People & Things

Bravely, I accompanied two power shoppers, Carol and Linda, aboard a bus for Zihuatanejo, destined to enter the hard-sell world of Mexican artisans. When embarking on such an adventure, first one must steel oneself against a relentless onslaught of, "Hello amigo," "Step in and look around," "Good prices, señor," "What color you like?" "Look at this, amigo," "Hand-made in May-hee-co. No made in Sheena," "Come this way, señor," "How many would you like?"

I once read that the key to success is the ability to go from disappointment to disappointment without losing enthusiasm. These folks have nailed that.

 The Ladies Prowling the "Indian Market."

That's Carol window-shopping on the left, and

Linda doing likewise on the right.

One readily dehydrates walking under the Mexican sun and, with my tongue hanging down to my belt, we sought vital fluids at a bay side restaurant. Two sips of my cold and delicious orangeade and I recovered sufficient strength to climb back onto my hind legs and snap this photo of the two unwavering and indefatigable ladies ...

Next we sought out the shop of a weaver of blankets, place mats, and wall decorations shown at center in the photo below ...

Scrutinizing the Merchandise.

Following this I discovered the ladies intended to shop for food in the market place a few blocks away, then go to the "Commerciale" supermarket. I felt magnitudes more inclined to place my ligaments into a state of repose, making it advisable to part ways. I headed toward the nearest bus stop for a ride home.

On my solitary way I snapped this

architectural specimen.

While crossing a street I met Wayne Bourdin crossing the opposite way. He invited me to accompany him on his way to a flower shop, following which he would drive me home. We both bought flowers for our wives. I'm not sure how many gold stars we win for that but it decidedly brightens the premises with a dash of cheer.

 The Coffee Table Cluster (in a milk jug).

The Dinner Table Dozen.

Wayne drove me back and I invited him in for a chat and a beer on the balcony. He left just as Carol was returning.

As a final note for today, right above me is a light fixture endowed with the unique ability to go on all by itself whenever it chooses. It is not on a timer, it can go on at any old moment, day or night. It just went on as I was writing the above. Sometimes it's not the light that goes on but the fan. The agent promised me it will be fixed. Based on his facial expression when I described the problem there's a possibility he might call ghostbusters.

Nobody turned on this light.

And so it goes.

Quote of the Day:
"Shopping is a woman thing. It's a contact sport like football. Women enjoy the scrimmage, the noisy crowds, the danger of being trampled to death, and the ecstasy of the purchase."
- Erma Bombeck