The mirror I was having made was supposed to be ready today. Neighbour Liz was taking me in to Merida to pick it up. We decided to get an early start on the day and beat the heat. We arrived at the furniture place about 11am and the guy told us the mirror wouldn't be ready until 3pm. Liz didn't want to drive back to Progreso and then back to Merida so we decided to go shopping. Again. Rough life, eh?
I hadn't yet been to Alta Brisa so we went there to check things out. It's like pretty much any other mall NOB. Lots of NOB retailers and the typical bright and shiny look of modernity. (That's actually a word! I googled it to be sure). Soriana's, which is similar to Walmart in that it has a little bit of everything, is one of their anchor stores and Liz hadn't been there before, either. They have products that her other regular stores don't, so she was excited to find new things. We still had lots of time to kill until 3pm, so we decided to go down to Centro and then come back to Soriana's. We didn't want to leave stuff in the hot truck all afternoon.
Liz doesn't like driving in Centro, so we got a cab. Cost was about 60 pesos. I didn't time the drive but I'm sure it was a good 20 minutes. We had the cab drop us off at a market that Liz said was good. I have no idea what the name of it is and I wouldn't be able to find it again. I picked up a rug/tapestry/woven thing to hang on the wall. Then we went for lunch at a great little restaurant, the name of which I didn't get.
Cabbed it back to Soriana's and picked up a few groceries and some things we needed for the condo. Then on to the furniture store where the mirror was ready. We didn't get back home until about 6:00. Not bad for wondering how we were going to kill 4 hours, eh? lol.
Roberto, the fish guy with the Jay Leno jaw, comes by the complex on weekends. He came today and Senor B picked up some sea bass and shrimp. I'm not a fish fan but I do like the sea bass. That's what we cooked up for supper and it was delicious.
The "colour me happy" part of the day? This evening there was a knock on our door and a friendly "Buenas tardes." It was a relative of the owner of the condo above us. Remember the leak in the bathroom ceiling? She and her young son had come to take a look at it. Of course, Murphy's Law being what it is, it's been dry for the past couple days so there was nothing to see. But...! I had taken a picture of it to document its progress. I showed it to them and the lady had an "Oh my goodness!" kind of reaction. She didn't speak any English but her son, who told me he was in grade 5, did. She makes a phone call and the young man and I chat a bit. We both taught each other a new word...ceiling and mancha. Through her son, the lady tells me that they'll have a plumber come out within the week.
I've read enough posts on other blogs to know that it may, or may not, happen. I really want to believe that they'll take care of the problem. I hope the fact that they even came to look at it bodes well for its repair.
As they were leaving, the boy apologized for his bad English. Is he kidding? I told him that his English is much better than my Spanish. And it is. I'm doing well with my lessons but he's been studying English longer than I've been studying Spanish. Anyways, I imagine he'll be pretty excited to tell his teacher that he got to use his English in a real life situation with someone who didn't speak much Spanish.
Saturday, November 19, 2011
Friday, November 18, 2011
Tummy Woes
This morning I woke up not feeling well. I felt kind of weak and my tummy wasn't quite right. I had some toast and went back to bed, not because I was still tired but because I just didn't have the energy to be up. Hardly ate anything today and even had a rare afternoon nap. My innards were roiling all day and I thought maybe I'd picked up some bug from eating out yesterday. By suppertime, I was so cold I had to put on a sweater and jeans. Senor B heated up some leftovers and I just had toast. I started thinking I was coming down with something.
As the evening wore on, I started feeling better and better. Now I feel great.
I have no idea what caused me to feel so icky all day but I'm glad it's gone.
As the evening wore on, I started feeling better and better. Now I feel great.
I have no idea what caused me to feel so icky all day but I'm glad it's gone.
Thursday, November 17, 2011
I Didn't Have to Cook Today
The highlight of today was spending time with Marc from An Alaskan in Yucatan . I met him down at the bus depot this morning and we came back to the condo to hang out for a while. For lunch, we all went to a fairly new restaurant called Casa on the Malecon, located on the east end of the malecon. It's strictly a seafood place. We had planned on going there for my birthday but it was closed that night. Lucky for me because I'm not too big on seafood.
We had the usual botanas and we also each got a cup of shrimp broth that was surprisingly good. We all had fish filetes, each with a different sauce. All were tasty but one of them wasn't fully cooked on the inside. The prices seemed reasonable enough for this area.
The restaurant appears to be an older home that's been converted. There were tables on the patio as well as on the grass, which is where we chose to sit. Lots of trees on the lawn gave it a park-like feel, yet the Gulf vista let you know that you were still at the beach. It was a unique and pleasant experience.
Marc is a wealth of information and we learned about different plants and some history about the area. Sadly for us, he had business in Merida and, all too soon, had to leave.
The Bamboo Beach in Chicxulub hosted a Welcome Back, Snowbirds supper tonight so a whole gaggle of us from the complex went. The first drink, as well as tacos, was on the house. The tacos were very tasty and the service was very good. There was a live amateur band that played music from our era. In English, too. The supper wasn't very well attended, though. I'm not sure if it wasn't very well advertised or if there were conflicting events that kept expats away. It's unfortunate for the folks who missed out because it was an enjoyable evening.
I think we have a rogue mosquito in the condo. I've had hardly any bites since we got to Mexico but I've sprouted several over the past 2 or 3 days. Poor Senor B has one of those huge bites that I usually get. While I feel bad for him, I'm glad it's not me this time.
Another norte has blown in but it's not as wildly windy as it sometimes is. The cooling breezes are very welcome.
We had the usual botanas and we also each got a cup of shrimp broth that was surprisingly good. We all had fish filetes, each with a different sauce. All were tasty but one of them wasn't fully cooked on the inside. The prices seemed reasonable enough for this area.
The restaurant appears to be an older home that's been converted. There were tables on the patio as well as on the grass, which is where we chose to sit. Lots of trees on the lawn gave it a park-like feel, yet the Gulf vista let you know that you were still at the beach. It was a unique and pleasant experience.
Marc is a wealth of information and we learned about different plants and some history about the area. Sadly for us, he had business in Merida and, all too soon, had to leave.
The Bamboo Beach in Chicxulub hosted a Welcome Back, Snowbirds supper tonight so a whole gaggle of us from the complex went. The first drink, as well as tacos, was on the house. The tacos were very tasty and the service was very good. There was a live amateur band that played music from our era. In English, too. The supper wasn't very well attended, though. I'm not sure if it wasn't very well advertised or if there were conflicting events that kept expats away. It's unfortunate for the folks who missed out because it was an enjoyable evening.
I think we have a rogue mosquito in the condo. I've had hardly any bites since we got to Mexico but I've sprouted several over the past 2 or 3 days. Poor Senor B has one of those huge bites that I usually get. While I feel bad for him, I'm glad it's not me this time.
Another norte has blown in but it's not as wildly windy as it sometimes is. The cooling breezes are very welcome.
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Another Roasty, Toasty Day
Last night was so hot that we decided to sleep with the AC on. We usually get such a great cross breeze that we rarely use the AC. But yesterday the breeze was from inland instead of off the Gulf. Inland breezes are what give us the very hot weather.
I can tolerate more heat than Senor B can. (I'm convinced that the stork delivered me to the wrong country). But neither of us can take the humidity. We're used to 20-30%, not the 80% we had yesterday. So on went the AC for Senor B and on went an extra blankie on my side of the bed for me.
We lost power for about half an hour later in the evening and it went out again during the night. I woke up hot enough to have to kick off my blanket. I listened for the AC but it wasn't going. I thought Senor B had turned it off. Then I noticed that I wasn't feeling the breeze from the fan, either. The clock was dark and the lights in the back alley were out. I had to open the window to get some air in the room.
Senor B figures the power was out most of the night. Fortunately, we didn't lose any food.
Today was another scorcher. Liz and I went to Merida and it was much hotter there than in Progreso. Now I understand why the folks from Merida come out here during the summer.
I can tolerate more heat than Senor B can. (I'm convinced that the stork delivered me to the wrong country). But neither of us can take the humidity. We're used to 20-30%, not the 80% we had yesterday. So on went the AC for Senor B and on went an extra blankie on my side of the bed for me.
We lost power for about half an hour later in the evening and it went out again during the night. I woke up hot enough to have to kick off my blanket. I listened for the AC but it wasn't going. I thought Senor B had turned it off. Then I noticed that I wasn't feeling the breeze from the fan, either. The clock was dark and the lights in the back alley were out. I had to open the window to get some air in the room.
Senor B figures the power was out most of the night. Fortunately, we didn't lose any food.
Today was another scorcher. Liz and I went to Merida and it was much hotter there than in Progreso. Now I understand why the folks from Merida come out here during the summer.
Happy Birthday to Me
Actually, it was yesterday and I had a post all typed up but we lost internet before I could publish it.
Yesterday was hot, hot, hot! We went uptown in the morning because I was starting to feel a little shack whacky and needed to get out of the house. We only rented a vehicle while our friends were here. For the last 3 weeks of our stay, we're without wheels so that means we haven't really gone anywhere.
We took a dip in the pool when we got back and another one after we had lunch and a siesta.
We went to Flamingo's, my favourite restaurant and I had the Yucatecan chicken, my favourite dish. Senor B told Vincente, our fabulous waiter, that it was my birthday. The lights in the restaurant dimmed and the traditional Mexican birthday song started playing. Then he brought me a dessert with a candle in it. I had to make a wish and blow out the candle, same as we do in Canada. The two gentlemen at the table next to us applauded. I guess that must be traditional? The dessert was kind of like cheesecake but it wasn't that. Maybe it was flan? It was ok but it wasn't delicious.
After we got back, we went for another splash in the pool. This was about 9pm and we were the only ones there. It was so quiet and peaceful.
Our neighbour Liz brought over a beautiful bouquet of chrysanthemums with a bird of paradise. I got emails and ecards from friends and family. Senor B and I don't generally buy gifts for each other anymore. I took a photo of the 32C showing on the thermometer and of our vista of the Gulf and tried to post it. Being able to spend my birthday here instead of with the snow back home is gift enough for me.
Yesterday was hot, hot, hot! We went uptown in the morning because I was starting to feel a little shack whacky and needed to get out of the house. We only rented a vehicle while our friends were here. For the last 3 weeks of our stay, we're without wheels so that means we haven't really gone anywhere.
We took a dip in the pool when we got back and another one after we had lunch and a siesta.
We went to Flamingo's, my favourite restaurant and I had the Yucatecan chicken, my favourite dish. Senor B told Vincente, our fabulous waiter, that it was my birthday. The lights in the restaurant dimmed and the traditional Mexican birthday song started playing. Then he brought me a dessert with a candle in it. I had to make a wish and blow out the candle, same as we do in Canada. The two gentlemen at the table next to us applauded. I guess that must be traditional? The dessert was kind of like cheesecake but it wasn't that. Maybe it was flan? It was ok but it wasn't delicious.
After we got back, we went for another splash in the pool. This was about 9pm and we were the only ones there. It was so quiet and peaceful.
Our neighbour Liz brought over a beautiful bouquet of chrysanthemums with a bird of paradise. I got emails and ecards from friends and family. Senor B and I don't generally buy gifts for each other anymore. I took a photo of the 32C showing on the thermometer and of our vista of the Gulf and tried to post it. Being able to spend my birthday here instead of with the snow back home is gift enough for me.
Monday, November 14, 2011
Being a Ginger Sucks
On my family tree there is a branch that leads directly back to the First Nations people. My mom and one of my sisters have the colouring...the dark hair, eyes and skin. My sister can have tan lines within 15 minutes of being in the sun. I hate her...lol.
Me? I inherited the Celtic part of the tree. Blue eyes, freckles and hair that was reddish when I was a kid. These days the red comes from a bottle. I don't have the typical translucent white skin of the Celtic folks, though. Mine has a slight olive tinge, thanks to the aforementioned tree branch. Still, if I'm going to be out in the sun, SPF 60 is my best friend. Going without it is not an option, not just because of skin cancer but because I'll crispy fry. And that really hurts.
I hate wearing sunscreen. There's the whole ritual involved of making sure no exposed skin is missed. A line down each arm and worked in. For the legs, a big glob on the ends of my fingers, other fingers rubbed over it to flatten the glob and pat, pat, pat all over the legs so that it spreads more easily. Ditto for the chest, neck and face. Don't forget the ears. When my hair was shorter, I even put it into all the ear crevices. I forgot to do that once.
If you don't wash your palms after applying, and then get itchy eyes...hoo boy. Stings like the dickens. It's sticky. Everything, from your clothes to sand to bugs, sticks to you. I'm convinced that the occlusive layer over my skin makes me sweat more. It feels gross, as if I haven't showered in days. Washing it off involves using one of those nylon scrubbers.
I like being in the sun. I just wish it wasn't necessary to don full body armour to do so.
Me? I inherited the Celtic part of the tree. Blue eyes, freckles and hair that was reddish when I was a kid. These days the red comes from a bottle. I don't have the typical translucent white skin of the Celtic folks, though. Mine has a slight olive tinge, thanks to the aforementioned tree branch. Still, if I'm going to be out in the sun, SPF 60 is my best friend. Going without it is not an option, not just because of skin cancer but because I'll crispy fry. And that really hurts.
I hate wearing sunscreen. There's the whole ritual involved of making sure no exposed skin is missed. A line down each arm and worked in. For the legs, a big glob on the ends of my fingers, other fingers rubbed over it to flatten the glob and pat, pat, pat all over the legs so that it spreads more easily. Ditto for the chest, neck and face. Don't forget the ears. When my hair was shorter, I even put it into all the ear crevices. I forgot to do that once.
If you don't wash your palms after applying, and then get itchy eyes...hoo boy. Stings like the dickens. It's sticky. Everything, from your clothes to sand to bugs, sticks to you. I'm convinced that the occlusive layer over my skin makes me sweat more. It feels gross, as if I haven't showered in days. Washing it off involves using one of those nylon scrubbers.
I like being in the sun. I just wish it wasn't necessary to don full body armour to do so.
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Slow Day
Being awakened at 5am by a car alarm is not a fun way to start the day. Fortunately, the alarm wasn't because a car was being stolen. The lady who lives across the back alley accidentally set hers off. I was able to go back to sleep and didn't wake up until 9. Surprised the heck out of myself. I haven't been able to sleep much past 7:30 since we've been here.
Today was another slow day. Did a couple loads of laundry and cleaned and organized the shelves in the laundry room. Oye! They were a disaster. Dusty and messy. Things had been tossed willy-nilly. I guess it's to be expected when you share your place with other people. We rent out our condo and there's a cleaning lady who cleans it between renters. It took me an hour to straighten things out.
Lots of pool time this afternoon that included plenty of socializing. I also spent some time catching up on some of the blogs I read.
Carpenter ants haven't been an issue this trip. There have been quite a few smaller ones but they haven't inundated us. I did squash one tonight that looked suspiciously like a carpenter ant so I'll have to keep an eye out.
The condo above us has a leak in the bathroom. There's a wet area on our bathroom ceiling. I contacted the condo administrator to see if he could contact the owner who happens to live in Mexico City but has family in Merida who uses the place periodically. I'm really hoping it gets taken care of.
And that's about it. A much shorter post than yesterday's.
Today was another slow day. Did a couple loads of laundry and cleaned and organized the shelves in the laundry room. Oye! They were a disaster. Dusty and messy. Things had been tossed willy-nilly. I guess it's to be expected when you share your place with other people. We rent out our condo and there's a cleaning lady who cleans it between renters. It took me an hour to straighten things out.
Lots of pool time this afternoon that included plenty of socializing. I also spent some time catching up on some of the blogs I read.
Carpenter ants haven't been an issue this trip. There have been quite a few smaller ones but they haven't inundated us. I did squash one tonight that looked suspiciously like a carpenter ant so I'll have to keep an eye out.
The condo above us has a leak in the bathroom. There's a wet area on our bathroom ceiling. I contacted the condo administrator to see if he could contact the owner who happens to live in Mexico City but has family in Merida who uses the place periodically. I'm really hoping it gets taken care of.
And that's about it. A much shorter post than yesterday's.
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