Paul and I spent yesterday with my cousin and his wife who came into town on a cruise ship and were only here for about 7 hours.
They have been very curious our decision to move and have followed the blog to keep up on what’s going on. So when they decided to take a cruise that included a stop in Mazatlán in order to have a visit with us, we were touched.
We picked them up at the cruise ship without incident. We jumped into the car and headed home via the scenic route, over Cerro de la Vigia and down through Olas Altas. They loved the house and we sat and drank coffee and visited for a while before heading out to show them Centro.
I guess there are times when my inner neat-freak comes out or something because why would it be that practically the day before they arrived every other flat surface in our part of Centro was covered with graffiti courtesy of “dr clark” (or something like that.) Even our next door neighbors got hit. And of course the sidewalks are always treacherous. And it was Wednesday, garbage day, besides. So our walk over to the Plazuela Republica was an eye opener I think. Bumpy sidewalks, crazy traffic, etc. We skipped the Mercado, instead heading over to the Plazuela Machado, really the heart of Centro. Then to the beach and along the Malecon before heading home.
There’s so many things I wish. I wish it had been night time – Mazatlán at night is so wonderful, especially in the Machado with live music, lights in the trees, people strolling, children chasing each other and all that. I wish the city wasn’t gearing up for Carnaval as the whole demeanor of the city revs up a few notches. I wish we didn’t have such a short time – I mean part of what I love about it here is they rhythm and friendliness of the people. And it takes a while to sense that.
We drove all the way to Playa Bruja, had lunch on the beach and showed them some of our favorite places. They did meet a couple of friends of ours.
I woke up this morning feeling sad when I realized that there’s no way that I could do what they wanted us to do – to “show them what it is about the city that made us fall in love with it.” I think that’s a tall order that takes more than a day. So guys, you’ll just have to come back, this time for a few days at least, ok?
American Mommy in Mexico
February 19, 2009Such a Mexico kind of experience – some perfect and some not so much. It does sound like there was some adventure to it!
John Calypso
February 19, 2009Sometimes it is just hard to get it all to fall into place – especially when you have a 7 hour window to make it all work.
Steve Cotton
February 19, 2009Nancy — I already have my first visitors scheduled — and I will not be in Mexico for two more months. They will have the advantage of staying at least three days. So, I should have enough time to make Mexico’s (and my) case. But — they just left Rome yesterday and hated it: too noisy, too dirty, terrible drivers, rude people. My work may be cut out for me. Because I love Rome.
Billie
February 20, 2009Nancy, A lot of our stateside friends are intrigued with us living in another country but you can tell when they visit that they would never, ever do such a thing. I’ve decided that this is a good thing. Only ex-pats who really, really love the culture should be here because Mexico is a messy place to live.
Nancy
February 20, 2009Paul feels that we did a good job of showing them what we love about it here given the time constraints. I guess I don’t know what I wanted…there is no way anyone else can feel and know what we love about it here except us. And I guess if they have been following the blog they have heard me describe what we love lots of times.
I think it goes to my (idiotic) need for approval that I thought I was doing better about letting go.
Theresa in Mérida
February 20, 2009Nancy, it’s like when you have any new love and are showing them/it off to the family. You really,really,really want them to understand,you feel all anxious and maybe a little defensive,but most of us don’t (usually) fall in love overnight. It takes time, and you never can gauge another person’s reaction, I thought my sil had a terrible experience when she visited last year, but she wants to come back!
regards,
Theresa
Lori
February 20, 2009Not living in Mexico but loving it, I often ask myself what it is about the country I enjoy so much and how do I explain that to people who go on all-inclusive vacations and are pampered and fed and toured by rote. The people are what make me love Mexico, not having met a whole bunch of Mexican people, but just the shy smiles, curiosity and general happiness as well as their willingness to help and interact. I have a hard time putting into words the concept and feel that people miss the point – my point, because everybody takes something away which makes them come back, and we don’t all get it at once.
Ron
February 20, 2009I enjoy your site for its interesting content and subject because I too am a Mazatlan fan. One thing I didn’t realize is the extent of gaffiti there. Did your home get hit the same time as the others and how regularly are you and your neighbors hit with graffiti?
Nancy
February 21, 2009Thanks, I think I was expecting too much of myself in the time allowed. IThey are just getting home today so I am curious to hear how they feel.
Ron, There is actually quite a lot of graffiti. It comes and goes. Right now it seems to be a kind of active time. I can’t say why. But people will paint it out. We got hit with a little bit near our garage last year but I think houses on the corner are more likely targets since they can run either way if someone comes. Or maybe it’s because it’s more visible, I don’t know. I wish people painted over it more quickly, but there isn’t as much awareness about how important it is to paint it out. Sometimes it gets me down, sometimes I can ignore it.
Jackie
February 21, 2009I have to say that I feel just like Lori. Many of my co-workers do not “get” why I visit Isla Mujeres three or four times a year. They often ask why I don’t go somewhere else. But I do as I take other trips throughout the year to places like Hawaii and Palm Springs for instance.
The short time allowed to visit ports of call is exactly why I have never had a desire to go on a cruise. I want to be able to get to know the place I am visiting and feel the vibe and you just can’t do that in seven hours.