Keeping Busy

I've been keeping busy during the few free hours a day I have. Like maybe 17 or 18 of them.

One of the things that is not ever far from my mind is Project Warm Hearts and the kids in Xico/Ursalo Galvin in Veracruz.

Here's just a quick sample of what I have been up to.

My standard receipe hat. Nothing fancy. Just keep your head and ears warm.




Standard receipe with a few embellishments knitted on. I found these really cute smiley face buttons while in Merida recently. I hope some little girl is going to be smiling too!



I still have lots of "fun fur" yarn left. It is too flimsy on its' own for a hat. By knitting one regular row of yarn and 2 of the fun fur, I came up with this:




It looks to me like a clown wig! But it is a furry inside as out and is going to be very warm.

Taking the fun fur inspiration a bit further, I made a short row stripe hat. I think it turned out really cool.




There you have it. Just trying to do my part to help the kids stay warm this coming winter.

What Fun!!!

While at the Mall the other day, we passed by this kiddie attraction.



It a giant plastic ball with an opening for a child to get inside it. It is tethered to a rope which the operator has a hold of. He pushes the ball out into the pool and then gives the rope a jerk everytime the kid tries to stand. It also sets the ball - and kid inside - spinning.

The howls of pure glee coming from inside that ball were enough to make the watching crowd howl with laughter themselves.



My question. Why, oh why, don't they make something like this for adults too? I would be in it so fast your head would spin.

Is This Mexico?

My friend on the island, Sue, talked about the new addition to the Mall of America in Cancun. It really is a jazzy, new modern place. I had the (mis)fortune of being over there one day last week. I coincendentally to Sue's post had taken a few pictures. Take a look.

This place is wide, bright and breezy. Although it does have a ceiling of sorts, the area between the panels is open to the outside. Nice except for like when I was there and it rains cats and dogs. That wide aisleway quickly became a treacherous, slippery place.




I do like the giant ceiling fans though.



It seems that quite a few of the American namebrand stores are represented here. And a few familiar restaurant names. Along with McDonald's and Starbucks, there is also a Chili's. Same great food, same great service. Same high prices.



You can even get your favorite ice cream at this kiosk.




I just thought it interesting that this country is such a land of contradictions and opposites. Mostly we on the blogs feature the quaint, the historic, the rustic, the poor and the colorful. But there is another side of Mexico.

Not sure how much I like it though.

Not On A Soapbox, But.....

The Federal District of Mexico, more commonly known as Mexico City, recently became the first place in Mexico to recognize and conduct same sex marriages. Evidently the ramifications of this are starting to trickle down.

Our local paper recently reported that Isla Mujeres has joined forces with the National Tourist Board to start actively promoting our island as a honeymoon destination for same sex couples.

But don't mistake this action as being done because it is the right thing to do. The number one reason they are doing it is to "attract this segment of high income spending tourists."

Maybe I should run a Honeymoon Special for my cabana.

Modern Day Thievery

Well, the industrious thieves are at it again here on crime-free Isla Mujeres.

Somebody is going around stealing water meters and the copper piping that connects them to our houses. Saturday night my neighbor got hit and a few weeks ago the neighbor a little further down the street.

I fear I am going to be hit soon as my piping is in front of my house and totally unprotected.

This is not happening just to the Gringo houses. I'm afraid it is going to become an epidemic around the island.

So, for you island officials monitoring this blog: what are you going to do about this?

Why I Bought My First Horse

April 26, 1984 started out as any other day. I was at work with my job for the State of Minnesota. But, unbeknownst to me.......

In my parent's house in my hometown in Michigan, things started out pretty much as usual. My mother was going shopping with her sister later in the morning so she had spent the early morning hours putting her hair in curlers. She and my Dad spent time over breakfast and coffee before he had to head out to work, discussing the day ahead and once again pondering whether or not they should move to a warmer climate when he retired in October. It was only six months away.

With their normal kiss goodbye, which they did everytime they parted, he was off to work. Thirty minutes later her world was turned upside down.

The call came from the hospital emergency room. She needed to get there and get there quick. Something had happened to my father but they would not say what.

What they would not tell her over the phone was that my father was dead. He had suffered a major heart attack within 20 minutes of arriving at work and fell to the ground. Dead before he landed.

What I learned from this sudden, tragic, unexpected event was this: Life is short and you never know when it is your turn and what is going to happen tomorrow. Or even in the next 30 minutes.

My whole life I had been fascinated with horses and longed to own one. But, at 34 years old, I had thought I was too old to go down that path. My Dad taught me otherwise. Within a year I owned my first horse and never looked back. Happy that I had learned one more valuable lesson from my Dad.

Will You Miss Me?

Taking the rest of the week off from blogging. I just need a break and to come up with some new ideas. Join me again next Monday.

Unadulterated Goodness

I had another one of those out of body type experiences last Friday. The kind that only you readers can give me. Who knew that when I started this little blog, so many people would read it. And good, kind, giving people at that. I never expected that I would get anything out of this blog besides my own pleasure of producing it. Boy, was I mistaken!



Case in point. Last Friday a golf cart pulled up in front of my house, delivering Jim Vasilow and his wife (sorry dear, I forget your name!) to my door. They are from Hudson, New York and faithful readers. And confectionars!



And they had brought me some hand selected presents from the wealth of all things good that they lovingly hand make.



The story surrounding these was funny and interesting.









They are hot and spicy pumpkin seeds (pepitas). There is a woman who has been plying the beaches of Isla for years, hawking her peanuts and pumpkin seeds. They loved these things so much that they went home and duplicated, as best they could, these pepitas for a whole new market. True entrepeneurs.



Then they handed me this beautiful gift box. All burgundy velvet and very elegant looking.








They told me what was inside but it did not really prepare me for when I took the cover off. Took my breath away, it did!







An assortment of handmade chocolate truffels from their shop in New York! Ok, I admit that I am suitably impressed by the contents, but I would like to point out that I am even more impressed that these people, who really do not know me at all, took the time to put this gift together and cart it all the way to Isla, find my house and hand deliver it so that they could meet me. I'm blushing even as I write this.



They left me their business card too.






People, I went to their website and you can to by clicking here. I was really impressed by the assortment of homemade goodies that they have on offer. They do mail order also. So go take a look. For a very reasonable price, you can have them ship some homemade goodness to somebody you love....or even to yourself! I can think of at least five people off the top of my head who love receiving something from them in the mail. I'm sure you can too.



So, a big heartfelt thank you to Vasilow Confectonery. I really appreciate your kindness.

Market Vegetables

I would give almost anything to have daily access to such an assortment of quality vegetables.

Alas, this market is not here on the island. It is the downtown market in Huatulco, Oaxaca.

A Very Rainy Day

Wednesday was a day I don't want to repeat anytime soon.



Actually it started around 7pm Tuesday night with a downpour. That gradually turned into sprinkles and then went away entirely. Only to return with a vengeance about 3am the next morning.



The wind howled as it came in from the ocean, bringing buckets of rain with it. I got up and shut all the windows and went back to bed.



When I finally did haul myself out of bed, I was quite dismayed to find that the wind had taken down the cable TV line from in front of my house. It didn't break it, just left it dangled half on the ground.....and directly across the path of my exit for the car.



We had errands to run in town, so Bob just held the cable up so I could drive under it and away we went. After the errands were done, we decided to eat at San Martin again. Just a quick lunch because we had guests checking into the cabana later that afternoon.



We had just barely gotten ourselves ensconced at a table and ordered the special of the day, albondigas, when the sky literally opened up! The wind blew and the rain came down not in buckets but rather kegs full! It was horrible.



Here's a picture of the parking lot, taken about 10 minutes into the storm. Notice what a good job all the new sewer drains are doing. Not a sidewalk in sight, let alone the street or curbs.









This poor guy didn't realize that he would be parking in a lake.





And neither did I! Look how high it is up on the Pointer wheels already!






I can't state strongly enough how much I hate having to walk through water like this. It is full of garbage and debris, disease and filth. Anything that is on the sidewalks or streets gets picked up and carried in the water. Including dog and cat feces and urine, spitballs, puke, human urine (yes, the drunks still pee on the street here!), and garbage. Yuk. Yuk. Yuk.



I did feel sorry for the owners of Las Palmas hotel across the street. The entrance to their hotel is a couple of inches above the sidewalk. Can't tell it from this picture. The water was just pouring into their courtyard.





And it didn't help them either that everytime a car went by it created a mini sunami for them. Notice in this video how the car is actually pushing a huge wave of water in front of him.






To make matters even worse, when we got home I discovered that the wind had blown rain in under the door of the cabana and it was soaking wet over there. It took me over an hour to get all the water off the floors and out the front door. Thank goodness the guests were repeat customers and just laughed about the conditions when they got here.



"Can't fight Mother Nature", they cheerfully told me. And I agreed!

Mexico Shots

Cactus in the desert of Baja California South.

$3.68 Worth Of Goodness

One of my favorite...if not thee favorite....places to go for lunch is the loncheria San Martin. It is one of the four lunch stands located under the arches outside of the downtown market.

Over the years I have narrowed my favorites down to two. Oh yes, once in awhile I grow adventuresome and order something totally different. But mainly it is either chuleta empanazada (breaded pork chop) or the goodies shown below.

Now these are nachos. Nachos con pollo (nachos with chicken) no less. I'm pretty sure that I get a healthy serving of these. We have been going to this lunch stand for years.




They are not just piled on the plate with the toppings spread around. Oh, no. Each one is spread indiviually with refried beans, then the toppings are placed on that layer. Repeat for five or six layers. For 45 pesos, it is truly a meal.

I never eat at the other three lunch stands anymore. Over the years, I have tried them all. They are each good in their own right. I have developed a relationship with the family that runs the San Martin, watching their kids grow up and now have kids of their own. I would feel like an absolute traitor if I were to sit down at one of the other stands!

I highly recommend this lunch stand if you are ever on the island. You will not be disappointed with anything you order from their extensive menu.

Why I Went To Merida

One of the saddest days of my life here in Mexico was the day I realized I had to take my Jeep Wrangler back to the USA and sell it. The sea air here was killing it quickly. I would rather sell it to a good home than watch it turn into an undriveable rust bucket down here.

And I did find a good home for it. Sold it to a guy with two young boys who were going to use it for "boys only" camping trips into the wilderness of Wisconsin and Minnesota. I was happy that it went to such an adventurous home.

But I miss it. Top down, fresh air, sun blazing in on me. Just the feeling of freedom it gave me. So now that the Pointer is severly suffering from cancer of the sea air, it was time to look around for something different. Of course, the first thing that entered my head was to get a Jeep or some similar type vehicle.

We are done driving those long trips and distances in Mexico. I just can't do it anymore. The four hour drive to Merida is about all I can handle. So, not needing a locking trunk anymore or the security of a regular car with glass windows, off we went to Merida.

Like Cancun, Merida has an auto tiangus, or auto swap. The one in Merida is held in front of the old penetentiary and is huge. Huge. Lots of choices. On the really plus side, most of these cars have spent their entire lives in the Yucatan, well away from the damaging and corrosive effects of the sea air.

So......look what we found!




It's a 1998 Chevy Tracker. I'm not saying that it is perfect, but it sure is making me happy! Plus it is an automatic and has power steering! Both lacking in the Pointer. I must say though, I do prefer a stick shift. Just seems more like I am driving when I have to shift. It is nice not to have to keep pushing the clutch in though.




I very rarely name my cars. Only twice in my life have I done that. I had a 1975 Chevy Vega that I named Victor Vega and that car just ran and ran. It had to since I totally ignored all maintenance on it. Young and foolish and other priorities. The next one was my little 1995 Ford Fiesta that I used for commuting from the farm to Minneapolis to work. I simply called it the Zipmobile because it truly zipped me around everywhere with ease.

So, any suggestions for names? I think it is a boy.

Noche Mexicana

Ah! Noche Mexicana (Mexican Night) in Merida. What fun.

Every Saturday night this kind of dead end of Paseo Montejo, the main boulevard outside of downtown Merida, is closed off to traffic and open to a night of celebrations.




The place is packed with locals and tourists alike. As you approach, you are assailed by vendors of every description lining the street. Arts and Crafts abound.



Marking the end of the vendor zone and the beginning of the food and entertainment zone is, as usual, the balloon man. I love the balloon man. He is everywhere in Mexico.




At the far end of the street is a stage. A myriad of performers grace it. From Mariachi singers to comedians. From solo singers to dancers bedecked in various costumes of the regions of Mexico.




The painted backdrop this particular night was of a Spanish mission. Similar to the ones made popular in Amerian westerns. Some of the performers, especially the Aztec dancers, looked kind of funny juxtaposed in front of it. Here we have the great sound of a marimba band.

IMHO, this time around there was a serious lack of food vendors. A lot of them were gone, replaced by more tables and chairs to enjoy what food there was on offer. I'd rather stand and eat a taco and have more choices of food.

At least I got my salchipapas!

Under The Arches

Directly across from The Plaza de la Independencia, or zocolo, and kitty corner from The Cathedral Sits a series of shops, cafes, restaurants, book stores, internet cafes and a wonderful hall of murals.

The murals depicts the birth, life and ultimate Conquest of the Mayan people. A must see in Merida.

There is a walkway Covered Entire That runs the length of the street. After a hard day of sightseeing, shopping or more Likely in Our case, we like to sit at one of the sidewalk cafe and Have a leisurely cup of coffee.




Do not let the above picture fool you. This place is busy Usually remove. I Just Happened to catch a lull in the traffic.

Most of the locals now Even Better Than to try to get through the rush of Tourists under the arches. Like this native woman dressed in the native of the Yucatan wear for women ... the huipul.



Here's One of Those tourist buses I Was talking about now!




Tomorrow we visit a real Mexican night!

Yum.....or Dumb?

Now I ask you, what self respecting person could visit Merida in the state of the Yucatan, without gobbling up some of these? Outside of the Yucatan, the only other place I have seen them for sale is Costa Rica.




For you newbies, or forgetful ones, these are salchipapas. Deep fried pieces of cheap hot dogs served with piping hot french fries. A true delicacy in my book!

Merida Cathedral

I love this building. Despite how it was built.

It was started by the Spaniards in 1561 and completed in 1598. It utililized hundreds of Mayan workers. And hundreds of stones pilfered from the Mayan sites by the Spaniards when they destroyed them.




The front door is a spectacle in itself.



Even at night, it commands attention.

Giddy Up!

One of the distinctive features about downtown, central Merida are these:



These horse-drawn carriages line the streets around the cathedral and zocolo across the street. They are, of course, mainly for the benefit and enjoyment of the thousands of tourists who visit Merida each year.

Every time I am there, I always hear somebody feeling sorry for these horses. Lamenting how skinny they are and that the poor things have to stand around for hours doing nothing.

I know a thing or two about horses. These horses are not malnourished and not abused. In fact, they all have healthy coats and bright eyes. I think they are very well cared for. Consider that if they were not, there goes the family bread and butter. I think it is just the breed of horse.

I don't know which breed it is. It is unfamiliar to me. Much smaller than the horses to the north. The confirmation of most of them is nothing to take to the show ring. But they are not abused.

Special Saturday Post

I stole the picture here from our local newspaper, Por Esto.

It shows the wreckage That Occurred When the cranes Used to construct the stage for the Elton John concert at Chichen Itza tonight collapsed. Three men were injured, one loosing his right leg.




The Mayan ruins of Chichen Itza, Located in the state of the Yucatan, Have Been Designated as one of the new wonders of the world.

Sorry, But It just burns my butt That this sacred place, now this overly hyped tourist mecca, is Being Turned Into a venue for "stars" to make Another million. Surely There Are Other venues for them to use. Like maybe a Legitimate auditorium?

I love Elton John. Sarah Brightman too, who has also performed there. Include Placido Domingo on That list also. Even so, I will never Attend a concert here. I think it is just wrong, wrong, wrong.

Rant over.

Gran Plaza

A couple of blocks up from the main Cathedral in Merida, sits this pretty little park. Merida is full of parks, each with its' own special character. This one Is Called Grand Plaza, named after-the famous Grand Hotel That Occupied space on one side of it.

In the center stands proud this statue of Iforgethisname, staunchly Facing the Small church across the street.




I think the staircase in Merida, Both indoors and out, are Simply stupendous. Architecture in Their Own right.




You Can Also find an abundance of These in most parks.




They are Called Courting benches. Given Our Puritan heritage and Mexico's Catholic one, You Can Probably Understand why.

A different view of Lord Iforgethisname. Brilliantly siloutteted Against the sky.





Also abound in the city churches. They are Everywhere you turn. Each one a classic.





Just in case you missed the pigeon taking a break in the photo above!

And here she is proud in all of her glory: The Grand Hotel. Way Beyond my budget.

Just look at the detail and the paint job. She is a magnificent piece of Meridian archetecture.

If you ever get a chance to visit Merida, I hope you take a stroll around. Or better yet, hop onto one of the city tour buses. There are Some magnificent parks and buildings to see There.

** There will be a special post on the blog tomorrow.