December 31st - Prospero Año Nuevo

The gas shortage continues but we decided to get out for a drive in the afternoon and go to Mateja's Bar & Grill in Rincon, for the New Year's Eve band. 

Out on Highway 200, no one can stack jaca or jackfruit like Mexicans 

Mateja's Bar & Grill with the Street Rockers playing out front

Out front, looking south

Out front, looking north

I had the perfect seat; I could see both the band and the Canada/US hockey game

Mateja has three dogs, the large Mastiff relaxing above, a small Chihuahua, and another small Muttly.  She tries to keep the Chihuahua behind the bar when things are hopping, to prevent unsteady patrons from treading upon the dog, but all three circulate and greet customers.  There was a water tanker backing up to the back of the bar when we were walking in.  Mateja said that there was no town water; when the big hotels are busy at Christmas, they take all of the available water.  She said that usually, she had enough in her tanks to get through, but that this year, this was her second refill, and that she didn't expect town water to be available until into next week, and, try running a bar with no water.   I said on the upside, it means that you've been really busy.  Oh yeah, she said with a smile, this Christmas has been very busy.  

When Nancy was up at the refugió earlier in the day, working with the animals, it had no water as well.  We resolved to fill the water tank in the Brave tomorrow, to ensure a water supply in case the Park had problems.

We stopped at the Oxxo on the way home for some supplies, located at a Pemex which was still out of gas.  Inside, Nancy nearly bumped into a well-armed soldier, who smiled and got out of her way.  There were two military discretely inside the store.  Apparently, both the shortages and tomorrow's unfounded 20% fuel price increase have elicited a certain hostility in the population, so precautions are being taken.
Mexico is getting much more discrete with security.  Ten years ago, on our first trip here, they were making the Canadians feel safe (NOT) by having six or eight seventeen year olds in full army camo, helmets, and machine guns stride down the Rincon beach a couple of times a day.  Yesterday, there was two smiling marines in full whites, cute sailor hats, and small blue shoulder bags (murses) providing security on the beach.

We returned home and had drinks on our patio with friends but declined the invitation to go out for dinner.   We spent a quiet evening at home and made it until Manitoba New Year's.