Thursday, December 31, 2009

The Year I Wish Wasn't

2009. As it turns out, I could have easily skipped it and gone straight from 2008 to 2010. All things considered, it was not a good year for me.

There were a few good things along the way. Our yearly visit from old friends who continue to vacation here every year. Certainly our month long stay in Huatulco was the major highlight of the year.

But the list of bad things is far longer. And some of the things that happened border on devastating. This was the year I lost my Mother. Quickly followed by the loss of a good friend, who did not die but decided not to be a friend anymore instead. Then the health problems that I am still coping with. And probably will for the rest of the time I have left on this Earth.

So, not unexpectedly, the last few days of 2009 did not hold any better luck for me.

I have facetiously said many times that there is no crime on Isla Mujeres. Don't believe me. Crime is rampant here and will continue to be a problem so long as the police continue to look the other way and ignore it. Yes, the police have started a new program of neighborhood watch police officers. They are assigned a certain community and patrol it to supposedly offer assistance and be a liason to the police force. The program is called "Tu Amigo La Policia", but don't believe it. There is no such thing as "your friend the police".

Take the night of December 21 for instance. That was the date of the most recent burglary to my property. I have a bodega, storage room, in the front of my house. It is secured with a lockable aluminum door.

In this picture you can see the new light I had installed that burns 24/7 now. You can also see the rust stains from the razor sharp barriers I have mounted around the top of my house. But look closely. See the panels where the door handle is located? Sometime during the night somebody pried off two of those panels and got inside.



Make no mistake about it. This door is very visible from the street. Even when only lit by the nearby street light. It took a very bold person to pry off those panels, go inside and steal every power tool I owned. This is the view from immediately in front of the door to the street.




I called my amigo the police officer for our block. Surprise, surprise. The cell phone number that he has listed on his business card is out of service! No way to contact him. So I called the central police office. Not only did they say they have never heard of this police officer, but they point blank told me that they would not be sending somebody over to look at the damage and take a report! Back to that old philosophy of no crime on Isla Mujeres I guess.

But that wasn't the only end of a pissy year surprise for me. Nope. When the renters checked out yesterday, they casually informed me that the refrigerator never got cold and they thought it may be broken. Sure enough, my repair guy came right over and sadly announced that after six years of working perfectly, the salt had finally gotten it.

Since we have guests checking in today, a quick trip to Cancun to buy a refrigerator was in order. Just what I needed. I do have to thank my friend, Zina, though. I ran into her at the store and we shared a taxi back to the ferry. Not just any taxi though, the one that she normally hires to cart her around. Made life a lot easier for a little while.

So, here's hoping that all of you have a great celebration this evening and that 2010 is a much better and happier year for all of us!

19 comments:

Andrea Healey said...

Here's to a happy and healthy new year to you and yours. Thanks so much for taking the time to blog, it brings a lot of pleasure to so many. 2010 will be a great year!

Ann said...

Wishing you better health & better luck in 2010....hope to see you soon!

IslaZina said...

A big de nada a ti! It was nice sharing some time together. I took two injections last night, a light cortizone and my interferon. Hopefully I'll be a whole woman, ready to dance in the streets! Woo hoo. You find that quit date in you and go forward!
Happy New Year with Love,
Zina

Croft said...

Next year will be better Wayne! We plan on spending a couple of nights in that hotel you recommended a while back sometime in late January or early February. We will email you and if you are up to it maybe we can have lunch or something. Happy New Year Mi Amigo!

Croft & Norma Randle

lisa said...

I would almost think about moving someplace else. Hope the New Year is better for you!

Jackie said...

I too have had a really shitty year. My mother passed away Monday just about 16 hours after she was told she wouldnn't make it to the New Year.I was encouraged by my family to leave as planned Tuesday for my trip to Isla. I am definately going to have a more solemn visit than most.
My 2010 can't be any worse. So I have hopes that the New Year will be an improvement over 2009.
I saw you and B this morning as we speed by your office on a golfcart. Tried to say hell and wave but was too far past before I realized it was you sitting there.

threecollie said...

I hope that 2010 is better for you in every possible way. Take care

Kathy said...

Oh Wayne, I'm so sorry you've had such a tough end of year. I've been thinking about your burglar problem - would a rescue dog help? They're especially grateful and loyal as they've know a hard life without a human and in general, most Mexicans are terribly afraid of dogs. When we get our Merida house up and running, we'll be adding a Dobie or something to the family, even though Jamie is allergic - just to keep the neighbors honest.

KfromMichigan said...

I wish you a happy and healthy new year! Sorry to hear about all your tools stolen.

Jonna said...

Bummer about the burglary, I hate that feeling and the loss is hard too. Here's to a better 2010 and a new decade of good health, good luck and good fun. Hugs,

Unknown said...

Wishing 2010 brings you very much deserved peace and happiness, Wayne.

Calypso said...

Happy New Year amigo - sorry to read about the burglary. We have followed all the other stuff.

Wishing you a GREAT 2010!

Jane said...

Seems you’ve fallen into the same state of mind (funk) that wise Solomon did (in the book of Ecclesiastes).

Maybe it's time to recount your many blessings, and to read a different book:

Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God …

Peace

Brenda Maas said...

Hope 2010 brings better luck, health and much happiness. Happy New Year.

Sue said...

That stinks about the theft - and even worse about the lack of police response. I don't get it.

Hoping you have a better 2010 and feel tons better on the health end of things. Hope to see you one of these days!

Steve Cotton said...

I hope 2010 will be a better year. I know it is going to hold some major changes for me,

Merida Mikey said...

For the multitude of problems you have encountered, the disappointments you've endured, the horrible things you blog about Isla, how much displeasure and misfortune living there seems to bring you, and now the burglary with no police response; definitely time to move on. There are so many wonderfully exciting places in Mexico to live! I'd try and find one. Stop torturing yourself.

Here's hoping 2010 is a better year for you.

Anonymous said...

That really sucks, Wayne. Here's wishing a better 2010 to you!

Linda
Isla Chica

Anonymous said...

2009 was just another year. I had bad times and good times, but I know I learned a lot and I hope whatever you didnt like about that year you will learn to love about this year. Thanks for being a listening ear. And helping me out when it was possible having another English speaker who feels my pain was nice. And now I have my very own Mexican to bitch at. Except I don´t think he really understands....anyway. Thanks for being a good friend W. My mom is coming Friday. Lets take her out on the town.!