EspeZIHalmente Caliente

https://youtu.be/PHrY_lDNNnI

Zihuatanejo awoke Monday morning to a dense pall of smoke during the wee hours. I had to close our bedroom windows around 4AM or so, but fortunately the temperature was mild enough not to need A/C until the sun rose over the hillside. It actually got down to 21°C overnight. But after the sun rose it got hot fast, and fortunately for us the rising heat dissipated the smoke. It got up to 37°C today in Zihuatanejo, up to 42°C in Ciudad Altamirano in the sierra. Damn hot! I almost felt bad for all the people stuck in traffic behind the market this morning. Almost, but I was too busy dodging cars and pedestrians while trying to keep from overheating. When it gets hot like this, REMEMBER TO STAY HYDRATED. Margaritas don't count.

It shouldn't be quite so hot the rest of the week, but you never know at this time of year.

Local tourism authorities are bragging about all the warm bodies here over the long weekend and what they supposedly spent. They say that "Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo" received 29,452 visitors who spent over 230 million pesos. About $7,800 per person. It would be funny if it weren't such a blatant attempt to convince politicians that they and their political appointees were doing a great job when they aren't. Which is why locally we fondly refer to such numbers as cifras alegres. Maybe the hotels and a few restaurants made some money, but most of us didn't. It was a rather sad long weekend for most local merchants. And most of the profits made by most hotels, especially those in Ixtapa, are not spent in the local economy. Many hotels and businesses will be laying off workers until mid-July. The weekend bus tourism isn't sustainable. Even though schools were unofficially closed today and there were still a few tourists around, many businesses, including waterfront restaurants, didn't even bother to open.

Some local businesses and government offices will be participating in a Simulacro Nacional, and earthquake simulation drill, at 11:00 A.M. on May 6, so don't be startled.

Enjoy Cinco de Mayo this Tuesday, but don't make a fool of yourself and wish Mexicans a Happy Cinco de Mayo. We barely commemorate the day, and it certainly isn't a drinking occasion for us. That's in the USA, thanks to beer companies.

A favorite location for many visitors, Amor del Sol located overlooking Playa La Madera is an extremely comfortable and nicely appointed condominium that offers from 1 to 3 bedrooms (only pay for what you need!). The complex has a pool, but the ocean at La Madera is often calm enough for easy swimming. (click to enlarge photo)
Vacation Rentals in Zihuatanejo

¡Cuidemos nuestro patrimonio!
#MásSeguridadPúblicaMenosCemento
#NoBlueFlag
#PreservemosPlayaManzanillo
#DenunciaElEcocidio

Mediodía en Playa Principal frente a la bahía de Zihuatanejo.