Expat in Mexico... the journey continues!

 Pochutla is the nearest--and next largest--town to Mazunte. I went there merely to shop at a large, well-supplied supermarket, the likes of which doesn't exist in this "pueblo pequeno". I was pleasantly surprised when it turned out to be quite a scenic town and fun half-day excursion, riding the public "collectivo" (little covered pickup truck) to get there. See explanations with the photos! Every town has its "zocalo", or town square, at its center, traditionally for the purposes of a place for the townspeople to gather for all important occasions, fiestas and so forth. Of course it is also traditional to have the church at the center as well... and so you see this beautiful one here. It was simple but lovely, and I was quite taken with it. I liked that it was not lavish or garish inside...but rather simply peaceful and quiet, a refuge from the noisy busyness of the town proper... as is typically the case!  The skies of Oaxaca--with their deep blues ...

Everywhere along the touristica street in Mazunte, leading down to la playa, are big posters advertising boat trips to see the "delfines y tortugas".  As you have already seen, Mazunte-- "el pueblo magico"--is famous for its tortuga museum (unfortunately closed because of Covid, so never got to see it--such as shame) and the female tortugas coming ashore at certain moments in October and November to lay their eggs before returning to the sea. What they DON'T tell you--unless you ask more questions, as I did--is that the beaches where the tortoises lay their eggs are carefully guarded and restricted, and one would need special permission--along with a special, government guide--to go there to see this phenomenal occurrence. While I am glad they are so carefully protected--and thus no longer endangered--it was of course a big disappointment not to be able to witness this famous, natural event. Such is life, eh?  So...next best thing: jump on one of the touristica ...

The BEST sunrise of the series... a rare capture, indeed!  Yes, "The Beauty of Nature"...or...."Sunrise, Sunset!" (indeed, most reminiscent of that lovely, haunting song from Fiddler on the Roof!) ... I have been hard at work on my Spanish...it improves poco de poco, little by little.  So, the photos you will see are from both Mazunte and San Augustinillo, as before. And...because, so typically, the sunrises and sunsets in a beachside town of Mexico are so stellar, most of the photos are of these....hope I haven't overdone them, but I never tire of such beauty myself! The reason for the long break between this and the last blog post is because I have been out of commission from virtually ALL electronics for the past 10 days. I was taking part in the Hridaya Meditation Retreat Center's silent retreat--electronics verboten, as it were! I didn't succeed entirely...but 90%. It was tough, I have to say, but ultimately rewarding. I found the peace, tranquility...

Domestic and wild creatures abound in this town… contributing to my amusement and fascination at times, yet more than a little exasperation at others!  Let’s start with “El Diablo Pequeno” (the little devil), the name I have christened Carlos’ pet cat, fondly known to him simply as “Kitty”.  El Diablo Pequeno, mistaking me for her mother?? Kneading my leg with vigor...darned sharp claws...ouch!!! She has earned this designation from me because of her mischievous nature: one moment being infinitely affectionate and purring away madly, and the next, swatting or taking a nip at me with her razor sharp teeth! Additionally, I am perpetually appalled by the number of hapless creatures that she captures just to play with, mangling their little bodies but NOT killing them so that they might be put out of their misery! I intercede and rescue as many as I can… though rarely in time to save them from a certain, prolonged death. Carlos is quite defensive of the cat, claiming that it is in...