First Days in Matzatlan

It is my second night in Matzatlan, Mexico, and I am sitting on our little balcony overlooking the ocean.  Soothing guitar and flute music floats through the night air.  The happy sound of people playing in the pools below is mixed with the pounding of the surf.  I have chosen the open patio over the air-conditioned suite even though I am rather hot and sticky.  I want to absorb it all.

This is my first time in Mexico.  We were invited to join my husband’s friend, Don, in his timeshare and we eagerly accepted.  We arrived yesterday afternoon and were able to get into our place around 5:00 p.m.  We quickly changed into our bathing suits and headed down to one of several pools to cool off.  The water was actually too warm for swimming but it felt good just to get wet.  We were all so tired that we fell asleep for a while on the lounge chairs.  We ate dinner outside at one of the resort’s restaurants.

For our first full day we decided to take it easy.  Coffee, pastry, and a banana at the deli for breakfast.  We found three lounge chairs under an umbrella next to a pool and that’s where we hung out the rest of the day.  We’d take a dip in the pool to cool off then return to our lounge chairs to read or watch the people.  Attentive waiters were around to take orders.  I started with ice water then later ordered a beer, Negra Modelo, and a quesadilla for lunch.  Bob and I moved down to the beach for a while to enjoy the surf.  However, we were back to the pool in time for two for one cocktail hour.  The mango margaritas were sensational!  We chose to take the shuttle over to the resort’s other location in downtown Matzatlan.  We enjoyed dinner in their restaurant on the beach, serenaded by a mariachi band which was standing down below on the sand. 

We noticed that we really stand out here.  I feel very gringo y vieja.  The people at both resorts are mostly Mexican and younger than us—lots of families.  I had expected more Americans since the resort really caters to Americans.  While walking downtown we met a guy (selling something) who told us that we are at the height of the Mexican tourist season.  Americans don’t usually come until October or November when it’s cooler.  Perhaps this is why we didn’t get the air-conditioned shuttle—the natives are used to the weather.

Because we stand out, we are the target of salespeople, from jewelry vendors to timeshare salespeople—this is especially true for Bob.  He seems to draw them like a magnet and they don’t go away.  The problem is that he is friendly, asks questions, and doesn’t say no.  It’s not that he ever says yes, or intends to—he just doesn’t say no.  Don and I are working on him to change this.  He is already improving.

Written on 7/21/2013