Centro Historico

Thursday morning we got an Uber and went to the Centro Historico always a great place to walk around and people watch. Also had  some errands to do. The Uber let us off behind the beautiful cathedral This bougainvillea is amazing.  Huge, look at the trunk on it. I wonder how old it is. 

Crossed the street to the big plaza and government building. Always pigeons there waiting for food. It was a nice walking day, not too humid or hot with a slight breeze. 

Our first stop was the optometrist office.  Bill has been going to him for eighteen years now. After an eye exam he told Bill there is no way glasses can improve his sight any more. Not what Bill wanted to hear. 
Then around the corner to the watch maker. Another person we have been doing business with for years. Finally my watched got fixed.

Got a good cleaning and a new battery, as did a few of Bill's watches. Nice to see both of these men again. We know more people here in Mazatlan than we do in Vegas. 

Walking down the street towards the Plazuela Machado. This is a three story parking garage. I like the plants on the roof. 

And my favorite building. It sat vacant and falling apart for years. Two and a half years ago someone bought it and started to restore it. First inside - a coffee shop and art gallery. Now the outside is being restored. I hope we will be able to get inside it again before we leave. Once we were told that it was a Chinese bakery in its early years. 

A couple of cruise ships must have been in as the plaza was full of people walking around and eating and enjoying the views. This is the resident artist. Usually here talking to every one who stops. 

And we were surprised to hear this man call to us. We've known him for years. When we first started spending winters here he worked at our favorite restaurant here on the Plaza It was called Beach Burger. Had delicious burgers and salads. I've written about our adventures at and with the restaurant many times. It is gone now, replaced by a pizza place. Memories.  Johnny was gone from the plaza for a coupled of years. Good to see him back. 

This is kind of pretty. Outside an art gallery, hotel and restaurant. 

One of the statues up to celebrate Carnival. I'm suspecting it has a musical theme this year. 

It was lunch time so we stopped at the outdoor restaurant Gaia. Every year I have adventures with ordering ice tea. Never know what I will get. This was basically slightly brown water. No tea taste at all. The most memorable tea was Tepic years ago in a very fancy restaurant. I got a soda glass with water and ice and two tea bags.

Bill's lunch "Argentine turnovers" hum? and chimichurri sauce. The sauce was not chimichurri but was good. And the turnovers were nothing like Argentine empanadas. But as Bill said "okay."

My salad lunch. Loved it full of fresh fruit, tomatoes, and red leaf lettuce with a great dressing and the glazed piece of dried pineapple. Ate every bit of it. 

The restaurant is on the left side of this old building. There is another restaurant on the right side and one more upstairs. Lots of pulmonias for the boat tourists.

Old buildings on the other side of the plaza. Dating from the late 1800's. At one time in its life it was a movie theater. Music playing for the lunch diners. 

Walking back towards town. These trees are so beautiful when blooming. flowers look like little orchids.

Another blooming plant. 

Typical street downtown. 

Our favorite candied peanuts place was back by the big plaza. For a couple of years they moved a couple of blocks away. The girl was asking Bill why he hadn't been in in awhile. 

We took a taxi from town to Soriana supermarket. Yes we forgot a couple of things while at Walmart; we were looking for filters for the coffee pot the hotel furnished. No such thing not at Walmart nor here. So ended up buying a cheap pot with a reusable filter. Need that coffee in the morning. Finished our shopping and took this pulmonia home. The driver was 85 years old, the pulmonia was built in 1971. Driver was not in a hurry. See the rag over his head and down the side of his face - his sun screen. 

One of the original old ones. No frills. Fun ride.

A great day up to then. We got in 5800 steps over our wanderings. 

For some reason my stomach decided to revolt. Guess all the stress of the last three week caught up to me. That and the fact that my last few meals were delicious and I cleaned my plates. Not good after eating next to nothing and/or junk for the last few weeks. Up and down all night. I think we both will sleep good tonight. Mazatlan is supposed to get the outer edge of an Atmospheric River for the next couple of days.  Should be interesting. If I remember correctly the street in front of us really floods. that is it for today. I have lots more pictures I took downtown, so if we are stuck inside I can still write.