Bienvenido a México

 

 

Welcome to Mexico! I’m delighted to be here. But why is traveling always so much more difficult than I think it is going to be? 

To start with ~ ten years ago, flying to Mazatlán from Denver was an easy, direct flight, taking just under 3 hours. We were given blankets if we were cold, food if we were hungry and refills on whatever we were drinking. We were spoiled. Now the flight stops in Phoenix, takes 7 hours total and costs twice as much. No blankets. No food. A cup of coffee, water, or soda. One cup. No refills. Expensive, tasteless food in cardboard boxes is available from the crew and can be paid for only by credit cards. Every fifteen minutes flight attendants come on the loud-speaker and try to interest us in signing up for the company Mastercard. I believe they earn a commission. I think it is considered their retirement fund.

Neto met me at the airport with his nephew, Joshua, driving an Uber car. We loaded my forty-three pound suitcase and my backpack into the trunk and rode the rest of the way in silence. Neto was tired and immediately fell asleep in spite of cars honking all around us and people dodging traffic. Joshua goes to the Mazatlán Nautical Academy and knows a lot about driving cars and boats but not much about speaking English. After a long day, the silence was golden.

Often I am my own worst travel nightmare. Those of you who know me, know that I worry too easily. I worried that our condo would be a dump. No way! It is simply beautiful. Very upscale in a fancy European sort of way with huge ceramic tile on the floors and bathroom walls. Rooms are painted light grey, dark blue and mauve. The kitchen is gorgeous, well-equipped and has plenty of hot water. Poly, our Airbnb host, is gracious, thoughtful and kind. We are two lucky travelers, indeed.

So far Neto has done all the cooking because he’s the best cook. We eat simple Mexican food ~ beans, tortillas and tortas ~ ham sandwiches on bolillos (buns) with avocado, tomatoes and queso fresco cheese. The first night Neto found a taco stand in the neighborhood and brought back a delicious soup made of potatoes and cheese in a spicy tomato broth. After a long day of traveling, it tasted heavenly. I wash the dishes. 

Day two: We unpacked and then walked to a large grocery store about a mile away, where we bought all the things we’d need for the next week ~ cans of tuna, loaves of french bread, ham and cheese, cereal and milk, tortilla chips and sweet pastry. Fresh tomatoes, avocados, bananas, onions, apples, and two kinds of chiles. Jars of salsa and cans of charro beans. Instant coffee, sugar and cream. We took a taxi home, put the food in the cupboards and we were set. Worn-out and hungry, but all set.

Day three: We walked to the ocean (about a mile) and caught a bus downtown. Neto had business to do for his mother and I came along for the ride. The city is getting ready for its world-famous Carnival celebration. Manigotes, huge statues representing the Carnival theme, are being erected along the parade route and in the main plaza. We stopped for lunch at a familiar outdoor restaurant, Tortas Kuwait, that has not changed in the ten years since I lived here. Five thousand steps later, we arrived home, exhausted and happy to be back in our lovely condo. 

The best part about being here is that it is warm. About 80 degrees in the daytime and 68 degrees at night. I can’t even remember what it felt like to be so cold back in Colorado.

I don’t think I have anything left to worry about.