Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Cultural Change on the Malecón: A Case Study


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Saludos!

Dianne and Greg

15 comments:

  1. Dianne - this is beautiful. The paragraph about people coming in and wanting to change something they do not understand is so true . They do not talk time to learn, understand, there is always good. I have seen it often in the Bahmamas - it never ends well. I am happy Guy is still bringing smiles to all who see him enjoying life. He is a wonderful man. Enjoy your walks.

    Ingrid

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  2. Sometimes I run into Guy on Sunday when I'm taking a bike ride. Dianne is at church. Guy reminds me that I am at church too and the spiritual awakening and uplifting one can get while letting go on the malecon can make you feel as good as people leaving church feel. Amen to that Guy!

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  3. Hello Greg!! Excellent Article!! I know what you are talking about!! I just love my way of life as a malecon junkie!!! Gracias por valorar tanto a mi mazatlan, son un gran ejemplo, ojala todos tuviéramos la misma visión! Y bueno de Guy que puedo decir...un gran maestro, amigo y ser humano!!

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  4. When we lived in Mazatlán my wife and I walked the malecón everyday after dropping our son Luis off at his kinder. I've always walked for fun and exercise but it was hard to get her started - of course she walked all day, six days a week working in the hotel. Now that we live in the states she hasn't given up the habit, I'm happy to say. We look forward to again walking the malecón on our first trip "home" (actual home for her, adopted for me) in 4 years, coming up in just a few weeks. Luis, I'm sure, will want to rollerblade.

    Thanks so much for writing this blog. It's been a great source of information as I study up on what's new in Mazatlán.

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  5. Oh, Brian, it gives me a lot of joy to think of your bicultural family bridging two worlds, and of your son Luis growing up here and there. Our son, also, has the benefit of lots of formative experiences here in Mazatlán during his early years. I am thankful for that.

    We look forward to having you back down here! Glad to know this blog is useful to you! Sometimes we wonder ;) Be well!

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  6. It's been a wonderful experience for my son and my wife. It was great for me to live 5 years in Mazatlan. In all likelihood we would have continued living there had I been able to make a better living - and as long as we could have traveled during the hot season. But this way works too, maybe a bit better - though on a rainy Seattle day it's hard to imagine how. Sadly this trip is only 2 weeks but we look forward to seeing family, our old favorite haunts, and hopefully some new ones. The Zaragoza organic market, how about that! Nothing like it when we left... We'll keep an eye for you there, and on the malecón... Take care!

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  7. Excellent article, thanks for sharing.

    My family and I are making preparations to move to Mazatlán in a few months, and I have a question. I'm an avid longboarder (long skateboard), and I'd LOVE to know that the malecón is longboard-friendly. (longboarders simply cruise, not shred and destroy)

    Some friends recently moved, and reported seeing several longboarders on it in one day. I just wanted to get another perspective since you are clearly already observing the malecón culture. Are the longboarders welcome?

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  8. Thanks for loving Mazatlan =)

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  9. Dear Matt,

    While there are MANY roller bladers, skate boarders and bicyclers on the malecón, there are people who do not believe in that or support it. They only want walkers. So, occasionally, people do insult even careful bicyclers and roller bladders for being on the malecón. And, there are those who are not careful, and endanger the pedestrians.

    Having said that, yes, there are long boarders on the malecón. Mostly, though, I am told they like the hills--the one beneath the mirador being the most popular.


    Dear Anmiza, it is our privilege to be able to live here. ;)

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  10. Dianne, I saw above that you wonder if your blog is helpful- Matt (above) and I have read almost the entire thing as we are preparing for our move, and so appreciate your posts. Thank you! :) I am super excited about the new organic market.

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  11. Dear Dana,

    You and Matt are very kind. Thank you. It is indeed nice to hear when people read it and find it helpful. If you two have any questions we can help with, we are more than happy to try. If you're down this way give us a shout and we can have lunch or coffee or something and get acquainted. How old are your kids? Will you be working down here? So many retired people down here, which is wonderful also, but when families move down we get excited ;) The new organic market is WONDERFUL! God BLESS Janet and Verónica for getting it started!

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  12. Lovely post, Dianne. A great example of an interculturally-sensitive change agent, which of course you are too!

    Barbara

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  13. Gracias, amiga! Great to have you here!

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  14. Dianne,
    Sorry for the slow response. Crazy life around here trying to prepare for moving. We're currently planning on moving in May.
    To answer your questions:
    We have a 2 yr old boy and a 6 yr old girl.
    We are with an organization called Back2Back. Will will be partnering with the 6 children's homes to care for the orphans living there.
    We'd love to get together once we're there. In the meantime, if you're interested in learning more about Back2Back, this video gives a quick overview:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XxZqvMwcZFQ

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  15. Matt and Dana, you will be enveloped in a huge and wonderful community while you are here, by the sound of it. Lots of local support and lots of expat involvement, plus doing good in the world! Win-win-win, as your kids will learn such invaluable life skills as well. Bravo for your family!!!

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