Carnaval, Valentine's Day and Chinese New Year in Mexico...

Kathy and Iain Scott have just left us today after a fun filled week!  

Nance and Mary were still here for their first 2 nights so we all went into Carnival Tuesday evening.  The parade was as crazy as always, the atmosphere full of energy…. thumping music, street food and big crowds along the Malecon. The photos will speak for themselves!

Nance and Mary volunteered to transport a dog back to Vancouver for the local La Paz Dogs Rescue Organisation. How awesome. It all went well, and now they await the arrival of their own rescue (chosen while they were down here) towards the end of March. Lucky puppy! I will be visiting Berry (name change coming soon!) regularly to send them photos.

The week flew by with Kathy and Iain. Paul had two gigs - a Valentine Jazz night with Terry, and also a full band show on the Malecon to celebrate Chinese New Year… kind of random down here in Mexico, but it was a full house! Excellent music with a singer flown in from Hong Kong - some of her songs in Chinese were new for Paul!

We had a fun day in La Ventana Saturday (world famous Kite Surfing beach) - always fun to explore.

We rounded the week off with another pizza party last night (seems to be an “after tennis” Sunday thing now…) only 18 people here last night, so super easy - ha ha!

A few days on our own and then Nicky, Phil and Rylie are hoping to come down again Thursday (space permitting on the airplane) We are super excited - Kathy and I hit the “Segundas” (2nd hand stores) and picked up some new things for Rylie to enjoy!

We found a new beach just north of Todos Santos. 

Iain doing the traditional Scott jump in the pool fully clothed thing.

Local beauties at the Carnaval

Salsa dancing in the Carnaval

Another local beauty

We bought some nice empanadas off the top of this lady's head

The Aramburo bull, dressed for Valentine's Day, complete with diaper, wings and bow & arrow

Watching the kite surfing from the safety of Baja Joe's in La Ventana

Chopped VW pick up in Todos Santos

Stretch VW in La Ventana!

Hippy party for Georgina's birthday

Dancing hippies

Chinese New Year - great music.

Sunrise clouds

Occasionally this happens!

Beware the tequila with scorpions!!

Red light entertainment

Jorge showing Leanne his amigo's prize winning cock!

Sign in Todos Santos

Mary loved the waves!

Colourful taco vendor at the Carnaval

Home-made paella cooked on the mesquite barbecue

Rylie arrives Thursday - fingers crossed!

What a success! The fundraiser benefit for FANE (Fundación de Apoyo para Niños Especiales) was a total success - a sold out show, with massive Mexican and local community support. The band was amazing with Terry on the trumpet as a special guest. What a privilege to support such a worthy cause and provide much needed funds for programs and therapies. 

And the parties at the house…… a Mexican Pizza party (24 here for Pizza!), and the next night the Big Band Annual party - both featuring great food, and music. We were so thrilled that the band (Ruth, Sheldon, Hoto and Shelley) were all here together and are already planning for next year! 

Nance and Mary arrived Saturday afternoon after a week in Loreto, and, as I write this, they are both busy cooking our dinner! The Carnival rolls into town Thursday so we are looking forward to the parades, food, and music on the Malecon in the Centro.

Minor Mexican problems this week - Stu the Subaru has spark plug issues, needed a new battery, but seems to be on the mend.

"Band on the roof" at Harker's

Cranking the oven for 16 pizzas in a row (thanks 'Oto' for helping)

Jamming in the living room with members of the local big band 

The view from Harker's roof

Another bar, another band shot. The local beer shop actually ran out of Pacifico.

Hoto's best friend in the neighbourhood - "The Bacon Guy"

"Band on the Roof" version 2 (side B)

Hoto constructs a turtle eating a small child - don't ask...

Pre-gig talking through set lists in the casa.  

What a great gig it was at La Morante. Full house.

Presenting the cheque for 12,000 pesos.

Thanks Terry for adding so much to the evening. 

The day after with the 'big cheque'. What a great cause.

Rather than lying in a deckchair, Hoto fixed our gate!

The band a bit of everything on their week, rain, sun, wind and FOG on their last morning! 

Always have to finish with a Rylie photo - why not 3 in a row?!