Spring has sprung! The weather is fantastic and there are tons of events going on this month and for the next few months. Currently we’re gearing up for Semana Santa, which lasts for about a week over Easter. If you’re here during that time be sure to visit the Malecon as there is always something happening down there – usually live music. Cruise it at night if you want to people watch, sit in traffic, and relive your teenage years. I used to cruise Balboa as a kid, and it never got old. I still love cruising and people watching but now just prefer to spectate from my comfy seat at a streetside establishment while sipping a good glass of wine or cocktail. Ah, to be young and energetic again – those were sometimes! If you’re a real die-hard, then head over to Calle 13 where the craziness lasts until the wee hours of the morning – like 6 or 7AM. Be sure to park where you have a clear exit or take a taxi because it gets packed… Mexicans can par-tay! JJ’s Cantina in Cholla Bay is always a great place to people (and stupidity) watch because visitors love parking down on the beach/sand not knowing that when they come back from the bar or drinking with friends that their vehicle will most likely be underwater or severely waterlogged. Most of us OGs have learned this the hard way so it’s always amusing to watch – a funny/not funny cringy kind of thing. If you see someone parking where you know they will be swallowed by the tide, or get stuck, do them a solid and give them a heads up…not that they’ll listen, but hey, you tried.
One event you will want to catch a glimpse of this month is the Cabalgata Costera y Turística. To see these beautiful horses (and people) line up for their ride is fantastic. Most of the riders are dressed to impress and their horses are also impeccably groomed and adorned for show. It is really something to see. Lots of good-looking people and horses! The second day they end up on the Malecon so that will probably be the best place to see all of them. The Mermaid’s Market will be out at CEDO this month so it’s a great chance to check out CEDO if you’ve never been there. It’s out in Las Conchas – look for the whale skeleton. The Oaxaca Expo will be at the Shrimp Shrine Park this month so stop by and check that out – lots of cool stuff. If you want to help local children, there is the Cornhole Tournament which benefits the Santa Claus Club and Casa Hogar Esperanza Para Los Niños is having a fundraiser at the Sonoran Sky.
Lots of events in May as well like the Cholla Bay Sportsmen’s Club Fishing Derby. There will also be a Kentucky Derby Party at Banditos which is a fundraising event for Women Helping Women. Lots of chances this spring to help local charities and have lots of fun too. The Kentucky Derby Party sounds like it will be a blast! If you’re planning on coming down to Circus Mexicus in June you had better make your reservations! It gets hard, if not impossible, to find accommodations during this very popular music festival. Tickets went on sale last month so if you want VIP passes, I suggest you purchase those in advance as well. Check out their ad in this issue for more info. and be sure to stop and leave some swag (and get some swag) at KM13 before the fest.
I traveled Hwy. 8 and crossed the border a few times last month and both seem to be getting better. The potholes were filled, for the most part – though on a trip at the beginning of spring break there were 6 cars on the side of the road just south of Nayarit with flat tires and 2 of them had a bit of front-end damage. (They were filled by my next trip north a week later.) My advice would be to lower your speed (if you drive fast) and just assume that there will be potholes. Inspections by the Guardia Nacional going north were faster and random. At the beginning of the month, I was always inspected and towards the end, I was just waved through with no inspection. That will definitely speed up the wait times on the weekends, but again, just assume that there will be a wait so allow some extra time. My sister-in-law came from California for a visit, so we stopped and got her FMM. We were inspected and they did not ask for any identification or vehicle info., but I did tell them that we were going in to get her FMM. I parked in the middle, took us about 10 minutes, paid on the spot with a credit card and off we went. Mind you, this was mid-week so there was no line at INM and parking was aplenty. Enforcement still seems to be very random at our border, as we have stated in the past, and the actual laws/requirements of Mexico are printed in every edition in our Travel Information Pages so do with it what you will. If things ramp up or anything changes, we’ll be sure to let you know.
While my sister-in-law was in town we had some fantastic food, wine and drinks at Wingman, Mare Blu, La Curva and Chef Mickey’s – I know there are a few places that I forgot. She came during a windy week so that was a bummer, but she did make me take her to Sam’s Club and Walmart. Wow, I was impressed. I haven’t been to our Sam’s Club in eons and have to admit that I don’t shop at Walmart, so have never been there. Our Walmart is absolutely massive and was quite impressive. It definitely has everything you could ever need from apples to tires and the food selection was amazing! Both were clean and well-stocked and had a great variety of food, alcohol and everything you need for the beach. Sam’s carries a ton more stuff as far as appliances, electronics, food variety, household items and even Bounce dryer sheets and Tide detergent! (Perhaps I’ve been living under a rock lol.) Unfortunately, their wine selection wasn’t as fantastic as I remember, but there was a good variety, and I did score some decent bottles of Malbec – so there’s that. Both are easy to get to, have lots of parking, were not crowded and have literally everything you need for your stay in Peñasco. With these two giants being so convenient and familiar, I must remind everyone to not forget about our little mom and pop neighborhood shops, the fruit stands and our local meat shops – we don’t want them disappearing. I think all we’re missing now is some excellent sharp cheddar, Nespresso Vertuo and KCup pods – if anyone knows where these are hiding, please let us know. I did not find any hard seltzers at the big stores but have read on social media that some local gas station convenience stores carry them. Rocky Point is growing up! Maybe Home Depot next…and then Costco!! Happy Easter, Semana Santa, Spring and all that good stuff! See you at the beach!
