A Week of Music

It has been over a week since we last posted.  It is incredible how fast time passes, even when you are doing very little.  The last week can be characterized by the descriptors; family, friends, laughing, sunshine, warmth, beaches, pools, reading, food, drink and music (heavy on the latter).

Visitors find that Puerto Escondido is more than the sum of all these descriptors.  It is really “easy” to enjoy life here.  P.E. has around 45,000 permanent residents so it is not a small place but it has a small, relaxed Mexican village feel to it.  It is about a 10K walk between the two furthest beaches that comprise the six-beach waterfront.  Zicatela is the main surfing beach with the big waves where the twenty-somethings ride the pipeline.  Principal is the beach in the village center.  It is frequented by the locals and Mexican tourists, and is home to the local fishing fleet.  Manzanillo is next with more fisherman and tourist tour boats for fishing, and whale, turtle and dolphin watching.  We mentioned Carrizalillo in an earlier post, it is home to Rita and all her friends.  Bococho is the last and is furthers northwest and is home to Randy and Doreen’s Villa de Sol Hotel Beach Club.

During a Walk on Zicatela  - Principal Beach in Background

Doreen - After Mastering the 168 Steps from Carrizalillo Beach

Despite the distances it is relatively easy and safe walking most places.  Like any place, it is unwise to retrieve large amounts of cash at the ATM and then walk alone to a dark and deserted place.  Despite the presence of the police and army, bad things do happen to unwise people. 

Little Nissan Taxis Are Everywhere - Rinconada (Our Neighbourhood)

Taxis are our main mode of transport.  They seem to be everywhere and anywhere we need them.  There are 140 taxis licensed just in the city limits and they are cheap.  You can travel from one side of PE to the other during the day for 20 pesos (about $1.80 Cdn) and for 30 pesos at night.  A second couple drop off moves the rate to 50 pesos at night.

Restaurants are too numerous to list but suffice to say you could probably dine out at a different place, every night, during a two-month stay.  They range from fine dining at the Paris, to simple the delicious tacos at the Tropicana.  We have experienced both and highly recommend all.

Grilled Tuna at the Paris

Met Linda & Jim from Abbotsford on Zicatela Beach

Eiffel Tower - Puerto Style at the Paris

Camerones at Jimmy's Carrizalillo

Fish Taco & Beer & Margaritas!

Doreen, Rita & Mike At Beers & Tacos - Zincatela

At The Paris - 1 Block from Home.

More Lunch at Jimmy's - Carrizalillo

Family Brunch at Mozart's

The Mercado is a must visit.  Market days are on Wednesdays and Saturdays and are well worth the visit to stock up on produce, fish and meats.  It is also a fabulous place to take colourful pictures as evidenced in Randy’s picture contributions to the blog.

Chickens - Feet On

Randy Has a Thing for Blind Pigs

Easy to Approach When Guns Pointing Down

Music has been a highlight of the week.  In the nine days that Randy and Doreen have been here we have listened to eleven bands, including Randy’s first gig at the Split Coconut with the Paul Tobin Band.  During the gig, Paul Tobin stepped away from the stage and had Puerto Blues Music Festival guitarist headliner, Chris Caddell join the band for a set.  Caddell is better known as the lead guitarist for Canadian music star, Colin James.

Hot Music Venue in Puerto - Brad's Split Coconut

Paul Tobin & Friends Band

Randy Backing Up Canadian Star - Chris Caddell

Randy Got Huge "Shout Out" Praises from Guitarists

Stage at the Split

For a full Three Minutes Plus of the Blues

(Please Be Patient - First Time Blogging Video)

Swimming, sunbathing, snorkelling and walking have filled most of our daylight hours.  Eating, drinking and listening, most of the evenings.  Randy, Doreen, Deborah and I have rented a car for the next couple of days to do some touring of points south to Huatulco.  We will have something to report in a few days.