It's not all music and flowers...

There are a lot of great and a few not so great musicians in Zihuatanejo.  It's relatively easy to listen to good music here most days or nights of the week and most are within walking distance of our home, which is one of the reasons we chose to live in our neighborhood.  It's also really easy to get to know the musicians and we love walking into a show and being greeted by name...it's small town living and it suits me just fine.

In the daytime, especially on Thursdays which is "pozole day", musicians are found either strolling the waterfront cafe's willing to play from a selection of Mexican traditional folksongs for 50 pesos/song.  Or one can go to a handful of restaurants and hear some of my favorites, Jose Luis Cobo or Juanito.

At night, the music becomes a bit more sophisticated.  Jimi Mamou, a friend from our first year here in Zihua still plays at least twice/week in a couple of downtown venues.  Josie Kuhn another American "oldie but goodie" sings to  faithful following at a couple of drink oriented nightspots.  I have recently been introduced to Isahrai, and her vocal talents add a level of sophistication to an evening out.   Think Diana Krall meets Cesoria Evora and you will get that combination of lounge singer and Spanish diva that she is. 

Mostly music is just a fact of life here in Mexico, like eating, drinking and breathing.  Everything is better with music, including the weekly get togethers at Monica's husbands Anibels tirita party.  When his two friends joined in for some impromptu guitar and saxophone...well, we felt like we were in the right place at the right time to quote our friend Bob.

Just like we were in the right place at the right time, when I caught this final shot of a "shaving brush tree" in bloom along Calle Adelita.  This tree is lovingly kept by an elderly Mexican woman who has done her best to beautify our neighborhood. 

But this year, Zihua is undergoing a major change...we aren't quite sure what all is unfolding, but according to our expert resource, Mike, who lives here 9 months of the year and is well connected to the fishermen and locals...Big Change is coming!  Fonatur has been given rights to operating the pier and the waterfront.  Moorage in the bay will change and hopefully the major problem of sewage being pumped out into our bay will end. 

Nearby Barra de Potosi is dreading this change...there is rumor that they will become the next major cruise ship destination, wiping out a small village and natural lagoon which has been the home of a small group of people for many years.  

We want to see the town improve and not just the surface improvements that have been made...real improvements to infrastructure, housing and sanitation.  Although we are owners of two homes and make many purchases, pay taxes etc.  we have no voice here politically.   It may be the sad destiny of every ex-pat and as we meet for drinks with our friends who all care passionately about this little village, we are hoping one day it can become the clean, well-managed environmentally sustainable community it deserves to be. 

 And in the meantime, I've been given a valuable lesson to learn,....that you cannot move a 200 lb. terracotta pot with a  lime tree in it on my back patio,  by pushing twice with one leg...that is unless you want your lumbar and sacral spine to cease up and prevent you from standing, walking or sitting...Day 2 and I am not good at being a prisoner in paradise.  Even though Cori is doing a great job in his role of "nurse dog" curled up against my leg here in bed.   Got to get better though,  my friend Irena is arriving in 5 days and Guitarfest, the music highlight of our winter is almost here.