Time to Give Back I began my working career as a writer. While I had fun typing Spiderman scripts for the boys at the Canadian Broadcast Company, it was time I hauled my IBM Selectric around to something more creative than timing Spidey scripts in a sound studio. Tobey Maguire in a movie? Ha! A…
Tag: mexican
My Mexican Moments: Chapter 20
Build it, and They May Climb it In Mazatlan there are very few front yards. It’s all wrought iron gates and flowers creeping through tiles or concrete slabs. In Pepe’s casa, there is a large concrete slab, but he has plans. The bricks were dumped — 1,000 more or less — the sand arrives, the…
My Mexican Moments: Chapter 19
There is Something Wrong with Me Patricia is now alone in her Shirley Valentine Flat. I believe she’s adoring every moment. She joins us for yoga and tennis. Patricia has always been a much better tennis player than us and our round robin group welcomes her higher level. For various reasons, we can’t make three…
My Mexican Moments: Chapter 18
1,000 Bricks a Day Gina arrives first. She’s had a long day, as she chose to burn her air miles through a complicated route via Mexico City, with a nine-hour layover. Gina travels like I used to; hand luggage only, very sensible and a breeze to carry up our 25 steps — she’s on the…
My Mexican Moments: Chapter 17
Juan and the Pit Bull Last July we happily hired Ligia (lee-he-ah) Sanchez Canizales as our weekly housekeeper. I knew she was feisty when I first met her, I knew she’d be reliable and I knew she would work faster than a whirling dervish. I was just unprepared for the pit bull in her —…
My Mexican Moments: Chapter 16
Daily Adventures Early one morning we can see there’s a big commotion on the Malecon. Sirens are blaring, traffic is blocked, police are on the scene, as well as press photographers. It doesn’t take long to learn that a large section of the concrete overhang belonging to the Belmar Hotel had collapsed during the night.…
My Mexican Moments: Chapter 15
A New Year Has Begun Christmas Eve we spend with friends munching on sumptuous BBQ ribs at Paulina’s in Centro. It’s BYOB, which suit our various tastes and budgets. The small restaurant is packed, the service is fast, and we all agree it’s a terrific way to spend Christmas Eve. Christmas Day we meet up…
My Mexican Moments: Chapter 14
The Heat has Gone And the thrill of Mazatlan is still on. Returning to Mazatlan is very much like going from your parents’ well-ordered house to your crazy aunt’s apartment where anything goes. Coming from the sedate San Miguel with its muted colours and controlled architecture, we revel in the wackiness of Mazatlan. Houses are…
My Mexican Moments: Chapter 13
Guadalajara Bound September is like being trapped in a hot steam sauna and you can’t get out. No one will ever pass by to unlock the door. While we promised Warren we’d spend next Carnaval in Guadalajara with him, the high humidity has forced us to break that promise. As Soren checks the internet for…
My Mexican Moments: Chapter 12
August in Mazatlan When I telephoned Ritchies Auction House in May, I might as well have invited a common thief into our apartment. Ritchies knew in May they were bankrupt. We are in Mazatlan. The liars, cheaters and robbers are in Toronto. We feel helpless, like all innocent victims of fraud. We phone our amigo,…