Breakfast at Sunscape Dorado Pacifico Ixtapa

Just a quick note before heading off on our excursion to Ixtapa Island.

I arrived at breakfast this morning and was seated to a table as usual. I turned my coffee cup upright to indicate that I wanted some and headed to the the grill to get my huevos fritos (fried eggs). I waved to Benito as I passed by and gave him a cheery "Buenas dias!"

When I returned to my table, not only was my coffee cup filled, but there was a plate of breads and a bowl of some hot green salsa!

I don't remember saying anything about liking hot, spicy foods. Yesterday, he brought a bowl of the salsa to the table and I added it to my eggs. It was very good, indeed. I really like the service here. In truth, the food is pretty average. Oh, don't get me wrong--we are really enjoying ourselves, but it is low season and the selections are limited.

But the service! Oh my, it is wonderful. Alicea has been our server a couple of times in the evening. She speaks English pretty well in comparison to most of the workers and is very friendly and extremely attentive. The hostesses (Estephani and Ana ?) always have a smile and are friendly, often remembering our room number without asking (Is that a good thing?).

As I have said, this is certainly not the nicest resort that we have been to, but it might just have the most friendly and attentive staff!

Well, it is time to begin our day of relaxing on the beaches of Ixtapa Island.

Be well,
John <><

Miercoles

It is late in the afternoon on Wednesday and we are back at our resort in Ixtapa after spending the morning in Zihuatanejo. I bought some locally grown organic coffee (1kg, enough to share with Hannnah), Mexican vanilla (for us and a friend) and Chris also bought some sea salt.

We paused for refreshments at a restaurant near the marina and enjoyed the quiet breeze and the gentle waves just a few meters from our table. It was relaxing enough that we were back there for lunch an hour or so later. I had the fish tacos (mahi-mahi) and Chris had the coconut shrimp.

Oh. My. Goodness!

I have not had fish tacos nor coconut shrimp like this anywhere in the US!
Our waiter (Johnny) was very good and directed us to several shops (on our first visit) and told us much about the area and about himself.

He spent 4 years living with cousins in San Diego on a work visa but really loves his home. He has a child from his youth that he sees every day and has custody of on the weekends and will be getting married in December. He pointed out the area where many retired Americans and Canadians live and told us of the communities and costs of living there.

The ocean waves were much more calm in the bay than at the resort and I could really get used to living here. Now we are relaxing by the pool and by the beach and just had another very interesting conversation with a Mexican professional and his views on the current state of affairs in Mexico and the issue of Mexican immigrants to the USA. I'll post more on that after we get back and I've had time to process our conversation.

For now I'm going to enjoy this cigar, lounge by the beach and relax before dinner. I hope that your day has been as grand as mine (although I seriously doubt it!).

John <><

Another Day in Paradise!

It looks like another beautiful day in paradise!

The sun is shining. The waves are crashing the beach. The coffee is good.
And I am relaxing at the keyboard while Chris is off to her morning long spa treatment.

Although it has been hot and humid, there is always a breeze at the beach and a cool drink at hand (other than my morning coffee). We took a walk through the shops of Ixtapa yesterday afternoon and will plan a morning trip into Zihautanejo later in the week. We will also take an excursion to Ixtapa Island on Thursday or Friday.

I slept very well last night and feel more rested today than I have felt in quite sometime.
The resort is relatively empty and life is moving at a much slower pace. I know that I could get used to this.
No. I don't think that I would get bored living life on the beach.
I've been reading (more about the book I just finished in another post) and writing. I haven't done much walking or running on the beach other than the occasional stroll with Chris, nor did I take the morning bicycle ride to the marina this morning. But I am sure that if I lived here, I would make those things a part of my daily routine.

Again, my friendly waiter Benito is keeping my coffee cup filled as I blog and he just stopped by with a fresh glass of ice water.

I suppose it is time to find a spot near the pool with a great view of the beach.
Where ever you are, whatever you are doing -- have a grand day!

John <><

There's a Storm a Brewin'!

There are both advantages and disadvantages to traveling in the off peak times or low seasons. High on my list of the advantages are fewer people. (That's the introvert in me.) Although the resort was full over the weekend, it is rather quiet this morning and I expect that it will be through out the week. Also on that list is the relative cost is a little less.

On the disadvantage list is that there are fewer options for dining in the resort. Also some of the activities are limited by either time or availability.

Another disadvantage to traveling in the peak of the rainy season is ... well, the rain! It has rained a little during the afternoon of our arrival (Saturday) and for much of the late afternoon and evening on Sunday. This morning's western sky (and the weather forecast) would indicate that there is more rain on the way for today.

The little rain hasn't kept us from enjoying the beach or from taking a Sunday afternoon stroll around the (mostly closed) shops near the resort. Today will be another day of just relaxing, avoiding the rain, and enjoying our time away from home.
Benito is doing a fine job of keeping my coffee cup filled as I blog at the breakfast buffet this morning. I think maybe it's time for a small pastry to go with my fresh cup of coffee!

John <><

Relaxing by the Beach

It is the first morning of waking up in Ixtapa. As is our usual vacation tradition, I'm up early and have saved our places by the pool/beach and am now enjoying my morning coffee. I'll have a little breakfast now and wait for Chris to get up before having a little more breakfast.

The Sunscape Dorado Pacifico isn't the nicest resort where we have stayed on our coastal vacations, but it nice enough for the casual traveler and it is very affordable. The wait staff is very friendly and helpful and I really like this area of Zihuatanejo/Ixtapa. I feel like I am in Mexico rather than at a resort in Mexico.

Like most all inclusive resorts, there are several eating places to chose from. Most resorts require dinner reservations at the restaurants other than the main buffet. Last week I sent a note to their Twitter account explaining that we would be arriving on our anniversary and would like to eat at a place other than the buffet. I asked if we could have a reservation at on of the specialty dining rooms but never heard back from them.

At Sunscape Dorado reservation aren't necessary. However, this sign greeted us when we went to our room!

John <><

(Note: Although this was written Sunday morning, it took until now to add the pic. Low internet availability and limited tech skills are to blame!)

Is it a vacation?

The question that I have these days is -- Is it a vacation if you don't have to take off of work?
Or is it just a trip? An adventure?
If you are retired and take a vacation, do you have to go to work?

Whatever it is called, we are on our way to Ixtapa, Mexico. We are currently in a short layover in Houston and will soon be on our way to Zihuatanejo (just south of Ixtapa). We are returning to the same resort we stayed at a couple of years ago (Sunscape Dorado Pacifico) and looking forward to a relaxing week on the beach. I suppose that one of these days we'll be brave enough to take such a trip with friends, but for now we enjoy our no schedule kind of time and pretty much take it moment by moment, day by day. We hung out with a group of Canadians a few years ago and have talked about meeting them again sometime. We've also had casual conversations about traveling with some of our US friends but never made any plans to actually do it.

I'd like to take a family trip now that our kids are grown up. I've decided that I really enjoy hanging out with our adult kids and their mates. I'm not certain that they would say the same about hanging out with us (maybe if we covered some of the cost of a vacation...).

In any case, this week is just the two of us with no other plans than to relax, enjoy the beach and enjoy our time together without any of the normal stresses of everyday life. I expect that the most stressful thing we'll face each day is deciding which of the resort's feature restaurants we'll dine at for the evening, if I should wear my flip flops or water shoes to the beach or if I should smoke one of the Dominican cigars I brought with me or buy a Mexican cigar for the day. The cigar will give me time to read, otherwise I'll probably be napping on the beach.

I'll post as time and internet connections allow...or not. No plans. No promises. No stress (other than the already mentioned stressful decisions that I'll be faced with).

Enjoy the Labor Day weekend.
I guess summer in the States is over.

John <><

This is my story and I'm sticking to it!

How about a story?
It's a great story. Some say the Greatest Story Ever Told.
Here it is...
...in song.



John <><

Baseball, Magic and other Random Thoughts

It's the end of August and we're having some pretty fall like days. The nights have been in the low 60s and daytime highs have barely reached 80. It's been beautiful, but I am not ready for the fall nor the coming winter.

I am looking forward to this years post-season baseball play as it appears that the Cardinals will be making another World Series bid. I have to say that I am enjoying this west coast road trip and managing to watch each late night game. The 9pm to midnight time frame works well for this Central Time Zone boy and allows me to enjoy the games without feeling like I'm neglecting something else. I can still manage a good night's sleep and enjoy my (later) morning coffee and quiet time the following morning completely guilt free!

Today (like most days) I've had very little interaction with people other than my wife. I'm beginning to realize that this will probably be my life from here on. I keep having people ask me if I have any hobbies like fishing or golf or what I do with my time in retirement. So far I am happy to report that I am just enjoying my free time. I wouldn't mind doing a little fishing, but I'm not really thinking about taking it up as a hobby.

I have some magic shows booked for the fall and am working on getting a few more. I also have another revival and several preaching dates.

I have a small area that is set aside for a garden. I've been planning on gardening a little for the past two summers but have let the springtime get away from me. I am hoping to have the area ready this fall so that the spring planting will be all that I need to worry about in 2016. I really do like the idea of fresh produce from the backyard! This year (like every other year) we have been counting on the bounty and generosity of our gardening friends.

As a matter of fact, tonight's dinner was pork fried rice using onions and peppers from my parents' friend Clarence's garden and grilled pork steak and side meat (bacon that is not cured) from the half hog we recently purchased from one of Chris' coworkers. As much as we enjoy eating out (which is about every night!), there is something especially rewarding about good food that is prepared well at home.
Perhaps next year we'll have more of it!

I also have a few trips planned for the fall so it's not like I'm bored or planning on being bored. I was at a retirement party for a former co-worker earlier this week and plan on attending another one this fall and one in the winter as the old guard continues to age out of the air traffic control world.

I've also been thinking about a couple of controversial posts for the blog. I don't know if that's something that I'll do or not. My following has dropped off considerably since my last controversial posts so it may be that I won't do any more damage than what has already been done. And a large readership has never been the goal of Out of My Hat.

Honestly, I think the reason The Donald has such a huge following is because he says what ever he feels like saying and doesn't care about what others think of it...or of him. I doubt that I'll ever be as insensitive as he is, but there might just be something to telling it like it is.

I'd write more but it's time for the baseball game to start and my cigar is down to a stub.
Be well, my reading friends!

John <><

Moving On...

I had a great weekend with the friendly members of the Fremont Hills First Baptist Church. I have to say that it is often difficult to assess the success of a weekend revival at the end of the weekend. I suppose the real assessment won't take place for several weeks or months. By then, I'll be on to other churches for other events and other revivals. It can be difficult and frustrating to be task oriented instead of results oriented, but moving on is what I am called to do.

Next weekend I'll be at another of our association churches. This is a small rural church that is currently without a pastor. I have been there twice in the last couple of months. The last time they mentioned that they had two youths that needed to be baptized and asked if I could come back to baptize them. Next Sunday is the first week I had available so I'll be there for the morning service, an after church meal and then we'll head to the creek for an old fashioned baptism! I am pretty excited about it!

Then vacation. Then a school show. Then the association annual meeting. Then another revival. Then ...

...Moving on. 

"Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it." --Ferris Bueller

John <><

Tell Your Story. Tell His Story!

How did you meet Jesus?
How did you come to know Him as your Savior?

It's a story that you should tell.
It doesn't have to be a long story. In fact, it probably shouldn't be so long that people would tune out before you get to the good part. But tell the story.

Maybe you've heard the fantastic stories of lives that were changed from addictions or horrid conditions and you think that your story doesn't compare to those. The story that secures your salvation ought to be your favorite story...so tell it! Tell it often.

I remember talking to friend that said she didn't really have a story to tell. She grew up in a Christian home and made a profession of faith at a very young age. My response was, "That's a great story! Do you know how many people wish that they had the testimony of growing up in a Christian family?"

If that is your heritage (and the heritage you are giving to your children) -- tell it!

We will relive all types of events and share them with others. I tell the story of the time I went to Wrigley Field with a friend. He's a huge baseball fan and had never been to Wrigley. It was quite an experience for him and a great weekend for both of us.
People reminisce about concerts they went to decades ago.
We remember getting autographs of our idols, meeting certain people, going to special places.
We re-live so many of life's events.
Why not share our encounters with God.

And keep your testimony current.
Is God still working in your life?
Do you still interact with Him?
What's He done for you lately?
...And what have you done for Him?

God loves you!
Jesus died for you!

John <><