Atotolin - Pelican

Atotolin - Pelican

This has got to be one of my favorite birds. It hardly looks flightworthy and yet it is so graceful as it skims across the waves after having lumbered into the air just ahead of a breaking wave. Formations of these wonderful creatures can be seen gliding parallel and just in front of forming waves taking advantage of the air that is being pushed forward and up by the swell. 

Like much of my insight and knowledge I learned a little more about this amazing birds from a beer bottle.

It seems rather incongruous but this little town of San Pancho is home to a world class polo facility that this week has been hosting an international tournament. They say it is the sport of kings and I am sure that really refers to having to have the resources of a king to be part of this elite. I got a chance to watch 3 matches and soon got caught up in the excitement of watching these huge animals thundering down the field in pursuit of a tiny white ball.

Polo at La Patrona

More animal stories

My favorite dog of San Pancho given the name of “Bruiser” by me here shows his displeasure at having to share town with flocks of people and vendors who have descended on this beach community this week for Semana Santo or Easter Week. 

Bruiser

And then there is Amigo the pet chicken who sits on the counter in one of the little stores on the main street

Amigo

This is the Mexican version of spring break where vast quantities of beer are consumed on the beaches protected from the sun by clouds of smoke with a slightly pungent aroma. Most folk arrive by bus, truck or taxi with newly purchased tents that are pitched on the beach where the festivities are held. I watched one young man who was sleeping soundly in the afternoon sun with the waves lapping at his feet. I was quite looking forward to his reaction when the water finally reached his inebriated body but I was robbed of this spectacle when two dogs that were madly chasing each other across the sand ran into him at full speed.

Adios San Pancho, hasta la vista!

Next stop is Oaxaca, home of the Zapotecs, over a 1000km south east of here and inland into the mountains.