Thoughts along the way

Just for the heck of it, and I am bored, I decided to write down some thoughts along the way back to the boat. Sunday was the first time I used the Merida airport and I did not know what to expect. As things turned out it went very smooth, seems like everyone I came across knew better English then I do Spanish. Each time I started to ask a question or answer one, we ended up speaking English. Even knowing it was the best/fastest way to go, it would have been nice to try to see how far I could have gotten with my bad, really bad, no make that really,really, really bad Spanish. I did my normal thing when going through security, took off shoes, pulled out plastic bag with toothpaste, and other small containers of liquid, took off sweater, took notebook out of bag, ETC...... Once on other side I watched others go through not doing any of this... Some even smiled at me as I was putting myself back together.. I soon found out why, when you get to the gate area you have all bags inspected and you are wand down, before allowed to enter the waiting area at the gate.

The flight itself was smooth and boring just the way I like them. Once in Houston I rented a car and was off to find my hotel. Talk about drivers shock, after being in Mexico traffic I felt like I was on the moon. People stop for red lights and do not take off five seconds before it turns green. A turn signal means that car is more then likely going to turn. Not one car stopped in the middle of the street using four ways to let out of pick up a passenger, busses did not cut me off not even once. Strangest part.... I missed the Mexican traffic... LOL....

After finding the hotel and checking out the room I went and found a place to eat, Not sushi but it was good. Sitting in the room that night I found I missed my room in Merida, why I asked. It has no heat, I have problems sleeping because of street noise, and I would like a bed instead of the hammock. Well the reason is simple, it is not the place you are at , but the people you are with that matter. Next time back I have to remember this.....

Monday was a simple day of shopping to get items I will need on the boat that I could not find in Mexico. I was also able to find my Sushi restaurant and had some very good Sushi, and California rolls, along with some new rolls called dirty dogs. It was all great, but the lack of company was not... Good food is always better when you share it with someone. Rest of the day was spent watching television, and eating take out Sushi.

Tuesday I drove to one of out old stomping ground places from when we leaved in the area. I wanted to check on some of the people that we used to see whenever we went they and see how everyone was doing. Could have saved myself the drive, not one person I knew was around, hung around for a little then decided it was time to go. It had started to rain and I needed to turn in the car before going to the airport to catch my flight.

Turned in the car, no problem. Now waiting for the flight to start boarding... Yes all security crap that I did in Mexico still has to be done in the states...

Turns out we changed gates three times before boarding the plan at 5:50pm, scheduled departure was 5:55pm, took off at 6:45pm landed in New Orleans at 7:40pm.

Made it to the crew hotel for 8pm, found out I will be on the 05:30 am wake up list for departure in the morning to the boat.. Best eat and get some sleep tomorrow is going to be a long day..

Wake-up call at o530, out of room and on the way to the boat. Count down to my return to Mexico begins... LOL...

Last Day last day trip

Last night we went to the Xmas dinner at Buddy's, just to try and meet people. Luck was on our side this time. We were seated next to a lady that was able to tell us about an area we had not yet looked at.

I do not have the time to go into details ( packing for the boat tonight ) but here are some photos, took over 200 about 80 made the cut, so this is just s peak.. Kay will do more research in and about the area, but I think we may have found what we have been looking for.

Just to top things off, found a small restaurant that seared a great fish cake and shrimp lunch.

Sorry about not going into detail but lets just say I have high hopes for finding a home in the Yucatan once again.

Getting ready to return to the boat

Time has come, it is now time to start getting things lined up to go back to work. Will be leaving Merida on the 27th of Dec. flying into Houston. Will stay in Houston until the 29th when I go to New Orleans to meet up with the rest of my crew, then on the 30th we all go back onto the Geco Snapper for five weeks.

Still have to sort out what I will take with me and pack, can only carry 15lbs of gear due to helicopter weight limits. We take one from the port to the boat, boat does not come to port for crew change unless planed or a problem.

Have to go to Houston first so I have time to get things I need for the boat that I have not been able to find down here. Like allergy pills so I can breath during the day and sleep at night. Will also take the time to go to a "good" Sushi restaurant that I know. Can not believe all Sushi down here has cream cheese in it, I just happen to be allergic to all milk products so it drives me nuts.

When I get off in Feb, we are thinking of driving up to San Miguel de A. and checking it out again, it seems better to me after Merida then it did before. Good food is a big factor to me, and it is not to be had here unless you know someone from here that will cook for you. That is not likely to happen so time to move on and see what can be found.

So I will be here for Christmas but not for the first... So Happy Holidays to all...

Three weeks

Not sure what this post is going to turn into, just feel like doing a self check on how I currently feel about being in the Yucatan ( Mexico ).

First the pros..

• The weather is okay, not great ( rain, and clouds )
• Walking the dogs on the beach ( sometimes )
• People are friendly
• Super Wal Mart is in area (21/12/09)
• Started to understand how streets work in Merida (21/12/09)
• Lots information to be found on area sites and blogs (21/12/09)
• Great Vet. for the dogs, "IF" we do leave will miss her. (24/12/09)
• Mega Food Store just off Cup. my type of store, has background music, NO loud intercom like Wall World, Plenty of room to move around in, always cash reg open, no headache when I leave. (24/12/09)

Next the cons.

• Very few photo oops.... unless I make them
• Tourist places like Chicken Itsa to crowded and not allowed close to anything
• Unable to take dogs places overnight due to lack of hotels that allow them
• I can not go places overnight because I will not leave the dogs
• Food sucks...... Have had a maximum of five good meals in over three weeks
• Can not find any of the foods I like in any of the markets
• Do not understand enough Spanish to communicate, ( my fault )
• No place to go for a walk alone were I live, because of my lack of Spanish
• Super Wal Mart is in area (21/12/09)
• Misinformation to be found on area sites and blogs (21/12/09)

This will be ongoing for next few days.... so that I allow time to change mood, first edit done after a truly shitty day...

Drive to Del Carmen, not allowed to stay at a hotel that was booked, drove back to Merida, Electric out, door to my room closed and locked, key to room did not work, kicked in f^%$#@ door, internet not working once power back. Found problem with internet next day, BAD ^%^%^%&^ modem from cable company, replaced with my modem, internet now back up..... Notice none of this items are on the pro or con list....

Casas in Our Area

Seems like all I see are photos of how everything here is so great. It is true that some of the homes here are just wonderful, clean, pretty, and well maintained. However it is just as true that right next to it you may find a place people are living in that is not so great. So today during a 15 min. walk of the dogs I took some photos of different homes along the way. All of the houses are on the same two streets, some right next to the other... Just thought this was of interest, to me if no one else.

WOW, Did not get lost today!!!!

First I want to thank whoever left the information about Assis, We were able to find it without any problems and set things up to have some curtains made. It is located next to the super Bodago and the 7 eleven, just past the circle with Burger King on Prolongacion Montejo.. Nice place to get curtains made, but if looking for off the shelf good luck. At first we thought we would have to use our poor spanish and hope for the best, but one of the ladies does speak a little english so it was better then we could have hoped for. Now time will tell how things work out because our appointment is not until Dec 28th...

We also went down to the airport section of town and found the DHL and the FED EX again no problems getting there or back, maybe just maybe we are starting to learn our way around, or we just got lucky.... Either way it was nice not to be lost.

So not a very exciting day, but you know I kind of like it. We are back at the house, did all the things we wanted and are not exhausted or frustrated. Good day!!!

Day at the Beach

This weekend we decided to take time off and smell the roses so to speak. Took off to explore beaches, thought we would start off in Progreso again and see what else was around. Welll as things turn out as far as beaches go not much else once you get out of town. After driving around looking more at the houses for rent and sale, we turned back and went to Buddy,s for dinner.

Found out about a Saturday night get together that was held in town at 7pm and decided why not stay and go check it out? So we checked into the Hotel Isadora for the night.

Took the dogs for a walk along the beach, and went and checked out the get together.

Made for an interesting day, not to mention staying at a hotel without planning is always fun...

Went back to Buddy's and purchased tickets for Dec 25th dinner... This time we will plan better for an overnight stay...

Next day ( Sunday ) get up and had to use same clothes d/t lack of planning... Then drove around taking photos of what ever bird would stay still long enough for my small camera. Results below of the best... So ends the weekend...

Adventure of The Find

Things are coming along, now have a refrigerator, living room furniture, our hammocks, a deck and chair in my room, and a stove that needs to get hooked up.

Above shows the refrigerator to the left and stove on the upper right.

What the heck this is the rest of the kitchen, not very big but it will work for us.

List of things to try and do today....

Spencer to a groomer, poor guy needs a hair cut, too long for this weather.

Shot of the groomers we took Spencer to for a bath and cut.

Laundry needs to get done, so have to find a place to do it, have not gotten a washer or dryer yet.

Above Kay making the transaction at the laundry place for our cloths to get done..

Get the stove hooked up so we can cook.

Plumber came and checked the stove, needs an additional fitting to make it work.

30 min later he was back with the fitting, stove is now ready to go.

So far we have not run into any worker that does not show up and do the job as well if not better then any up North.

Find a place for bottled water, I prefer it for drinking and cooking.

We have water, with a pump....

So will have to call this day a success..

progress Slowly

Today was a look for furniture day. drove into Centro on advice of a friend, was given several locations to look. After driving from one to the other without any luck, we stopped at a Cuban Restaurant for lunch. I love Cuban food so I will not tell you the name or location of this place because in my opinion it was the worst excuse I have ever come across, calling it cuban???? That is like calling Hot dogs French Cuisine. Anyway we then drove around some more and around 2 called it quits for the day, and went to Mega for some lunch meats and drinks.

Of all places to find anything this is not what I would have expected. Found a Television table, and two small sofas, also found desk and chair for my room. Also got our drinks and lunch meats. So what looked like another day spent touring the city the hard way turned out okay. The furniture fits the house we are renting and did not cost an arm and a leg... All in all a very good day..

Next we need Curtains, if anyone reads this blog and knows a place that has a decent choice in curtains.... HELP!!!!!!!!! Please..

Looks like Pia approves of the new furniture...

Progress report last three days

Sunday

Today we checked out of the hotel, hope to be ready to sleep at the house tonight. First we are off to find hammocks, told of a place on 73 and 58 calle. Found the place with very little difficulties, but it was closed ( today is Sunday ) so drove around looking for breakfast. Pulled over someplace around 54 and 75 I think... Maybe.... Walked around in a market place that was busy!!!!!!! First thing we came across was some home made enchilada, just had to get a few.. Then were told of a place we could find breakfast ( eggs ) and off we go again... On the way to breakfast we run into a man telling about a place to get hammocks, so we de-tore again and take a look..

Not the greatest I have seen but price was okay... Purchased one each, ( I believe we will find better later and replace this. ) Then off to find hardware for so we can hang them or we will not be able to sleep in them... NOW we can go eat breakfast, found a place on the roof of the market place that served scrambled eggs Mexacana..... Excellent.. best breakfast since hitting Merida..

Good food to be found on the roof...

So now we thought we would try to find the Plaza Las Americana ... DId good.. found it with little problems.. Went in and found the TelMax store and purchased two phones, one each.... Still have to go back tomorrow to the Center and finish having them activated. Doing good so far and it is not even noon.... Break time for coffee, and to discuss what else we need to get today... We are both tied ( not sleeping well ) so do not want to push to much... Decided to find two prong plugs that will allow us to use our electronic hardware from home, and some more hangers... DONE... easy....

Okay it is noon and time to go home maybe take a nap before doing anything else... Ahhhh..... what is with this city!!!!! Ever time we try to go a certain direction the roads change, or get shut down , or just stop when the map shows it goes through... Not going into detail but it took 1.5 hours to get home and should not have taken more then 25-30 min tops.... Lost track how many times we had to go the wrong way because of one way streets... THIS is driving me nuts!!!!!!!! I do not mind the way business is done, the way people drive, or anything else.... But I hate being lost.... and that is what it feels like to me when the map shows an open road that dead ends..... If I give up on living down here that will be my main #1 without question reason way....

Made it back to the house only photos today taken at breakfast, only progress on the house was the hammocks so ends the datno.. No internet today either, so have to wait to post this when I can.. For now it is just a word Doc....

Monday

Monday, Dec 7th 2009..... Today we went back to activate the TelMex phones... Done with little problems, Except for finding our way to the plaza from the house. Streets are driving me mad, mad I tell you. Does not help that I have not been able to sleep for more then 2 to 3 hours at a time for over a week.

After phones were activated we spent several hours walking around looking for other things needed.. Found very little... Back to the house, found way back with only one U-Turn to get on right road ( not allowed to turn left were needed ) .... Still sitting on camp chairs, no Tables,, ....

Just to top off the day, we have no real food in the house, and I do not feel good.maybe coming down with something.

Kay went out with the owner getting gas tanks, for hot water heater and stove, got back sometime around 1800. Guess the things are hooked up, to be honest at this point to quote a line from a movie “ I don’t give a dame “. We still do not have a stove so it really does not matter..

Tomorrow we sit around the house waiting for the internet to get hooked up.

Tuesday

Tuesday Dec 8th, looks like this post will have multiple days. Another night of messed up sleep.. Tried to sleep in the hammock again, adjusted it several times in hope of finding a comfortable position, no luck.. Laid a blanket on the floor and slept on the floor for several hours. Up at 02:00, back hurts having problems moving, has since loosened up, but do not feel safe laying back down. Need to find a real bed, that is first on my list when the internet is up and running..

Wait for internet service to be installed, we took turns walking around the block checking things out. Nothing today, but did find places to buy things.

Next excitement came when the gas man showed up. Had to trade in the new gas tanks we got yesterday for full tanks, that are old. We now have gas for water heater that is old, and our stove that we do not yet have..

Hoping this is the gas man sent by our landlord...

Notice the old tank is going in and the new one just purchased last night is being taken out...

So it was out with the new and in with the old. Back to waiting...

Took another walk at 1100 found a few small markets in the area, when I cam back the cable men followed shortly after. Just over an hour later we had television, internet and a phone line working...

Moving in

Today we did get a few small items completed. We arranged to get cable ( television, phone, and internet ) hook up sometime Tuesday. ( good deal!!! ) Went driving around looking at places that we might be able to get some used furniture. ( total confusion ) Picked up several must have items from Wal Mart ( because we know WM ) like seats for el Toilet, a microwave, shower curtain, TP, coffee mugs, dog food, cat food, ETC...

Then we tried to find the Plaza De American..... Think we came close a couple of times but kept running into one way roads going the wrong way... Will try again in the morning when fewer people are on the road....

Looking up places to purchase a hammock so that we can check out of the hotel and start staying at the house.

Todays photos show what the place looks like at the end of the day today... Oh!!!!!! so much difference...

Texas truck in front of our new Mexican Home.

No change to the yard, just Kay trying to hide.

Vast improvement, Maybe not so much if you are male, but believe me a seat is a big deal..

A Television and two chairs, we will improve on them in the near future. But for now it is better then nothing.

Kitchen almost looks like one, but still lots to do...

Living-room is still mostly empty, so are both bedrooms.....