Testing...Testing

Well, after being housebound for a week, we decided that today it was time to test the waters. Bob decided to just take us for a ride to some of the outlying areas. So we set out for the San Jacinto dam area. It's a reservoir and dam. People come there to fish and canoe etc.  It was a beautiful area. But keep in mind that the roads through and around the mountains are little more than cow paths. A bit scary if you meet an oncoming car. And by the way, no enforced seat belt laws!

The area around the dam had little roadside stands setup where they were selling fried fish from the reservoir.  This is not fish that you want to eat! The reservoir ends up as the final destination for sewage from the surrounding hillside occupants. NO fish for us!

From the dam we continued around the windy reservoir road.  It amazes me the diversity you see in housing here. There will be a huge beautiful gated home and next to it will be a family of squatters with tents. The  law says that if they live there for a certain number of years without being run off, then they can petition the government to officially own it. Only then can they hope to receive water and electric. As a result, you will see many of them washing their clothes in the river.

We eventually wound our way back into the city. Then we went into the part of the city where the wealthy live.  We are talking gated communities with security guards. There were some really nice houses, but some were virtually built on the cliff sides. A little too scary for me.

We ended up the day's activities at the Los Parrales. A very nice hotel that overlooks the city. For a hotel, it wasn't very busy at all. They have a nice pool and jacuzzi that you can pay to use by the day. We are  supposed to go back there on Sunday with some friends to use the jacuzzi and sauna. After lunch, we decided that it was time for a siesta. All in all, we are glad we got out of the house. But I think Mike may have pushed it too much.  He's still feeling bit puny. (He couldn't finish his lunch. And for those of you who know Mike well, that seldom happens.) 

Oh well....poco a poco. (Little by little)

Enjoy the pics.

Love,

M&M

A view from above the city.

More of the landscape

San Jacinto Reservoir

The road along the dam where you can buy fish...but don't eat it! 

A view of the road that we traveled. Notice the hairpin curve at the bottom!

Boats at the base of the dam.

One of the fancy houses on the reservoir.

I love pics of old falling down structures, Don't ask why. I just think they are cool.

A picture of the Los Parrales hotel where we had lunch.

 A traditional dish called Silpancho. Flattened beef filet over rice with eggs, potatoes and salsa.

This guy was hanging out around the pool at the hotel. Hard life huh?

My sweetie!

Who can name this plant? Jack?Clarinda? Any guesses? I've been told it's a Bougainvillea. Not sure if I spelled it correctly. But you see it everywhere.