ZUMBATHON WITH EFRON: Efren Muñoz Coming to La Manzanilla: January 17, 2015!

ZUMBA MEXICO! Healthy Living and Traveling in Mexico: Zumbathon with Efren Muñoz Coming to La Manzanilla...: Saturday, January 17, 2015! Zumba Jammer Efren Muñoz will be teaching a Zumba Fitness Class in La Manzanilla! Efren is a well-known and ... 

Read more at www.ZumbaMexico.com .

CHRISTMAS AT TOTONAKA RV PARK IN SAN CARLOS, SONORA

TOTONAKA RV PARK CACTUS GARDEN

Enjoying Christmas Week in Sunny San Carlos 

     We arrived in Mexico on December 23 this year, rather late for us. The small resort town of San Carlos, in the state of Sonora, is a peaceful, beautiful place to spend our first week in Mexico. The weather is perfect! It is Christmas day and the sky is blue, the temperature is 75 degrees F and the breeze is light. It is my kind of winter day!

     We are spending the week at Totonaka RV Park, our favorite because it is within walking distance of restaurants, the beach, the bank, and the grocery store. Yesterday we took Bella, our miniature dachshund, for a walk on the pretty beach across the street from the RV Park. Bella chased seagulls while we picked up pretty green rocks and seashells. A good first day at the beach!

Sparkling Sea of Cortez at San Carlos

     We needed to shop for milk and produce, but we were tired from the drive the day before so we caught the bus in front of the RV Park and rode it to the grocery store. We realized when we hopped off the bus that it wasn't very far to the store. After purchasing a few necessities, we decided we could walk home--it was just far enough --we reached our 10,000 steps for the day!

      San Francisco Beach (Playa San Francisco) is directly across the beach from Totonaka RV Park. Viewed from this beach, the Sea of Cortez sparkles with the sun bouncing off of the gentle swells, giving the appearance of diamonds on the surface. The island just offshore is a cactus garden with Saguaro cacti visible from the beach. I am always amazed that I can be standing on the beach in San Carlos, surrounded by Saguaro cacti growing on the red rock mountains around me, a reminder that, in this area, the sea meets the desert.  The beautiful cactus garden at the Totonaka RV Park entrance is representative of the majesty of the Saguaros in San Carlos, Sonora. 

My eBook is Available on Amazon.com

     

     Read more about San Carlos is my eBook NOW AVAILABLE on Amazon.com "Healthy Living and Traveling in Mexico". It is available to read on Kindles, iPads, Android Tablets, and Kindle Apps for iPhones, Android phones, and computers.

A BICYCLE RIDE TO THE GROCERY STORE

On our Way Home, Bike Baskets Loaded with Groceries

We Sold Our Cars!

     This autumn we sold both of our cars, the Prius Plug-In and the PT Cruiser. Then Jon sold his Toyota Tacoma pick-up and all of his trailers. That was one of our biggest life changes! As full-time RVers, we decided to eliminate the expense of towing a car. The sale of our vehicles put some money in our bank accounts. It also cut out the expense of setting up a vehicle to tow and maintaining the vehicle. In addition, we have eliminated the insurance and gasoline expenses for an automobile. 

     We are now on our way back to Mexico for the winter. Currently, we are staying in Parker, Arizona for a couple of weeks, enjoying a break from the cold weather in Oregon while I finish publishing my book. We are anxious to get south of the border where the weather is a little warmer, but this is a nice town to stay and rest for now. Parker is small enough that we have been able to ride our bikes everywhere we needed to go!

     The best part about riding our bikes to run our errands is the exercise we are getting! We road our bicycles to Safeway to buy groceries earlier this week, a three mile round-trip from the Blue Water RV Park in Parker. Today we road 3.3 miles round trip to Wal-Mart to pick up some green Slime for flat bike tires and a few more groceries. I am very proud that we are riding our bicycles to do our errands instead of hopping in a car every time we need something. Of course, the weather here in Parker, AZ has been sunny and cool this week, perfect for riding our bikes. 

     Switching to bicycles as our primary mode of transportation has required a real change in our mindset. In the United States, we are programmed to hop in the car every time we need to go somewhere or buy something. Most Americans say “I’m going to run to the store” when they mean they are going to hop in their car and drive there. When we told our family and friends that we were going to sell our cars, they thought we were crazy. Some said, “But your car gives you your independence!” Others said, “How will you get around?” Our answer was, “By walking, riding our bicycles, taking a bus, or taking a taxi.” We found that it not only saved us money, it simplified and slowed down the pace of our life. That is “Healthy Living"!

     Follow us on our adventures at www.HealthyLivingandTravelinginMexico.com .

     

Click Here to View My Book - Now Available on Amazon.com!

Terry L Turrell, Author

ON OUR WAY BACK TO MEXICO: PARKER, ARIZONA, A PRETTY PLACE TO RELAX

Sunset Behind the Parker Dam

A Sunny, Relaxing Stop for Our First Two Weeks as Full-Timers

     We are finally returning to Mexico for the winter! We have anticipated leaving the rain in Oregon for months now. Heading south, we have found sunshine and warmth in Parker, Arizona. Ahhh... A pretty, warm place to relax for a while.

     The sunsets are beautiful here, as the sun drops behind the Parker Dam on the Colorado River. We are staying at the Blue Water RV Park and Casino on the Colorado River Indian Tribe reservation with a view of the river from our motorhome. The palm trees, the Mexican Cantina, and the sunshine give us a taste of what we are looking forward to south of the border. For now, Parker, Arizona is a nice place to rest and get warm.
     We have spent the last month selling our condo, our cars and truck, finishing our work, and moving into our motorhome. We are now "Full-Timer RVers", living full-time in our motorhome and traveling where we want, when we want. Freedom!
     We think we'll stay right here at the Blue Water RV Park and Casino while I polish the final version of my book, "Healthy Living and Traveling in Mexico: A Search for Sunshine, Sassy Exercise, Savory Food, and a Simpler Life". Look for the finished e-Book for Kindle and Kindle Apps on Amazon.com in the next week or so! Follow my blogs at www.HealthyLivingandTravelinginMexico.com . 

My Upcoming Book on Amazon.com

Terry L Turrell, Author

SAN MIGUEL DE ALLENDE: SOMEONE IS GETTING MARRIED?

A MARRIAGE PROCESSION TO REMEMBER...

     We stopped at the café, "Ten Ten Pie", one afternoon when we were tired and thirsty during one of our GPS guided walking tours. The outdoor seating area on a lively corner of town was perfect for people watching. 

   Suddenly, we could hear festive music down the street and looked to see two larger-than-life costumed characters, comical imitations of a bride and groom, leading a parade. We watched a wedding procession file past, a decorated donkey following the costumed "bride and groom", the real bride and groom walking hand in hand next, followed by a crowd of guests, all drinking champagne and celebrating. Included in the wedding parade were musicians, children, a horse-drawn carriage carrying women and babies, and a videographer. 

     What a fun way to leave the church and move to the wedding reception location! 

     In Mexico, even the walk to the fiesta is a fiesta!

That's a marriage procession with style! 

San Miguel de Allende, a beautiful place for a wedding!

MORE ABOUT SAN MIGUEL DE ALLENDE IN MY UPCOMING BOOK ON AMAZON.COM

GUANAJUATO, GUANAJUATO: Ashland, Oregon's Sister City--A Must See!

WORDS CANNOT DESCRIBE THIS BEAUTIFUL COLONIAL CITY, GUANAJUATO,  IN THE STATE OF GUANAJUATO, MEXICO!

THE JUAREZ THEATRE

CLOCK TOWER

MERCADO HIDALGO

STATUE OF EL PIPILA

BASILICA OF OUR LADY OF GUANAJUATO

SCULPTURE IN PLAZA DE LA PAZ (OF PEACE)

BUILDINGS OF PINK & GREEN LIMESTONE

STATE CAPITAL BUILDINGS

MORE ABOUT GUANAJUATO IN MY UPCOMING BOOK

Jocotepec Fun at Roca Azul Sports Park: VW Microbus Reunion ("6ta Reunion de Combis 2014")

Two of the Many Combi's at Roca Azul Sports Park 

Check out the 6th Annual Combi Reunion (VW Micro-buses) at Roca Azul in Jocotepec, Jalisco, Mexico. Thanks, Dean Coker, for your lively video!

PLAYA DEL CARMEN, Q. ROO: Sunshine, Zumba, Savory Food, Caribbean Sea, Sculpture, and More!

PORTAL MAYA BRONZE SCULPTURE

PLENTY OF ACTION IN PLAYA DEL CARMEN IN THE MAYAN RIVIERA

     We enjoyed several afternoon and evening trips to Playa del Carmen, about a 15 minute drive from Paamul. The city had recently unveiled a beautiful bronze sculpture, Portal Maya (Mayan Gateway), at the main entrance to the beach near the ferry dock. The monument is stunning, reaching over 50 feet high above the beach with the Caribbean Sea in the background. The Mayan sculpture portrays a man and a woman, being pushed upwards by a spiral of wind and water, and holding hands. The sculpture includes depictions of other Mayan symbols including a jaguar, shells, and two rings from the Mayan ball game.

     Alux  Caverna Restaurant and Bar: Dine in a unique restaurant in a natural cavern. The food was good, the prices high, the ambience was amazing! Candles lit stalactites hanging from the ceiling in every room and stalagmites still growing on the floor from steady water drips above. There was no doubt that this was a natural cave (La Cava). After dinner, we took the

STAIRCASE INTO ALUX RESTAURANT

tour through the many rooms of the cave, each one romantically set to be used for dinner. Of course, we had to have our photograph taken with the “Maya Warrior” in full costume and body paint. We were very glad we had stumbled onto this beautiful, unique restaurant and bar.
     I attended Zumba class with Margarita Garcia Loaiza at the "Z y Son Studio". The interior of the dance/exercise studio was decorated with bright colors and lighting that set the mood of being at a party. When Margarita started the music, turned down the overhead lights and turned on the disco ball light, I could feel that it was time to "Join the Party!" (The Zumba motto is "Ditch the Workout, Join the Party!"). Zumba with Margarita was a fun workout! Read more about Zumba with Margarita in my article dated 3/25/14 at www.ZumbaMexico.blogspot.com.
     We only had enough time in Playa del Carmen to get a taste of the fun activities happening in this Caribbean town in the Mayan Riviera! There is so much more that we didn't have time to explore. Next time....

JON WITH MAYAN WARRIOR AT ALUX

BAR & MAIN DINING AREA IN ALUX CAVERN

MAYAN WARRIOR HOLDS TERRY FOR RANSOM

ROMANTIC DINING IN THE ALUX CAVERN

AFTER ZUMBA CLASS WITH MARGARITA

TERRY WITH ZUMBA INSTRUCTOR, MARGARITA

MORE ABOUT THE MAYAN RIVIERA & PLAYA DEL CARMEN IN MY BOOK DUE  IN DEC. 2014!

PAAMUL, QUINTANA ROO: A beautiful place to visit or to retire!

Paamul, A Unique Community for Relaxation...

Jon Relaxes By the Paamul Pool

     What in the world is Paamul? Paamul is one of the most unique communities of Expats and snowbirds that we have discovered in Mexico. Some describe it as a “Trailer Park”, but that’s when they want it to sound like a place to avoid. Some describe Paamul as a pristine tropical paradise; that’s when they want to sell your property in this development. I would describe it as a large group of RVs that have been transformed into homes by the stylish addition of walls, palapas (palm roofs), doors, windows, and beautiful gardens. At least, that is how Paamul began, as a place for snowbirds to spend the winter and expats to retire. It has become a resort with a hotel, homes, and RV Park set on a gorgeous white-sand and coral beach on the Caribbean Sea just 15 minutes from the city of Playa del Carmen in the Mayan Riviera of Quintana Roo. It offers the following amenities: A good restaurant overlooking the bay, a very nice, well

Swimming and Snorkeling at Paamul

maintained swimming pool, dive shop, massage, and nail services in an enclosed palapa, mini-supermarket, Internet, Laundromat, and 24/7 on-site security. Many gringos fly in for vacation or to stay the winter. Others drive to Paamul in their cars or RVs. Mexicans also vacation here, usually staying in hotel rooms.
     I have wanted to visit this community from the time I saw photos on the internet of these darling little RV/Houses. Then I discovered the website for selling houses in Paamul. What an interesting idea: a way for Americans and Canadians to “own” a 2 bedroom, 1 ½ bath, fully furnished home on the Caribbean Sea for prices as low as $58,900. The owner actually owns the home itself, not the plot of land, and pays an annual RV space rental amount, much like living in “Trailer Parks” in the U.S. I’m not promoting real estate sales in this area when I tell you that you might want to take a look at the Mayan Mansion website to get an idea of what these RV/Houses look like

One of Many RV/Houses in Paamul

and the price ranges. I just find it very interesting! The website address is: www.mayanmansions.com , then click on Paamul for current listings.

Paamul RV/Home "For Sale"

Paamul Bay on the Caribbean

Prime Paamul Real Estate on the Beach

Jon and Bella on a Walk Down Paamul Beach

Paamul Restaurant...On and Off the Beach!

Our RV Home in Paamul

This RV/Home Was "For Sale"

Darling Paamul RV/Home

View Out Our RV Window-Bananas Growing!

     

     

Read more about Paamul and the state of Quintana Roo in my book, Healthy Living and Traveling in Mexico (Healthy Living in Mexico Book #1).

Terry L. Turrell, Author

Check out my Amazon Author Page HERE.

UXMAL, YUCATAN: Maya Pyramid and Amazing Light Show

JON AND TERRY IN UXMAL, YUCATAN

UXMAL, A MAGNIFICENT MAYA CITY ON THE YUCATAN PENINSULA

     Uxmal is an important archaeological site in the Maya world. It was discovered in a good state of preservation and has been carefully studied and restored. It is representative of the region’s main style of architecture prior to the Spanish Invasion. The city of Uxmal was built around 900 AD when it was the capital of the Maya state. The largest and most impressive buildings are the Pyramid of the Magician and the Governor’s Palace.

      We were very glad that we hired an English speaking tour guide to give us a private tour around the grounds. He was extremely knowledgeable about Maya symbols in the architecture, so he was able to point out details we would have never seen and

explained their meaning. He showed us the symbolic sculptures of Chaac, the

god of rain, explaining that life revolved around rain and its importance in

THE PYRAMID OF THE MAGICIAN

growing their crops of corn. Some of the other engraved symbols included entwined snakes, two headed snakes, feathered serpents with open fangs, two-headed jaguars, turtles, the Maya symbol for infinity, a circular depiction of a snake with his head to his tail, and many other carvings in the limestone depicting Maya homes and life. Our guide also pointed out the significance of the design and positioning of each building in relation to the stars and the sun. The Maya studied astrology and incorporated it into their daily life. The Maya Calendar, based on astrology, is still considered the most sophisticated calendar ever created, important to them for the timing of planting and harvesting the crops of corn.

     One of the highlights of our day at Uxmal was the evening light show. After sunset, we gathered with hundreds of other

UXMAL PYRAMID FROM THE SIDE

tourists from all over the world. Most everyone settled into chairs lined up atop a long, level Maya building overlooking the ceremonial center of the city. A few courageous young people sat below us on the steep stone steps leading down to the central field. The full moon was rising that night as the music started playing from speakers discreetly positioned in the buildings at each end of the ceremonial field, giving the entire experience a surreal feel. Soon, colored lights were shown on the Pyramid of the Magician and the other buildings in our view. A sound show with music and Spanish narration of a story of Maya life was accompanied by the elaborate light show. The vivid lights changed in time to the music, highlighting significant architectural symbols on the buildings. This is one event that is impossible to describe with words.

CRYSTAL CLEAR AIR AT UXMAL

JON CLIMBING DOWN LOOKS MINIATURE

LIGHTING EMPHASIZED THE CARVINGS

UXMAL HAD A SURREAL APPEARANCE

THE SERPENT CARVING IS HIGHLIGHTED


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Healthy Living and Traveling in Mexico

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Terry L Turrell

Terry L Turrell, Author

FULL MOON RISING OVER UXMAL

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Healthy Living and Traveling

In Mexico

Healthy Living and Traveling

in Mexico Book #1

4-Book Series