And coming to our Mexican home to be a tourist and to get that "Mexico feeling" that I crave. First thoughts were all about the people....how it is so wonderful to walk the streets in our area and be called by name, hugged kissed and made to feel so very welcome. Without our little dog, Cori...the regulars whom we've come to know ask us "Donde esta Cori?" Luckily, we can say that he is coming in January! But perhaps more interesting, not one of our condo neighbours has enquired. Not one has said "felicidades" to us after the birth of our first grandchild...the same people who we've known for 7 years are here...granted, a few less due to circumstances...but really can we say this is "Home" with such a tepid response and guarded polite comments but no real interest in us personally from inside the 4 walls of Casa Ceiba?? I would expect more from the same people who we've been neighbourly with the last 7 years.
But we refuse to let this behavior change our experience, so we've decided to use the presence of our friends Sue and Paul who joined us in Zihuatanejo after 3 weeks in Guanajauto and now Dawn, our friend and regular visitor to turn this into three weeks of being "tourists in our own town".... Eating out, swimming, attending every music opportunity we can, visiting Troncones, Barra and Playa Blanca...it's all here, for those of us who want to venture out of the 4 walls of Casa Ceiba.
Our Nino's Adelante family has become even closer to us, This year is Doraliz's final year at Prepa 13, the large public high school. Doraliz has asked us for 3 years for a laptop for her birthday and each year we said "no" that we could not purchase this for her but this year, we felt that the timing was right. So a few days after her actual birthday, when we arrived, we gave her the gift that will hopefully launch her towards her new career. Doraliz has decided to pursue nursing as a career after she graduates. I feel this is a realistic option for Doraliz, a kind and loving girl with a good work ethic who wants to live near her family but have an income and move ahead of her family. She will be a good nurse someday.
Again, it seems nearly impossible, but the town has survived the "low season"...oh some restaurants are gone, some stores have closed, some families have moved away,...but overall...the town has seen some improvements. Politicians are in full campaign mode, showing off their achievements and proudly being photographed along the Parque Lineal, or in the rebuilt Cancha Solidaridad. And what I've come to realize is that the politicians depend on the poorest, least educated citizens to be elected. The more affluent Mexicans who live here, and the business owners, have long ago given up hope that there will be honesty in politics. They largely avoid political affiliations as it is either too dangerous or time wasted. But meanwhile, the towns poorest are being recruited to support Juntos Somos Zihuas candidate Jorge! My question is can any one politician meet the needs of the poor and the conflicting needs of a tourist resort that is wanting a new pier, a new waterfront walkway and downtown revitalization? Life unfold slowly here in Zihuatanejo. Each year goes by and the town survives, but only just....
And one last photo...a lasting memory of what became my most dangerous experience in Mexico this year....look who was hiding in our toilet after our trip to Troncones....my little iguana who probably thought he was out of sight...note to self: never ever sit without checking first!
Thank U, it's our only way to get to Mexico now.......:)
ReplyDeleteWe all miss you so much! Happy Hannukah and keep watching FB for the photos Margaret Reid takes....she's my go to gal for the best Zihua photos around! Next blog and photos will be in January when Cori returns..maybe will be written from his perspective?? Who knows.
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