Fiesta Time

Saturday, December 02, 2017

San Carlos, Sonora, Mexico

December has arrived with a flurry --- just not a flurry of snow! As I sit here writing this morning, after cleaning the place, I find myself feeling fairly contemplative. Feeling pretty fortunate to be sitting out on our balcony looking at the blue sky, the pelicans, boats and our resident hummingbirds. Life is full of interesting choices, Tim and I have made some significant ones in the past couple of years.

Probably feeling more so, as I explained to someone that we are not on holiday, just living our lives differently. Yes, we are lucky to be travelling to different countries, experiencing new things. We did however, start planning for this many years ago. True we are not working so that allows us to play more than most. Really we live quite simply, within a budget, planning what we want to do, making sacrifices to do certain things. For those items we don't plan on, there is always Visa!

It is also been interesting to talk to a lot of the expats here. Many have chosen to become permanent residents, others just here on tourist visas. Some still actually working, but for the most part all retired. Some have a house here, some rent, some RV full-time....all have interesting stories about how they arrived here. We are definitely on the younger side, however there are several people in our age bracket. Right now we know for sure we like wearing shorts and flippies, especially when we see the forecast for snow back home!

Sunday (Dec. 2) we travelled to Empalme, a small town, south of Guaymas, known for shrimp, clams and mussels. They have a market, "tianguis", every Sunday morning. There were some food vendors and a couple of fruit & veg guys, but mostly just clothes and household items. Basically one large garage sale. Some new things, most not. Well attended, we were told that it would get busier the closer to Christmas. Afterwards we drove into central Guaymas to do a little exploring.

Fishing & Shrimp Boats

Three Presidents Plaza

Monday morning we helped the ball group out with maintenance of the field. I use the term field as that is exactly what it is! What's great however, is that the local kids use the diamond. The ball group also sponsors a girl's team here in San Carlos. Work was followed by a get together for the super moon rise later that evening. We traveled out to La Manga, a local ejido, where one of the guys on the team lives. Sunset was spectacular and the moon was awesome.

Outfileld

Working the Infield

Spectacular Sunset

Tuesday morning, bright and early, Tim joined a group from the men's club on a bus trip to Ciudad Obregon. It is about an hour and a half south east of here. They have a nice golf course and as was described to Tim, "it even has grass!". It is a very flat course. They actually use flood irrigation. Yup, every Monday they flood the entire course. Sucks to golf on Monday, but makes for a great round on Tuesday!

Saturday the 9th was the annual Shrimp Festival. We drove into Guaymas, finding a great parking spot on the Malecon. The Christmas tree that we saw being assembled the previous week was finished. They had several booths that were serving different preparations of shrimp as well as live entertainment and other vendors. Tickets were 40p each ($2.60), and that got you a shrimp meal from one of the food vendors. We had shrimp tacos, quesadilla and peppers stuffed with shrimp, beverages extra - cervezas 20p ($1.35).

Christmas on the Malecon

Sunday was the Holiday Tournament at the golf course. This was a mixed scramble event. We were placed with another couple, Lynn and Jack, who have been coming to San Carlos for about 5 years. Breakfast and a great meal after! All for $350 pesos ($23). Lots of fun, and of course a few birdie shots had by all! We actually made the local weekly newsletter. Here is the link if you want to check our some info on where we are. http://mailchi.mp/whatsupsancarlos/your-whats-up-san-carlos-newsletter-for-april-26-389497?e=b34985bd15

Our Team

Live Music

Wednesday was a tournament and fiesta for the employees of the golf course. The fee to golf was given to a fund for the employees. Much different labour laws and customs here. We golfed with one of the employees. No English and not too much Spanish on our part, but some how you still manage to communicate. We placed third, won some prizes, which we passed along to Dimitrio for Christmas. Lots of laughs and smiles all around.

Employee Fiesta

It will be interesting to spend the holidays here. We already have invites for Christmas Eve and Day. There are several annual events in which we will partake. Should prove interesting as we continue to experience life here in San Carlos......now back to the laundry!