5C's Que Pasa

Isela and Heriberto had plans to visit some distant cousins in Mazatlan on Saturday the 13th.  We were invited but pleaded exhaustion.  Besides we knew that their planned four hour visit would go much longer in the true Mexican way.  As it turned out they never got home until midnight while we were in bed just before 9PM.

You guessed correctly. That is Carmeh back in her carriage.

Just at sunset last Saturday, the 13th, I was sitting holding Caeli when Carmeh jumped up onto my footstool which she is not supposed to do but I surmise that she wanted me to be holding her as well and so she just jumped before I could say no.  She immediately froze and started to shake.  A sign of pain.  I screamed for Colin who came and put her down and we saw that neither of her back legs would work.  However a few minutes later she was able to wobble on all fours.  Of course I started her on Metacam and we are trying to restrict her movement as best we can.  As of this writing she is doing much better.

Sunday is a traditional hot cake day in the Soberanes household so I was ready to feed the four of us but by 12:30 noon on Valentine’s Day they had not yet arrived.  I was very hungry so we went ahead and ate on our own leaving some pancake batter for when our guests showed up.  By the way, they were staying in a small studio apartment just two short blocks away.  Just as we finished our late breakfast Heriberto showed up to tell us that they had already eaten.  He asked about coming by in a half hour to play music.  Of course.  By the time I finished cleaning the kitchen and doing the dishes I was drained.  So I lay down for a nap and awoke three hours later.  Turns out that Isela and Heriberto had only arrived about 25 minutes before I got up.  I have no idea what Colin did while he waited and I slept.  Likely he played his guitar.

When I came outside the guys were playing some duets.  Lovely sounds coming out of those guitars.

About an hour later Heriberto started to pack up his guitar and announced that he wanted to go on a horseback ride. At first we thought that he was joking but it turns out that he was very serious. Sadly it was the end of the day and the horse people were gone off the beach. Colin went out back and down the lane and found a few horses for hire.

It was a reasonably priced short ride. A perfect Valentine Day activity.

Meanwhile still back at our site I spied a couple being rescued along with their rented kayak. Lots like the rental had taken on a large amount of water and was sinking with them in it.

Of course how else could the day end on the 14th of February other than with a special sunset.

But the day was not over yet. We had reservations for the four of us at El Presidio, one of Mazatlan’s top restaurants.  Our table was in the courtyard and we could look up at the stars and the moon, which is that white dot at the top of the photo.

My eyes were closed in all of the shots. We had a lovely table next to the pianist who entertained us with some wonderful tunes. Of course he knew Heriberto.

Later we strolled the Plazuela Machado where again Heriberto ran into many people he knew.  Eventually we stopped for coffee, to listen to a band and to visit with each other and others that stopped to say hola.

The evening just kept on going……

…and I was going to fall asleep very shortly.  It was hard to pull the other three away.  I had been hinting for a good 40 minutes that it was time to leave.  Honestly, had each couple had their vehicle at the embarcadero here on the Isla side, Colin and I would have left earlier but we did have to drive our guests to their door.  Finally about 11:20PM I stood and stated that I had to leave as I was falling down worn out.  I strode over to the only pulmonia on the corner and got in.  The rest had no choice but to follow me.

It was to be our final evening with Isela and Heriberto but they surprised us as we dropped them off at their studio apartment.  Rather than leave the next morning they were going to stay another two days.  It seems that they were having a great time with us here on the Isla.  Meanwhile I was desperate to be horizontal……. got to bed just after midnight 🙁

In my last post I wrote that Heriberto had arrived on Wednesday and that Isela had not been well the first part of Thursday.

While at the medical clinic on Thursday AM Heriberto discovered that the grand opening was happening the next morning, Friday Feb. 12th.

He offered to play at the opening in appreciation of the treatment that Isela had received. Of course many there knew Heriberto including the Minister of Health for Sinaloa.

It was a much grander affair than we had anticipated.  A large tent was set up, cold water served along with food after the many speeches.  One thing that was mentioned was the plan to eradicate the three types of dengue from the Isla ( and I’m sure other parts of Sinaloa ) within the next 6 – 8 months.  The health minister spoke to the locals suggesting ways to decrease the presence of mosquitoes in their homes.   Not five nights later we saw a truck spraying for insects.

After the ceremony we came back to our place where I served a light breakfast, mostly fruit.  The girls kept Isela company while she rested.

Meanwhile Colin and Heriberto worked on some guitar duets.  I took a much needed nap.  The evening promised to be potentially another long session.  Despite the plans for the evening which included dinner at friends Heriberto wanted to go back to El Velero so that Isela would be certain of a soothing bland meal for her stomach.

Our quick snack went on for close to 3 hours as first appetizers were served, then we were entertained by a mariachi group and much discussion on origins of the pieces they played went around the table.  I had to settle for wine as they were out of Controy for Margaritas……big sigh!!  This is my favorite place to enjoy a Margarita here on the Isla.

We left early as we had to still feed the girls and get ready for the evening. We caught this as we walked back to the RV.

One the reasons for my delay in posting is that I ( we ) were exhausted.  Plus I had close to 500 photos to edit before I could even think of posting 🙄   So I edited for 2.5 hours this morning and now I am playing catch up.  I am so looking forward to getting back to real time in posting.   As I am at least six posts behind, I plan to crank out more than one per day.  Be sure to check that you have read the prior post over the next few days.

Linda and Kevin graciously invited the four of us for dinner as well as small group of friends.  It was difficult to chose from my many photos which to share.  Jose at the piano is a classical guitar player who lives here on the Isla.  At the moment he was repairing a violin. Besides the piano, three guitars and a ukelele played by Linda we had Heriberto and Isela waiting to perform.

It certainly was a musical evening.  Isela and I sang as did Linda and Isela.

People left and others arrived. The food was there to enjoy as you desired including a huge pot of pozole.

This is when we got home.

Yes that is AM  😯   Apparently the music kept going until 5 AM.

We haven’t had the pleasure of Heriberto and Isela visiting us here on the Isla for about three years.  Heriberto Soberanes Lugo is a a very important person in music within Sinaloa.  It has been close to fifteen years now that Colin and I have befriended them, a long story indeed.  Colin has seen them almost every  year at the Culiacan International Guitar Festival held in March.  In fact Colin has stayed at the maestro’s home and has become a part of the family not to mention his participation in the music festival.  I even attended the concert back in 2013.

Heriberto retired last year, but still volunteers at the music school, and had the time to pay us a visit this week.  He and Isela arrived late afternoon last Wednesday Feb. 10th.  They checked in with us and due to some problems with their studio apartment A/C  they did not get back here till just after 9PM for dinner which I was able to put on hold until they were free to eat.

We ate and then the music began.

First Colin and Heriberto played and played. Eventually Isela and I joined in with the vocals.

I would love to provide some links for you to click on but the internet is beyond slow.  Just go to the upper right corner of the blog and put in the search area Heriberto Soberanes or just Heriberto or Culiacan if you would like a bit of history.

Bottom line our first evening together ended at yes 3:10AM, bed by 3:30AM.

So glad I took that shot or I would have thought that I had dreamed the time.  It was a fabulous first night but way way beyond my tolerance level.  We were both dragging the next day.  We did get the dogs walked and fed and managed a nap but then it was time for day two.  Actually Isela had been ill during the night and we spent the first several hours Thursday with a doctor, etc.  She rested for most for the day.  Then it was onto El Velero her on the Isla for dinner.

Dinner started off with a bottle of 22K good stuff.  Yes the actual gold flakes were floating in the wine.  Gracias Linda.

Of course I had arranged for a cruise ship to pass by. Amazing what a different perspective there was closer to the shipping channel than from where we are.

I had pre ordered a fish large enough for 7 cooked a la zarandeado.  It was huge.  FYI, the cost is based on the size, gulp!

That is the fish covered with a thin layer of veggies under that large piece of foil.  We each got a plate with rice, frijoles and a small lettuce/tomato salad.

Of course we all headed back to our site for even more music.

When you are with two outstanding artists you take every moment you can to listen to some outstanding music and to participate if invited.

Carmeh had to be with Colin at all times. If he was playing she was laying at his feet.

Thank goodness everyone here in the RV park is so tolerant and understanding of this great visit for us.  At midnite we were still playing and singing.  It appears that here we were rehearsing for a performance a few days hence.  I am sure me must have shut it down shortly thereafter but I can’t remember the time….

So now you know why you have not heard from me.  Bottom line, if I have not been a hostess or cooking or singing or eating, I have likely been sleeping.  Certainly no time to post.  I must tell you that at no time were the girls neglected 🙄   As if that would ever happen.

So I am now posting on Monday evening which means I still have over 3 days of fun to tell you about.  Stayed tuned…..

Taken sometime either last Monday or Tuesday, the sun is certainly on the move. Used to set in that low area to the left.

Colin emptied his peanut butter jar yesterday morning ( I can’t stand the stuff although I love peanuts ). Caeli has the longest tongue and gets right into cleaning the jar out.  Love how she holds the jar with her paw. Carmeh of course gets a wee blob on the lid to lick up.

Once her tummy was full Caeli came up and settled right behind Colin for a snooze.

After our beach walk which is always dictated by the tides ( making it easier on both Carmeh and I to walk ) we headed out to town.  For the first time in a very long while we actually put the A/C on for the girls before we left.  The humidity is back and the temps are getting up there 😎

So much color where ever you look in the mercado in Centro.

Carnaval was being celebrated everywhere.

We try and support the same vendors but bottom line is we go where the best produce is. However the best romaine might be at booth A while the best bananas are at booth B and so on.  I never price compare but I am confident that they are all within mere pesos of each other.  The prices here are so very reasonable compared to back in both the USA and Canada.

Anyone want a Carnival t-shirt?  Last call.

Once our bags were full and loaded they certainly were, we stopped for lunch at Tony’s Burgers located within the mercado.  I have to say that we had the very very best shrimp burger in a long time, it was beyond perfect. Of course having Tony personally squeeze our orange juice was a bonus not to mention all his extra dance steps to the samba music that was playing.  A good time was had by all, literally.

Quite the trip back across the shipping channel.  The wind was blowing towards us and the panga was struggling against the white caps.  Wave after wave hit the bow of the boat and we were all getting sprayed, some of us were getting wet.  First time in seven years that I became somewhat concerned despite the fact that our driver was going extremely slow 😯

Good to get back to the Isla as it was a hot day with humidity in the very high 80’s 😥   I was actually done in once I had all the groceries put away.  A few more chores and we decided to go for a treat.

We walked the girls down to El Velero where I indulged in a margarita, the best of the best on the Isla, well at least this year.  Colin enjoyed his usual Jamaica drink.  Notice how my drink is being consumed rather quickly.  Just the one drink and back home.  By the way home is right next to that red tent  ( very tiny red dot ) in the upper middle section of the photo.

No sunset worth taking a photo of.  That is why when we have a good one we enjoy it immensely.  By the way Jamaica is a tea made of hibiscus flowers.

Before we say adios to Carnival 2016 I want to share some very very exceptional still shots of the fireworks taken by someone who understands photography.  The link is here to see 16 fab photos.  Colin was wowed by some of them.

One of the 16 photos, just look at those colors.

Still on the subject of photography, the Tommie Gold Awards happened last Saturday and as usual Colin’s clients did very well.  He was happy that each client won at least one Gold in the categories they entered, some more.  This is excellent news for us as this is great promotion for us re ongoing photography jobs once we get home 😆

One of my readers, David, from the Chelan WA area wanted to make sure that I was aware what he was enduring while we dealt with the sun and heat.  That looks like lots of snow which is why we have become snowbirds 🙂  Hang in there David, it will melt….eventually.

I have to say that daily posting is a huge chore what with waiting and waiting and waiting as I sit and watch and watch and hope for the page to load. I don’t think it is my WordPress site but more the RV park internet being slowed by many people using internet to Skype, to send photos and to Facetime ( whatever that means ).  All know is that is slows me down.  Likely there are some streaming movies…… 🙁   Of course there is also my very ancient desktop computer but it is doing much better since I did some surgery.

This was taken two nights ago. Some evenings the sunsets are just so so.

Six guys on an ATV!

Looks like this is going to be a good year for mangos. This tree, across from our lavenderia is in full bloom…

…the fruit is already forming. Maria, when your tree is ready, we will take whatever you can spare.

Some nights, such as yesterday the sunset is beyond description. We are so very fortunate to be here year after year.

Life is good.