zookeeping, slam dunks, art nouveau

it's all happening at the zoo

 By the Zookeeper

   The color for the night was white.... pasty white, the color of the skin of  a plethora of freshly arrived gringos. They were herding in the one place that they can feel at home. There is no hint of being in mexico at this venue, except the brand names of the beer served. They all were greeting (bleating?) each other like long lost relatives and swapping (well practiced) stories of how they spent their summer vacation. Mostly bull shit. The conversations began about being back in Lammanz and the dramas of getting their houses back together. Probably mostly bull shit too. Then, as every year, every one universally bitched about how oppressively hot it is and why isn't the sand back on the beach? There was a clown present, not particularly funny, pathetic really, but he did have a big red nose. And then there were the dogs-lots of dogs- and they were all doing their thing.... being annoying. Of course this was all overlooked by their owners who shrugged their shoulders.... "it's mexico, we can do what we want", not giving a hoot that many folks might be offended and not want to eat their dinner amongst a pack of mangy mutts. Welcome back folks, what could Lamanz do without you?

its nice to be important

    Six truck loads of state police rolled into town recently, not doing much, but still intimidating by their presence. Why so many and what for? It seems they were here as body gaurds and escorts for some infamous cartel boss who has decided to make Lamanz his hide-away. Any further information need not be known.

pay toll, or swim!

    During the last weekend, before the lagoon closed up, a toll of 10 pesos was charged to anyone wanting to cross the swinging bridge. We have been unable to track down those responsible for this toll, be it the ejido, the mayor, or just some enterprising individual who saw a way to make a little beer money. This extortion didn't go down well with those who wanted to go to the other side, or had to because they lived over there. It's bad enough to pay, but to pay to cross a bridge that is in imminent danger of collapse is a bit too much. The damn thing is so unsafe that most people wouldn't cross it if they were paid to.

 new art to reflect local natural 'wonders'

local sports

Work will soon be under way for a basketball court. yeah!! What? Basketball? It better be wheel chair accessable. Will the canadians soon start up a move for a curling rink? An excuse for more cement in Lamanz. Since the average locals height is much less than dos metros, are the kids going to scale the post? Piggy back? Is this simply more American imperialism? Shoving a sport of the inner city down the locals throats. There is an estimated 4.3 million basketball courts in mexico with annual basket ball sales of 118. At best, the kids will be seen kicking basketballs around (which is already happening) and trying to head them into the basket. Most likely to be used for only the tourist season, and only by tourists. Next summer the posts will be cut down for scrap by some of our local criminal element. Instead of a wrestling ring or a cock fighting ring or even a charreria court (as well as god knows what else) lets organize for a strange alien game and help the locals. When will the locals ask to not be 'helped' anymore? How many scraped knees and elbows will result when the local kids string up a line to play volleyball on the court? So,again, instead of soccer field improvements or a baseball backstop, the local kids now have a chance to dream the truly impossible dream - an NBA star! "And now starting in small forward position..." Sad, especially with all the sweeping experience around, one would think curling is a natural. In the tradition of small town
Canada, some folks are planning street hockey at the bb court. This, of course, is rumor. We doubt the 'nuks will actually get off their barstools. Unless they're on their way to the floor.

house review of the month

Unless you are a big shot (pronounced shit) or have dreams of being a big shot this is not the house for you. Built for a big shot (or ones that thought they were) by the most notorious of the notorious three La Manzanilla builders, this house is all show and no substance. In fact, the further away you get the better it looks. Hacked into the side of a hill with the mandatory view, the mansion like qualities fade away apon entering. Inside is an elaborate spiral staircase taking you from one ho-hum floor to another. There is nothing inside this house fit for a king. (the kitchen cabinets look like they came off the floor of the home depot) Ascending up the hill (you do have to like stairs) to the roof top terrace, the view is enough to make any big shot gasp. Be careful though, as a design flaw makes the last few steps a bit precipitous (very narrow and very steep), but they do manage to make the distance. Once on top another design oversite keeps you on your toes for falling rocks. One of the problems that comes with building into unstable hills. Despite its flaws, the asking price is definately at a big shot level.



We welcome the zoo keeper to, uh... er.. the staff, who may or may not keep us up to date on the state of the zoo.