(T)It's A New Statue!

The Island governement announced a while back that it would be installing a bunch of new statues around the island. They weren't sure how many or where they would be though. Or when it would happen.

Well, they have installed a few now, and, I must say, they are really nice.


They even put this new one out at South Point.






You can imagine how long it took me for to get this picture. I had to wait for all the tourists guys to have their pictures taken by girlfriends and/or spouses. Guys, I have news for you. Those aren't real tits. And kissing them does not bring you good luck. More likely some sickness from the multitude of guys before you that day who have kissed or licked them.

Despite the junior high school behaviour that this elicites from all the guys who see it, I do think it is a nice statue and very well done.

My Time In The Circus

I was never one of those kids who drempt of running off to join the circus. Or carnival. Or any other organization. Well, maybe the rodeo. Just so I could be around horses. So it is with no great delight that I find myself living in a circus like environment most of the time. Or at least it feels like it.

Readers of this blog will recall that when our LP gas tanks run out, we have to put the tank in front of our house and wait for the Z Gas company truck to drive by and notice it. They take it with them and bring it back to you full. Most of the time. There have been plenty of reports of tanks being returned less than full though. I even have a friend who keeps track of how much her full tank should weigh. The whole experience I find very exasperating.

Recently I put out our empty tank....three days in a row. On several occasions, I actually sat on the porch and watched as they drove by the house and never stopped. I finally got on my Scooter and drove around until I found the truck and personally requested that they come to my house and get my tank. They were there an hour later. My "full" tank of gas was delivered later that afternoon.

The tank they took away time before last was almost new. They brought back a different tank to me and no amount of arguing would persaude them that it wasn't the tank I gave them. Fine. Bite me.

This time around, this is the tank they delivered. Isn't it nice.







I installed the regulator on the tank and checked it for leaks. I have done this hundreds of times over the past 22 years, since we had LP tanks on the farm also. I think I know what I am doing. Even after it was properly installed and I could find no leaks, I still continued to get a faint odor of gas from it. I couldn't find where it was coming from so we kept it turned off except when we needed to use it.

Three days later it was empty. There is very evidently a leak somewhere in it. A full tank will normally last me six months. Not three days.

I put the tank out yesterday and when they stopped (miracle! the same day!) I told them the tank had a leak and I wanted a replacement tank and I did not feel I had to pay for it. Or at least I should get a discount for not getting a full tank last time. They sniifed at it. They turned it upside down and banged on the bottom. The verdict was that the tank was fine because they could see no holes and could not smell gas. I think it would be very difficult to smell gas from an empty tank. But, then, I am not the professional.

I refused to let them take it unless they admitted that it was faulty and agreed to furnish a different tank. They told me if I thought there was something wrong with it, I should report it to the Department of Public Safety then. I would then get a "ticket" to give to them and they would replace the tank.

Yesterday morning I headed downtown to the Department of Public Safety, which is hidden away down a dark alley on a side street and took many enquieries to find. In a nutshell, they told me that they could not file a report and give me a ticket because the tank was now empty and did not impose a danger to the community! A full circle moment. It was a problem between myself and the gas company now and I would just have to find a solution. Thanks Isla Mujeres government.

So I came back home and put out the faulty tank again. As of this writing, I am still waiting for the truck to come by. I intend to tell them what the most helpful lady at the Department of Sometimes Public Safety told me. I hope I don't get any kind of argument from them because I will probably go balistic.

Stay tuned to see what the next act in the circus ring is.

The Floating Island

One bright, sunny day a few weeks ago, I met up with one of my faithful readers and commenters her on the blog, KfromMichigan. She was staying in Cancun but coming over for a day trip and renting a golf cart. Would I be interested in joining her and her companions for a tour of the island? After some careful questioning on my part, it was determined that she really is a sane person and would not be careening me around the island on some drunken golf cart race. So we arranged a meeting time and place and off we went!

One of the places we stopped was out on Sac Bajo. This is the legendary floating island located here. It really is a fascinating place. While standing on the falling down dock, taking these pictures, a voice boomed at us from the island. Would we like to come aboard for a tour? If so, the raft would be sent over to us. Alas, we did not have time for it but I do think it would make an interesting visit.

Here are a few pictures of it.

There is currently a fundraiser for this going on. There are plans to move this from the protected inlet where it has been built, out into the bay facing Cancun. To find out more about this fascinating place, go here:

www.spiralislanders.info

www.youtube.com/user/rishisowa

www.flickr.com/photos/rishisowa

Good Morning, Sunshine!

Ever since we have been fostering this dog, I have gotten to see a lot of sunrises. Probably even more than I really care about! I thought I would just share some of the golden quiet with you this morning.

Words Fail Me Sometimes

I just thought I would share an updated photo of our "nephew", Charlie. I think he is cute as a button. Just to refresh your memories, he was born at the beginning of February to our friend, Carlos and his wife, Andrea. How can you help but love him!

Merida Miscellanea

Almost every language has "borrowed" words. Words that are actually not of that language but adopted to become part of it. In English, we have such things as hors 'd oevres and armada. In Spanish, they have adopted baby, sandwich and hot dog. Any hombre on the street will immediately know what you are talking about if you use any of these words. Imagine my mirth then when I saw this sign: For the Spanish challenged amongst us, the second phrase down, perros calientes, literally translates to dogs hot. I don't know why, but I found it hilarious. Just easily amused, I guess. There is a small tienda on the street where my friend lives that is owned by Oriental immigrants. I'm not quite sure if they were making fun of themselves or quite serious when they painted their logo on the wall. Just like in English, they have trouble pronouncing the R sound. Thus precios (prices) comes out as they say it. Same with balatos (cheap) which should be baratos. Again, either a good ad gimmick or literal spelling. Either way, I found it funny. After the second parade, we made our way home and then on to a popular little lunch stand on a busy corner. This place is very popular with the locals. One taste of their regional specialities and you will understand why. Simple delicious and simply simple food. I love places like this. While waiting for our food, there was a constant procession of parade goers and float paraphanalia going by. Sometimes they are too high for the resident power lines. There is usually somebody sitting up high with a stick to make sure that the passage under the wires goes without mishap. Even in Merida, scooters are everywhere and they better yield to traffic. At least they wear their helmuts. Ok, enough of Merida for awhile. Next we return to the island!

Second Parade - Part 2

I was really pleased to see this next participant. These carriages are seen all over downtown and are a favorite of tourists and people in love. (well, at least I have never seen anybody arguing while in one!) This time around they were even more gaily decorated than normal. And held a beautiful woman to boot! Just a normal Yucatecan couple out for a stroll. I'm not sure what these Mayan ladies had in those bags. I don't remember them throwing anything to the crowd. Maybe it was just a fake out? This troup demonstrated and played an ancient game of Mayan basketball while walking down the street. They are not allowed to use their hands at any time while trying to get the ball through that hole. Of course, every game has its' cheaters! I had to chuckle when I saw this Dude. Any excuse to wear a cape. When this float passed by, it was like being in a ticker tape parade. What fun to have all those colorful bits of paper swirling everywhere. Come blow your horn! Another look at the huipil. Even though it may look like it, they are not being marched off to slaughter. I like this float. They forego the usual babes in skimpy outfits to honor the tradition of the Yucatan instead. Tasteful. Some of these floats are quite long. Yeah, Sol beer! The Senior Citizens Club had an entry of marchers. They were thoughtful, and smart, enough to also provide these limos for when a marcher got to pooped to participate any longer. That parade route was long! Points to Sol beer for originality. Motorized beer coolers! Those damn clowns were everywhere.

The parade went on for a lot longer but my camera failed me again. I guess that's ok though. I'm sure everybody has seen enough parade pictures now to last until next year!