Patzcuaro (March 10)

March 9 – We did NOTHING. Yes, and we love that once in a while. Little cleaning, little visiting (okay, okay, a LOT of visiting) but otherwise only left the property to get water at the corner. Nice gentleman beside us has a small hand truck so we were able to walk to the Coca-Cola distributor around the corner and buy a garafon of water. That was enough activity…

March 10 – First I will start off saying it’s been 29 years since my Dad, Leslie Tamas, passed away. I pretty much think of him every day. I really wonder what he would think of our Mexico adventures. He was a man of integrity, compassion, honesty and love for his family. He was never shy to tell you his opinion. He loved us all dearly but mostly what shone through was his love for my Mom. They were devoted to each other. He taught us those same traits, honesty, integrity, compassion for family. He also taught us the meaning of a proper and firm handshake. We have had some friends call his handshake the “death-grip” and right up to his passing this was the case. It hits me like a sucker punch to the gut every year on this day. It’s a long time and yet it seems like yesterday.  I hope, wherever he is, he knows how much we miss him and how much we love him. I hope he is watching over our four beautiful grandsons and I know how very much he would love them. Thanks Dad….

Love you Dad....

This morning we were treated to another adventure thanks to Paula and Jerry. They took Doug, myself and our good friend, Norma up to Capula, about 45 minutes from Patzcuaro. Capula is known for its Catrina figurines of all shapes and sizes. Shop after shop of them, along with many, many other pottery pieces. All the ones you see in the restuarants with the little dots. Made right here. We loved it. There was a huge celebration in town as it is Capula's 203rd anniversary. there was a giant parade with all the school kids. Super cool. Had a great lunch at a new restaurant called Catrina (surprise) then it was home. Yes, we bought a few things. No, I have NO idea where to put them. I always manage to squirrel them away somewhere in this HUGE van of ours.

Jerry expertly manouvering his big truck 

through this narrow street.

This fits better!

You know all that pottery you see in the restaurants with all

the little dots...this is where it is done. Capula.

By artisans just like this gentleman.

Hour after hour.

Lots of fancy horses in town for the anniversary parade.

Big bus, little street...

Doors were gorgeous, same as this guy.

Their special house tequila brought out

so we could have a sample. Beautiful bottle.

All the hotel room doors are different Catrinas

Anyway, back to the tequila - Salud everyone!

Man, I have kept you guys all up to date pretty well these past few days and no, it isn’t because I have great internet. I am using my Telcel data but I think you are all worth it. We are enjoying our time here. This is a lovely town and there are some really nice people in the campground. It isn’t very big. There are only about 8 rigs here. We like that. Nice and small.

Talk soon.

Peace out friends!

Thought for the Day: Dedicated to my Dad, where ever he is….”Dads are most ordinary men turned by love into heroes, adventurers, story-tellers and singers of songs.” 

Santa Elena to Patzcuaro (March 6)

The drive was interesting. Always fun to see new territory. Wasn't very long either.

Just leaving Santa Elena - this is marketing at it's best!

Reminded us of some areas of BC

Welcome to Villa Patzcuaro

Straight up past the office and the 

casitas is the RV park

Doug and his faithful Eurii

Nice looking pool but it's a bit chilly

March 7th: We are very lucky to have our friends, Paula and Jerry from Nova Scotia here at Villa Patzcuaro. They are so helpful in showing us around. Like our own private tour guides. Our first full day here we went into town on the little collectivos or combi’s. Little shuttle buses that run literally all over town. Super enjoyable walk about to see the lay of the main two squares.

Gentleman working a 100 year old loom

March 8^th: Today we headed into the main square to pick up a few things then jumped back in the combi to come back to the campground. 

I've never seen one of these before.

A cigarette machine that dispenses one cig at a time.

Pizza anyone??

A lovely violinist palyed ever so softly in the main square. 

Heading back in the combi. Pretty empty this early

Paula & Jerry planned a drive to Tzintzuntzan (translated from the Purepecha language “place of the hummingbirds”. A little town about 20 minutes away for a look and.see. It is on the northeast shore of Lake Patzcuaro.. Tzintzuntzan is well known for basket weaving etc. Very interesting. Not just baskets but any manner of things for decoration made from natural grasses.

First a fun little lunch stop

After that they showed us where to catch the little boat that goes over to the Isla de Janitzio. We will talk about that next post but at least, thanks to them, we know where that boat leaves from. Then it was off to a very interesting store called Tienda Don Chucho’s. One of those fantastic “have everything you need” stores. Overwhelming is all I can say, but in a good way! I'm not sure how they would ever do an inventory.

And that is pretty much what we have been up to. How about all of you? Say hi to us in the comments so we know you are still reading this!

Hope everyone is fine and starting to shake off winter’s grasp. Only have to wait until Mon March 20^th for spring!!

Peace out friends!

Thought for the Day: Happiness is a habit. You have to cultivate it. Choosing to be happy each morning isn’t always easy but it’s always worth it.

Santa Elena End (March 5)

We have quite enjoyed Charly’s park. It’s just rustic enough for us and you can walk into the little town. There isn’t much in the actual town of Santa Elena but it's very quaint The veggie people come in on Saturdays so the square gets quite busy. We did a walk around the little town.

Very busy little veggie market

Town square

Very peaceful little town. Many paved streets.

Can't go for a walk without a paleta...ice cream bar.

Stack of hand made bricks....

Love these extremely old doors

Well, at least they left room to see out the window!

Washing and cutting up our fruit and veggie haul

All too soon our visit here was over.  We will definitely come back. They are building a new bathroom building and gathering spot for the RV’ers so we don’t have to use the restaurant ones. I think the RV portion of the park has gotten quite busy of late. Probably thanks in part to Denise and Alex who are the RV park managers. If you let Denise know soon enough that you want to be included in a tequila tour and a cheese factory tour, she can arrange things for you. Not sure of the cost.

Tomorrow we are now headed to Villa Patzcuaro in Patzcuaro, Michoacan. We have heard so much about Patzcuaro over the years so we are pretty stoked to get to see it. It is a Pueblos Magicos, deemed a historical town by thew Mexican government. It was founded around the 1320’s. Can you even imagine?? This should be a great visit.

Peace out friends!

Thought for the Day: They are not gone who live in the hearts of others…Native American proverb. Dedicated to our friends.