Geo: 20.6509, -105.215They're not street kids. They're just kids in the neighborhood --maybe being raised by grandparents, maybe sometimes missing a meal or two, always hungry and adorably cute. Heidi, the lady we're renting a room from, feeds them, teaches them to say please and thank you, takes them shopping on their birthdays, entertains them with stories and good advice and generally shows them someone cares.I'm moved by their stories. "He has a rough life", she says of the little boy eating pancakes and peanut butter at her dining room table tonight. "The grandmother has NO money and yet somehow manages to feed him. Sometimes I'm just amazed how they survive," she says. Earlier he'd walked out of here with a "sewing kit" she'd made up for him. A needle, a little thread and a tiny ... read more

Geo: 20.6509, -105.215Old Vallarta is the busiest, most lively part of town with more shops, bars and restaurants per square inch than anywhere else. It's a fun place to roam but really? There's an awful lot of gringos.It's for those who want to escape northern winters and find a beach with just a touch--a bare hint-- of old Mexico. Mexico has many faces, yes, and this is a shiny clean one. There's nothing wrong with that if that's what you want. It's safe, has great food, gorgeous beaches, beautiful sunshine, a Walmart and a Costco and we're trying hard to adjust our expectations and be content here--as many obviously are.We have paid accommodations for 5 weeks. Perhaps by the end of that time we'll have been converted. We have to I get our heads around what ... read more

Geo: 23.2019, -106.421After delighting us with our sidewalk entrance into Alamos, our sand "road" into Las Glorias, and the Road from Hell into Tres Amigos, tall Bob and Donna next took us on a squat rowboat/ferry ride over into old Mazatlan. Monday was Dia de Reyes--Day of Kings, when Mexican children receive gifts --Christmas all over again-- and everyone eats kings' bread--a kind of sweet bread decorated with colorful fruits. We saw the breads everywhere--in the markets and being sold by street vendors. We took the panga, the local ferry, over to old Mazatlan for less than a quarter. There you can catch an open air taxi -- a small 4 person vehicle built on a volkswagon chassis; it will take you anywhere. We've been to hundreds of markets throughout South and Central America, Thailand and ... read more

Geo: 25.293, -108.514We left Alamos this morning (driving on the street still under construction if you remember) and headed south to Las Glorias.Any glory she had has faded considerably as the hotel/RV park is barely hanging on. But for anyone tired of glitz and noise, this is as restful as it gets. Ocean waves to lull you and a quiet sky crowded with stars, this is an easy one to love. We had the whole place to ourselves. No one in the hotel, no other campers, no diners at the restaurant, not a soul in the pristine pool---it was all ours.Course, that could have something to do with the road in. The map shows 32 kilometers, but actually? More like 1 1/2 hours on a two lane shared with horses, herds of cattle and innumerable chuckholes.When ... read more

Geo: 27.9575, -111.044It's a beautiful little town and since Bob and Donna knew a bunch of the rv-ers, we had no trouble making new friends. We went hiking through a  canyon one day and out for New Year's Eve dinner another. Great fun.... read more