This is the real Mexico and yesterday we saw both ends of the spectrum. No English is spoken, so unless you can get by in Spanish, you have difficulty. It is interesting to see that in many places, it is quite common to use the Google language translator if a computer is available.

Tuesday was a very busy day. After taking the $1.33 half hour ride on the bus to Los Mochis, we went to the Santa Anita Hotel and made reservations for our trip into Copper Canyon for Saturday, Sunday and Monday.

Pat McLeish, our crew for Topolobampo to Mazatlan arrives on Friday morning. Pat is going to cat and boat sit for us while we are gone. He flew to El Paso today and takes the bus to Chihuahua where he will board the Copper Canyon “El Chepe” train tomorrow to take the ride to Los Mochis. We are anxious to hear his stories of the trip.

We arrived back in downtown Topolobampo in the mid afternoon and while Anita did some shopping, I had a haircut at the local Barber Shop (Peluqueria). I got a really nice trim including my beard for $3.12.

Upon arriving back at the Marina, a big party was in full swing at the Pelicano Restaurant and we were immediately invited by the hosts to join them for a very fine dinner of shrimp soup and MaheMahe. We met many interesting people including the owner of the Marina we are staying in and the owner of the two hotels we will be using on our trip into the Canyon. We also heard a great Mexican Trio singing traditional songs as well as listen to Jose Manuel Chu. Jose is a gifted local Opera Tenor who has been touring Europe and South America as a guest artist singing with various opera companies.

The hosts were very gracious in inviting us to join them and in their personal introductions to many important members of the local community here. We had a wonderful evening.

It is noon here as I write this, and we still do not know who won the American election, such is the importance of things when you travel! Topolobampo is also notable in that I finally tracked down my French cousins on my mother’s side of the family (Vuillier). I have been trying to locate them for more than 20 years and I finally received an email from Claude, my second cousin. I will be headed to France next year to meet with them; it had been quite a difficult genealogical search.

Our weather continues to be sunny and humid but with a nice afternoon breeze. We are still catching up with some boat work so our days are quite busy.