Jan 14, 2013
Singular Sunday!
The day started with a 3 minute car ride to the embarcadero. We took a water taxi, a panga across the water into Mazatlan.
A passing panga.
From there we took a pulmonia, an open air taxi to the Plazuela Machado and specifically the Angela Peralta Theatre.
We were not alone, we brought Donna and Bob along to show them the hows and what to do's and where to go, etc. They were on their own for the rest of the day.
We had tickets to attend the special Sunday afternoon symphony conducted by Maestro Gordon Campbell from Culiacan. The performance which started at 12 noon was the Mozart Requiem performed in dedication to the memory of Jackie Peterson. A lady I never met but who has done so very very much for the culture in Mazatlan. Her life ended too quickly and too tragically.
The symphony was much more that I could have imagined. Perfectly fabulous. What a great group of musicians, a huge new choral group who have only been together for only a year ( we spotted Maestro Campbell's wife in the front row ) and four fabulous solosits. I loved both the baritone and the tenor, found the soprano weak or possibly just overpowered by the orchestra but loved the mezzosoprano, Ana Laura Rojas, who I later read has performed in some of my favourite operas; La Traviata, Lucia di Lammermoor, The Barber of Seville and Cavalleria Rusticana.
The tenor....he was the bigger guy. Surprisingly the baritone was the small guy. I enjoyed him as he followed the music for the entire 50 minute performance of this piece and you could tell he loves music.
I was brought right back to my upbringing today! My Mom sang with the Edmonton Opera chorus and I have spent hours both behind stage and in the audience. I just loved this performance, so much life, love and vitality. Thanks Mom and Dad for giving this to me in my early years. When I listen to performances like this you will always, forever, now and in the future be in my thoughts.
A big highlight this singular Sunday was being hailed in the Plazuela by these folks. "Are you Contessa ?" They are Shirley and Guy from Calgary, Alberta who have been reading my blog for some time. We really did not have a great deal of time to visit but it sure meant a great deal to me to be recognized in this fashion. They had no idea who we were and picked us out of the crowd. They are not RVers but are certainly going to become great friends and who knows what the future will hold for them. Colin and I look forward to many visits with these folks over the next few months.
Gordon Campbell was very pleased with how the performance came across, as we the audience all were.
Next stop.....pop over to check out Pat & Gord's spectacular apartment, 1/2 block from the theatre. Lots of pros and cons as you imagine, no sleeping some nights due to all the music and partying but a great location from which to pop out and catch the action. Hmmm, I think they do that ....a lot!!!!!!!!!!!
Elevator humor ala Colin??? Why are there two of me in the shot?
Let's work up an appetite for a late lunch/early dinner......it honestly was cooler in Mazatlan than on the Isla today. I think that Mazatlan blocks our location here on the Isla and we are much warmer.
El Faro restaurant waterfront on Olas Altas. The wind was so strong we actually retreated inside the restuarant and then asked them to close the door. Yup, it was that cool but at least we are still in the high 60's and have no frozen water pipes as do some of our Arizona RV friends. Each one of these entrees was declared delicious by the recipient and none over 100 pesos. By chance, the margaritas were 2 for 1 and once they added the extra tequila, rather nice!!!!!! Did I not say that this was a very spectacular Sunday. I was so happy all the way back home.
Just loved being with these folks from the Colonia on the panga back to the Isla. Perhaps it was the music or the margaritas but we communicated and all had great laughs on the way back.
So we got back home, rather later than expected, the girls were not happy, who knows what the bird thought. Found out from the neighbours that the girls barked a LOT…..sorry!! It must have been Carmeh because as soon as we fed her she went to sleep. She must have been barking at the bird who looks like he had been shredding paper. Not good…..usually the girls sleep when we are away. Things will be changing.
We then did a few chores, fed the outdoor birds, the indoor one, and the wieners and check emails. I also checked our voice message which I now know I should do more often. It is just like checking our telephone messages at home. A call from my sister and a call from an acquaintance where we live who does not even know we are in Mexico for the winter. Neither of these calls brought good news. My sister informed me of a few things ( and she is doing great back from her Mexican vacation ) one of which it that Mom’s best friend, Eileen, whom I very clearly remember over the years, passed away this past Thursday. I so very very much had a crush on her son Larry and still do!! So sorry Mom, I will call soon. Lots of hugs and love from me.
There is never a good time to die. Jackie for whom the symphony performed for today, died tragically by being hit by a car. Eileen was an older lady, suffering physically and as it turns out, perhaps more than the medical people knew. She was special and will be mourned by many. The other death we heard about was the passing last Friday, January 11th of Bart, the builder of the sun room attached to our new home. We drew Bart out of his comfort zone to inspire him to create a masterpiece which will become a legacy. He was only 49 and leaves a wife and young daughter.
Thanks Bart !!! We will do what we can to help your family.
Who are these people who come into our lives. Then pass out again?
We had a singular Sunday, never to be repeated. Who knew that as we started our day and so very much enjoyed a performance dedicated to a woman we had never met that the day would end with us having honored two more special people with Mozart’s Requiem. I was so happy today and I guess there was a reason for it evolving as it did.
As we got back to the RV we found a baby sparrow struggling on the gound in our parking spot. Marcus the night watchman came over at our request, he said the bird was just cold. Colin & I think it is not well. Marcus agreed to take the sparrow into his guard casita and we provided a towel for heat and some food.
Life goes on……but really it was a singular Sunday. I shall never forget this day.
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Yes it surely was!
A lot happening. You’ve done it justice. Sad to read about Bart.
We just never know. Probably best that we don’t.
Thanks for ‘getting it’ Bob. It was an emotional post to write.
Oh my, how sad!!! what was his name…I’m sure I must have met him. Way too young and for his family…heartbreaking!!!!
As to Mom….unfortunately a fact of growing old. we saw it with our aunts, uncles, moms and dads. If you live long enough, you lose the ones you love and the friends that are dearest to you. In our experience (as the VERY young siblings in our families)…if you can reconcile yourself with this fact of life and still enjoy what you have as far as health, happiness, friends and family…you will continue to thrive. Not everyone seems to have this outlook on life, but truly, I think IT IS the key to longevity and happiness.
It was Bart but I don’t think you met him but again you might have. Good philosophy. Thanks for sharing.