with the bright moon as my sole companion. One of the tenants has a dog that I've seen frolic on the beach; perhaps I can borrow him as a good companion, especially since I miss Maggi, our dog.

¡Adios amigos!