Sunday, August 14, 2016
Eiffel Tower from our Seine boat cruise, a couple of the many glorious stained glass windows of the King's private church Saint Chapelle chapel ( we have tickets to attend a chamber music concert in the chapel next week), the grand dame of all cathedrals "Notre Dame" and finally a peek of the spire of the American Church in Paris (Dale used to be on the Board of Directors in the '80s). Yesterday we picked up a four day museum pass to begin our earnest quest for culture! We have been viewing Great Course lectures on DVDs for months with lectures on European history, art and architecture. Now we get to view some of the paintings we have learned about. Yesterday at the Louvre we discovered Napoleon III living chambers. Amazing! Hard to believe we have never viewed this part of the Louvre before but we were told there are 3 miles of hallway in the museum to give you a scope of the place! Difficult to see everything! We love Paris...you know we do! That said, I had a disturbing experience yesterday. We do know all about the gypsies and picket pockets around the Louvre. I was guarding my shoulder bag tightly when a band of them (6-8) approached Dale to sign a petition. (That is one of their many tricks to distract you) He shooed them away but they were tenacious! When we got back to our room tonight, I noticed a big knife slice through the bottom of my bag.(My nice leather travel bag from Argentina....errrrrr!) Fortunately the slash was not deep enough for my things to come spilling out. Glad they did not slash me!
Thursday, March 10, 2016
Bucerias and the Groff visit
Our Feb return to Bucerias. Mount St Helens peeks through the clouds
Sun sets behind the land rather than ocean horizen this time of year
Groffs arrive and check out the town square with Nana and Papa
A slumber party with Johnny and night time story with Papa
Slumber party night with Clara and a quick snack with Nana
Andrew swims in Punta Arena pool
Alice and beach time
Clara models her new dress
Our friend from Oaxaca raises and shears the sheep, combs, cards and dyes the wool using crushed flowers, minerals and bug bodies for color. Then he weaves it on a loom and finally sells his rugs and wall hangings.
Over 45 days of sunshine and now preparations for the rain and high surf that is predicted
Always hard to say goodby. Hasta luego Bucerias!
Monday, February 1, 2016
La Cruz de Huanacaxtle market 2016
La Cruz Marina 10 miles north of Bucerias
Dale checks out the fishing boats
Have not seen as many pelicans this year
Monday, January 25, 2016
Bucerias 2016
First peek of the beach on Jan 9th from our balcony. Just look at the blue ski and empty beach! 
We always have our first meal at Meson Bay next to our condo.
Fresh red snapper is 140 pesos or @ $7.50. It seems Mexico is on sale because our dollar is strong. Peso is 17.5 to the dollar at a local bank. The official rate is 18.5.
We always have our first meal at Meson Bay next to our condo.
It is so good to be back in Bucerias on the beach with these gorgeous views from our condo balcony. We left snow at home and have had a perfect two weeks of sunshine and 80 - 82 degree weather sofar this visit. This past week Dale and I have been experiencing the "Our Lady of Peace Patron Festival" in Bucerias with the highlight "Blessing of the Fleet" event culminating this morning. People gather on the beach to watch the decorated boats (pangas) arrive in a cross formation from the neighboring fishing village La Cruz. The boats take turns and speed to the beach while a canon sounds and the crowds cheer. The participants then proceed to the church through the town square with fish, bread or fruit to receive a blessing. (Photo is taken from our condo balcony) Men from all over the region come to attend Mass and pray for a year of health and prosperity. The cathedral is beautifully decorated inside with hundreds of fresh flowers. On our morning walk today we saw local riders on horseback, painted Mayan Indian drummers and dancers wearing their traditional attire. Couples dance in the square. Later tonight young men will run around town dressed like a bull with fireworks on their back. (We always skip this part as it sounds a bit dangerous😀) At 11 pm there is the fireworks display followed by live music into the wee hours of the evening. It is going to be a late and noisy night of Festivities. The canons and firecrackers are really, really loud.I may need a sleeping pill because all this fun is way past my bedtime! Ha ha ha. Our weather continues to be 80-82 degrees which is just the way we like it. We feel rested, content and extremely blessed to here.
Our Lady of Peace Church in Bucerias
The church is decorated with fresh flowers for the festival
People dance, sing and eat in town square.
A father and daughter wave to a friend as they trot by gates to Cathedral
Gaucho near market stalls
The day ends with the sounds of the surf, occasional church bells sounding, canons, firecrackers, roosters crowing and mariachi music playing in the distance. The town celebrates and prays for another year of prosperity.
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A few of Gail's favorite things:
Antonia takes care of all our needs including iguana removal from our building.
Special dinner at Mark's Bar and Grill two blocks from our condo. Pictured: Filete de Huachinango con Nuez de Macadamia (Macadamia crusted Red Snapper on Ginger Spinach with Thai Curry Sauce)
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