The Beach

We had some really pretty clouds the other night, we didn't get any rain out of them; but apparently the cities south and north of us did.  As quite often happens the rain went around us; due to the way the hills are situated.

Hard to get a photo without the lines in the way.

We got bored the other day and took a little drive to San Carlos.  We headed to the beach just for a look see, too hot to sit there so we didn't take our swimming stuff.
We stopped first at the Mirador for a look around and then over to Playa Algodones.  We have had a few nice rains and the hills are green and the desert is blooming.  Everything looks lovely.

After looking around we headed back into San Carlos and had lunch at a new restaurant where someone that we have known since we first came down here is now one of the cooks.  Lunch was OK, nothing exceptional; but edible.
Then home for siesta.

Party, Party, Party

I am getting behind on my party postings, they have been coming thick and fast.  Since we attended Diegos birthday party on the 15 th, I/we have been to a couple more parties.

The first one after Diegos was a baby shower for the daughter in law of the fellow who is building and renovating for the landlord and his sons.  Luis has done work for them for years and although he does not live here in Guaymas, (he lives in Obregon), he spends a good part of his year here.  He works everyday for 2 or 3 weeks and then goes home for awhile or onto another job and then returns when he is ready to work here again.  His son has also worked here at times and we have gotten to know Luis' family over the years as his wife comes to visit with some of the grandchildren at times.

So, here are a few fotos of the baby shower held for Luis' sons lady.

The special lady.


One of Luis' grandchildren.  She was very intrigued with the camera and had to see the fotos as they were taken.  Her facial expressions were priceless!

Our landladys birthday is on Aug. 27 th.  Yesterday her daughter in law came up to inform us that she was throwing a surprise party for her in the evening as she knew that her mother and father in law were going to a friends house for a visit for that ladies birthday.
I was happy to have the car so that I could make a FAST trip uptown for a gift!
Everyone sat around visiting on the patio waiting for them to return home, a phone call was received that they were on their way so the lights were put out and everyone attempted to be quiet.  Needless to say she was surprised to see the lights come on and Las Mananitas, (the birthday song) being belted out by many of her friends.  Nice to see how pleased she was.
Snacks were served and then later dinner of barbacoa, refried beans, macaroni salad, tortillas, followed by empanadas, rice pudding and  cake.  A nice evening.  I didn't take too many photos as I was too busy eating and listening to the conversations around me.

The guest of honour arrives.

Diego Turns 4

Hard to believe that the little imp has turned 4 already and will be starting Kinder this year.  Time flies.
This year they held his birthday party at the Hacienda Monarca.  It used to be a working ranch; but now is inside the city area.  It is a lovely building and a great place for a birthday party.  We had been there once before for a Quincenara; but that was in the evening and we couldn't see much of the views in the dark.  It is laid out with the main floor and then there is a long curving ramp; instead of stairs, to the second floor, where they have a bar and hold other types of events.  Spaced along the ramp there are several alcoves with benches in so you can sit and visit. On the second floor there is a huge patio and then the option of heading up other sets of stairs to go to several other, what would be 3 rd floor, patios.  Great views to be had of the surrounding area.  It must have been a grand place to live at one time and in the surrounding yards there are still 3 or perhaps more homes lived in by people, not sure if they are lived in by the original family or by other people; but I think family.  The Hacienda main building  has no living quarters in it now.

They had rented the pool area of the ground floor for the birthday party.  The pool is set out very well for children as one end gently slopes for quite a ways so the wee ones can play and the it gets a bit deeper in the middle for say the 7 to 9 yrs. old group and then deeper yet at the far end for the older ones.

It was, of course, very hot and humid and the kids jumped in the pool and only got out long enough for drinks and food.  They had a lovely time.

We adults also had a good time sitting at tables with shade umbrellas for the most part, lots of snacks and drinks and a dinner of tamales and beans, with cake to follow.

Great time was had by all.

Lots of metal sculptures around the yard.  There was one group of 4 5 metal sculptures that were mariachi players, one had either blown over or had been knocked over by someone so we labeled him as the drunk of the group.

This guy is made of wood.

Guess What We Did

We have been wanting to explore more around the countryside and previously always used the really good bus system.  Some of the places we want to visit either do not have very convenient bus service or once you get there you need transportation, as some sites are outside the town by a few kilometers.

We talked a bit about renting a car for these trips and then broke down and went looking at new little cars.  Once we saw the trunk capacity on those, we dropped that idea.  We like to camp, which entails taking a certain amount of stuff with you and those little cars would just not do it.

We returned home and rethought our plans and decided to look for something a bit bigger and a few years older.  Off we went again to check out some cars.

We looked at a variety of brands, etc. and ended up buying a 2008 Chev. Optra LS.  It "appears" to be in fairly good condition; but who knows, used is used, you get what you get.

Anyway after a few hours of trying to figure out the fastest way to get some money down here and a few hours of getting the paper work done, buying insurance, etc. we are now the owners of the car below.  Wish us luck with it.