1989 Ixatpa/Zihuatanejo, Mexico Family Vacation

Prologue

In April of 1989 and with Kim (5) and Nicholas (7), we decided on a vacation in the sun. Mexico was tempting. Mary had gotten very sick some years before on an Acapulco vacation and was leery. However an employee of mine, Sue Dargavel, had spent a lot of time in Zihuatanejo. She couldn't say enough good about the place. We booked our hotel, plane fare, and headed off. It was my and our children's first experience with traveling to a foreign country.

Location of Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo

Ixtapa hotel zone

Our Ixtapa hotel

It had not been damaged by recent earthquake.
Zihuatanejo, the neighboring fishing village, was a short bus ride away.

New Experiences

The Pacific Ocean
The power of the waves filling our bathing suits with sand.
The taste of salt water.
The smell of the ocean air.

A water taxi
Boats made of cement take us to distant beaches

Dining Out
One never knew what to expect when dining out.
The first seafood dinner the kids wouldn't eat,
because the fish and shrimp still had heads.
Pizza with strange cheese. Dangerous ice cubes.
Thank goodness for Coke.

A dog sleeping on steps of our restaurant indicate that it was closed.

Wildlife
A gecko
What wonderful creatures, crawling on walls everywhere

A "guard" crocodile
Chained in the mayor's yard to chase away intruders.

A day with Carlos
We hired Carlos and his taxi for the day. What we got was not only a tour, but an education.
He told us the reason why he had only three children was because of TV. When he came home at night exhausted, he watched TV. Whereas when his father, living in a mountain village, came home, their was his mother. The result was 13 brothers and sisters. His story demonstrated the unexpected effects of technology.

Family Photos

Mary and Nicholas
Checking out the parrots at the hotel

Kim
At "Carlos and Charles" the waitress was convinced Kim was Mexican.
We got great service.

A Tourist Family
We spoke "Spanish" , we ate street food, we shopped the local markets,
we took the public buses, but still we felt like foreigners.

Mary with rope

I was so proud of my straw hat.

Post Script

We had been to a foreign country and our experiences must have bored those who came within earshot. Our kids eager to face some more of life's adventures. I good trip indeed.