Trip Report: Kinda', sorta', not really -- A remembrance

Greetings, Fellow Zihua Lovers! This isn't really a trip report. How many times can you report that you swam in the ocean, enjoyed the warmth, ate great food, strolled the streets of Centro, practiced Spanish, and smiled at everyone you met in your favorite place in the Universe? Not much of a trip report, eh? However, on my last trip ending this past Tuesday, I was fortunate to observe two items that brought some joy and gratitude that I would care to share with you.

1) The vendors and restaurants have moved back into the Mercado Muncipal. Hurray for them! That was a grueling ordeal that they were put through.

2) Playa Principal and Playa la Madera were nowhere near as badly damaged as a friend of mine claimed. In fact, it seemed to me that the small rocks on Playa Principal seem to have concentrated into small strips of the beach making it easier to enter and exit the water everywhere else. Sadly, after two days of a seven-day visit, I came down with a horrible cold and spent most of the rest of the week in bed. I didn't get to Playa la Ropa, Playa las Gatas, or any of the beaches outside the Bay. Pooh.

Also, I want to express much sadness and loss regarding hearing about the death of Susan Guerrero. If I may, I would like to relate a little story about her that has always stuck in my mind. She was widely known for her tireless efforts to support the local small animal sanctuary, the Sociedad Protectora de Animales de Zihuatanejo (SPAZ). On one occasion, she was tasked with helping a young female dog who for whatever reason was terrified of humans. With her gentle and loving nature, she would walk this dog often. The dog slowly became less and less frightened of humans. I don't believe anyone else could have shown as much care and patience with such a damaged creature. Susan, you will be missed!