Game Day in Mazatlan.

It’s now Feb. 8th and I’m OK to talk about the game that was stolen from the Seattle Seahawks by the superbowl officials. But not willingly. Anyway, here’s some pictures taken during the game in the Purple Onion bar in the ‘Golden Zone’ of Mazatlan. They had snacks, happy hour prices all day, and 7 TVs all set to english. A good time was had by all, except us Seahawks fans. At least two touchdowns were stolen from us by the officials.

The bar:

After this picture, the game got exciting, then depressing so I didn’t get any more shots, sniff.

Across the street from where I’m staying, there is a run down, old, large RV park with haciendas. The place is crumbling. I think it was built in the ’30’s or so and remodeled several times since. These pictures are of some of the villa that are being refurbished and then rented out for $300p per day ($30). When this is finished it will have a killer view of the ocean. The RV part is so old that the pads are like they were made for 20′ trailers. Too small for todays RVs. But the area is filled with palm trees, is nice and flat, easy access, etc. Someday it will be a great property and a great place to park the RV for several months.

Looking out the broken window of one of the beach front villa’s:

Standing on the veranda looking west:

Looking back into the park proper:

After visiting that place, I headed to the turn around to just sit a while, the fishermen were all returning to shore and hauling their boats up onto the beach. I do enjoy watching people work. Out a ways was this ship, looks a little worst for wear doesn’t it? Which reminds me, you folks should see the size of the shrimp around here. They are even bigger then what we call prawns up in Portland, Oregon.

Over there is more building, it’s way north of Mazatlan so I think it’s a different city. My guess is those towers are condos.

Well, those of you who watched the game yesterday now know that the officials stole the game from the Seahawks and gave it to Detroit. There were so many bogus calls that I stopped counting them. And to go the whole game without the Stealers making any game changing mistakes? No freaking way.

Anyway, on the way to the game I got on the wrong bus again. But, I’d left so early that I had plenty of time. And a map. The bus looped to the east for several miles and came back to the street I needed to be on before heading south. I jumped off there and sat at a bus stop waiting for another bus north bound. And of course there was an American Steeler fan there. Drinking a beer, on the street. Don’t see that stateside much. Anyway he kept telling me ‘No, that’s not the right bus’, I’d look at my map and he’d be wrong. Missed three buses that way.

Finally stopped listening to the guy, jumped on the next bus, which happened to be the right one, and off to my bar. Got there an hour late but early enough to get a good table.

Offered to let an American who has lived here for 6 years share my table so I got to learn lots of stuff about living here. One of his friends joined us and he happened to have once been the drummer for a salsa band. Had met and partied with the Rolling Stones. Opened for other big groups of the ’70s. Small world. The Stones were on the half time show in case you did not watch the Super Bowl.

Had a lot of fun, a kick ass Mexican style dinner, wandered back here at around 10pm and just woke up at 10am. An excellent adventure.

So, what’s been going on down here? PERFECT weather, every day, every night. There is a light ocean breeze that just doesn’t quit until around 8pm or so. The day time temps are in the 75-80F range and I’ve been sweating just a little in the middle of the day. The rest of the time it’s perfect. Light shirt, shorts, sandles are all you need.

Yesterday I went way downtown to find a place that makes tamales. Took the bus to where I’d been told. Walked the 2.5 blocks and, nope couldn’t find the place. BUT, I stopped into a little tiny Mexican cafe that had a few tables set up. These are shops that would remind you of the smallest business you might have seen in your downtown. Anyway, there happened to be an American young man in there that helped me order a traditional Mexican breakfast. Scrambled eggs (I won’t even try to spell EGG in Spanish but I can now say it) with onion, peppers, re-fried beans, goat cheese, cafe’ (coffee). All for $20p + $2p tip. Then I wandered off down the street and found an open barber shop. Got a good cut and then walked to the beach side to find a return bus.

This got me to thinking, when I was 17, I was in Viet Nam at Da Nang harbour. I willingly left the ship to wander in downtown Da Nang alone even though there were those on the ship who warned me against it because of the Cong that would randomly shoot Americans sniper style or toss satchel charges (bombs) from their scooters while riding by a crowd. Kinda like the same stuff I heard about going to Mexico (danger!, danger!, Will Robinson! , arms waving), mostly by people that have never been outside the states in their lives. I don’t feel that uncomfortable here (or Vietnam) even tho I don’t know anyone or even the language.

Yesterday, on the way back I did some serious walking in dangerous parts of town, accidentally. In one area, they were refurbishing a really old building. I stopped to check it out and started wandering back behind the building, just about as I got to a wall, I spotted part of someone, carrying a large stick/club stealthy like heading for a meeting, with my head I thought. So, practicing my mantra to the kids, I slowly backed up and got the hell out of there. But I could have misinterpreted that meeting too. Anyway, even getting lost 3 times yesterday didn’t bother me much since there were always people willing to help me, every time.

Anyway, it’s great fun here so far, today I’ll be at the bar until 9:30pm watching the Hawks kick the Steelers asses.