March 21, 2007

Mazatlan, MX (map)

R&R for a Few Days

After a 270-mile drive from Los Mochis, we arrived in Mazatlan yesterday about 3 pm. In many respects, it was like driving down the California central valley, with tomato and corn fields lining the road much of the way. Agave cactus fields became the crop of choice as we neared Mazatlan.

We stopped at 3 or 4 toll booths yesterday, ‘donating’ about $100 to the Mexican government. The highways are in pretty good shape—(again) much better than California’s.

Only one case of la turista among the group, a normally vibrant Canadian gent who is not venturing far from the ‘facilities.’ He stated to me yesterday, “When I break wind I should be wearing Depends.” Nothing is certain when you’ve got la turista. Hope he recovers by Thursday, when we have a golf game scheduled at the local El Cid course. He was once of the Canadian pro tour, so I intend to study his game closely.
Other folks will be going deep sea fishing or going on a tequila factory tour that day.

Our rig is being washed as I write this—for $40. Probably money down the drain, as I expect we will be covered with Mexi-dust again before we cross the border weeks from now. Our laundry is bagged up for the laundry lady. You pay by the kilo and your clothes are returned the next day. Unknown whether my underwear will be ironed.

We are crammed into pretty tight quarters here at La Posta RV Park, about a block from the beach. Getting here through the maze of streets was an adventure—one that I would not like to do without somebody leading me. The park is closing at the end of the month and will be turned into a Costco store. Sam’s Club is across the street, and we will venture over there to re-supply after our 9 a.m. bus tour is over.

Took a 6:30 a.m. walk along the beachfront, hoping to find a Starbucks for a hazelnut latte, but none were in sight. One of the local hotels has its signage up in anticipation of spring break, offering ‘all you can drink cerveza’, 9 to midnite for $11.00. The kids have started to arrive. Hopefully the young ladies will dress modestly as they cavort about.

Got on the tour bus at 9:00 and saw the sights of Mazatlan, with a stop at a jewelry store (Janice received her birthday present), a restaurant (good chilequiles) and finally a stroll through the market. Amidst cheap T-shirts, sombreros, and related tourist trinkets were slabs of beef, pork parts (don't click on this link if you object to pictures of pig snouts) and chopped chicken, including a stack of claws, presumably for those dabbling in voodoo. Very aromatic. One cautious vendor selling fish skillfully swished a feather duster to keep the flies from landing on the pescado.

Upon returning home, the rig sparkled like new after its washing. It has never been cleaner, including the day we picked it up.

Next adventure was a jaunt to the supermarket. After being thrown out of Sam’s Club, who is no longer allowing one-day passes, we went to a nearby grocery store. The cart groaned under a full load of bottled water. Janice had a challenging moment trying to locate the Baby Wipes, and asked a clerk for assistance. She mumbled something about Baby Wipes, and made a gesture like she was wiping her hands, the intended use for the Baby Wipes. The clerk pointed to her posterior (the clerk’s, not Janice’s) and pointed to the tubes of Preparation H. Something was lost in the translation.