NOTATION LOG DATED: Wednesday, December 28, 2011, 1035 hours

LOCATION:  Panchos Restaurant,  Mazatlan, Mexico

“……I am having a cup of coffee in view of the beach. The setting includes many families enjoying breakfast overlooking this sheltered cove. There are protruding rock reefs, rising some 200 feet out of the water. Rolling waves continue to wash the sandy beach. Obviously a private area with some condos competing with businesses.

The truck taxi (Mexican Limo) , dumped us off at this upscale row of shops with Panchos at the end. Granny, Nona, Sean, Kayla, Allie, Kara and Garrett and are already doing their shopping and Gramps is immersed in the atmosphere of this obviously very popular restaurant.

Mazatlan means “Deer Place” as was named by the original natives. Apparently fishing was the original economic attraction but now tourism and vacationing has probably surpassed that original purpose.

I just met a Ukrainian / German couple from Edmonton that is on the same Sun Wings tour as us. She is an RN and he was originally a farmer, somewhere East of Vegreville, AB. Apparently his health started to deteriorate and they were able to sell their farm some 15 years ago. She is now retired as a Care Nurse so it looks like they are enjoying their retirement. 

Canadians are well respected here. The exchange is higher for a Cdn dollar that the US dollar. No matter where we go there are smiles in abundance.

If there would be any complaint, it would be to suggest that the weather could be hotter but certainly the sun is out although obscured by the light cloud cover, just scattered enough to shade the sun so that a jacket would be preferred attire for most Mexicans. The Canadians and Americans are not to be denied the absence of snow and below zero weather to celebrate by wearing wearing short sleeved shirts and shorts.

My hearing aids appear to have succumbed to the humidity and my right aid has given up the ghost but my left aid is desperately trying to maintain some reception. Oops, I just tried to test whether I am getting better than nothing out of the left aid by pulling it out. Bonzai! The damn thing started to receive normally. So there you go, faith has prevailed over depredation (not the best word here but I could not find a word opposite of faith right now).

I note the place is filling up and many patrons are waiting for a table. I am using up space and I gave up my place in respect for the premises.

I am now sitting on a concrete handrail at the street entrance to this “shopping centre”  On the way here I passed a place selling “Ponchos”. Everyone seems to have purchased one in our group and Marilyn wanted to buy one from the Beach Vendors at the Rui. The prices ranged from a high of $25 down to $15 depending on the ability to bargain. I decided that nothing more than $10 will satisfy me.

The hapless merchant that I had passed in this Mall tried Mex $150 and I offered Mex $100 (about 11 Mex $ to the Cdn $1). He countered with Mex $120 and I would not budge. He then laid on $Mex $110, suggesting that he was only making Mex $10 on the deal. I continued past him on to my location now. It will be interesting to see what happens as I have time is on my side and a definite lack of interest in the product. It’s like hunting game, it is wise to stop hiking around in the bush but stop and stay in one spot. Sooner or later the game, that knew you were there, will come out to see what you are up to and walk by.

The merchant knows I am here and he is planning his next move on me.

Who will be the winner? Actually Mex $110 is about Cdn $9 and a good deal.

I see him discussing it with his neighbor, I am sure. I will give him some more rope!

I am trying to get the name of this fronting street but they are “chinsey” on the signage posts for some reason here. Maybe it’s just a long street as I do not see an intersection anywhere.

Across the street is the “Sea Shell City Museum”. This is exactly where we are to meet the infamous Taxi Driver that Nona had engaged in a contract for Mex $150 return trip from the Rui. A good rate since the posted rate at the Rui is Mex $180 one way. It is 1130 hours now and the appointed time to meet is 1300 hours.

People watching is a great past time for me. I find it so interesting to study all the various shapes, sizes, demeanor, dress, color and preoccupation. Nothing more interesting than people.

Some are in a hurry, obviously with purpose. Others just stroll, enjoying the moment, perhaps shopping.

1235 hours

I decided to walk around. Across the street was a narrow opening that turned out to be the entrance to an entire array of shops with similar “junk” as everywhere else.

So I was checking out the “panchos” and an aggressive sales lady,who must have envisoned a potential sale where otherwise there was nothing happening. She started at US$18 “but for you US$15”. I was a fool to respond that US$10 was my top offer. She went down to US$14 but I was unmmovable.

She slipped away with “un momento, senor” to check with her boss and came back with US$12, “two for me and two for you, plastic handbag included!”

I started for the exit when she uttered another “un momento” and came back with the “boss lady” who decided that I could have my pick of color for US $10. I was stuck because I really didn’t need a pancho but the girl did a premium class sales negotiation and I could not refuse.

So I got myself a poncho!  I am now like everyone else in the family group.

The original merchant was a bit cheaper at Mex$110 but I couldn’t go back after all the waiting and scheming.

So I had an interesting experience in Mazatlan. Especially when Marilyn arrived with a purchased poncho for me which she bragged was US $12. Well okay!..……….”

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