This n' That Mazatlán México

Dedicated to Jaime who is still sleeping. The dawn of another day does not have the same effect on him as it does on me!

Aubade
By William Shakespeare1564-1616

HARK! hark! the lark at heaven's gate sings,

And Phoebus 'gins arise,

His steeds to water at those springs

On chaliced flowers that lies;

And winking Mary-buds begin

To ope their golden eyes:

With everything that pretty bin,

My lady sweet, arise!

Arise, arise!

I think that getting up before dawn to watch the sunrise is going to become a regular pleasure while we are here. I just watched an amber globe slowly emerge from behind the mountains with thin wisps of clouds drifting across its face.

For about five minutes after looking away, a small dot (on my retina?) partially blocked my vision, which was a bit scary but it's gone now. It reinforced my thought earlier this morning as I listened to the surf: nature is strong, hypnotically beautiful yet potentially dangerous in its force. If I can get Jaime up earlier tomorrow, I'd like to walk the beach before there are any other footprints on the sand.

Because the light is so bright I can't type on the balcony during the day. But womankind cannot be deterred! Yesterday I placed a huge beach towel over my head and the monitor to send and receive messages. I looked a bit strange, but it worked!

Yesterday was busy and exhausting. The Mexican people are unfailingly friendly and helpful. This has been my impression over the years and remains true whereever I travel. It more than compensates for the tiny irritations we Norte Americanos sometimes feel at cultural differences. We really are an impatient society!

Bus service is excellent, all over Mexico. Without any complications, except expenditure of time (see, we are an impatient lot!) we navigated the city for pesos, breakfast, and shopping. I brought two shopping bags with me for that express purpose but filling the larder required more. Struggling to board a bus with those plus four plastic bags which cut into one's hands, filled with groceries brought smiles to many faces. To complete the picture, all we needed was a chicken crate as well. When we unloaded and stowed the groceries away in the refrigerator and cupboards, it seemed like such a puny amount. I can't help but groan when I consider how many such trips we will continue to make during our stay. We are far enough out of the city so that there are no grocery stores close by.

Today the fourth annual Book and Arts Fair will fill the Plazuela Machado. It's my favorite location in El Centro and I plan to stay in the city most of the day. I'll get to practice my fractured Spanish as I cruise the market and streets. On Friday nights tables are set up in the Plaza and children of all ages engage in art projects. The square is surrounded by restaurants and muscians so we'll stay a long while.

El menú de libros y autores que año recalan a la Plazuela Machado para conversar con los lectures mazatlecos, puede competir casi con cualquier feria del libro en nuestro continente y este año no será la excepción. Impressed?! Actually I cheated and copied it from the newspaper.

Enough for this morning. Ta! Ta!