|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
San Felipe, like almost every other seaside Mexican city or town that caters to tourists, has a malecón that is built on a very low bluff overlooking the sandy beaches of the Sea of Cortez. In case you're not familiar with what a malecón, it's a wide walkway that parallels the water and features benches, streetlights and lots of trees, and its designed as a place where pedestrians can stroll, take in the salt air, and the million dollar views of the Sea of Cortez. There is a low concrete wall that separates the walkway from the beach. The sandy beach is lined with palapas, which are awning-like structures constructed out of palm leaves, that provide refuge from the sometimes burning sun.
Photo: View of malecón and Paseo del Mar, looking south from catwalk leading to Guadalupe Hill. The malecón is the wide sidewalk just to the right of the aqua painted sea wall. Bars and restaurants line the far side of the street.
Photo: How many guys can ride on a tractor? How many bleachers can a tractor carry down San Felipe's malecón on a early Wednesday morning?
Photo: One of the many sidewalk vendors selling souvenirs on the malecón. This guy has set up shop at the corner of Malecon and Ensenada. San Felipe's malecón runs for several blocks parallel to the Sea of Cortez, along Av. Paseo del Mar. This street is a diner's paradise, as it's lined with restaurants and taquerias, all of which feature a variety of seafood dishes, especially seafood tacos. Rumor has it that the fish taco was invented in San Felipe, but the town of Ensenada also makes that claim.
Photo: This telephoto shot captures a popular activity practiced along the malecón... lovers taking a stroll, and enjoying the salt air.
Photo: I catch two beach and malecón vendors, as they cross Calle Ensenada, while taking a break from plying their wares.
Photo: Tourists from all over Mexico flock to San Felipe. I asked the lady in red where they were from, and she told me they were from Monterrey, and this was their fist visit to San Felipe. They said they were looking forward to a dinner of fish tacos. The malecón is popular with both local residents and tourists, and it's a "hang-out" place for just about everybody. During my visits to San Felipe, I've spent many happy hours just sitting on the wall, overlooking the beach, and observing the action on the beach, including the fishermen, launching their pangas, the birds, the vendors, the girls, not to mention the fascinating parade of people who enjoy strolling the malecón.
Photo: The action was quite dead on this Thursday night, October 2, 2008, as I snap a photo of action along the malecón, as I enjoy a delicious fish dinner at Mariscos Conchita.
Photo: As I was walking back to the motel, after enjoying a delicious dinner of fish tacos, rice and beans at Mariscos Conchita, I was approached by Bernie, who proceeded to follow me and tell me his whole life story. This guy was super friendly, and seemed to be a nice guy, but he spun a tale of woe, how he was down on his luck and had lost his entire life savings by bad stock investments, and how he was unemployed, and Oh! How he needed a drink so very bad! I chatted with this dude for nearly a half hour, and in the end, I told him that I appreciated his honesty, that he craved a drink, as I can identify with that. So I told him if I could take his photo, I'd give him $2.00, which is enough for a couple of beers, and he readily agreed. After I took his photo and gave him his money, he profusely thanked me for the money and my understanding, and I thanked him for entertaining me.
Photo: Wednesday morning, December 8, 2004, finds me at the south end of the malecón, watching the fishermen at work, and enjoying a beautiful sunrise, over the Sea of Cortez. The malecón is the centerpiece of San Felipe, and no visit to the town is complete without spending some time, enjoying the people-watching and the beautiful sunrises and sunsets. Copyright(c) 2009 eRench Productions, Inc. All rights reserved. This site has been on the web since January 19, 2005. Web page design has been created by eRench Productions, Inc., custom photography for any occasion...
|
