Bi*ch, please.

No, I am not going to discuss my trip YET.. well, I am actually here to discuss something that happened ON my trip, which caused a little kink in the road.

So, a little while back I briefly mentioned, without going into details, that I had a falling out with a very close friend of mine.

Without going into massive details again, I will just say:  This friend and I have known each other/been friends since we were about 12 years old.  We've travelled a lot together.  I was regularly invited to family functions (Her mom is one of 10 children so her family is MASSIVE and get togethers often mean renting a hall).  I was present for the birth of her daughter; who also has my name as her middle name.  She is one of the few people who know EVERY secret I have, and vise versa.

Basically, we were VERY close. 

My friend is also VERY hot tempered and hard headed.  Over the years, she has lost many friends due to these rather negative qualities.. Myself, being a mellow person by nature, dealt with it.  It could be uncomfortable at times when say, her and her hubby would get into a screaming match in front of me and oh, ask me who I felt was right... (FYI, pointing down the hall and saying: "HEY look, shiny things!!" is a valid answer).. but I dealt.

Over the past year, this friend did some really mean and crappy things to other people, that bordered on psychotic.  She also did some mean and crappy things to me.

One thing I can say I took from my relationship with my ex is that I no longer will allow people to walk all over me and get away with it.  If you hurt me, I will tell you.  I will not be malicious about it, nor will I hold a grudge, but I will tell you.

Things came to a blow when the friend, another friend and I were to get together for a gals night to watch re-runs of Grey's and the friend ended up ditching me.   She was apparently mad that the week prior I had taken the time during the episode to answer a few texts/email rather than watch the show in it's entirety.  So she decided to ditch me... and post pictures on FB of her and the other friend hanging out.

I ended up telling her that her behaviour hurt my feelings and it was a crappy thing to do.

WELL, friend did not take to this kindly.  She in turn sent me some VERY rude emails telling me I am a horrible friend (?) and if it wasn't for her, and her alone, we wouldn't even BE friends.  She came up with some crazy calculation of how much money she believes me she has saved me over the years seeing her for my haircuts.  (?!).. She was malicious.

She then decided to send my sister some crazy and rude emails where she berated me and accused me of STEALING from her. 

Now, my sister is not a push over.  My sister is VERY strong willed and can have a fiery temper as well.  She tore a strip off of Friend... No one hurts her baby sis :-)

Friend admitted to lying about the stealing - this was her pathetic childish way of trying to get attention/'win'... Funny, I also recall her telling me two co-workers who ended up leaving her shop 'stole' from her... But I digress...

I remained very civil in these emails.  I'm not stupid.  I chose my words VERY carefully, so there were not things spoken that I would be unable to take back...  Even though I was very hurt by her horrible words, I chose to be an adult.

I eventually refused to reply to her BS and we stopped speaking.  During a holiday party at another friends home, she would not look me in the eye and her hubby shot me dirty looks all night.. That was the last time we saw each other...

I have chosen to not say anything negative to other people about her, other than to my bff who this friend has also done some VERY horrible things to (they no longer speak either), since this happened.  I am not like that..  Why fuel a fire?  When people ask, I explain we had an argument and she did not take well to me calling her out.  Anyone who knows her is not surprised.. She has a bad rep.

So to the point of my blog - I get to Mexico and meet up with my friend, D, there.  D has met Friend and her hubs (but have not spoken since last year)... D basically asks what happened with us, as he has noticed she and I no longer post on each others FB, no photos, etc.. I give my usual speech about the argument.  Forwhatever reason (3 beers?) I also mentioned that she has been trying to tell people lies about me - stealing, using them, etc..  He mentioned he does not trust her.  He also mentioned other people who have met her there have described her as "evil".   Eep!  Not how I would want myself thought of!

Simple.  That same night I take a photo of myself and my friend D out and post it on FB.

D mentions later that the next day he received a FB message from Friend.  Long and short of it, I found out that Friend is trying to tell D that they saw I am out in Mex and I am trying to USE him (for money?) and he should be cautious.

Seriously bitch?  She sunk THAT low.

Fortunately, D is not stupid.  D and I are in regular contact and he knows what kind of person I am.  He saw I was not asking ANYTHING of him out there other than some of his time to visit when he was free.  I was slightly worried he would believe her craziness, but again, actions speak louder than words...

Fortunately we had had the convo about her pulling this BS BEFORE she pulled attempted to pull it on him.  I am very thankful for that occurring in the times it did - it basically solidified what I told him..

I was LIVID.  This is a 33 yr old mother of three children.  C'mon.  Grow the f**k up.  20 yrs of friendship and she is going to attempt to ruin my holiday with lies?  That is beyond pathetic.

Karma, that's all I will say!

My trip

I have returned!

This is going to be a shorter post!

I have spent the past 2 days since I returned home trying to organize myself with unpacking, laundry, picking up packages I missed while gone (I am pretty sure every time I go away I miss deliveries.  It's a conspiracy), groceries, etc..  I pretty much need another holiday from my holiday hah

So despite my 7 hour delay in Calgary on the way TO Mazatlan (I seriously cried a little in the bathroom at the airport I was so frustrated and bored) it was a very wonderful trip!

There is something to be said about travelling alone!

I do not tend to adjust well to time changes, so seeing at it was a 2 hour difference, I was up by 5:30/6 am every morning.. I took that time to use the wonderful WIFI to check emails/FB/etc.. THEN, rather than go to a restaurant to eat, I walked about 10 minutes to the local Megamart (basically like a Super Walmart) to buy fresh fruit, yogurt and maybe a muffin.  I took that back and ate breakfast by the pool before venturing off on my morning walk.

I seriously walked for miles and miles and miles.  It was amazing!

I think travelling by myself allowed me the opportunity to venture out on foot more than I would have had I been with other people.  I know my way around the GZ of Mazatlan like the back of my hand now.  I took a bus downtown without getting lost hah.  I relaxed.  I did what I wanted WHEN I wanted.  The days were mostly spent sightseeing by myself, and I met up with my friend in the evenings.. It was ideal!

I didn't get a chance to do EVERYTHING I was hoping to do, but I did a lot.  Photos and deets will come soon :-)

Delays

Here I sit in the Calgary airport.... For the past 3 1/2 hours.

My plane is stuck in Vancouver being repaired - resulting in an estimated 7 hour delay.

SEVEN HOUR DELAY!! Did I mention I was up at 2:45 am to be at the airport on time?

**sob** that means IF we actually leave on time, I won't get into Maz until 6:30 pm.. Customs & drive - hotel by 7:30... Meaning almost my entire day shot :-(

So far not so good!!

It's time!!

Holy crap!  THE day is ALMOST here. 

Tomorrow at this time I will be.. well, I'll be sitting on the plane in Calgary waiting to take flight.. but yeah, details.. details.. hah.. I will be on my way to Mazatlan.

Nerves have set in!

As I was laying in bed this morning, an email came in on my phone (at 6:15 am which I was actually awake at as I am not capable of sleeping in, even on holidays) that as it was OFFICALLY 24 hrs from my departure time(!!) I could 'check in' online and choose my seat (Window, baby!) 

I chose an empty section of the airplane... granted, it IS a flight to Calgary, then a layover, so who knows how many of these people (the plane was mostly empty minus a group at the back which I hope is not a loud spring break crew!) are travelling on to Mexico!  I am also not sure how many people bother to check in online 24 hours prior.. so maybe a full flight?  Who knows!

HOLY crap.  I am almost in disbelief that tomorrow I will be on my way to Mexico. 

Did you catch the fact that 6:15 is my departure time?  Meaning I have to be at the airport for 4:15 am... an airport which is on the opposite end of the city from where I live... Meaning I need to leave about 3:30 am..... Meaning I should be up for 2:30-3:00 am to get my sh*t together.  Uggggh.  Now that is painful!  I was really hoping that since I layover in Calgary I would be exempt from the 2 hour check in and get the one hour - but no dice as I clear customs here...

I will add in that my awesome dad is driving me to the airport!  Gotta love a pop who will gladly drive you to the airport in the (virtually) middle of the night!  My mom added in that hopefully it will be a night she suffers from insomnia and will be up ANYWAYS to join us for the ride.  I love my folks :-)

So today will be filled with the last minute things (who am I kidding - I started packing 2 weeks ago - today is filled with last minute worrying/panicking.  I am a chronic worrier) - charging my Ipod, going over my packing list to ensure I have everything (and by everything I mean anything I may or may NOT need) and hopefully an early night of sleep!



                                  (Why yes, I do need this much stuff for one week.. It's all necessities. hah)

We will see you in a week! ♥

Wordless Wednesday: The pre-holiday edition

Wordless Wednesday

 

Monday was my last day of work, but my head was already in Mexico.

 

Text message to my sister:

((This gorgeous outfit is the XL isolation suit we are required to wear (even if you are an XS) when working in one of the isolation wings at work.. and don't worry, I wasn't contaminating anything by photographing myself.  This was pre-entering.  Not included in the photo: The matching boot covers to fully cover your rubber boots and ventilation mask))

 

What you now know about me?  I sometimes think I am waaaaay funnier than I may actually be. ♥

Travelling to Mazatlan: Part 3: Things to DO: The Aquarium & the dump

Oh my!  With only a few days left before I leave for my solo trip to Mazatlan (Nerves are setting in!) I've been looking at a few more activities I want to partake in:

The first being the local aquarium.  Located on De Los Deportes ave, which according to Google Maps is a 3km (37 min) walk or 5 min pulmonia ride away from the Golden Zone just off the Malecon.  Gotta love how that works, eh?

(No, that is not the aquarium, I just wanted a photo of a fish and that's what I had hah)

 

The aquarium features over 250 species of fish, a marine museum, walk-through exotic bird exhibit and crocodile area. There are also three shows several times a day: a sea lion show, bird show and diving exhibition (in which for a fee you too can swim with nurse sharks. Eeeep!).  Price wise, about $7 for admission.

Second activity I am contemplating doing:  The dump.  Yes, you read that correctly.  So WHY on earth would I want to go to the dump? 

One of the local churches, the Vineyard, participates in a Dump Feeding Tour.  What is this?  Due to the high levels of poverty in the Mexico, Mazatlan included, many people spend their day at the dump sifting through garbage in hopes of finding something of value to sell in order to get some money.  This is their income.  Some actually call this HOME as well.

http://www.vineyardmcm.org/locations/mazatlan/weekly-dump-feeding-tour/

I want to stress this is not a gawking tour or a money grab.  The church is providing the tours in order to have volunteers come down to assist in first making sandwich's and then handing out a small meal and fresh, clean water to these people at the dump.

I feel like it would be a very enriching experience.  I may not have a lot, but realistically I have enough to be able to GO to Mazatlan.  My bills will be paid when I get home.  I am never without.  I like to give back when I can!

I am still trying to figure out when the tours operate and how I arrange to participate..

Travelling to Mazatlan: Part 3: Things to DO: Shopping

I talked about the Central Market in a previous post.  Very much a great place to look if you are in the market for souvenirs (clothing, jewelry, etc).  As a whole, there are a TON of little shops scattered about the Golden Zone to shop in.  I have never been into the Gran Plaza mall (it's on my list this year to check out, mostly for curiosity sake) - but if you are looking for your American style shopping mall - that is the place to go!

 

If jewelry is your thing, look at the silver. A word to the wise: If you are buying silver you should look the numbers "925" stamped on it.  It's a mark of quality/real silver.

 

Leather is also very cheap down there.  As a vegetarian who borders more on a vegan lifestyle, I personally don't wear leather.  I'm not one to preach my beliefs - so if leather is your fancy, giver.  A great shop to look for leather wallets/purses, pants/chaps, saddlebags, jackets/vests, sandals, cowboy boots, hats, and belts is Constantinos.  A friend had wanted a leather vest - Constantinos measured her and a few days later she picked up a custom made vest for about $40.  Seriously.

 

If you have ever been to Mexico, you are probably well aware of the plethora of hand crafted goods you can purchase.  Personally,  I am in LOVE with the bright colors.  I bought a few of the blue & white dishes you see below & have bought some of the hand painted tiles and turned them into coasters.  Basically you can find anything ceramic hand-painted from dishes to sinks.  (And for the record, friends PURCHASED and brought back a sink last year)

 

 

Another item I scooped up was some Mexican spices - and the name of the game IS spicy!  As mentioned in a past post, it's a popular to add a chili lime mixture to fruits and veggies.   Also interesting; to buy a bottle of real vanilla is a fraction of the price in Mexico compared to Canada/US.  

 And remember, you can always barter about the price!  If you are interested in purchasing goods from vendors on the beach ALWAYS barter for the price - they start off very high and pretty much expect you to talk them down.  It's not offensive, it's the custom out there.

Travelling to Mazatlan: Part 3: Things to DO: The Malecon

The malecon, a waterfront street, stretches for miles (I've read different distances from 4 miles to 21 km, so I am unsure the EXACT distance!) & connects Old Town and the Golden Zone in Mazatlan.  It's divided into nine sections: Puntilla "Ferry Pier", Lighthouse, Centennial, Olas Altas, Claussen, Avenida del Mar, Shrimp - Chad, Chad - Cerritos, Cerritos - Nuevo Mazatlan. 

Along with shops, restaurants, & clubs dotted along the way, a walk or drive down here will bestow you with sights of statues/monuments such as The Shield, which contains the coats of Sinaloa and Mazatlan AND if you are lucky, a cliff diver!

                                                      ((Photos courtesy of Wikipedia))

While I have had the opportunity to drive down the roadway in a pulmonia, I haven't had the chance to walk the malecon.  I am really hoping to walk at least a portion of the way this time around so I can have some photos of my own :-)

Travelling to Mazatlan: Part 3: Things to DO: El Faro

So, I've covered quite a few different things to do and see in Mazatlan so far (and I have to say, throwing up these blogs is getting me quite excited for my trip which is now 11 days off, especially with the huge dump of snow we received yesterday!) - there are a few activities I haven't had the chance to partake in yet, but am hoping to this time around.

El Faro - the lighthouse

See that dot at the top of the hill... That would the lighthouse!

Sitting atop the hill at the mouth of the harbours inlet, sits Mazatlan's lighthouse - the world's highest (for the elevation at which it sits) working lighthouse!  Pretty cool, right?

Even cooler - it you are so inclined, you can make the 500 foot climb to the top!  As daunting as it sounds, apparently it only takes about 20-30 min.  Apparently it is VERY much worth the trek as the view is par to none!  According to reviews, the hike is half a dirt road path and finishes with 300 concrete steps and is best done earlier in the day (to avoid the heat) in comfortable shoes.

Travelling to Mazatlan: Part 3: Things to DO: Islands/Beaches

Okay, so I have covered some activities to do outside of the hotel area - the central market, the cathedral, zip lining and the tequila distillery! 

An obvious activity that most of us partake in when on a sunny holiday - the beach?  Oh yes, the beach!  There is NO shortage of places to dig your toes into the sand there..

 

Whether it's plopping down a towel directly outside of your hotel, or going across the ocean to one of the islands directly across from the Golden Zone beaches; from north to south, Isla Pájaros – Bird Island, Isla Venados – Deer Island and Isla Lobos – Wolf Island.

We ended up finding a 'guide' and boat driver on the beach and booked a catamaran ride (for about $20) to Deer Island for snorkeling (Which ended up being a little too murky) and a little change of scenery.  In a more secluded area we were able to see tons of fish, crabs, etc.  Very cool!

Above: Looking over at the Golden Zone

Below: Our driver "Monkey" (seriously)

Below: Enjoying some sun and cold beers on Deer Island

 

One of my travel companions was also interested in learning how to surf (and surprisingly to me, Mazatlan has a pretty booking surf crowd!) and booked a 2 hr date with a surfer (met on the beach)for about $20 to learn how to surf - he showed her the basics and provided a wetsuit top and the board.  

We ended up doing a lot of relaxing on the beach - enjoying the scenery, visiting and on occasion, paying a mariachi band a few pesos for a song (and dance hah), or looking at the snacks/jewelry/products that people sell on the beach.  We also came across ladies who would do the old' Bo Derek braids for a pretty reasonable price, if that's your thing.  There was also the options to parasail, water ski, body surf, take a banana boat ride, etc, etc! 

Also good to know is that jellyfish are common in Mazatlan from June - November.. There is a lot of marine life in the water/on the beach - so be wary of where you step.

If you happen to be in Mazatlan in the summer months (Aug and Sept), you can participate in the release of baby sea turtles, or see their mothers lay eggs. I would SO love to do this one day!

As a whole, the peddlers are not OVERLY aggressive, but it can be a tad annoying when you are trying to relax.  It's also difficult to not want to buy from everyone - you see many mothers with children on the beach ALL day trying to sell various items - and knowing this may be their only source of income. 

We did travel to a few more 'local' (verses tourist) beaches and this was virtually non existent.

Below: Watermelon, coconut, mango, honeydew - all fresh and served with a chili lime mix which is sooooo amazing!

 

Also good to know is that jellyfish are common in Mazatlan from June - November..   There is a lot of marine life in the water/on the beach - so be wary of where you step!