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