5C's Que Pasa

Colin got back about 4PM yesterday and was greeted with so much barking and licking and a few kisses that there was no time to take photos.  Unfortunately Carmeh had escaped the yard while I was buying produce at the veggie/fruit truck earlier in the morning.  I saw her as she came back licking her chops.  Hmmm……sure enough she got sick big time and all over the place.!!!  The fellows who were painting the wall out front were there again the day before and must have left parts of their lunch in the sand.  YUCK!!

We almost never went into Mazatlan for Julio’s guitar concert.  Not sure what to do with Carmeh. We decided to leave her as this was a special evening and not just an outing.  Of course she was sick but not as much but still!   Lots of laundry to send out tomorrow.

So off we go to the concert at Casa Haas where we have never been.  It is actually just 1 block away from the Plazuela Machado.  This was the fourth and final guitar concert being performed in Mazatlan this week in conjuction with the larger International Festival held in Culiacan.  The tickets were free!!  Mistake!  About 7 minutes before the performance the hall was empty.  Did people just get the free ticket and not bother to come.  We personally knew many people who had tried to get tickets but they were ‘sold out’.  Somehow the hall slowly filled but there were still empty seats and two prime ones right next to us in the second row.  At the end of the evening we met one lady who loved this style of music and just showed at the door and they let her in.  Good for her.  More people should have done that.

Colin felt that many there last night did not appreciate the music but perhaps were there because it was free.  Unlike Culiacan where the performance was appreciated by much applause and noise, here most of the people politely clapped and started to leave.  Julio had come out, perhaps to play an encore but simply bowed and left the stage.

Julio Cesar Oliva gave a fabulous performance, almost the same one he gave in Culiacan on March 6th.

Colin had made tentative plans for us to dine with Julio after the concert but he begged off. He was exhausted from all the late nights in Culiacan. Besides all the local guitar students were waiting for their time with him so we headed off.

Colin also was tired, in fact exhausted.  He had driven all the way back from Culiacan after having only 4 hours sleep 5 nights in a row and headed back out to another concert.  It was so very very worth every second.  Julio really is a gentleman who can make his guitar do the extraordinary from ballads to big band and more.  So glad we purchased his CD’s.  Julio was to come visit us on the Isla today before his flight to Mexico City but he was much too tired. This was Colin’s write up of of the concert in Culiacan.

So we headed over to the Plazuela where there was some action.  It was very very windy and cool out.

We once again went to the Italian restaurant, Casa Canobbio where I had a gluten free meal. Still have a rash and am now trying to go without wheat to see if it helps.

It was a fairy tale evening, the concert, our discussions not only about what happened in Culiacan but our future plans.  The only problem was it was chilly, most unusual for this time of year.

...the last margarita and we were ready to head home!

Shrimp season is officially over and the boats are home. Now the tuna fleet is out.

We even got out own private panga for the ride home.

The girls were happy to see us and cuddle with us.  Today was a quiet day relaxing at home…..still too windy to be outside.  Colin got caught up on all his photo files, got unpacked and tried to get his voice back.  Carmeh was still sick so we just hung out together.

RV2 was having a happy hour in honor of Linda’s 70th but we declined…..just not enough energy.  Happy Birthday Linda.  Sorry you missed the concert, you would have loved it.

Tags: Culiacan, food, Isla de la Piedra, Mazatlan, Mexico, music, travel

Hello Kevin and Linda, Do I have something for you!
Cris Lobo in concert and a couple of cds. Cris wants us to come to Mexico City. He is also sending me cds from Mex. City to my home in Kelowna. I did a shoot for him 2 years ago, great promo stuff. He calls me a magician and says I am the best and my work the most outstanding. I said, you know Cris, we are like birds in a flock. We move in harmony. We are both amazing. I am in awe with Cris, his music, his personality. He doesn’t drink, smoke or eat meat. Fish and vegetables. Can you dig that?. I am ahead of the full day review because of inspiration. After the concert,Cris and I sat across from each other at diner. Across also and beside me, the bass player Marcos Milagres and the percussion, Mario Garcia. On the other side of me, Julio Cesar Oliva. I was surrounded by pure talent. Julio is coming to Mazatlan tonight to give a concert and we will meet again. Contessa and myself have official passes for entry to see Julio. Tomorrow he will come to visit us at Isle de la Piedra. How lucky could I be.

The other event of the night was a guitar concert. 30 guitars all at the same time. Fantastico

Photos below. Sorry for the few sideways photos. No time to learn more about this process. 4 am to bed a little too late. I bow to the Queen of the bloggers and am thankful for the position of assistant editor.

I am coming home to my girls. Hugs in Line

C

An amazing festival. Today I arrived at the cultural centre and decided to have breakfast. Then, enters the cafe, Ricardo Gallen from Spain. This evening he will be playing with the OSSLA (Culiacan orchestra directed by Maestro Gordon Campbell). The program, Conceierto en Re mayor, Op99, Mario Castelnuovo Tedesco. So Ricardo sits at my table and he starts reviewing his music on his guitar. What a pleasure, eating a superb breakfast and listening to Ricardo. Ricardo then stopped playing for a while, we chatted and then he did a 10 second video on Contessa’s camera telling her how much he misses her and then invited me and Contessa to New York June 6. He is releasing a cd there and 2 days later his friend Diego is performing. What do you think my love? Want to go? As the day unravelled, I went to see Cris Lobo giving a jazz class, took a few photos and meandered to centro to buy some gifts for my Contessa, head blogger. Later a little rest at my home (Heriberto’s casa) and then off to the concert. First player was Piotr Pakhomkin from Russia, performing Concierto de Aranjuez by Joaquin Rodrigo. Fabulous. Next up was Ricardo. Ricardo is known all over the world and he had standing ovations before playing. Amazing. After the concert, we are off to Albertos for our midnight snack. I had a grande caeser salad with camerones. So much socializing, I met the back up musicians for Cris Lobo. Marcos Milagres on bass who is one of the best in the world and Mario Garcia, an outstanding drummer. Of course the best for Cris Lobo who is also one of the best jazz guitarists in the world. Tonight I will video the performance for my good friends Kevin and Linda. My nose stuffed up and ran due to extreme living. Many (lost count) glasses of tequila from Isela cleared me right up. Much laughter and fun At Heriberto’s home later and got to sleep at 3:30 am. Photos below of events with some captions.

Ricardo at cafe

Piotr performing

Ricardo

Piotr with David Russell

And comes over Ricardo

Daniel with Paolo and David

Heriberto with Cris Lobo ( Cris cut his hair – used to be shoulder length )

Isela with Lulu, Heribertitio’s novia

Cris Lobo’s back up musicians, Marcos Milagres (bass, on the right) and Mario Garcis (drums, on the left)

Maria and Berta

And me with all my good and very special friends

Buenos Dias Senoritas, Senoras, Senores y todo.  Another 4 hour sleep (at the most but I feel great). Thank you to my body

This day I again meet a person whom I am in awe with. Julio Cesar Oliva from Mexico city;  he is a great Mexican guitarist and composer.  This man was so relaxed and played music that we would all love, Ballads, Melodies, Big Band,  Jazz, Mexican folk, all his own compositions. An excerpt from the program notes  “Es compositor de un extenso catalogo de mas de 200 obras para guitarra sola, ensamblas de guitarra y obras para diversos instrumentos”. What captured me was his use of all the notes on the full finger board of his guitar. Most of it played without him looking at his hands. His memory to play the complicated pieces chosen astounded me and to top that off, I talked to him 10 minutes before his 3 hour performance. He had left his play list at his hotel and asked me if I could tell him what he was going to play. I ran back to my seat at the front row and as I ran, the sole on my right shoe came off.  Back stage technicians with duct tape helped me out. I gave Julio the program and he thanked me very much. What amazed me is that most maestros would practice their pieces to review before performing. This man played the total evening without making any mistakes flawlessly.

Julio Cesar Oliva

After the concert, I was invited to go for diner to a mouth watering Italian restaurant, Albertos. We had pizza and I was contento and then a plate was put in front of me -Linguine with white wine and cheese sauce  and  mushrooms. As my plate arrived I was asked how many more cervezas I wanted because it was midnight and the bar would be closing. My annual 7 day visit to the festival -being able to attend master classes, being immersed  in the spanish language, meeting new friends and old aquaintences, talking to the greatest guitarists in the world, seeing my special, special Soberanes family and my Compadre Heriberto, having great food together  is a true inspiration.

Following are some photos of our social time at the restaurant. The man at the right is the Presidente of the Festival de Guitarra,  Marco Vinicio Camacho Garcia with his wife Anait. They were married in December. Juio Cesar Oliva shaking hands with David Russell and Berta Rojas smiling.

Below,Heriberto, Isela and David Russell. In the background is Lulu Lopez a very pretty dentista. She is the novia to Heribertito (Heriberto’s 1st son).

Below, On the right, a great man, Paolo Mello the professor of musicology. He teaches the History and Theory of music at UNAM, the most important University in all of Mexico. He is talking to Julio Cesar Oliva.  This evening I talked to Paolo in Spanish. A very intelligent  and important man with much knowledge. He was born in Italy

Myself with Daniel Camero Espinoza. He asks “?Colin where is your wife?”  He is Director of Academico at The Festival

Rodolfo Perez trying out Julio’s guitar. Rodolfo just finished recording a new cd in Toronto Canada. He is asking me to take photos for the cd cover. We will do in Mazatlan and in return I will have some lessons.

myself with Julio Cesar Oliva. Al Capone photo on wall behind

The end to an unforgettable evening. Two great Maestros

Colin is still enjoying the guitar festival in Culiacan.  Looks like he is planning on a few guest posts so stay tuned ( is that a pun? ).  As you can read in all the comments of the past few posts he is still unable to email me.

Self portrait the day he left for Culiacan.

Contessa is holding the fort on the Isla.  Yesterday we had an RV leave RV1 and another today so we are down to 3 RV’s here and I have no idea how many in RV2 are left at this point, quite a few I think.  So if anyone wants a front row beach site for a few weeks drop on by.  Once again the road is in top shape with low branches having been trimmed last week.  Due to the circumstances I have not done my exercises for 1.5 days and my body knows it. I had to sleep on the sofa with Carmeh from 1:30 AM and on and I am stiff.  The time is passing swiftly and I am not getting all my to do’s done before Colin returns.  Maybe manana.

The propane truck came today which was a good thing. What was even better is that Barrie & John were here to help me. Thanks guys, especially as I took you away from your lunch. The RV took 56.1 litres at 8.81 pesos per litre for a total of 391.58 pesos ( $31.59 CAD ). For some reason our BBQ tank could not be filled, just wouldn't work. Sorry Colin. It's about 50% so should be good till we get back home.

Carmeh seems better today,  Thank you to blog reader Renee from California and now new commenter ,who sent some great suggestions yesterday.  In the end I did not feed her anything as I wasn’t sure she was really sick or just reacting because Colin was gone.  After her 1:30AM vomiting incident ( on the bed of course ) I was able to get her to drink water.  I tried giving her kibble but she turned away at that but did eat a few tiny treats.  Her stomach was no longer growling.  She refused to come back to bed so I slept with her on the sofa just in case she got ill again.  This morning she managed a few regular kibble and a small beach walk.  Every now and then she indicated she wanted more kibble and would only eat a few at a time.  I can’t leave the kibble on the floor as Caeli would eat it all.  She had a good kibble snack 45 minutes ago and is sleeping.  I think she is going to be alright.

Caeli enjoyed having the queen bed all to herself last night!  Previously she had visited Helene’s and then Debra’s for over 3 hours. All she does is sleep and cuddle.  She even had her dinner delivered to Deb’s.  Already today she has run over there twice.  Unlike Carmeh she has no family loyalty, she just needs food and love.

Having fun in the sand before Colin left. No they did not get a crab.

Chiquito is still staying at his temporary home in Mazatlan.  Sometime in the next three weeks we hope to be able to transfer him to his new home in the wild.

Not much happening on the Isla. We are having overcast skies and cool breezes in the afternoon. Early mornings are great. The weather was perfect for this guy who is painting the front of our wall white.

Some beach strollers, a surfer heading home and a father playing baseball with his older kids while the younger ones played with a skipping rope.

Still lots of surfers out there. These were in front of RV2 and I took it from my site here in RV1.

Had 2 sets of visitors this afternoon.  Got to meet massage Mary’s parents visiting here for a week.  A bit later an RV tow car pulled in.  They are from Vernon and travel further south in Mexico for the main part of the winter but like to stay in Mazatlan coming and going.  After our tour it seems they will be coming to Tres Amigos RV Park coming and going next year rather than Cerritos.  First time on ‘the road’ and first time to the Isla and they fell in love!  Keep in touch Debbie and Wayne.

Time for a glass of vino!  Cheers!

Tags: Culiacan, Isla de la Piedra, Mazatlan, Mexico, Stone Island, The girls, Tres Amigos RV Park