Christmas in La Manga | San Carlos | Mexico

 

 

 

 

The small community of La Manga is just outside of San Carlos, and they have a posada celebration a few days before Christmas.  This celebration is a re-enactment of Joseph and Mary trying to find shelter at an inn.  Posada is now also used as the word for a small inn, motel or cottages for rent.  The residents of San Carlos are invited for this celebration.  On the table below, you can see crafts that were made by the children, using locally found objects such as shells, sea fans, unique rocks and other items.

 

All the village children were involved in this posada, from small ones up to teenagers.

 

 

These little ones did a dance to "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Raindeer" - in Spanish.

 

Here's another group dancing to more music.

There was a lunch prepared by the local women, and shortly after that, Santa arrived!  And there were presents for all the children.

 

Santa had a different type of sleigh for the desert! 

 

 

This is the sunset we had the evening before this event.  Merry Christmas to all!

 

Nacapule Canyon | San Carlos | Mexico

 

Last week I took the hike I wanted to do last year, but the entrance had been fenced in and locked.  This a really pretty hike, and there is a choice of two different trails.  Actually, there is another one, but I decided I had better stay away from it - way more strenuous than the other ones, as you can see by the sign below.

 





I was surrounded by desert until I got into the trail and started seeing palm trees.  I was getting into an area where there was water for the plant life.

 

Then there was a little pond.

 

It was much more interesting close up. 

 

After passing the pond, the palms grew more dense.  These are basically the same palms I've seen in Florida and other places in the southwest, but they have not been trimmed.

 

By this time, the ground was soggy and there were more patches of standing water.

 

Then, the trail turned into huge rocks that you would have to scramble over and I decided to return home.  There used is a zip line at the beginning of the hike, but I've heard that they have halted operation because it was scaring the animals.  I don't really know the full story, but there wasn't anyone using the zip line when I was there.

The parking lot is huge and there are multiple palapas that are perfect for picnics and other gatherings.  Many of the locals come here for parties.

 

 

 

Christmas Bazaar | Mexican Style | San Carlos | Mexico

Mexico is colorful - traditional Mexican dress and homes are full of color.  San Carlos had a Christmas Bazaar this past week, and all sorts of crafts and food were available. 

 

 

In addition to the Mexican crafts and clothing for sale, there were booths of handmade items available that would benefit the children in the area.  This booth was for Castaway Kids organization, who give financial help to local kids for their education, as well as many other items they need.

 

There was also jewelry and matted photos for sale.

 

Stained glass is always one of my favorites, it's not easy to do, but very pretty. 

Even this far south, it gets cold, especially during the evening and night.  One of our local residents makes doggy sweaters in many sizes.

 

 

And then there's the food for sale - this was mostly baked goods and I tried not to linger too long there.

 

 

These are hiking sticks, very helpful on some of these trails around here.  Colorful also! 

 

 

 

 

 

This booth was to benefit a womens' shelter, including some children who helped make some of these crafts, as well as helping with the sale.  I volunteered some time to help produce some of these crafts, since I think it's a worthy cause.

 

This is the crew who were on hand to take care of customers for the shelter booth during the Bazaar. 

 

Beautiful San Carlos | Sonora | Mexico

 

Last week, I decided to do a couple of hikes in picturesque areas.  This boat scene was on the way to one of the hikes, and I decided that it was so peaceful and quiet, I had to stop to get a shot of it.

 

 

This is a rocky beach that is accessible by a trail over a large hill.  All the rocks on this beach, and many others in the area, are all worn smooth by the sea.

 

 

Way out into the water, I could see this little fishing boat with dozens of pelicans and other sea birds trying to catch food.

It really was the wrong time of day to take photos in this area, but the scenery was there and so was I - and I can't resist taking photos. 

 

This tree has been shaped by the winds from the sea.  In another area, it would be growing upright instead of bending with the winds.

 

 

On the second day, this vehicle passed me, so I had to take a quick shot of it.  The President of Mexico was in town, so the military definitely had a huge presence for the week.  We also had helicopters flying over the town at all times of the day and night.

 

Of course, one of my favorite areas is the harbor with all the anchored boats.

 

 

 

I was on a different beach one evening for sunset and while I was waiting for the sunset, I started taking photos of the smooth rocks from the sea.  Some are multicolored, some have layers, and some are mostly one color, including green - but they are all smooth from the sea.

 

This is the sunset that day - not spectacular like some I have seen in this area, but I do like this photo.  The Tetakawi is the most well-known peak in this area and, of course, the most photographed.