Cheers !!

Today was a good day, not that all the others were anything else, but just a little "gooder" than the others. I found a new place to hang out called Cachacuaz. It is a health bar. It has a nice juice bar, a small swimming pool, lots of room in the sun or shade (whichever you prefer), and a masseuse.

This is a clean, healthy spot and the people are very nice. Some speak a little English and other speak only Spanish (or the Mexican equivalent of Spanish). I spent an hour or so getting to know the owner Ivone Armenta and the masseuse Carmen Munoz. I plan to take some of my friends there to enjoy a good healthy morning and see what they think of it. Imagine, a good health drink, a swim in the pool and a massage for under $40 US. I think I'm going to like this place. (Photos later).

Then, I made my way back to Zorros Spors Bar and found myself sitting next to a guy with a tattoo that said "Cheers" just like the logo from the sitcom. I asked him his name and he said "Norm, Norm Peterson and this is my wife Vera." I almost fell out of my chair laughing but it was half true. His name is Norm Peterson but his wife's name is Phyllis. I said "That's close enough for me. We had a nice time chatting and I look forward to seeing Norm and Vera again.

That is just a small part of the magic of Zihuatanejo, Mexico.

After Christmas sale ...

There are many people who look forward to the "After Christmas Sale" at just about any store around. For me, I'm so glad I don't have to suffer through that. I have had the luxury of not having to suffer through the Christmas buying frenzy and/or the after Christmas sale/return/re-gifting stuff.

Life on the beach has been a rich, rewarding experience and I never want to go back to the insanity of my past.

I love all my friends, new or old, young or young at heart, artistic or autistic, healthy or not. The gifts I received this year are too numerous to name and not one of them, I repeat, NOT ONE OF THEM was gift wrapped.

I love you all. I love life. I love the sun and the sand and the surf. I love the food and the drink. I love the little blue crabs that skitter through the rocks at the water's edge. I love the little dark eyes of the lovely Latin ladies and their beautiful smiles. I love .... therefore, I am.

Oops ... forgot my promise :)

So, the other day I hiked up to Punta Garrobos to view the lighthouse and was treated to a view of the mouth of Zihuatanejo bay as a pod of whales came down the coast. There was one humpback but the rest were sperm whales. Here is the link to the video I created from the experience.

http://vimeo.com/17732379

Little things mean a lot ...

Tonight I was hanging out at my favorite bar called Zoros Sport Bar. Ron, the owner, is Canadian and has become a good friend and advisor. Tonight, I was just hanging out with the rest of the local gringos and suddenly I was given a fresh beer that I did not request. I was told "it's on Ron". I looked over at Ron and he said "You are now in the club, cheers!" I don't know what I did or said but just the acknowledgement was worth more than I can say.

There are several guys who hang out at Zorros and we are all about the same age. The eldest of the group is David and I'm guessing that he is in his 70's. Today he was commenting on the group at the bar and he called everybody out by name until he got to me and called me "the young kid with the hat" which made me feel really special since I'm older than several members of the group.

Therefore, I would call this a real "red letter day". I feel privileged and honored. I have many friends in Zihuatanejo but I feel at home at Zorros.

What ???

It is now 2 am in Zihuatanejo. I have spent the evening with Darrin, Karen, Daniel, Victoria and Lisa. We were at Bandido's and danced our version of the salsa all night and just had a blast. Even so, I will be up early for a hike to the lighthouse on the far southern point of Zihuatanejo Bay.

Photos tomorrow, I promise.

A beer on the beach

Tell me now, what could be better than a beer on the beach?

At the southern tip of the 10 mile beach called Playa Larga there is a lagoon at Barra Potosi, lined with Mangrove trees and twisting water ways. Yesterday a group of 9 of us adventuresome laddies took to the kyaks for about 2 and a half hours of leisurely paddling through the channels, stopping for a beer break now and then and in general just enjoying the sun and each others company. We had a great time, thanks to Ron, our fearless leader and owner of Zorros Sport Bar. We saw several different kinds of birds, some fish and crabs but otherwise the only "wildlife" was our group. Afterward we went back to the restaurant and ate our fill of seafood. It really was an awesome day.