Ixtapa

I woke up feeling a little funky but blew it off.  We're going to Ixtapa today to check things out. The cab ride was about 150 pesos, so not bad, and the three of piled in.  It's so cool to see the surrounding areas and the hillside, the children in their school clothes and you realize that just because you're on vacation doesn't mean the rest of the world is, and you get a glimpse inside someone else's life.

We had the cab drop us off at a bank and then asked one of the street vendors for the lay of the land.  We obtained a map and a direction and off we headed. The one thing we noticed, both here in Ixtapa and in Zihuatanejo is that the streets are very clean...at least in the touristy areas.  They are very diligent about it and you see people all the time caring for it.

Ixtapa is the Federally funded vacation resort town.  You can see the difference with all of the high rise buildings and new construction going on.  We were constantly craning our next to see the next highest building, and although impressive, I'm relieved that I'm not staying in one of them.  I much more prefer the boutique feel of our resort.

We finally found our entrance to the beach and headed there. Wouldn't you know it? We end up next to Rock Arena bar.  It's very open and you can scan the entire beach, so we copped a squat, ordered a beer and caught our breath.  Very beautiful.  You can see Ixtapa Island (at least I'm fairly certain it was the Island), parasailing on the beach...the occasional exhibitionist on the beach trying to do yoga.

The place played 70's music and we were having fun naming the artists.  While sitting there, a couple next to us ordered raw fish strips in lime (one of my favorite dishes) and offered us some.  Very sweet.  And although we didn't take them up on it, it was a really nice gesture.  We continued to have our fun and decided to walk to the Marina, so I wanted to make sure to use the restroom before I left.

(CAUTION: Next piece is a bit political)....When I came out, I could hear my friend say something along the lines of "Well fine, then don't come to our Country".  That is not like my friend, and something had to happen to say that.  I walk past the lady and thank her again for food offer and we go on our way.  Come to find out, the woman, who is Canadian and on holiday, had an opinion on our election and when she found out we voted Trump, dismissed us with horribly rude comments and a wave of her hand. This is what I find wrong with this incident:

1. While she has a right to her opinion, she really didn't have a dog in the fight.
2. She missed an opportunity for open dialogue and to express her opinion
3. She missed an opportunity to hear our side
4. She was horribly rude and dismissive

Even on vacation we see the divisiveness of the election and that's sad.  The only thing I'll say is that I truly believe that Conservatives and Liberals have a lot more in common than they realize and only open discussion and debate will bring that to light.  We are one Nation, and if we don't communicate with each other, things will only get worse. Ok...no more on politics.

We head to the Marina and look at all of the beautiful boats, dreaming of one day to be on them, floating along the Mexican coastline.  The interesting sign here was about the crocodiles...for God's sake, don't fall overboard or else!  I didn't actually get to take a picture of one, but I'm not going to swim here and find out.  There was also this cool looking Lighthouse building that I really wanted to climb, but couldn't see a way in.  The thought occurred to me to bribe one of the vendors around the building, but I didn't.  I think I missed a golden opportunity.

We decide to head back to Zihua and like the bad girl that I am, I introduce them to Zorro's.  It's 2 for 1 Margarita time and they make them real and strong.  There's no mix in these margaritas, just straight up lime, Tequila, triple sec and Ice with a salt rim.  These Margaritas go down way too easy.  My head was feeling more congested so my friend gave me a couple of asprin. After that, we stop to say hello to Arturo and head back to the room before dinner.

We end up taking the walk to dinner around 7ish, down the stone steps and into town.  Our destination is Los Braseros and I was told to order the stuffed avocados and the bacon wrapped shrimp.  Holy Moly, that advice was the best!  Totally delicious! My friends got the Al Pastor tacos and the beef with cheese.  No drinking tonight, we're all sipping water.  As our dinner wears on, I can feel the illness take hold of me, my eyelids are hot, my nose is stuffed.  As soon as dinner is over, we hightail it back to the resort, about 10 p.m.  I take a welcomed shower, but by the time I'm out and dressed for bed, I know I've got a fever. Uh oh!