Deck Zih Halls (and streets)

Our mayor Jorge Sánchez gave an online interview and chat session on Facebook yesterday that was quite informative and interesting. One of the things he mentioned was that the construction of a new municipal pier would begin very soon, meaning probably right after the holidays. He is ready to get started on this project so that cruise ships will once again make port here. However, since it has taken almost a year just to construct a relatively small section of waterfront walkway, I expect the pier construction project will easily take over 2 years if it is built the old fashioned way instead of using the floating pier idea that Capt. Tony of the Picante suggested to the last mayor with my assistance three years ago. That would be the most cost effective and quickest way to have a sturdy working pier able to receive cruise ships this year. But apparently the cost for a floating pier is so little that some politicians don't like it. They apparently want a multi-million dollar affair that will surely go over budget and time limits with the usual zero penalties. But I could be wrong. Any way around I trust our current mayor to do his best to provide Zihuatanejo with what it needs.

Today is the last day of school for the year, and as always many schools let out early. While my wife and I were at the pier this morning around 7:00 AM a large group of tourists were already waiting to be taken to Las Gatas. The "invasion" has begun. The madness is about to begin. Christmas/New Years vacation period is the biggest and busiest of the year for us. Streets, beaches, restaurants and hotels will all quickly become crowded and noisy for the next 2½ weeks or so.

We've all been working to spruce up our homes, businesses and our streets. Like many of our neighbors, we've repainted the sidewalk and part of our home, and along with other neighbors we hung papel picado to adorn the street. Very traditional, very Mexican, very nice.

I guess this little tiny pier will once again get very busy while construction on the new pier is carried out. I just can't see how this is going to take up the slack for the next 2 years or so. Maybe someone will remember Capt. Tony's floating pier suggestion.

The fishermen's market was a-hustling and a-bustling this morning. Some fishermen did very well overnight while others barely caught enough bait fish to sell to feed themselves and their families for a day.