Chance of Rain low 73°F high 89°F
Here in Mazatlán – despite the dire predictions and effects of the H1N1 flu scare, the growing worldwide financial crisis and, on a more immediate level, the approaching heat of summer - life goes on.
That’s not to say we haven’t felt the effects, especially of the swine flu hysteria: businesses were closed, employees laid off or their hours cut, the cruzeros and tourists in general stopped coming and masks and hand sanitizer became de rigeur at many public establishments. The economic result of all of this has been sad to see, and I’d wager I don’t even know the half of it.
At the risk of sounding nonchalant, I have to say it seems like overkill. The very same news anchors that just a few weeks ago trumpeted alarming warnings of plague and death in Mexico are now tempering their reports to be more responsible and circumspect. A nurse in California perhaps said it best: “It’s the flu, folks.”
And so, life goes on here. People are still happy, and no, we’re not “dropping like flies” from either swine flu or drug violence. Mazatlán is a peaceful, happy, healthy, upbeat town, and that mood is, as usual, contagious. Isn’t that part of what we love about it here? New, disturbing or challenging events or happenings are taken in stride, and the underlying optimism of the Mazatlecos always comes bubbling to the surface. You’ve only to check out our photos of local mask-wearers on the back cover to see what I’m talking about.
On another note, WestJet Airline customers and its “up!” magazine readers voted Mazatlán’s First Fridays Artwalk one of its 2009 Value Award winners. Felicidades and congratulations to all the participating artists, organizers and Cultura! You can check it out for yourself at www.valueawards.ca. And thanks to all of you who cast your vote for Artwalk. This free monthly event (November-May) opens artist studios and galleries in Mazatlán’s Centro Historico to the public. This month’s cover artist, Trevor Bennett, is one of the participants.
I also want to remind you that during the summer months M!’s regular features will be rotating. That means one month you’ll find your favorite columnist – and then one month you won’t. Don’t worry, though, they’ll all be back – along with some new ones - come the October issue.
Anyway, we hope y’all will come back soon, as the gorgeous beaches, relaxing sunshine, delicious seafood and warm, friendly people are all still here, unchanged and, ahem, uninfected.
Qué te vaya bien!
Comments