In Zihuatanejo, there are many inexpensive Mexican objects you can find to bring back to all those waiting at home for your return. For a few pesos, you can buy detectores de tremblar (earthquake detectors), wooden or ceramic animal shaped curios that are designed to wag their heads. Also to be found are miniature clay figurines highlighting the Mexican holiday, Day of the Dead, skeletons of every size in all manner of poses. Hand-painted seed pods with colorful designs or animal faces; colorful multi-hued wooden fish hanging on a string; wooden toys and spinning tops and tons of various seashell creations fashioned in a thousand ways.
If you prefer glass or plastic, there are shot glasses, ashtrays, cigarette lighters, pens, salt and pepper shaker sets, pocket knives or glass candles with pictures of the omnipresent Virgin or some catholic saint. For useful and practical gifts there are hand embroidered cotton napkins, hand woven straw and fiber tortilla holders and baskets, colorful wooden napkin holders and boxes or every imaginable size and shape.
For a more unique souvenir solution, there is always the little leather baskets made from the more “sensitive spots” of a bull. These bags have a variety of storage uses, but Mexican tradition dictates that the primary purpose is to hold a bottle of tequila. We gave one of the handsome receptacles to our favorite saloon in Grass Valley, CA., where it has been used by the bartenders as a tip jar for years.
Each winter when we return here, we also visit Zihuatanejo’s most mystical, mythical and magical shop, La Buena Suerte, whose owner advertises medicinal herbs and esoteric products. There are many such shops located off the beaten path in Zihuatanejo that cater to that part of man that is naïve, gullible and superstitious. If you think your dwelling is afflicted with malevolent spirits, don’t hesitate to buy an aerosol spray can that will protect your house and your money. There are crystals, polished good luck stones, wild pig teeth, glass enclosed prints of Catholic saints, hummingbird perfume for the ladies, and for the men an after shave lotion called Pancho Villa “el general.” There are an unknown variety of magical herbs, ointments and powders guaranteed to relieve any and all bodily ailments and pains, as well as amulets, incense and candles. Most inspiring, however is the wonderful assortment of brightly decorated soap bars that are not only enjoyable to look at but whose daily use can solve any and all of life’s problems: from a receding hairline to filling your heart and soul with the abundant and unlimited joys of love.
Zihuatanejo is a wonderful place to shop and explore. From the most serious of beautiful handicrafts to the most whimsical of souvenirs, Zihuatanejo has it all.
-January 2000
