Tag Archives: Mexico

Greg’s Beloved Barbershop

ShopI often give him a hard time, that he’s going to meet his girlfriend. She does tell him, after all, repeatedly and with lots of gushing, that she loves him. Of course, she tells me she loves me, too. How many barbers love you? I expect it’s quite a common expression of emotion here in Mazatlán, fortunately for all of us who live here.

As with most forms of commerce in most cities worldwide, shops of a certain type tend to do business near each other. Thus, in Mazatlán, we have a “barber row” and a “stationary shop row” and an “electronics store row.”

Delia
barbershop row el centro
Owner and tamale maker extraordinaire
antique barber chair
cut ideas
Concordia chairs
prices
massage

Greg learned about his favorite place from his buddy Scott, who we miss mightily. What does he love about going to this barbershop? Delia, of course. She always has a huge smile, lots of hugs and kisses, and a desire to catch up on the few weeks of life since she’s last seen you. And she ends each of her haircuts with a motorized handheld massager! What’s not to love?

Greg also, I know, loves the ambience of the place: the antique barber chairs, the handmade wooden chairs from Concordia that comprise the waiting area, the retro haircut drawings to provide you ideas, and, of course, the prices. We even enjoy the owner, María Inéz, who lives near us and makes some killer tamales.

If you enjoy good old-fashioned barbering, a close shave, or a cut that ends with a relaxing massage, do visit your nearby barbershop row. It beats the mall anytime. At least for some.

Reminders to be Fully Present: 24 Hours in Mazatlán

Photo by Hiroki Fuse Masuda, Danjiri Matsuri, Sumiyoshi

Photo by Hiroki Fuse Masuda, Danjiri Matsuri, Sumiyoshi

It is the beginning of matsuri or festival season in Japan. I have been seeing so many wonderful photos from friends, and I am longing to be there with them. My longtime work colleagues are having an “OB/OG-kai,” (“old boy-old girl reunion) in a few days, and I sooooo want to be there with them.

My beloved sister-cousin hasn’t been well, though she is most strongly on the mend! Her daughter and family are with her on her farm today, and they are making rhubarb pie. Thank goodness for Facetime, but I want my “beam me up, Scottie” device!

They say home is where the heart is. Fortunately, I have many loved ones in many places—as do many of you.

And life is what we make it. In those moments when we are missing loved ones, craving to be somewhere else, or in multiple places at the same time, the universe stops us up short. Pay attention! Look around! Enjoy this moment, now, right where you are!

(You can click any photo below to see it larger or view a slideshow with captions.)

Capuccino at Looney Bean North
Low tide
The view over the bay in Cerritos
Pelican pair breakfasting with us
Fishing boats waiting their next journey to sea
After coffee we walked through the trailer court
Had to drive downtown for a couple of errands
Yet another creative way to port stuff around town
Have a portable speaker, will play
The postal delivery man and others eating breakfast street side
Another palapa Friday
Coconut on the beach

This morning we woke up a bit earlier than our usual on a Saturday, in order to take Danny up to Anglo Moderno so he could take his SAT tests. Poor us, we were forced to greet another beautiful blue-sky day on the ocean, with good coffee, serendipitously meeting good friends, and taking a walk around a part of town we don’t visit every day.

After that, we drove south along the malecón for a few errands downtown, of course delighting in a few sights along the way.

The final photos above were taken yesterday, during our “palapa Friday” tradition. Fresh seafood and coconuts on the beach, to cap off a busy week of work. La vida dura—life is tough. Thank you all for enjoying life with us, wherever you are!

I almost forgot! I also took some video of the gorgeous morning. Here you go. Enjoy!

“The World Via Motorcycle”

malecon1“My name is Nate Clark Kayhoe and this spring I begin 2 years of traveling the world on my motorcycle — crossing 5 continents and through at least 75 countries. This page will be where I share in the adventure.”

We had the pleasure these past two days of hosting Nate and Chris Santacroce, friends of our nephew, at the beginning of their most wonderful adventure. And how exciting it is! They began by making their bikes, and departed from the East Coast of the USA. When they arrived here in Mazatlán yesterday they were on their fourth day in México, and enjoying every minute.

mapFortuitously, today is Nate’s 30th birthday. We celebrated in the Machado with cena last night. Both young men quit terrific jobs—one with Christie’s auction house and the other with the US government—to make this exciting journey. Chris will make the trip through the Americas for about six months; Nate will continue on, planning the two year around-the-world journey. His planned route is in the photo above.

Should you wish to track their journey, or give them a sofa or floor to sleep on, I know they would love it. You can do so by “liking” their Facebook page. We are so excited for them, and very grateful they brought their energy into our home and shared it with us. Below I’ll post a few more photos, in slideshow format.

Be safe, guys! Enjoy yourselves and your journey fully! We’ll be tracking your progress!

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

El Cártel de la Chatarra/Arrest of the Junk Food Cartel

Cártel12_568Here’s one news story that I absolutely love! This morning in Mexico City the Alianza por la Salud Alimentaria (Alliance for Nutritional Health) reenacted the arrest, for violation of human rights, of four “Captains of the Junk Food Cartel”! Bravo! It’s about time!

Cártel03_568Arrested were the Coca Cola polar bear, the Cocoa Krispies’ elephant, Tony the Tiger, and Ronald McDonald. They are accused of violating the rights of Mexican children under two principal charges: manipulating and cheating children via the publicity and marketing of their products, and introducing food and beverages that contribute to the obesity epidemic of Mexico’s children. During the arrest, officials explained the specific criminal actions of which each of these captains is accused:

  • Tony “the Tiger” falsely tells children that eating Frosted Flakes will lead to success in sports, despite the fact that 40% of the weight of the product he peddles is sugar. He is held responsible for displacing oats and amaranth from the diet of Mexican children.
  • Melvin “the Elephant” is accused of distributing Cocoa Krispies, a substance containing 35% sugar and four artificial colors, three of which are associated with hyperactivity and attention deficit disorder in children. Yet, this is the most advertised product on television.
  • Ronald McDonald, alias “the Clown,” entered Mexico in 1985. He now operates out of 400 locations in Mexico. He uses toys, images of parties and healthy, happy play to induce children to ingest high volumes of fat, salt and sugar. He has previously been fined in Brazil for his nefarious activities.
  • “Coca” the polar bear, is accused of being one of the major causes of both the obesity and diabetes epidemics facing Mexico. Each 600 ml bottle of the Coca Cola that she deals contains more than 12 TABLESPOONs of sugar. Coca’s reach has penetrated every nook and corner of the country, far and wide, and has helped make Mexico the world’s largest consumer of soda. Despite Coca’s agreement with the World Health Organization not to publicize to children under 12, she has conducted numerous campaigns aimed at that very population.

Héctor Bonilla, one of the arresting officers, stated, “The unregulated presence of multinational corporations in the food sector is truly criminal. I welcome the attempt to counter the millions and millions of dollars in publicity of these organizations, with horizontal communication and the moral authority of those who are motivated by social conscience to collaborate, rather than by economic interests. New technologies are fertile territory for cunning and the unveiling of great lies to the public.”

Such a public demonstration seems to me a great way to raise awareness among kids. Congratulations to the arresting officers! Kids, let’s get outside, breathe some fresh air, and run around! Try some new, whole foods and you’ll be surprised just how good real food can make you feel!

pzqfmruAbove is one of those photos recently circulating the internet, of a school science project that illustrates the quantity of processed white sugar in various commercially available bottled beverages.

Fruit Loops, GMO and artificial coloring

 

 

Religious Tourism in Mazatlán and the Nearby Towns During Holy Week

Crucifix over MZT

I took this photo during the Vía Crucis/Stations of the Cross of PAJUMA Mazatlán (Diocesan youth group). It is taken from the top of the lighthouse after the celebration of an open-air mass. Unfortunately this event does not happen every year.

When I arrived in México I couldn’t wait to participate in some of the incredible Holy Week religious events that I had so long heard about and seen—especially those that re-create Jesus’ long walk to the cross, the Via Dolorosa.

Because our son is still in school, we can’t travel while classes are in session. So, we take advantage of the school break to see some of this gorgeous country, and thus we are usually out of town and miss these great events locally. We have had the pleasure of participating in Holy Week ceremonies in the states of Chihuahua (Copper Canyon) with the Tarahumara, Zacatecas, Guanajuato, and Michoacán among a few others…

Do you know that there is a long tradition of beautiful Holy Week events right here in Mazatlán and the surrounding towns? Kindly, our friends over at Mazatlán Interactivo have agreed to permit us to use their photos and legwork to share with you some of what is available right here in southern Sinaloa.

The biggest events locally take place on Good Friday, which this year falls on March 29, 2013. The reenactments of the crucifixion are generally held late in the morning. These involve members of local parishes dressing up in period costume and acting out the 14 Stations of the Cross. This can get very graphic, with realistically simulated whipping, nailing of hands and feet, and bleeding. It is a beautiful and very moving sight to behold, and I highly recommend you experience it. The actors’ lines come directly from Bible verses.

In some communities there is also a Procession of Silence  after darkness sets in on Good Friday. Members of the community process through the streets holding lit candles and religious relics. Often there is solemn music and the procession is followed by a mass.

Mazatlán: The flagellation of Jesus, image from PAJUMA
Mazatlán: Simon of Cyrene carries the cross, image from PAJUMA
Mazatlán: Jesus and the two thieves on the cross, in the baseball stadium, image from PAJUMA
Mazatlán: Attendance at this local religious event is usually very good, image from PAJUMA
Mazatlán: PAJUMA’s Via Crucis up the lighthouse hill, with open-air mass (won’t be held in 2013)

Mazatlán
Here in Mazatlán the Diocesan youth group annually conducts PAJUMA (Pascua Juveníl de Mazatlán) a three-day event that takes place in the baseball stadium Estadio Teodoro Mariscal on Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday (March 28-30, 9 am – 7 pm each day). The full three days’ attendance is only 50 pesos, and there is no age limit on participation. The kids reenact the crucifixion of Christ there in the stadium and then, still fully dressed, process from the stadium to the cathedral.

MARCH 29, Good Friday, 5:00 pm
Procession of Silence
PAJUMA participants will leave the baseball stadium at 5:00 and head out to the cathedral of the Immaculate Conception downtown, passing by the Aquarium, along the malecón (not many places in the world you can see a Way of the Cross enacted along the oceanfront!), the Fisherman’s Monument, and the pangas in Playa Norte. The procession will then turn left and go down through Plaza Zaragoza to the cathedral.

MARCH 30, Holy Saturday, 5:00 pm and 6:00 pm
Mass of the Resurrection of our Lord, and then the closing of Pascua Juveníl de Mazatlán. Entrance is free after 5:00.

Pretty much every church in the city will have Stations of the Cross on Good Friday, and a vigil with foot washing Thursday evening. Plus, of course, Easter mass. Some congregations reenact the Vía Crucis as well; check with your local parish. Mouseover a photo above to view the caption, or click on one to view the slideshow.

Cosalá (172 km from MZT)
MARCH 29, Good Friday, 11:00 am
Traditional Stations of the Cross, in the church

MARCH 29, Good Friday, 7:00 pm
Procession of Silence

Mouseover a photo below to view the caption, or click on one to view the slideshow.

Cosalá Procession of Silence: photo from Mazatlán Interactivo
Cosalá Procession of Silence: photo from Mazatlán Interactivo
Cosalá Procession of Silence: photo from Mazatlán Interactivo
Cosalá Procession of Silence: photo from Mazatlán Interactivo
Cosalá Procession of Silence: photo from Mazatlán Interactivo
Cosalá Procession of Silence: photo from Mazatlán Interactivo
Cosalá Procession of Silence: photo from Mazatlán Interactivo
Cosalá Procession of Silence: photo from Mazatlán Interactivo
Cosalá Procession of Silence: photo from Mazatlán Interactivo
Cosalá Procession of Silence: photo from Mazatlán Interactivo

 

Malpica (Concordia; 38 km from MZT)
MARCH 29, Good Friday, 11:00 am
Reenactment of the crucifixion of Christ, starting from the moment Judas Iscariot kisses him and Jesus is apprehended into custody in the Garden of Gesthemane.

GALERIA MALPICA 5659

Viacrucis escénica en Malpica. Photo courtesy Mazatlán Interactivo

Matatán (Rosario; 82 km from MZT)
MARCH 29, Good Friday, 11:00 am
Reenactment of the crucifixion of Christ as he made his way to Golgotha.

DSCF1055

Viacrucis representativa en San Ignacio. Photo courtesy Mazatlán Interactivo

San Ignacio (111 km from MZT)
Our good friends, the reason we ended up loving and living in Mazatlán in the first place, are originally from San Ignacio. It is a gorgeous small town with a huge image of Christ on the hill.

MARCH 29, Good Friday, 11:00 am
Reenactment of the crucifixion of Christ, the Via Dolorosa or Way of the Cross.

MARCH 29, Good Friday, 7:00 pm
Procession of Silence (with music)

Mouseover a photo below to view the caption, or click on one to view the slideshow.

Good Friday in San Ignacio: these are community events. Photo credit Mazatlán Interactivo
San Ignacio: The cross is raised. Photo credit Mazatlán Interactivo
San Ignacio: Station 11—The Crucifixion. Photo credit Mazatlán Interactivo
San Ignacio: photo credit Mazatlán Interactivo
San Ignacio: Station 13—Jesus’ body is removed from the cross, photo credit Mazatlán Interactivo
Good Friday in San Ignacio: photo credit Mazatlán Interactivo

Teacapán (Escuinapa; 130 km from MZT)
MARCH 29, Good Friday, 10:00 am
Reenactment of the crucifixion of Christ and his walk to Calvary.