Mexico: Day 3

Hola!
We went into town today and walked down by the marina... It was quite the experience. Lots of interesting things to see.
These guys (and many others) go from place to place, mostly restaurants, and play for money.

Note the back of the blue boat. There are a lot of pelicans here flying overhead. They're kind of funny looking, like they have a sense of humor. And it reminds me of Finding Nemo...

This guy was rolling along what I think was a marlin in his cart. It was huge. You can see his tail sticking out one end and you on the other end the big spear-mouth was sticking out of the cart.

This little guy was playing "football" (soccer) in the heat while his mama worked to sell her pottery.

One of the stands was posted with signs "Take a picture with a baby lion" and pictures of lion cubs along the top. When I got closer, this is what I saw.

I guess they ran out of lion cubs... or it grew stripes! Either way I'd say their sign needs updating.

And speaking of signs... I had to take a picture of a little girl sleeping under this one. The mothers keep their children with them while they work. The kids either help sell the items or they lay out sacks for the kids to sit or sleep on. This sign I had to go back for a picture of. I was already past it when I realized what it said. It made me laugh but I'm still not clear on what the intended message was... Stands of things for sale. The building in the background you see is under construction. Mom and Dad said it has been like this without changing for 2 or 3 years, now. This did not whet my appetite. The marina: We ate dinner along here. There are 4 or 5 restaurants and each one has waiters standing out front to compete for your business. They all try to get you to come in and eat at their restaurant. We picked one called Alexandars and they all clapped when we chose theirs. The food was very good. We went to the mall, too. The dog in this picture was in the mall, waiting outside of one of the stores for his owner. He was the first one I've seen on a leash, most of the dogs follow their owners around as close as they can with no leash, although they were smaller than this dog.

One of the stores: Outside the mall We stopped for a coffee treat. No Starbucks here but very good and cheaper, too! On our way back this boy came up to Dad and started walking beside him. Pretty soon he was leaning against Dad and staring up at him with his big brown eyes. He was selling gum. "One dollah one dollah?" Dad said he'd give him one dollar for 2 pieces so the little boy took that and went away. Then a little girl about 3 or 4 years old came up while Dad was opening his gum. She stopped right in front of him and said, "I wan one." She was pretty darn cute. Dad said, "Okay let me open it and I'll give you a piece." So she waited. He finally got it open and offered her a piece but she shook her head. "I wan one. Dollah." She didn't want gum, she wanted a dollar, too. Dad told her he didn't have anymore. She glared at him, whipped around and slapped him right on the bum before running off!

The children selling things with their parents was pretty common. They are all really cute and much harder to say no to than the adults. As in the picture above, if they aren't helping sell they are quietly sitting or sleeping. I didn't see any of them whine or complain and their work is very serious, no laughing or playing. Smiles are rare. The money they earn helps their whole family and they work hard for such little kids.

Anyway, that's my report for the day. Being in the sun all day is tiring, I'm off to bed!