"A horse, a horse, my kingdom for a horse!"

Not exactly my kind of horse, but it is impressive!

Man Working

This is a common sight on the beach or wherever tourists or large groups of people gather. Vendors' jobs are not easy, but this one is definitely colourful!

A Different Kind

This window is a bit different than the others I've posted. It belongs to Iglesia Christiana, located on Cinco de Mayo and is generally referred to by the colour of its exterior, -- the blue church.

Lovely Way to Spend a Pleasant Afternoon

Daily Catch

Mazatlan is a fish lover's Paradise!

What a mural!!

While walking down a street in a neighborhood close to Zona Dorada I saw a house that was for sale. I was intrigued not only by its size, but by the mural painted on an entire end wall!

Bell and Flowers

"Don't ask for whom the bell tolls..."

My First Collage

I finally figured out how to make a collage. Since boats are such an important part of the port city of Mazatlan, I feel that this collection is highly symbolic.

A Tribute to Virginia Tech

Like the rest of the world, I watched with a heavy heart the tragedy of Virginia Tech. My symbolic tribute includes a setting sun for the lives lost that day, but the unlighted lamp-post holds out hope for a brighter period in the lives of the victims' friends and families. Time DOES heal, but it'll take a long, long time before more light shines in the hearts and minds of those individuals who have lost friends, colleagues, and family members..

Window Ajar

Are y'all getting tired of doors and windows?

A Window-of-Sorts

A glassless window atop an abandoned building.

Carved Door

Carved wooden doors have many designs. This one appeals to me!

Another Door

In this photo there are several elements common to decoration and architecture in Mexico: tiles, wooden doors, brick and stonework, and a decorative, wrought iron lamp.

Typical Window

Many windows have bars or grill work with the bottom half further protected with wooden shutters.

¡Fiesta!

The Pacifico Cafe has their doorway decorated for the fiestas of Carnaval February, 2007.

Cathedral Window

The Cathedral in El Centro is an imposing structure. Imagine my surprise to see this simple window in the rear of the church, instead of a loftier stained glass structure which is often found in many other churches of the same size. But, its beauty rests in its simplicity.

Window

Almost all casas with lovely doors and windows in Mazatlan are barred or shuttered. The flowers in this photo soften the image of the bars.

A Picturesque Door

Although it's Friday, the 13th, only good luck follows you through this gate into a lovely home.

Contemporary Door

There are many wrought iron and beautifully carved wood doors in Mazatlan. This is the most contemporary entrance I saw there.

Another Woof Dog

Another of my "friends" whom I barked at daily as I passed his home. See yesterday's post for another of my canine friends with whom I conversed---at a safe distance, of course.

Woof Dog

A number of homeowners in the city keep dogs on their roofs as a means of protecting their property. The canines appear quite vicious and ordinarily I would not mess with them. A few became "friends" and greeted me somewhat cordially as I passed their property.

Sheiks, A Fairytale Restaurant

This combination restaurant and disco club looks like a fairytale building. It is located on the edge of Zona Dorada, which is primarily a tourist, souvenir shops, and resort area. A meal in the restaurant offers a spectacular view of the ocean. Food isn't bad either!

This is what I'm Missing!!

Back in cold Minnesota, this is what I'm missing. No-one feels a bit sorry for me, though! Will start posting on visualstpaul tomorrow. I need to go out to take a few photos first.

Farewell Mexico-Three Countries' Flags

We will leave Mazatlan on Saturday evening and arrive home in Minnesota, USA, after midnight, ready for our Easter. Because I am having lots of problems with internet here and because the city is celebrating Semana Santa (Easter Week) many shops and cybercafes are closed. The beaches are packed with families. Jaded people tell us show awful it is, but we are enjoying the whole scene. These flags represent most of the people I met in Mexico while living here for three interesting months. Missing Mazatlan already, but since I have so many photos, I intend to continue to post some of the pictures that I think represent different aspects of the city and its culture. These three flags fly high on the roof of the Freeman Hotel, which I often visited to view the city. I'll be back right after Easter Sunday!!

Commercial Fishing boat

This is a different size boat used by some of the commercial fisherman.

Boats

There are boats of different sizes and shapes in this community, many of which belong to fisherman. One of my favorite pastimes is waiting for them to bring in the morning catch. These boats are beached along the Malecon and are used by commercial fisherman, but by those who have only small boats instead of the larger vessels.

Mazatlan at Night

On Saturday night I went to the top of the Freeman Hotel again to watch the sky for my husband's arrival on Sun Country Airline, and this is what I saw. To the left of the small hill is a white light that looks amazingly like the aircraft as it was approaching the airport; it may or may not have been the dot of the plane that I was tracking as it approached the distant airport, but it sure does look like it! A romantic moon-filled Mexican evening!

Where Are the Mailboxes?

65 Daily Photo sites are participating in the 1st April theme, "A Public Mail Box", please use the links to below to visit them. Due to time zone differences and other factors, the theme photo may not be displayed until later if you are viewing early in the day. 1 (London (UK) ) -2 (Grenoble (France) ) -3 (Rotterdam (Netherlands) ) -4 (Greenville SC (USA) ) -5 (Hyde (UK) ) -6 (Villigen (Switzerland) ) -7 (Albuquerque NM (USA) ) -8 (Mazatlan (Mexico) ) -9 (Montréal (Canada) ) -10 (Stayton OR (USA) ) -11 (Shanghai (China) -Jing ) -12 (Arradon (France) ) -13 (Sequim WA (USA) ) -14 (Newcastle upon Tyne (England) ) -15 (Seattle WA (USA) -Kim ) -16 (Bastia (Corse) ) -17 (Minneapolis MN (USA) ) -18 (Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) ) -19 (Joplin MO (USA) ) -20 (Sharon, CT (USA) ) -21 (Cottage Grove MN [USA] ) -22 (Houston, TX (USA) -Candice & Megan ) -23 (Singapore - by Keropokman. ) -24 (Guelph, ON (Canada) ) -25 (Menton (France) ) -26 (Monte Carlo, Monaco ) -27 (Naples, FL (USA) ) -28 (Kyoto (Japan) ) -29 (Tokyo (Japan) ) -30 (Aliso Viejo, CA (USA) ) -31 (Cape Town (South Africa) ) -32 (Jakarta (Indonesia) ) -33 (Kitakami (Japan) ) -34 (Tel Aviv (Israel) ) -35 (Vantaa(Finland)) -36 (Guadalajara (Mexico) ) -37 (Auckland (New Zealand) ) -38 (Nelson (New Zealand) ) -39 (Tuzla (B&H) ) -40 (Brussels (Belgium) ) -41 (Anderson, SC (USA) ) -42 (Lubbock, TX (USA) ) -43 (John, Melbourne, (Australia) ) -44 (Stavanger (Norway)) -45 (Tenerife (Spain) ) -46 (Stockholm (Sweden) ) -47 (Boston, MA (USA) ) -48 (Not Strictly Seattle, Susan ) -49 (New York City, (USA), Ming the Merciless ) -50 (Paris [Eric], (France) ) 51 (Ampang (Selangor) ) -52 (Sydney (Nathalie) Australia ) -53 (Ailea , HI (USA) ) -54 (Manila (Philippines) ) -55 (Sydney (Sally) Australia ) -56 (Cork (Ireland)) -57 (Saarbrücken (Germany) ) -58 (Saint Paul MN (USA) by Carol ) -59 (San Diego, CA (USA) ) -60 (Mexico [POLY], (Mexico) ) -61 (Budapest (Hungary) ) -62 (Singapore (Singapore by Zannnie) ) -63 (Madrid [Dsole] (Spain) ) -64 (Nottingham (England) ) -65 (Bandung (Indonesia))

Visiting a country different than one's own is filled with all kinds of surprises, both large and small. I've discovered a very different mail system here in Mazatlan. There are virtually NO public mailboxes and few private ones--at least that I have been able to find. I had to hunt for one on the main post office in El Centro and another posted on a fence by a restaurant in Plaza Machado I found two other private mail slots to photograph, but there are more of those: one on a restaurant gate and one on a garage at a private home. There are no mail drops on the street; mail delivered to my apartment complex is just tossed on the floor of the main foyer. One adjusts, however, whereever one travels!!