Sunday first day of February

Sunday morning was a beautiful day bright blue sky and puffy white clouds. We went out to breakfast again. Starting the day with tummies full. After breakfast we walked up to a small shop selling all kinds of tourist things. Of all things I forgot to pack t-shirt to just wear around when not going any where. So picked up a couple. Looking for light weight and cotton. Found two. This is one of them. The other one is black - I know bad choice for heat here - with a Carnaval 2026 design on it. 

We were going out at night with Bill's good friend Roberto and his wife Gloria to the Plazuela Machado in the evening. So just relaxed most of the day. 

The next few pictures were from Saturday night, but Sunday night is much the same there. Lots of vendors and lots of people walking around and lots of different music. Vendors selling mostly, clothing, toys and crafts. Lots of jewelry. 

Whole  Plazuela is lined with different restaurants.

I mentioned we ate at Pedro and Lola's. Our view from our table. Crowded on Saturday nights. 

After we ate we walked around the block to get away from the crowds. All the streets around there have strings of lights across the street. This shop had a colorful display of festive paper decorations. 

Inside they were selling some of the pretty leather masks. These are made by the guy who taught Bill how to make them many years ago. When we were living in Indiana. 

And painted hats. I bought one a couple of years ago in El Quelite but never wear it as it is pretty stiff and uncomfortable. It is black with bright flowers painted on it. 

On to Sunday evening. Out front waiting for Roberto to come by and get us. He came right after I snapped this picture.

We ate at the Italian restaurant this time. Next door is Gaia where we often eat lunch. Both restaurants had a lot of people in then for a Sunday evening. 

Looking the other direction to a big Pizza restaurant.  Rafael started playing at 6:15 and played straight through till 9:00. The first couple of hours there were a lot of people dancing. Many more than there were Friday night which surprised me. Usually - well in the years before - Sunday night was quiet;

Just a tree next to our table. I had a really good salad and Bill and Roberto and his wife shared pepperoni pizza.

There was some kind of celebration going on in the other restaurant. All the women had on very colorful wigs. Several of them got up to dance.

I am going to try to add some video of the dancing and music. Not sure I have a program to edit them. If I do I'll post another blog later today.

Saturday

 So here we are the last day of January already. We'll be here for 24 more days, unless we change our minds. Never know. Got up and decided we needed to have breakfast every day before we start out or we forget to eat and buzz around until we begin to feel empty. Not good. After a very good breakfast we caught an Uber and went to Walmart. Here is another picture of the big red deer. Unfortunately it is the back of him. Still need to get a good picture of the front of him. He is impressive. Right in the middle of one of those horrible round abouts. 

Picked up a few essentials and some snacks from the bakery. Valentine's Day cakes and donuts. 

Got home and put things away and Bill rested for awhile. That prednisone really knocks him back for a while. Even when taking it with a full stomach. But it is either take it or not be able to see cause eyelid closes. We sit on the patio watching the people and traffic going by. There are two busses that when the shift gears or slow down they howl - sounds like someone is stepping on a dogs tail. We can hear them coming. Funny. 

Around five o'clock we caught an Uber to go out to the Observatory look out point for sunset. Finally saw the last, I think, of the statues along the Malecon. Not really a good picture, but from a moving car it is hard. the Malecon with all the high rises in the back ground. 

Was really surprised to see this. For years we've remarked on it decline. Paint falling off, chips in the walls etc. It is now a Museum of Whales. Will have to look into it. 

Another mural at the Boys Home. Just part of it. Very nice. 

Wow Have these look out points every changed since we were here two years ago. This is the one right across from the Observatory. It is about the new zip line from the light house over the water to the Observatory. No thanks. 

We stopped at the first look out point, usually don't go to this one. It is the Heart Lookout.  Mirador del Corazón    From when it was built, the Heart of Mazatlan became the protagonist of various legends that have gained strength over the years. One of them assures that those who kiss each other in this place during sunset will keep their love forever. (No we didn't, but will next time we are here.) The same belief applies with friends, although the kiss is not necessary, only their presence, for their friendship to last forever.

The statue is of José Alfredo Jiménez; there you will be able to listen to the most popular songs of the composer. In addition, a giant figure of a serape will be placed in the area, which will represent the Mexican culture, as well as an area of ​​tables and chairs for the gathering of families.

José Alfredo Jiménez

We did the short walk up to the point we usually go to as the sun was beginning to set and there weren't as many people there. A little two person boat out there. We always parked there but now the area is used as valet parking for the Observatory.

Looking across the street at the funicular coming down the hill from the Observatory. 

The entrance to the tour of the Observatory. The actual observatory up on the hill. 

The zipline from the lighthouse. To get on the zip line you have to walk up to the lighthouse. there is a dirt path the 329 cobblestone steps to get there. No thanks. 

Looking back over the water to the Malecon and all the high rises. There were NONE when we first started coming here in 2008. The city is changing a lot. 

A bigger fishing boat out beyond the rocks. 
The sun is setting right behind the big rock.

We stayed for a while then went to the Observatory entrance to get information so we can go up there before we leave. Want to go about this time of night. There is a lot to see up there and a nice tour. 400 pesos for seniors. 

From there we caught a pulmonia and went to the Plazuela Machado for people watching and dinner. and taking pictures of the buildings. Our friend came by and I love the guitar. 

We ate dinner at Pedro and Lola's. My salad was good. They have changed there whole menu. Lots of favorites are gone. 

Some of the beautiful buildings and great lighting.

Lights strung across all the streets adds a neat look.

This used to be a restaurant we ate at a lot. It is closed now. Saw workers in there the other day paint etc. 

We are going there again tonight so will combine the pictures from both nights.  

Two nights in a row out. WOW

Yesterday was a strange day that ended well. The night before we'd made plans to got out for breakfast then go to Centro to THE BAKERY with the out of this world cinnamon rolls. Then go to the Plazuela in the evening to listen to Rafael play.  Well Bill wasn't doing to well in the morning. Seems he took two Tylenol PMs by mistake the night before. Bill's system is VERY susceptible to drugs. Not that is a drug. His back is bothering him so he thought it might help him sleep. One would have helped, two knocked him out. Could not stay awake in the morning. Finally woke up enough to go to lunch around 11 o'clock. Before I go any further in this blog I want to say again, I am reading every comment and would love to reply to them but for some reason using this Internet or whatever I cannot reply. Every once in a while the reply I do does publish, mostly I get failed to publish try again. And I do try. 

So I spent some time sitting on the balcony watching people. Delivery person. Looks like pastries and not sure what is in bags.

Shift change at timeshare across street. Waiting for the bus. 

Going to a gig or looking for a gig. A while later he came walking back on our side of the street. So guess he was looking.

A Didi delivery person. He delivered some food to someone here in the hotel. DiDi is like Uber. Mostly rides and delivery of food and things bought from stores. DiDi is cheaper than Uber for rides but for some reason I can't get the app to work on my phone. Uber rides here cost about a third of what they cost in Vegas. 

After eating lunch we sat on the balcony of the hotel listening to the traffic and talked about if we should go out to the Plazuela. We'd reserved a table at the Italian restaurant and wanted to see Rafael. But Bill was still feeling a little OFF. He finally decided he'd feel off here and off there. So why not go there. Good choice, he felt much better there. We ate at the Italian restaurant where we always go to listen to the music. But more about that later. 

Bill and Rafael catching up. Think Bill is explaining about his eyesight. 

We had a good table right in front. Took a few pictures of the Plazuela at night. The tables filled up as the evening went on. 

Looking the other direction down one of the small side streets. There are lights strung over almost all the street in the Centro area. 

Rafael picking his next song. 

The Mermaid lit up at night. 

Bill looking at the CDs available while waiting for our food. 

For any one who has been reading the blog during our many winters in Mexico or who have been to this restaurant with us knows about Bill ordering pizza here. It is always a crap shoot. Some times everyone else is done eating when he gets his pizza. Sometimes he never gets his pizza. Some times he gets one that isn't what he ordered and on and on. So we both laughed when he ordered pizza last night. Well much to our surprise he got it the same time I got my meal and it was exactally what he ordered. We both started laughing. Just a plain cheese pizza!

And I order basically the same thing every time. Spaghetti with meal sauce. Well I'd had that the day before so wanted something different. Checked out the salads, made a great choice. The house salad. Greens, cranberries, walnuts, green apples and goat cheese in a vinaigrette dressing. Love it. It will now be my go to choice when we eat here. 

The face of a happy man. Kind of a reflective look. Wonder where in the past his mind was. 

Surprisingly there weren't many people in the restaurant dancing last night. Only a couple of couples. But lots of people dancing on the sidewalk behind Rafael. These ladies were really enjoying themselves or is it their selves. Doesn't matter they were having fun.

Happened to glance up and see a bride and her camera crew. Only picture I could get as they were moving fast. 

Sorry this is blurry, he was really enjoying the music. 

We stayed until about 7:30 music begins at 6. It was getting cool. We called an Uber. When here I have the data on my phone turned off. So have to remember to turn it on when I don't have WiFi. Us old people are a little behind the times sometimes.  Took me a few times to figure that out. He showed up in about five minutes. Friday nights the traffic is heavy. Well let me tell you. He would win every NASCAR street race there is. What a wild ride. We were both sliding back and forth across the seat. And hanging on for dear life. Around and between cars, busses and any thing else in front of him. We were both relived to get out in one piece. Did get home quick though. 

But anyway, it was a really nice night and we both had a good time and enjoyed every minute of getting out. Well except for the thrill ride. 

 I get up early and Bill sleeps longer, so I'm doing this in the morning with very little light. But if I don't do it early I probably won't get it done.