Today in Los Barriles we visited the local tortilleria, a business that smokes the local fish (mahi mahi or dorado, yellowfin tuna, scallops and rooster fish), a brickmaking facility (I made bricks!), and a farm that breeds roosters for cock fights. I went on an ATV excursion through the desert with about 10 of the other caravaners through rough terrain. We visited two waterfalls and dipped our toes in the water. I am covered in dirt and need to go take a shower before our social by the pool at 5 p.m. and later we are going to try dinner at a local joint. I haven't made it out to the beach yet but we can see it from here. The water is choppy and there is lots of parasailing and windsurfing going on. I'll try to venture over before sundown.

I have learned a few strange things about Mexico. For instance, the sewer system here is antiquated and does not tolerate toilet paper. So there is always a waste basket in the bathroom for you to deposit the paper in. I'm a neatnik, at least at home, so this is taking some getting used to.

Cockfighting is big business here. The roosters are well cared for and often escape a lost fight alive. Before fighting the roosters are trimmed of their coxcombs (one less thing to bloody) and are riled up by a "teaser cock." They are outfitted with a blade on one leg, and the process of attaching the blade is careful to the point of being ceremonial. Our guide pointed out that the average fryer chicken lives eight months before finding its way to our dinner table, and that there are roosters among the fighters pushing three years. Good breeding stock can live much longer. The sport is still too gruesome for my sensibilities but I was pleased to get a local perspective.