Dia de Los Muertos fashion II

Instead of buying the figurines, which are fragile and take up space, I found these two T-shirts with the figures in a form I can easily handle. In fact, I figure someday to turn them into artwork by framing them. They'd make quite a statement on a bare wall. They are not looked upon morbidly, but with fun. I haven't decided whether I will wear them, but I will find a space on a wall for them someday.

Dia de Los Muertos fashions

Dia de Los Muertos -Day of the Dead

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Actually two days, November 1&2 of each year are very important holidays here in Mexico. Ancestors are honored with gifts on home altars and parties in the cemetaries.

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There is also quite a bit of artwork devoted to the creation of skeletal figures made of wood, plaster, and various other materials. The figures can be human or animals. The variety is incredible and most frequently show the figures having a good time or doing routine daily chores.

Off-Malecon Musicians

Apparently this trio of musicians was created by the same man, Guillermo Gomez, who made El Viejo y El Mar, or The Old Man and the Sea that I enjoy so much. The trio sits at the head of a plaza where open air concerts are frequently held. The building in the back has since been razed.

Pelicano Posing for Picture on a Post Preparing for Passage

And Liftoff--in a split second he was gone. Guess he didn't want to pose for another picture.

Pelicanos Posing on the Panga

Some of our neighbors, waiting for the fishermen to give them an easy meal.

Yoga With Annie

Since returning from the Sea of Cortez I have joined Annie's yoga group. We meet every morning at 8:30 in front of the Marina office. Annie, in the blue T-shirt, puts us through about an hours worth of stretching exercises, yoga poses and weight training. With the way Ron cooks such delectable meals every day an exercise routine is a must. And starts the day off right. What's more, while Annie puts us through our paces she also makes it fun. I have felt so much better, more limber, toned and stronger since starting with Annie. Poses that I thought were impossible or leg lifts that I could barely finish are no longer a problem. Though I admit the 'tree' and the corpse pose at the end of each session are still my favorites. Thanks Annie!

Where in Mexico is La Paz?

Love this little map. Not too much detail but just enough. So,- - - La Paz is down toward the tip of Baja. North about 75 miles on the Eastern side of Baja. This also shows Cabo San Lucas- - -famous tourist destination. One of my favorite towns is Todos Santos, half way between La Paz and Cabo. Santa Rosalia is where we spent a lot of time on our trip up the Sea of Cortez this summer. It was the jumping off place to head across the Sea to San Carlos almost due east on the mainland. ( Unfortuneately not on the map ). We also remember Santa Rosalia as the harbor we were headed for when we lost the engine--and where we were towed from-all the way back to La Paz. 250 miles. Muchas, muchas gracias to Jim of Sun Hunter. Bahia de Los Angeles was our northernmost destination on our 77 day voyage.
One main highway--and that's it. Stay on the highway, away from the cows, and get where you're going before dark---rules of the road.

El Viejo y El Mar--Old Man and the Sea

Along the water front in La Paz is an area known as the Malecon. A wonderful place to stroll along the sea of Cortez, watching the boats, the sunsets, other strollers, what have
you. Walk, jog, visit, daydream. Whatever.

Along this Malecon is an incredible collection of artwork. This Old Man and the Sea is my absolute favorite. A paper boat upon his head, a paper boat attached at the hip. No doubts of fulfilling his dreams. Optimism. Foresight. Hopes and dreams. Adventures to come. Discoveries to be made. All just around the corner-to those willing to make it happen.

The Grass Is Always Greener, In Town

These cows couldn't quite decide which way to go in their search for greener pastures. So they crossed, and recrossed, main street in El Triunfo. No one blinked an eye in their direction--except me and my Olympus.

Look Out!

This is exactly why you don't want to drive in Mexico after dark! Cows, horses, cows, burros, cows, goats, and more cows. And did I mention the cows on the roads. There are miles of fences. Some sturdier than others for sure. But those fences are not much good when the gates are not closed.

Bahia de Los Muertos

After seeing all the activity at La Ventana we had worked up an appetite. And we decided to take care of that with lunch at the Giggling Marlin, a restaurant and yacht club at the Bahia de Los Muertos. Yes, I know it says Bay of Dreams, but on the map, and still most commonly known, it is Bahia de Los Muertos, or Bay of the Dead. Trying to improve their image with a name update. But a less intrigueing name. Beautiful bay, beautiful day. Wonderful nachos!

La Ventana and Bahia de Los Muertos

We took a drive down to Bahia de Los Muertos one Sunday afternoon in December. At La Ventana we stopped to watch the kiteboarders and sailboats. A stiff breeze and cool temps allowed DOZENS of adventurous souls to take to the waves. Almost all gringos. Naturally.

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Down Time-- And Lots of It!

Not everything has changed. One of my very favorite things to do- - -reading a good book while enjoying a hot cup of tea. I do miss not having Tuffy with me in my recliner as I do this, but that can't be helped. We have a wonderful little library in Marina de La Paz at the Club Cruceros ( Cruisers ) Clubhouse. I am a very regular visitor. Normally I have 5 or 6 books waiting on me.

Red-eyed Grebe

This is a cute little bird who has been entertaining us during our yoga sessions in the mornings. There were quite a few around here but most seem to have run off for warmer areas. The nights have gotten chilly here now. Mostly 50's.

Along the Dock

Just out for a little pre-siesta walk along the docks. The first photo is of mullets practically BEGGING to be scooped up for supper. Yeck. Not for MY supper.

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Photo #2 is of the dinghy dock and part of Marina de La Paz. The dinghy dock is used mostly for boats anchored out. Like a parking lot in the city for people from the suburbs.

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Photo #3 is one of the snowy egrets that hang around a lot. They have a good working relationship with the red eyed grebes when it comes to hunting for fish.

Sunset Alert

I do concede that this is not a typical sunset here in La Paz, but not unusual either. I have literally taken dozens of photos of sunrises and sunsets since I have been here. Mostly I don't even bother unless it is REALLY spectacular. This shot was taken from Argo's flybridge.

Where Am I?

La Paz, BCS ( Baja California Sur, the name of the state ) Mexico. I am living on Argo, Ron's trawler in the Marina de La Paz which is pictured in the photos. La Paz is really a big city, over 200,000 people. It looks big from the photos but does not have a big city feel when you are driving around. No high rise buildings. Well, maybe a couple but nothing over 4 or 5 stories. And most are only 1 or 2 stories. We are within easy walking distance of the downtown area. There is a good bus system too but I like to look and so enjoy the walk. This is not a touristy town, like Cabo San Lucas down the road. I am able to get by, usually, with what Spanish I know, and sign language. The locals frequently know a little English as well, and those working at the Marina even more so. You will certainly see other gringos when you are out and about, but not the influx that has been moving into Cabo.

Desert Safari to the Glow Man

Darn, I missed my salsa dance lesson this afternoon. We took an unexpected, sudden safari to the desert to find . . . . . the 'Glow Man'. A creation of ancient desert nomads? Prehistoric astronauts? Maybe. More likely some fun loving 60's vagabonds with imagination, and a bit of peyote on board. So the local lore says. But interesting. Thank goodness for 4 wheel drive or we would be there yet.

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A Few Favorite Photos of a Former Life

Ah, yes, some of my favorite photos. The first one, of me in my nursing uniform, was taken just before leaving for my last night shift at Jefferson County Hospital in Fairfield, Iowa.

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The next photo shows how I ended my nursing career. At the burn barrel, burning my uniforms behind me. Like a great weight lifting off my shoulders. An opening of new experiences and a new chapter of my life. And nursing was not a focus anymore. Not a concern or even a thought in my head for my future.

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The final photo shows my leaving Iowa via the Cedar Rapids Airport for a new home, a new experience, a new way of life, a new country and possibilities unlimited. I am so very glad that I did not put off this lifestyle change. I wanted to be able to start a new lifestyle while I was still young enough and healthy enough to be able to do it and enjoy it. Thankfully my many years of being a nurse provided me with enough of an income to be able to do just that.

Sensing the Possibilities

Okay, I realize that this is now an old photo but it is a pretty typical photo. A good one to start this blog with. Obviously the man on the left is Ron Miller. He most generously allowed me to move onto his boat 'Argo' when my earlier plans on 'Tazmo' fell apart. That's another story however.

Ron had been living on land for a short time but a couple of months after I moved aboard 'Argo' in the Marina de La Paz, Ron asked me what I thought about his moving back aboard and the two of us take off cruising the Sea of Cortez!! Well, that's what I am here in Mexico for. To go cruising.

I am hoping to maybe recreate those emails that I sent out during our cruise of 77 days from August 23, 2007 till November 7, 2007. Not tonight however.

Getting the Hang of It--Blogging

Before I try to post very much on this new, to me, media, I am going to just do a little experimenting. This is something I had hoped to get arranged when I first left Iowa for La Paz, BCS, Mexico last April. Obviously it did not come to pass. I did send out mass emails in lieu of a blog and that seemed to work all right. But this is something I still wanted to try. And here I am.