We’ve been here a week now and have yet to see another gringo. I swear—not one. For me, that’s really the beauty of living in Mexico during the summers. Every local that we talk with asks, “Vive Aquí?” Do you live here? A much different question than, “Where are you from?”
Even the beach hustlers treat you differently in the summer. They just come up and talk and don’t push anything on you because they know you must be local. Talking to one guy today he told me how much he loves this time of year—despite the fact that he can hardly earn a living—he says the beaches are clean, no crowds, and in another month the weather is perfect. Perfect by local standards, still a little hot and humid for us gringos I’m sure, but it’s still nice to know that we’re only a month away from some cooling down.
The market is two blocks away from us and is a fun place to walk around with the kids. The market itself is 114 years old, and many of the stalls—and especially the upstairs restaurants—look like they’ve been here that long as well. And I keep harping on it, but really, walking around in there this time of year is so much more enjoyable because we are the only gringos. Mexicans are friendly with us visitors any time of year, but in the summer it’s just a different vibe. It’s friendliness with a hint of respect. And I mean that in the least pompous way possible. I just don’t know exactly how to describe the difference, it’s just there.
7 Comments on “Summertime”
We were there in the Winter and didn’t really see any other tourists either. They had recently stopped cruise ship service there because of perceived danger. For this we loved it, but did feel badly for the stores that relied on tourist traffic for their income. Still one of my favorite Mexican cities.
We always end up loving places more when the tourists scatter because of danger (real or imagined). Yes, it’s a bummer for the locals whose livelihoods depend on it, but for the rest of us it is a blessing. And yeah, Mazatlan has really grown on us the past couple of years. I really like this place.
How hot is it there right now?
By the way, I found your site last year and then quickly devoured all your past posts. I continue to love what you write! (I got my boyfriend your Live on the Margin book for his birthday, even. He already has the sailboat to go with it!)
It’s around 90 during the day and mid-70s at night. It’s actually not all that bad.
Quickly devoured all the past posts. Is that possible? I’d hate to think how long it would take me to read back through all of that. 🙂
Well, I think it took me about a month. But I figured that’s pretty quick given the amount of stuff. Haha!
And the weather there sounds great to me! Although I do prefer it a little cooler at night so the house/apartment/whatever can cool off.
Yeah, we’ve only had rain once in the past couple of weeks, but man, what a great night that made for.
The first picture brings back lots of memories. The first times we went to Mazatlan when I was a kid, we used to play on that point there. I must have visited Mazatlan 4 times before my teenage years. It was at that point where I met Jesus. Jesus was a lifeguard and he convinced my Mom that, with his companionship, I could swim with him to the Island accross the way. I did it and I must say, I have never been more tired in my life. I was 11 years old and an expert swimmer, but, when I look at that island today, I think, WOW!~
Anyways, I visited again when I was a froshman in HS and we stayed at the Playa del Rey, just North of that point. We were shocked at that monstrosity on the point until we realized it was the latest and greatest Nuevo Disooteca, Valentino’s. It was crazy being 13 years old and being able to drink cerveza at a discoteca =) It was on this trip, coming home from Valentino’s, when my brother and friends decided we should cut over to the beach. There was a brick wall. Beaver, our friend ran up to it and attempted to jump over the wall…..this is when we discovered that “common security measures” in Mexico were to place broken glass on the top of the walls set into the concrete. We took off our shirts and applied direct pressure to his wounds as we stumbled up the sidewalk to the hotel, only to have the hotel manager pour Creme de Menthe on his wounds =) Oh the memories.
Love the Ouest back to school post as well as Lowe’s haircut. They grow up so fast. Hoping to see you all soon in PDX. The SCab “Floyd”is gone and there is a new “soulless” syncro occupying his place.
Mazatlan is such a cool city. Glad you guys are making it your recurring home. I have been there 9 times and it is, as you say, best in the summer. No Gringos.
Bueno.
Jefe