Godstud wrote:My brother just came back from a week in Mexico City and I want to visit Mexico more than ever. He particularly liked the Mariachi Bands, and he had an amazing time.
The last time I was in Mexico was in an all expenses paid place, and I didn't see much, but next time I'll be far more adventuresome.
I am a bit of a adventurer in Mexico. I do a lot of spontaneous trips that are completely unplanned Godstud. One time our plan was to just take a train ride from Chihuahua City, Chihuahua to Los Mochis, Sinaloa. Once in Los Mochis I wanted to go to the beach there. All the locals told me, "All the beaches in Los Mochis are not very nice. Not pretty. There is warm water, but you should go further south to Mazatlan for a nice beach." We had not planned on that. We had no car. But we took a bus to Mazatlan. Five hours later we arrived in mid afternoon in Mazatlan. I had no idea what to expect. I asked the Taxi driver to take me to a cheap $15 dollar a night hotel in the middle of town. He argued with me a lot in the taxi, "Senora, don't do this. A decent woman like you should not go there. Go to Hotel Las Gaviotas instead. They are having a discount on summer tourism room rates. You get more than half off if you say I sent you. It is much nicer hotel and only about $25 dollars a night with a discount. It is worth it. You are close the beach. Only one block. And the service is nice. They have a pool and decent families stay there. You will thank me!" And he was right. It was lovely with a great sea breeze. Reasonable little hotel. One block from a beautiful beach with a very fancy and expensive resort. Las Gaviotas Hotel was only behind the very expensive resort. So we stayed in Las Gaviotas and I wound up going to off islands, visiting with local farmers and I explored Mazatlan that had a bull ring, a shopping center, a beautiful performing arts theater that was gorgeous, live classical music and many things. I also saw whales, dolphins and sea lions on a ferry boat that took us for all day excursions.
I wound up finding out the life stories of many of the local people there. It helps to speak Spanish like a native. You get a different experience. The experience of having people tell you all their problems and all their good luck as well. I met a fine family, they invited me to their home. Etc. etc. Everyone in Mexico is curious about how someone like me winds up in their part of the world. They have questions galore. How is Puerto Rico? I never been there they say to me. I see it on TV---it is so fun. I can't afford to go. The USA says you got to have money in the bank to visit Puerto Rico because it is part of the USA...my Uncle Jose is in the Navy in Mexico and he told me when they dock in Old San Juan it is the best time in the world, etc etc. No one speaks English there but it is the USA. That is weird? Why is that? Questions galore.
Most of the travel and living I have done in Mexico over the years was never planned. I just talk to someone and say, "What the hell? Let us try that."
This video is lovely. That Copper Canyon or "Barrancas del Cobre" in Chihuahua through Sinaloa is beautiful beyond compare. I think this video explains why. You should try it at least once in your life. It is worth it!
Mazatlan is also the home of a great beautiful arts and theater building called Angela Peralta:
It is an interesting little arts community they have in Mazatlan. Once a simple shrimping and fishing village in the Pacific side of Sinaloa state--it is an interesting mix now of many things. For you beer lovers it is the home of Cerveceria Pacifico. Here is the video of the beer brewery: