Magnificent Mazatlan!

Shannan and I planned a relaxing day on a ranch in Mazatlan. Unfortunately, most of our fellow longed to shop or soak up the sun so our excursion didn’t meet the required critical mass. Refusing to be denied, we first meandered around the port's straw market and made small contributions to the local economy. From there, we exited the barbed wire and broken glass protected enclosure and embarked on a journey through town.

It took nearly ten minutes to escape the range of beckoning taxi drivers. From there we listened to the authentic sounds of Mexico as families and shopkeepers went about the business of living. Many swept or hosed the endless parade of dust from their doorsteps. Street vendors cooked unknown animal parts, people enjoyed midmorning meals at outdoor cafes and music blared to entice customers. We took it all in as we navigated high sidewalks alongside the brightly colored buildings.

Children played in the street--perhaps a rarely traveled one, as a little girl laid down for a rest right in the middle of the road! Not daunted by the morning sun, we ascended a long, but gradual hill and wound our way into the old downtown. We could have walked for hours, but the sun was powerful and Shannan reached her quota eventually.

After our stroll, Shannan returned to the port zone, reminiscent of a military check post, and I enjoyed a short run. During my run on this day, a funeral came to an end and I struggled for an alternate route so as not to interrupt the mourners pouring out of a church. The detour took me into a neighborhood where I snapped a photo of a life size nativity scene.

Relaxing days of reading and chatting come and go, but an opportunity to get a closer glimpse of a different culture and close the gap on the world--well, those are rare. Thank goodness for chances to step outside the daily routine we live and to step outside of ourselves a bit as well.

Accept change. Appreciate diversity.

Tom