Christmas Day Friday December 25 2009
We had a great Christmas dinner. It was pot luck in Tony's garage. I made stuffing and candied yams. The stuffing mix I had brought with me. I bought to many yams and don't remember how much they cost.
It started out kind of cool as we had some rain early in the AM. Then in the evening we had some more rain. It was not real bad but has really cooled things down.

Wednesday December 23 2009
Had to take my bike to the shop to get a flat tire fixed. He had to patch the tube. He only charged me 10 pesos but he couldn’t find change for the 50 peso bill I gave him. He gave me back the bill and said I could pay him later. I rode home got 15 pesos, rode back and gave him the money.
Larry and I had a hard time deciding what we wanted to get for dinner. We walked down to get some bolillos (a French –style roll), and some ham. Then as we were walking back Larry noticed some prawns that were very big. He bought a pound, which was 6 prawns, 60 pesos.

It started to cloud up in the early evening. Larry had been complaining about some pain. Just after dark it started to rain. When it rains it pours, and the street became a river.

Tuesday December 22 2009
We caught one of the early busses to Tepic. Larry had to go to a bank and look for new sandals. He has to go to a certain bank or he gets charged fees for using the ATM.
We had decided to get off the bus before getting all the way into town and catch a city bus, this is what most of the people do. Only most of the people that got off the bus took a taxi. A van finally stopped to pick up people to go to Centro (the main plaza). We thought we would be able to see the area better and learn were we needed to go only the van didn’t go to Centro, and it was so full (22 people) that we couldn’t see out. The van didn’t go to the main plaza so we had to get out and walk.
It was a good thing Larry was planning on getting new sandals as the back strap broke while we were walking.
We had also planned on spending the night in Tepic but after all the walking and shopping we decided we wanted to come back to San Blas.
Larry’s new sandals were 150 pesos. We did some shopping at a big store called Soriana we spent 450 pesos. Our bus fare was 160 pesos.
The city bus to the store from the plaza was quite a ride. We went in the wrong direction to begin with, then when it started going in the right direction he turned and went in a different direction again going away from where we wanted to go. After an hour of getting to see areas of Tepic we didn’t know existed we made it to the store.

Friday December 18 2009
Mario asked if we wanted to go for a boat ride up the estuary. We could all meet at the estuary at 11:00. Jean-Paul, Mylaine, Larry and I rode our bikes down to catch the boat. Charlie caught up with us along the way.
We rode in the boat up the estuary to a restruant were we stopped for drinks. We then went up about as far as the boat could go as the jungle was closing in on us.
It was a great outing. We were back around 3:00.

The dregger is back.

Wednesday
While the sun was shinning it was cooler today. We were out of tea so I took off to find some it was just before 8:00am and most of the stores were not open yet. I did find one down by the bank that has a large assortment of teas. Then I had my morning grapefruit and tea. I don't remmeber what the tea cost will have to go back and see what it was. My grapefruit was 4 pesos.
Larry bought some pork from the Carnitas cafe. He had some rolls already to make some sandwhichs with.
One thing for sure we are eating real good here.

We had been looking forward to Tuesday and steak night all week. Normialy I don't like to eat a lot before we go to dinner but today I wanted to go to WalasWalas for breakfast. I had poached eggs, hashbrowns, toast and real coffee. Larry had Huevos revueltos, hashbrowns, toast and coffee. Breakfast was 140 pesos. We really enjoyed it.
I am really working at not being in a hurry to get down to the plaza in the evening. The club never opens on time (now that I said that it will) and we end up setting and waiting for them to get ready.
Our steaks were not as good as they have been. They were thiner then we like and cooked to long. Mine had to much charcoal on it. The salad was great. Then when I got the bill it was 24 pesos more then the 165 it should have been. She had added in the tip. Now I have always gave her a tip of 20 pesos and this upset me somewhat. I don't think we will be going to steak dinner next week.
It had been cloudy all day on Tuesday so I made sure everything was in from the patio just in case it rained. While it did cool down it did not rain.

Sunday, we went to the beach. The dredger is gone and the water is cleaner. I ordered a dish of onion rings, had a coco to drink, Larry had a beer. We also bought a loaf of bread, not sure what kind it was (like banana bread) but it was very moist and good. We went to the beach a little earler than we were going which gave us more time to soak in the sun. We like to leave by 3:30 as thats when the bugs start to come out, and start to bite. The onion rings was 50 pesos Larrys beer was 15 and my coco was 15.

Saturday we rode our bikes to the river to get a lobster dinner. It was a good thing we went at the time we did as only one place had lobster left and they had only two. Larry started to say no when he found out they were 180 pesos but I sat down and ordered one dinner with both lobsters. I don't like the rice that comes with dinner so Larry had my rice and half of my salad. I also gave half of one of the lobsters. He did decide that the price wasn't as bad as he first thought. I tried to tell him how much more it would be at home, and even more if we got the real good Main lobsters. He just coulden't belive me. He has to get out more when we are in Oregon.
Speaking of Oregon, the weather is very cold, our water pipes are frozen. The weather is warming up and our neighbor is fixing the breaks. I am so greatful he looking in on our place.

Friday December 11, 2009
Sunny and warm, hope you are not getting tired of hearing this.
Went to the plaza early to see what was going on. The man that is the mayor and running for another year along with his supporters was giving speaches, I don't know enough spanish to stay and listen to what is being said so its back to the bungalow and my grapefruit for breakfast.
Larry took off for the beach on his bike and soon after I decided to go too. Something was going on at the high school as there were a lot of cars parked on the street by the school. I could also hear loudspeakers anouncing something.
I could't find Larry at the beach so I rode back home.
When he came back he said he had been sidetracked and stopped to visit with one of our friends.
I don't know how many times I went outside today to see if Jean-Paul was here.
We were execpting him today or tomorrow.
This evening I was setting on the stoop when I saw a taxi come down our street. The trunk was full of suitcases, I knew it was Jean-Paul. It is so good to see him.
We went to the plaza, there is a lot more people there tonight. It's almost back to how it has been in the past.

Thursday Dec 10 2009
Another sunny warm day, music comming from the plaza so again I walked down to see what was going on. Cheerlearders and dancing squads where doing their thing again.
For dinner tonight I rode my bike to Patty's Pizza and ordered a pizza. When she asked for my address I know the look I gave her was a deer in the headlights look. I said Nigeros, she said ok, then I tried to tell her which one of his places we had. She got a paper out and drew where the DIF building was and I was able to draw where we were from there, then all she needed to know was the color of our place.
On my way back from ordering the pizza I stopped at the place we buy our tequila from, I diden't even get off my bike he asked if I wanted one I said yes and showed him I had 20 pesos to pay with, he put it in a sack and brought it and the 5 pesos in change out to me.
The pizza was delivered just as she said it would be, 100 pesos, a very good pizza. Now I know I can get it delivered. I just wish I knew what our street address was.

Dec 9 2009
Sunny again today and it is getting humid. Walked down to the plaza to see what was going on as I could hear music comming from that area. But by the time I got there it was all over with.
I bought some more grapefruit for 12 pesos.
In the evening I realized I had not had much to eat, we went down to the plaza to see what I might want to get to eat. I decided on spegettie (I know the spelling is wrong) Larry ate some of mine, cost was 75 pesos and it was real good.

Tuesday morning the sun was back and things were starting to dry out. I took the laundry to have done. It was 40 pesos.
We went to the club for our steak dinner. Something had been happening on the plaza during the day as there was a lot of trash around.
Its still a little cool here but we know its going to get hot and humid. Back home in Oregon its freezing.

It does rain in San Blas

Monday December 7 2009
Last Thursday we arrived back in San Blas to a nice warm sunny day. Friday was nice. But sometime Friday night it started to rain, it has rained off and on for the last 3 days. The streets have turned into small ponds.
Sunday I started feeling a little ill. I had a low grade fever, a headacke and the bathroom became my best friend. Monday I was feeling better but was in bed and asleep by 6:30pm.
We stayed in the bungalow, not a good time to ride the bikes. We are looking forward to Tuesday night steak night at the club.

Saturday December 5, 2009
How nice it is to be back where it is warm. It is a warm, sunny morning. Larry rode his bike to the beach. He said no one was there. I think it was to early in the morning for people to be at the beach.
This afternoon the clouds rolled in, by 4 it was dark outside. Then it started to rain. We had to make a mad dash out to the patio to bring everything in, move the hammock and my bike so they are under cover.
At 6 I decided that it was to wet to go to the plaza but walked down to get some tequela ( 15 pesos). There was no one on the plaza and the vendors had moved their booths to dryer places. Everyone seemed to be in a good mood as they were all smiling and laughing.
It rained off and on all night, reminded me of home. This year is the first time we have had rain like this in San Blas. I think it rained one time last year but it happend at night and we never saw it.

Friday December 4 2009
Dentist appointment this morning at 11:00am went very well. Out with the temporary he put in last week and in with the new, 200 pesos and to my surprise it is a white filling, not metal. Another surprise is I can eat right away.
We went to the market and had a torta for lunch and a guava shake to drink, 40 pesos.
We went to the plaza in the evening and bought some sliced ham for 18 pesos to make sandwiches with at home.

Thursday December 3, 2009
We were up at 6:30am and at the Quick bus station by 7:45am. The bus to Tepic didn’t leave until 8:45, tickets were 240 pesos. The bus was a little late but remembers this is Mexico and nothing keeps to a schedule. It’s when they are ahead of schedule and you miss the bus because you are on time that you can get upset.
We arrived in Tepic at 12:00 noon. We walked to the big store called Soriana to buy some condiments that are hard to find in San Blas, 122.05 pesos. They have a Wal-mart there too but it’s not like the Wal-mart at home.
We stopped to eat at Burger King on our way back to the bus station, lunch was 107 pesos.
We got back at the bus station at 1:50pm just missing the bus to San Blas; it left on time at 1:45pm, wouldn’t you know it. So we took the next one at 2:45pm only it didn’t leave until after 3. Tickets were 240 pesos.
We arrived back in San Blas around 5:00pm. I know that everything changes I just didn’t expect to see the house across the street to be painted anything other than white. It is now a very bright pink.

Our trip cost us 2281.28 pesos or less than $230.00 US.

Wednesday December 2, 2009
We were awake early again this morning. We had planned on getting something to eat before meeting with the tourist police at noon. When we looked outside it was foggy and cold. We were trying to get out of the heat in San Blas, we did just that. We had a change of plan and decided we could find the bus station. Larry did have a map! We left a note for the tourist police (don’t know if the man understood what the note was for) and headed out into the cold morning air. Wish we had brought our coats.
We had asked our guides how to get to Tequila without going into Guadalajara. We had asked them to write the names of the places we needed to go and what to say when we got there.
After I showed Larry how to use the map we had no problems finding the bus station.
We asked for tickets to Zapopan, 124 pesos, then at Zapopan tickets to Tequila, 100 pesos. Larry bought some churros (deep fried dough) for 10 pesos from a vendor that got on the bus.
We got a city map of Tequila from a vendor that was selling tours to a Tequila desttiladora. Larry was once again having problems reading the map. A young man stopped to ask if he could help us. With some help we found a hotel for 150 pesos. The bathroom was also the shower; you could set on the toilet and shower at the same time. We also had a TV and an extra blanket.
We went to the central market where there are several cafes. After reading the menu and finding they had Chiles Rellenos, I sat down to a great lunch. Larry ordered a torta; I reminded him that different areas make their tortas different and might get this one in a bowl of soup, which he did. Lunch was 72 pesos.

We then headed to the plaza where we found a tour of the city and Destiladora Rubio where they make Tequila. We now know more about Tequila than we ever thought we would. The tour guide did speak some English so he would come to us and tell us the best he could what he had told the others. There was also a Canadian that spoke both Spanish and English so he would tell us more of what was said so we had a better understanding, he could tell that sometimes we really didn’t get what the guide was telling us.
We went back to our room to rest and watch a little TV before going back to the plaza to see what was going on. It is fiesta time in Tequila so there were a lot of fireworks going on.
At 1:00am a big dog came to our window and barked, we were worried he might not stop. At 2:00am I heard some bells ringing but they stopped too. Then at 3:00am the fireworks started going off. Just when we thought they had stopped the bells began to ring, then both fireworks and the bells. This went on until 4:00am.
Total spent for the day was 734 pesos

Runis at Mascota

Tuesday December 1, 2009
It was still raining but their were some sun breaks. We found the runis. I found an open door to get in. As we walked around the runis we came to the main gate and found it locked. We took some pictures and left as I belive it wasn’t open yet.
We had breakfast for 100 pesos and bought bus tickets to Ameca for 180 pesos. We had another hour to kill so we walked back to the plaza.

The bus dropped us off in Ameca on the highway. We walked between 6 and 8 blocks before we found central. We walked all around this area looking for a hotel. We did find one but wanted to find one that was cheaper.
Larry went into the office of the mayor to see if he could get a map. A man from there took us to the office of tourism. They called the Tourist Police asking for someone that speaks English. Two showed up and were very happy to help us.
They gave us a tour of the Municipal building. We even went into the President’s office. Larry was invited to set in his chair. We then went to the roof of the building were we could see the whole city. On our way out of the building we meant the President as he was coming in the building. They took pictures of us standing with him.

Our next stop was one of the churches, lots of golden crosses. They showed us a good place to eat before taking us to a nice cheap hotel.
The Hotel Imperial had a shower, hot water and a TV for 200 pesos. We bought something to drink for 39.80 pesos.

We spent 519.80 pesos

Monday November 30 2009
I woke up early this morning to the sound of rain. I rushed out to the patio to find everything wet. Larry had left his books on the table. I brought them in but one lost the front cover. He had made a map of the town we were planning on going to today but it was ruined.
We had to make the decision of going on the trip we had been planning, as the town was in the mountains it could be raining there as well. We decided to chance it and go.
We caught the first bus to Puerto Vallarta at 7:30am for 216 pesos for both of us or less than $21.60. It’s a 4 hour ride to Puerto Vallarta. We arrived at 12:00 noon. This gave us 2 hours to find the ATM bus station.
We walked by the ATM bus station the first time as it is small there were only 3 busses.





We rode in the middle bus to Mascota. The cost for both of us was 220 pesos or less than $20.20 US.
Before leaving PV at 2:30 we ate at Subway, our lunch was 105 pesos, less than $10.00.
The ride up into the mountains was on a narrow road with steep drop-offs and no shoulder. You could see where someone had gone over the drop-offs. We could also see where there had been slides both onto the road and the road into the drop-offs.
It started to rain. I didn’t think it was hard enough for a slide but it was hard not to think about it. Larry soon discovered that the bus had a leak where he was setting as he was getting drops on him and his seat. The bus was full so he had to stay in that seat.
We arrived at Mascota at 5:00 and found a hotel. Our room was 225 pesos. It had a bathroom with a shower with hot water. We also had a TV with a couple of channels that had English speaking movies on it.
We walked around some to look at the town. This is the largest town for this area, so most of the people that live in the country come here to get their supplies.
We bought some Tequila and V-8 Splash to drink for 35.43 pesos.

Saturday November 28 2009
It turned hot today. We are planning a trip inland to get away from the heat for a while.
We walked to the plaza and sat for a while to decide where to go for lunch, we decided to go to the economico that was close by. When we started to walk a young girl started to follow me. She stopped me before we got off the plaza and was saying something to me about her mother. I had noticed the mother, this girl and a younger child while we were setting. I tried to tell her I didn’t understand what she was saying. She followed us to the café and came in with us.
After a while the lady that runs the place started talking to her, it sounded like her dad was not around and they had no money. The lady gave her a meal for her family. I still don’t really know what was going on.
Our meal was 68 pesos or less than $6.80 US. I did have a chicken soup as I was not ready to have to bite down on something hard.

Sunday November 29 2009
Another sunny day, we went to the beach for lunch and a swim. Lunch was 125 pesos or less than $12.50. We ordered one order of shrimp cooked with garlic, limeade and one beer.
Larry was not happy with the water; while the temperature was warm the dirt in the water was not good. They are dredging the mouth of the estuary so there is a lot of silt and wood derby in the water.