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Mexico & Arizona 2023Mexico & Arizona 2023
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Mexico & Arizona 2023

February - April 2023
Exploring Mexico City, San Miguel de Allende & Tucson. Read more
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  • TravelerMexico & Arizona 2023
    Day 11

    Getting into a Routine

    March 7, 2023 in Mexico ⋅ ⛅ 31 °C

    We’re getting into a routine now. Head out in the morning - nice & cool then - do some exercises in Juárez Park, climb the stairs at the end of our street - lots of them - come back for breakfast. Afternoons are super hot - 29C- 30C so best to lay low until about 4. We then head out to explore new areas.

    Today Peter & John had a book club meeting, so Madeline showed me around their “hood” - street with murals, outdoor markets, and shops with things I couldn’t find elsewhere like notebooks for the Spanish lessons we’ll be starting tomorrow.

    We passed through the Jardín on route home - again Mariachi bands playing on every corner.    Read more

  • TravelerMexico & Arizona 2023
    Day 12

    International Women’s Day Parade

    March 8, 2023 in Mexico ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C

    Such a great day - morning exercises, first Spanish class, then an amazing
    parade celebrating International Women’s Day. A bit about each:

    The steps in the morning are getting a bit easier, and the photo ops are great.

    At 12:30 we started the first of our 10 Spanish lessons. We were hoping a bit of what we’d learned in Guatemala 47 years ago would pop back into our brains - but no luck. We started at the basic basics - my name is. It was hilarious listening to us throwing in French words, with a weird Spanish accent in the hope they might work - which they seldom did. Our teacher David is young, only 27, animated, positive, and smiley with a good sense of humour.

    The bonus was in the afternoon when we wandered to the Jardín there was a huge parade with hundreds of girls & women. Even all the police were women. Wish I could have understood what they were saying. Absolutely loved the vibe.

    A great way to end the day.    Read more

  • TravelerMexico & Arizona 2023
    Day 13

    Pickelball & Drinks at Sue’s Place

    March 9, 2023 in Mexico ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C

    Finally, I had a chance to play pickelball in San Miguel. It’s more complicated than in Arizona as you have to sign up in advance on Playtime Scheduler. After I’d set up an account and logged in, I saw that all the courts were full for the next 2 weeks.

    David, my PB friend from Toronto, told me to come anytime and join his group. He plays in the highest level 4- 5 so it was great fun. The 6 men were extremely good, but “kind” - and I was delighted as I really played up. Such fun. Getting there & back, though, is a real pain as it’s far away, so think I’ll leave my PB to Arizona where I just have to walk across the street.

    In the evening, Sue invited us to her place for drinks & pizza. It was spectacular - large, spacious & tastefully decorated. We found out it was $US 10,000 / night. 😲Tony & June Eyton were also there so Peter enjoyed reconnecting with him, and I enjoyed meeting them both.

    Another fun day.    Read more

  • TravelerMexico & Arizona 2023
    Day 14

    David & Lisa, Berlin Restaurant

    March 10, 2023 in Mexico

    We’ve been varying our morning routine a bit - still the park, then the steps, but in various orders - plus we found more steps even higher up. A good workout.

    In Spanish we’re making slow progress - can now say a few phrases but it’s still painful, but hilarious, listening to us trying to express ourselves.

    In the evening David & his sister Lisa invited us to their home for drinks. We then hosted them at their fav restaurant, Berlin. Their father was a graphic designer who lived here for many years and designed lots of homes. David & Lisa have now inherited his place. It was such a fun evening - both had so many interesting unusual stories to tell.

    Another good day.    Read more

  • TravelerMexico & Arizona 2023
    Day 15

    Hiking with John & Madeline

    March 11, 2023 in Mexico ⋅ ⛅ 29 °C

    What a great day. John & Madeline took us on huge adventure up to the communications towers - a good 4 hours of trekking with great vistas of the city below.

    We headed up “our” steps, then towards Centro Comercial La Luciérnaga. The route up, then down to somewhere near the grocery store, La Comer, was strenuous, but gave us amazing views of the city below. We found ourselves often in areas saying “Propiedad Privada” and “Peligro (dangerous) Prohibido.”

    The highlight perhaps was a long rope bridge over a deep canyon. We watched a local man and his dog walk along it. While the man could hold the side ropes, the poor dog had no barriers at all. Talk about a loyal friend - he followed his “master” the whole way. Peter & John ventured out a few steps, but said it swayed crazily.

    Our reward at the end was a delicious lunch at Rústica - lovely ambience, good food, plus a well deserved Corona, of course. My Fitbit was soooo proud of me.

    Definitely one of the highlights of our trip so far. 🤩 We got back in time for 2 hours of Spanish. Not sure if our brains or bodies were functioning well by then.    Read more

  • TravelerMexico & Arizona 2023
    Day 16

    Cowboys & Oscar Night at Glenn’s

    March 12, 2023 in Mexico ⋅ ☁️ 28 °C

    Another beautiful sunny day. In the morning I set off alone, wandered through the park, popped into Santa Monica Hotel to book lunch with Madeline & John the next day, came across several cowboys on horseback, then headed up the steps for a good workout - all before breakfast. I never cease to be amazed by the beauty of this place - aesthetic architectural designs in their buildings, gardens and pathways.

    That night we were invited to Glenn & Sharon’s lovely place to watch the Oscars. Interesting to see the various rental homes here and compare value for money. Although we couldn’t find a TV station showing the whole event, the party was good fun.    Read more

  • TravelerMexico & Arizona 2023
    Day 17

    52 Wedding Anniversary

    March 13, 2023 in Mexico ⋅ ⛅ 27 °C

    Can’t believe we’ve been married 52 years. Must say it hasn’t been boring - loved our diplomatic lifestyle moving from country to country and traveling all around the world - not to mention raising 3 impressive girls and travelling extensively now. Life is good. 🤩

    Per usual, we headed to the park in the morning before breakfast, but for the first time we paused to notice all the snowy white egret birds up in the trees in front of the cultural centre. Seems it’s mating season so the males were fluffing their feather frantically trying to impress potential mates. Quite the spectacle.

    It rained in the afternoon after our Spanish class, so was nice to have a bit of quiet time to catch up on emails etc. We decided we’d celebrate our 52 tomorrow when we have lunch with Madeline & John, so had dinner at home and a calm quiet evening. Soooo relaxing.    Read more

  • TravelerMexico & Arizona 2023
    Day 18

    Celebrating our 52 & Fabrica Aurora

    March 14, 2023 in Mexico ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C

    After the steps and Spanish, we met John & Madeline at Hotel Santo Monica just across from Benito Juarez Park for lunch. What a beautiful setting. Good food & fun conversations as always. Didn’t mention we were celebrating our 52nd until we were about to leave - so Madeline took some pics.

    From thee we walked to Fabrica Aurora, a former textile mill from 1902-91 that still has some of the equipment there, but is now a showcase for artists. There were several artists working there, plus an art class was underway. We had a nice chat with one artist - Germain Ortega Gutierrez - whose work was big & bold and resembled Miro. There we tons of other beautiful - extremely expensive pieces of art.

    On route home, we of course passed by the Jardin to catch the action - Mariachi bands, huge Mojiganas, lots of people - a cacophony of sounds.    Read more

  • TravelerMexico & Arizona 2023
    Day 19

    Some of My Fav Places

    March 15, 2023 in Mexico ⋅ ⛅ 26 °C

    This morning I headed out alone to explore some of my fav places. Peter was off listening to John practice piano, then going for coffee.

    My fav, of course, is Benito Juarez Park. On route to and from there, I popped into all the lovely boutique hotels along the way, plus some private homes when their doors were open - beautiful sites and sounds everywhere.

    In the park, I paused at the children’s playground, herb gardens, our exercise spot, etc etc. On route back, before heading up the stairs for my real workout, there was an art class on the deck of the cultural centre. Lots of talent everywhere.

    After breakfast, we headed to Spanish class, which was fun as usual - we seem to be making some progress- simple sentences with millions of grammatical errors but starting to almost make ourselves understood. Fortunately David, our teacher, has a great sense of humour, so there are lots of laughs.

    After lunch it rained - was great to have some quiet time to catch up on emails and write a bit on this blog.    Read more

  • TravelerMexico & Arizona 2023
    Day 20

    Night Out on the Town

    March 16, 2023 in Mexico ⋅ ⛅ 25 °C

    Such an active fun day today. Peter was meeting Glenn for coffee so I headed off on my own adventures in the morning.

    This time I climbed up to the look out point for some great views. Then after Spanish and lunch we walked to the Biblioteca Publica because we’d heard they offered all kinds of courses and activities. Like most buildings here, it’s centred around a courtyard with numerous rooms leading off of it. We didn’t have much time to explore, but certainly will next time.

    The highlight of the day was a delish Thai dinner that Madeline had prepared, then we headed off for a Big Night Out. What fun it was.

    First, we stopped at Ocre to listen to Antonio, who John calls « the piano man » Antonia loves taking requests and can play anything you wish. Little did we know it was 2 for 1 night - this didn’t mean sharing between 2 people - NO, they brought 2 large drinks for each of us. The bonus - and surprise - was that Peter convinced John to play the piano. WOW what talent.

    Next stop was El Tupinamba, a matador themed bar, for some good old rock & roll. We were all dancing up a storm like we were 20 again. Such fun. Wish I could post all the videos I took.

    Our final stop was Centanni where the floor was packed with expert Salsa dancers. Would love to be able to dance like that. Took a video to show how it’s really done - our old 50s jive just doesn’t compare. 😉

    All in all a super fun day    Read more

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