Epilogue

We made it back, as did our luggage! Yay! Thankfully, even tho the security check people in Seattle decided to rifle through my bag and leave unwrapped the bottle of liquor that I had so carefully swaddled in there - nothing was broken.

Unfortunately, we've since discovered a stowaway. Some of you may be familiar with Mr. Monte Zuma? He's such a party (wait for it) pooper! We're off to the clinic now (through a freakin' blizzard if you can believe it)!
















I neglected to mention that Mark learned quite a bit of Spanish this trip, as well as a very helpful English phrase; "if it pleases you, my darling".



Men - learn it, use it, live long and happy lives.

A final (final, final) parting shot. A nice book-end of Mt. Ranier...who saw us off in all her glory and welcomed us home in the same fashion.



cheers!

Mark and Linette

Mark's Photo Gallery

Miscellaneous Beautiful Images

I write this post as we sit in the SEATAC airport, awaiting the final leg of our journey home.

It's been an amazing week. For each of us I'm sure there are experiences that occupy very special places in our hearts. This trip has been one of those for Mark and I.

Despite having been to Mazatlan so many times myself and our (relatively) recent trip to there 2 years ago, we enjoyed an abundance of new experiences - for the most part thanks to Harry, Joanna and their fearless motorcoach, Wanda.

Here are a just a few more images we collected over the past week. Check back in a couple of days for Mark's pictures - once he's had a chance to download them from his camera and post them. I'm pretty much a "point-shoot-and-see-what-you-get" kind of photographer. Mark has talent and a camera to match!

Amazing Embroidery

Some of the many beautiful things we saw on the First Friday Art Walk included these tapestries...if only Mark was as fond of them as I am - I surely would have bought one to take home.

This picture is of a floor-to-ceiling sized quilt (more likely, a wall tapestry)



This is a close up of a portion of a table cloth. Spill anything on that and you'll have someone's grandma to be doin' some s'plainin' to Lucy!



This type of adornment is also popular on women's clothing. We saw many examples for sale at the big craft fair that was going on all week just down the street from our hotel.






















Not to mention pretty much any kind of mole you might imagine! If only I had known Aaron, I would've checked to see which one you and Laura would've liked us to bring home for you!

Old Town First Friday Art Walk

On the first Friday of every month, various galleries and private homes located in Mazatlan's historic Old Town open their doors to locals, snowbirds, and touristas such as ourselves. Local and regional artists of all sorts display their wares in these locations throughout the evening.

This was a "must-do" event according to our snowbirding hosts, so of course we went. And we were so glad we did!

A colourful mix of derelict and refurbished homes and storefront awaited. Oh, and some art too. The art was lovely but the buildings in the late afternoon light - just so beautiful, no matter what state they are in right now.

Here are a few examples for you to enjoy...

This home was on the tour. Recently refurbished by an US ex-pat couple, you would be likely to see this home in architecture digest!


















It's almost impossible to imagine they could have done so much with a property that probably started out looking like these:








These windows and doorways are typical for the neighbourhoods downtown and otherwise.





These details are as well...







If only we had had more time (and an endless supply of that beautiful warm late afternoon light) I could easily have taken enough shots to fill a whole wall.






Our original plan for the evening had included watching the sunset, while sipping bebidas on the rooftop of the Posada Freeman Hotel. Since the afternoon had been quite cloudy, it seemed the sunset would be a non-event, so we spent our time wandering around instead. Boy, were we mistaken!

At least we managed to catch this tiny glimpse of what surely was the most intensely colourful sunset since our arrival.



If you'd like to see more pictures of Old Town, check out our friend Joanna's blog

Joanna is an artist in her own right as you can see from this lovely oil painting, which she had just put the finishing touches on in time for us to enjoy!

Life is Good and Don't You Forget it!

This picture is of a darling little girl that we first met on Thursday, on our way back from shopping in Mazatlan's "golden zone" - the name given to the block of shops where cruise ship passengers are dropped off to meet, greet, and exchange cash for all manner of needs, wants, and desires.

She was standing quietly on a sidewalk, a few steps away from where her mother and little sister sat on the pavement. As we came upon them, she offered up her tray of chicks (chicklets), woven bracelets and toys hoping that we would give her a few pesos in exchange for an item or two.

As it happened, we had all the chicklets, woven bracelets, and toys we needed but she graciously accepted some pesos from us anyways - quickly tucking the bill into her little side purse with a sweet, if slightly confused, smile on her face.

We returned to the same spot the following two days and were greeted by her smiling face each time.

Busy Beach

It didn't take long for us to tire of shopping, even though everything was on sale today for super good prices just for us amigos and almost-free.

Thankfully, palapa #7 was waiting for us when we got back.

There was plenty going on at the beach today too. Rumour has it it's going to be cloudy tomorrow - which might have explained all the activity.

There were people parasailing...






















Fishing...



Playing...














Shopping...


...and of course, enjoying happy hour with friends...



We had a little laugh (and a quick dance) on our way out of the restaurant where we had dinner tonight. Thanks Alan and Jimmy, for reminding us that it was 5 o'clock somewhere.


It's probably cold and raining somewhere too - but not here!