The butcher, the baker, the piñata maker . . . .

Feliz Año Nuevo!  We are getting ready to send out 2010 and welcome 2011.  Plans for today are "appy" hour by the pool, and then head to the beach to meet some friends for a New Years Bonfire.   Pictures to follow . . . maybe!

Lo de Marcos is a small Mexican town.  I think normally, about 3,000 people live here.  However, in the winter months, it's a popular Gringo spot - mostly RVers and people who have built casas here.  There are a few smaller hotels, but no resorts, so it doesn't have a lot of Norte American influence.  We don't have to go out of the village to get any supplies - unless, of course, we're looking for a change of scenery.  Puerto Vallarta is just 45 minutes North on Hwy 200 - and there you can get everything you could possibly need.  If it's not there at the Mega Commercial (big grocery store) - you don't need it.

See what I mean . . . .


The Butcher . . .

 I have a bit of a confession - we have never bought anything in the Carneceria - it's just not the same kind of Alberta Beef we are used to . . . in fact, that is the one thing we stocked up in the freezer before heading south of the border - Arturo just can't get used to Mexican beef!  Pork and Chicken - bueno, but the beef just is hard to swallow!

The Baker . . . 

The baker makes bread, buns, and sweets in a wood fired clay oven - every day!  We pay 4 pesos a bun (about 30 cents) and they are the best ever!  This bakery supplies all the little aberottes (stores) in Lo de Marcos, and probably some of the towns around here as well.  We go in, and just pick the goodies that we want, put in a bag and away we go - fresh bread - bueno!!!  (Thank you our amigo Brian for sharing his photos)

 

 

The Piñata Maker . . .

I found this little shop one morning when Kipper and I were out for a walk - they were making piñatas for Christmas - all sizes and shapes - some traditional star type, and some looking like Santa and Mrs. Santa . . . you can buy them and fill them with candies for the kids.  Lots of cardboard, newspaper and crepe paper go into these Mexican decorations!

 We also have a fresh veggie shop . . .

and of course, the Modelo deposito . . .

Arturo plays baseball with the Gringos and Locals every Sunday and Wednesday morning . . .

but it's not all fun and games . . . we do get some exercise like this hike up to a beautiful viewpoint - it takes about an hour to get up there, but well worth it!  Before we get to the "trailhead", tho, we have to take this road . . . really, it is a road!





... heading up on the "road"

more of the "road"



some of the group . . .

. . . the rest of the group




beautiful views . . .

up where the sea meets the sky . . .



Happy New Year, everyone and all the best for 2011.  Adios from Lo de Marcos - Feliz Ano Neuvo!

Arturo y de Beeb

You know you're in Mexico when . . .

You know you're in Mexico when . . . . 

 . . . . this needs no explanation  ;) 

..... Town squares really are the centre of town . . . .

......Beaches are beautiful and clean . . . . . Arturo and Ricardo show off their "Speedos" . . . . .

 ........Chickens and rooster are "free range" . . . .

 . . . .and so are perros (dogs) . . . .



. . . .  little perros wear sweaters  . . . .

........Street tacos are bueno, muy bueno . . .

 .......Cerveza is cold and considered part of your daily fluid intake . . .

..... You look out to your patio every morning and know you don't have to shovel  . . . .

 ........  Pelicanos . . . . just being pelicanos . . . .

 .......  You can take this picture on your morning walk . . . . every morning . . . .

 ..... it's Thursday - so that means Market day in La Penita!....

...... Art and Bev has been replaced with . . . .

 ......Our amigo, Garry, is on the injured list from baseball  . . . .

 ..... we celebrate Cumpleanos with our amigo, Ricardo. . . .

 .... cabelleros and horses on the street . . . .

 .... our Christmas tree is  on the side of the trailer . . . .

..... street side taco stands with plastic chairs are considered a gourmet meal - and a family affair!

!

 . . . . the beauty of the flowers shows through beyond the dust . . . .

Feliz Navidad - Arturo y de Beeb

Happy Birthday to Me!!!

 Fifty-five . . . who'd have thunk it! Last night a few of our friends from the park went out to a nice little restaurant to celebrate my birthday . . . it was all very nice! Here's some pics . . .

Arturo arranged with the restaurant to have a cake for dessert . . . kahlua cake - Bueno!!!

And now for the reveal that you've all been waiting for . . . Kipper's hair cut.  Actually, the groomer didn't take off nearly as much as I was expecting.  She shaved his belly, whisps off his legs, and thinned out the top a bit.  He has been in the ocean since, and it really does make a difference to getting him dried off.

Before

After

Here are also a few pics of the town square of Lo de Marcos.  The towns people take great pride in this town square - it's very inviting. 

We really haven't been doing a lot . . . we took a drive to Sayulita on Sunday.  It's a real young person's town - lots of surfer dudes, etc. although the day we were there the waves weren't really what I would call surfing waves.  But as always, lots of atmosphere and shopping, shopping, shopping . . .



Sayulita Beach



That's all folks . . .  I'll leave you with a pic of a bottle of Malbec/Savignon (113 pesos) . . .





Feliz Navidad - Arturo y de Beeb