Friday, Feb. 12, 2010 29C and windy

Been a couple strange days - lots and lots of clouds, with only small amounts of big sky sunshine. This is totally different than what we're used to, and everyone here assures it is almost totally unheard of. it never got below 24C so can't complain too much.

Anyway, today the sun is back in full force, but now (which is very late afternoon) the Saskatchewan winds have arrived - they followed us? This makes the surf pound like freight trains and there are even some white caps out in the ocean. Still, the sun shines, cocktail hour has begun right on schedule, Van Morrison is singing to us from the CD we purchased when we were at his concert in Northern Ireland 3 years ago, I've got laundry started, the chopping for dinner taco's has started, and life is just fine.

We went into Mazatlan again yesterday, but it was sort of in error. We went downtown to the OLD part of Mazatlan which is totally, totally different from the tourist or Golden zone ... and were greeted by hoards and hoards of cruise ship passengers in town for the day. We knew, but forgot, they arrive every Tues, Wed, Thurs and it's really best to avoid those days as the crowds are horrible, and the shops raise their prices and will not dicker much. Lesson learned. BUT we spent probably 30 mintues in the old Catholic cathedral which was indescribably beautiful - pretty comparable to cathedrals in old East Germany.

Then we were invited to join a bunch of people from EDM at a neighbouring town for dinner last night. The town is named Villa Union, pop about 20,000, and 14 kms. from here ... and is in another world from EDM. Typical Mexican town, but this restaurant is amazing! Al and I would NEVER have taken the necessary turn down a dark, narrow, scrungy little back alley, never mind ventured outside to get inside ... and at night it was even scarier. There were Mexicans all over the alley - hanging out, selling stuff (including some of the best 'cookies' that I've ever tasted of cinnamon and brown sugar), and men wanting to wash your vehicle ... BUT, people we were with go there all the time and it's almost everyone's favorite place to dine! It's called Cuchapeta's and started out as one house, that has now grown to two houses which they've joined by making steps down, steps up, steps down, steps up ... turn right, turn left, stairs down .... you get the idea. It is VERY old (1500's), super thick walls like Europe, all white with low ceilings, and packed with people - oh, and the smells!! Their specialities are seafood - shrimp, crab, oysters, octypus and fresh fish of all sorts. Only Tequila and beer are served. Kelly tried to choke me around Christmas 2009 forcing me to eat a raw oyster that was much too large to fit my throat ... BUT those oysters were not nearly as large as what is served here. I had some - only because the ones I tried here were cooked .......... and delicious!! The restaurant now includes a 3rd house when necessary, so more stairs etc. I'm sure. It is quite famous, and all walls are literally covered with framed pictures of their famous guests over the centuries of photography. Al kept seeing pictures of himself at various times in his life in the photos!! Yup ... he could pass for a Mexican at any given time of the day or night now. The town, like EDM, is about 10n minutes from an International airport which explains how easy it is to get famous people there.

Where EDM now sits was originally the holiday home of Art Linklater who hosted guests such as John Wayne, and other long gone people who's names we've forgotten at this moment. This is out of context I know, but I just thought of it.

Anyway, the main reason for the dinner last night was to celebrate Lance's birthday. We had/have no clue who Lance was, but who are we to turn down a dinner invite? So this group of 15 or so ordered all Lance's favorite dishes and downed buckets of Pacifico and Tequila as they waited. It was REALLY funny as each dish that was delivered to our table was received with comments such as "OK, dig in and "Happy Birthday Lance ... wherever the Hell you are", followed by peals of laughter!!

Chuchapeta opens at 11am, and closes at 7pm ... no exceptions!! Lance and his friend took a bus from EDM, to Villa Union only to discover the bus they were on was actually going to Mazatlan (opposite direction), so in Mazatlan they got off the bus and hailed a taxi to take them to Chuchapeta's - now about 1 hour away! They arrived about 6:20pm!! Anyway, in the meantime we had devoured some of the best seafood appetizers/dinners I've ever had as each dish was sent around the table for all present to sample. YUMMY! The person we went with had to leave early, so we were home by 7pm ... and happy for it. We were full of awesome food, and Tequila, and Pacifico's. As soon as you got close to finishing your beer or Tequila, the waiters swept away the empty and replaced it with a fresh one. Dangerous indeed, but great fun if you're not driving AND on holidays.

That's about it for now I guess. Just wanted to wish everyone a Happy Family Day, happy long weekend, and Happy Valentine's Day!! Chat with you later and please keep the emails coming! They're fun!! Best of holidays to the Pearts, Zotsmans, and Pringles who are on the east coast of Mexico as of today - hope you get better weather than the Ortman's did - although it's always better than Feb. in Canada!.

Cheers all,
Al & Pat