Porto, Portugal

 Visiting family in Porto.   More soon.

I made it to Europe!

 I flew over to the Netherlands this week.  

Landed in Amsterdam for a couple of days...

Amsterdam, a city of canals and bicycles!

Honey, I'm home!

Bond.  Skip Bond!

I got back to Florida, to a hotel, at midnight Friday. I'm in a hotel because I moved out and went to Mexico when my lease expired.  I'll be here a week, then I'm flying to the Netherlands to visit family in Europe.  Come back and I'll post more from that trip upon arrival.

It's time for Mexico's Independence Day!

I know it's about time because recently at night people shoot off very loud fireworks.  Also, vendors are selling lots of Mexican flags and memorabilia.  

I sure wish I was going to be in town for the big day!  But, it's the 16th and my flight home is now...

Life aint fair!  Thanks Mexico for putting up with me.

Look what I found in the Guadalajara Newspaper...

I read about a "beauty contest" 

and just had to see it.

Now, I dont want to be a 'complainer' BUT, who gave out all the balloons?  It made it almost impossible to get a clear photo of the events on stage!

Can YOU see anything? I walked around the gaggle of balloon waving crowd till I spotted a small crease in the people. After bulling my way through and finally grabbing a ladies wiggling balloons, I was able to take a few photos of the dancers before the Beauties came on stage.

I have zero idea what was going on.  There were two announcers yammering along at a machine-guns pace.  The crowd periodically erupted in shouts and applause and the MUSIC was so loud it hurt my body, almost like being crushed by sound.

It started at 9:30pm and ran for a few hours. I left after taking these photos without ever learning who the winner was.  No, I don't know why two ladies dressed in black with crowns.  Maybe past winners?  Again, I'm clueless.  But it was a great Photo Op.  *Just cancel the balloons next time.

Now, it's thursday and I fly home tomorrow, so I have to go start packing.

- Solo Gringo Skip

The Painting of a Mural

A blank white wall takes on a beautiful Mural of it's own. It's been fun to watch a wall slowly take on a new look.

First he took his original photo and put grid lines on it, then drew the grid on the blank wall.

See the grid lines.

He is adding the homeowners picture above the door.

Ive been watching him paint this for several weeks now.  I'm hoping to see the final version before my visit ends this week.  He only paints in the late afternoon because the HOT sunshine hits that wall till after 2pm.  He only needs to put in the owners headshot.

Yesterday. 9.8.25

There are many many murals in Ajijic and the surrounding towns.

The Final Version - 10.30.25