Phil and Maureen in Mazatlan

Phil and Maureen's visit was too short!
Just as they were getting comfortable
exploring on their own, it was time
for them to return to Oregon.
No problema! There will be other
opportunities!
It was GREAT to have them visit!!!!

Local Hot Spots

Ah! How the Mazatlan sights
& sounds capture a young
man's fancy!
Phil focused in on a bevy of Sinaloa
beauties lounging around the pool.
Que Bueno!
Phil & Maureen enjoyed some poolside lounging as well.

Dealing with Immigration

The new, "streamlined" process for renewing our FM3 documents:

First: Arrive at the Immigration Office about 9:30 AM and take a number.
Wait for 2+ hours to pick up the necessary forms.
Second: Go to a small copy office down the street.
Fill out forms; make copies.
Go to bank and pay fees.
Third: Go back to the Immigration Office (about 12 Noon) and take number.
Wait for 2+MORE hours to drop off the forms, copies and payment receipts.
With much ceremony, paperwork is carefully inspected and STAMPED!
BAM! BAM! BAM! BAM! BAM!
By THIS time, the office is a "hornets nest" of REALLY unhappy gringoes.
Go home and have something alcoholic mid-afternoon.
Finally: Return six days later to pick up renewed document. MAYBE it will be ready.

Brother Love's Travelin' Salvation Show!

Phil took Heather's karaoke stage by storm last night! The talent pool down here is actually pretty deep....mostly boomers who missed their true calling to the stage in earlier years (that would be Bob McKnight on the left), but are making up for lost time every Monday night at the open mike at Heather's. The warm night air, local culture, and an abundance of tequila encourages even the most timid souls to burst into song....especially when the crowd sings along!!!!

Ahhhh! The Food!

Mmmmmm! Chorizo sausage and sauted vegetables, topped with scrambled eggs, cheese and salsa on a fresh tortilla. Desayuno muy rico!

Chiles Aguas - - - a kind of ceviche dish that was not on the menu at "The Last Drop" - - - a cafe at Cerritos.
Cucumbers, seafood, lime juice, garlic and other goodies I can not remember.
Heaven!!!!!

The Gift of Cards

Phil and Maureen arrived yesterday, bringing a stack of Christmas cards.
What a GIFT it was to open them up and read all the news from friends and family!
Thank you for cards, emails, facebook comments! We LOVE news from The NORTH!

We are looking forward to showing los hijos around!

Navidad in Mazatlan

We joined Costa Veleros friends for Christmas Eve dinner at a local restaurant, where bountiful food and drink was served, and local dancers provided entertainment. After dinner, we jumped into the bed of a taxi/truck, furnished with benches on either side - enough room to accommodate the eight of us and were whisked back to Costa Veleros. The party continued out on the deck where the neighbors received an impromptu seranade of carols. The star singer was a cute little four-legged soprano, Keesah, who piped in some lovely howls, with Larry's encouragement...... You can admire her tanned little belly in the attached pic!