Oh baby it's hot outside

In physics, heat is a result of movement. The more active atoms and molecules are, the faster they are moving, and the more heat they are giving off.

I am an aberration of nature.

Absolutely no movement and I am still hot, hot, hot. I find my self wanting only to sit in front of no less than 2 fans with a HUGE glass of ice water day in and day out.

We are into our 4th year year, our 4th spring/summer season. Shouldn't it be getting easier. Actually the odd part is this is the first time I am feeling discomfiture with the heat. Yes, each spring/summer season has been hot, but it really hasn't bothered me. This year however I am in distress. I find myself in a daze throughout the day. I don't go anywhere, don't want to go anywhere, don't see anyone, don't want to see any,one can't seem to get the energy up to do the most mundane task.

It's not the sweating, I'm so over that, My name is Debi and I sweat! It really is just part of living here.

It just seems to be so much more internal this year, I am hot inside, and it can't get out.

I've been following the "invest 93" disturbance over the Yucatan Peninsula which has now dissipated. I was hoping beyond all belief for a huge storm to make the heat stop.

An invest ## is a designation given by the hurricane center to an area they are investigating but that is not yet a depression. They do this so they can run the hurricane models on it for forecasting purposes. It is typically a high cloud formation that could turn into, ..., something..., cyclone, storm, ..., whatever, I was just looking for something, anything to blow away the heat.

The tropics are quiet right now, no relief in sight and this is the current weather -
today, Tuesday at 10:45AM

Partly Cloudy

Current temp: 88°

Expected high: 98°

Low: 76°

Feels Like: 101° OMG what's it going to feel like when it is actually 98...

Barometer: 29.79 in and steady

Humidity: 75%

Visibility: 7 mi

Dewpoint: 79°

Wind: S 13 mph

Sunrise: 6:20 am

Sunset: 7:43 pm

and here's the forecast

• Today: Mixed clouds and sun with scattered thunderstorms. Hot. Heat index near 110F. High 98F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%.
• Tonight: Scattered thunderstorms during the evening. Partly cloudy skies after midnight. Low 73F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%.
• Tomorrow: Partly cloudy with a slight chance of thunderstorms. Very hot. Heat index near 110F. High 101F. Winds SE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 30%.
• Tomorrow night: Isolated thunderstorms during the evening, then skies turning partly cloudy overnight. Low 74F. Winds ESE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 30%.
• Thursday: Scattered thunderstorms. Highs 101 to 105F and lows in the mid 70s.
• Friday: Partly cloudy, chance of a thunderstorm. Highs 101 to 105F and lows in the mid 70s.
• Saturday: Partly cloudy with a stray thunderstorm. Highs 99 to 103F and lows in the mid 70s.

OK, enough ranting, this is making no sense, but that's how I feel, hot hot baby!
Oh, such a cry baby


Thanks for listening!

Americans for Medicare in Mexico

I'm taking this info directly from Yucatan Living's website -

Not that I don't think each and everyone of you don't already read Yucatan Living but because you may have missed this due to the abundance of other stuff.

I'm not yet ready for Medicare, dammit, but it just makes good common sense to get this in place for those that do qualify - and to save the system some money so that maybe I can get Medicare when the time comes. Here's a link to the MediCare website

Americans for
Medicare in Mexico

The time has come for Americans in Mexico to fight even harder to push through legislation that will allow eligible senior citizens, living in Mexico, to use their Medicare benefits where they live. This is especially true of the preventive care that is often much lower cost in Mexico than north of the border which will, in turn, result in a huge Medicare savings. The improved outcomes for seniors living in Mexico, who are more likely to seek care in the initial stages of an illness, will ensure a higher quality and longer life for those who are its beneficiaries. We ask that everyone - please - join in this struggle for eligible senior citizens to have access to the care they have earned by visiting the website of Americans for Medicare in Mexico.


Gracias Yucatan Living - for all your great work.

Debi

Goya en Mérida

I read in yesterdays Diario that an exhibit of works by Goya

is opening on Tuesday at the Olimpo.

These are exciting times!

I'll report back after I've gone!

Meet Willson

We first met Willson at a restaurant on the beach at Celestun in Nov 2008. He seemed like your typical corporate refugee looking for a simpler way of life. He was quiet, but with a friendly open face, and pleasing disposition. He seemed to make friends easily.

We visited, had a few laughs and went on our way.

We recently returned to Celestun for a bit of sun, and to view the flamigos.

We once again encountered Willson; he was still hanging out on the beach.

You could see the changes - his appearance had changed, he seems to have adopted a more 'local' visage. It became apparent he was spending too much time hanging out at the beach, too much sun, a few too many cervezas, no sense of direction, and no real friends.

We could tell that Willson needed some support; we invited him home.

We let him know he could stay with us and try to get himself straight again; find direction...

Here is Willson meeting Tech and Tatie. We'll do what we can, support Willson, let him rest, get sober, get his bearings, ...

Your thoughts for Willson recovery are appreciated and will be passed on.

bus travel - Merida to Playa del Carmen

* edit - all prices mentioned are in MXP (pesos)

We just returned Thursday evening from Cozumel. We've had friends, in differing groups visiting since May 30. The most recent couple visiting were going to be with us only 3 nights then head to Cozumel, we decided to head with them. It was a whirlwind trip, only 2 nights. We left Tuesday on the 9:40 bus, and got home Thursday evening about 8pm.

My intent for this blog isn't so much about the trip to Cozumel as it is about the 'getting' to Cozumel.

I had significant difficulty trying to get specific info on the buses, stations, locations, etc.

So here's what I learned.

I elected to travel via ADO. ADO GL offers a few additional extras that didn't seem to justify the extra expense to me for a short trip like this; Both ADO and ADO GL offer movies and or music, a/c (take a wrap because they keep it icy cold), restroom (take paper and sanitizing hand gel), reclining cushioned seats, window shades, ADO GL offers separate mens and womens bathrooms, baby changing area, a coffee/water/tea dispenser, and I think you get a soda when you board. Both buses list 5hrs 10min to 5hrs 35min as travel times
ADO was $286, ADO GL was $344, oh and they do give half price fares to those with the MX Govt INAPAM card.

Ticket Bus has good schedules; the site is a bit difficult to navigate, although they do show all levels of buses available within your search parameters. Be aware if you don't know which terminal you want in a location with more than one it can be frustrating.

We left from the ADO 1st class station "CAME" in Merida, which is located on Calle 70, between Calle 69 and 71, Centro.

Getting info from the attendants at CAME about which station we would arrive at in Playa del Carmen was frustrating. They really don't seem to know anything but what shows up on their computer terminal, and that didn't tell them much. And in typical Yucatecan fashion, they told me what they thought I wanted to hear, whether it was correct or not.

In Playa del Carmen there are two bus terminals. The older Terminal Turistica o Terminal Rustica, which is at 5th and Juarez is just 2 convenient blocks from the ferry. Unfortunately it only services 2nd class and local buses. The newer Terminal Alterna at 20th Avenue between Calle 12 and Calle 12Bis is where the 1st class buses arrive and depart; this is only about 8 blocks from the ferry, and if you've packed light can be a pleasant walk through the shopping area, taxis are available - we were charged $40 to be driven the distance from the Alterna Terminal to the Ferry.
Travel Yucatan has a pretty good PDC map, click here it shows the locations of the 2 bus terminals, and the ferry.

The Terminal codes for Merida Came are MEY, and for Playa del Carmen Alterna are PDC.

From Playa to Merida there is offered an Express Service, no stops, 4 hours and 15 minutes, these buses depart 0630, 1030, 1330, 1530, 1730, and 2359.

I'll have to go check on this Express Service availability at the CAME station and report back.

Oh, just FYI - the Ferry from Playa to Cozumel also gives half price discounts to INAPAM card holders. Regular ferry fare one-way is $140.

Speaking of turning 60...

Tom is now officially 60.

We had a party to be sure it was official. It's time to get his INAPAM card. INAPAM is an acronym for Instituto Nacional de las Personas Adultas Mayores.

The card gets you senior citizen discounts

Many have posted of their trials and tribulations in attempting to obtain their card. We listened, and we learned. A week or so before Tom's birthday we went to INM (Immigration) and applied for Tom's CURP -

Immigration (INM) office is at the corner of Ave. Colon and calle 6, Colonia Garcia Gineres 999-928-5832 or 999-928-6141

EDIT * Thanks to Leslie Limon for the acronym identification - CURP stands for Clave Unico de Registro Publico.

We had all the paperwork and copies that so many learned were needed, the hard way.

Complete copies of ALL pages of both FM3 and Passport, comprobante de domicilo, and the completed form requesting the CURP.

Within a week we had the CURP.

* EDIT - and according to MCM - You can also get your CURP at Registro Civil de Estado (Calle 65 between 64 y 66, she thinks). Just bring your FM-3, no copies, no passport.

Then this morning we headed out to get Tom's identification photo. Getting the photo took us about 35 minutes. At Wal-Mart on Montejo and Perez Ponce just as you enter the front door on the right is the photo area, you ask for photos de identificacion, tamaño infantil, color. You get about 6 postage stamp size photos for 30mxp.

Thusly armed we were off to the local office of the Instituto Nacional de las Personas Adultas Mayores (National Institute for Senior Citizens, or INAPAM) office at:
59 x Av. Itzaes y 90, Modulo 2, 999-923-9600

where along with his new photo, a copy of first 2 information pages of FM3 and ORIGINAL FM3, and a copy of the comprobante de domicilo, we approached the INAPAM door, as I placed my hand on the doorknob, the young woman sitting at the plastic table asked if she could help us.

I thought she was just waiting like several others already there. Turns out she has the paperwork for the INAPAM card. We explained what we wanted, showed her the documents, she asked to see Tom's passport which we didn't have with us, doh! Then said we didn't have the CURP number, I turned to the correct page pointed it out to her, she wrote our address on the back of the FM3 copy, asked for emergency contact - ME! and my cell phone nuber, then Tom's cellphone. She took the copy, and the photo and told us to wait as she entered the room.




We waited, and waited, and waited, and waited, and after about 15 minutes a woman opens the door, looks at us and motions to us, well actually she only wanted Tom, to follow. I was asked to wait outside. This was a little disconcerting and I could see the brief look of panic on Tom's face; he doesn't speak much spanish just yet.

About 4 minutes pass and Tom comes out with his new INAPAM card, and a booklet identifying possible discounts

SUCCESS

We celebrated by going out for lunch, nope, not at any of the places where we could have received a discount, there's always tomorrow!

Tom's 60th Birthday Party

I hesitate to blog Tom's Birthday Party because we had to limit our attendee list.

Our house is huge, for us, but not huge for LOTS of people. Therefore, and unfortunately, some of our friends, as much as we wanted to, were not able to be included.

All that said, I'm gonna post a few pics anyway.

Is this the face of a 60 year old? I think not!

This is actually a big year for us - Tom wanted to throw a MASSIVE Party, but again, we just don't have the space. Tom turned 60 June 2, June 8 was our 35th wedding anniversary, and December 24 I turn 55. All that adds up to 150 and for some reason Tom finds that number significant.

I'm a humbug about special days, December 24 each year is just that, December 24, nothing more, nothing less. Christmas is December 25, Halloween is October something, 30, 31... You get my point. Tom on the other hand loves any reason to make a fuss, makes you wonder how we've made it together so long doesn't it? They say opposites attract, but what is that makes them stick!

Tom decided he wanted a party for his 60th. I threw him a big one for his 40th, rented a hall, had a magician , catered food, open bar, yadda, yadda, yadda; he doesn't remember to much about it, neither do I really, but the pictures make it look like we were having a good time.

So this year, he wants a party, and he wants to get Angélica Balado to perform, I've posted about her before. Angelica Balado performs Contemporary Yucatecan Trova, she has a lovely throaty voice, plays guitar, and her percussionist vocalist partner Melina Ruz is a wiz on drums n things.

Tom actually ended up doing uch of the planning. I handled food and details, he handled the I wants. To that end he enlists good buddy Lida to act as his agent and track down Angelica Balado, give her the date, see if she is available, and importantly find out how much she costs. Lida is local yucateca and speaks the lingo muy bueno. Tom has some phone numbers, but none seem to get through; Lida works, n works, n works, finally after the 3rd week, and a week before the party she makes contact. Now Lida is a BIG FAN of Angelica and is maybe just a bit startstruck, and can't believe she is actually talking to her, so that in itself was cool. Angelica is in fact available, and although pricey, it's what Tom wants! Woo Hoo!

Here are Angélica Balado and Melina Ruz performing for Tom at his birthday party.

Here's Tom, Victor, and Me enjoying the performance.

Here are scene shots of guests during the performance. We had extra folding chairs so that anyone that wanted to sit and watch could. Unfortunately we were so in to the guests, and the performance, and the party that we neglected to take photos, and those that we did take aren't great. Group shots all seem to include someone in a less than favorable pose or expression and I won't do that to my friends.

Here's a good one of Tom and Jette!

The pool was absolutely stunning and magical with the lights and balloons, and shimmer, and shadow, but, again I didn't get a good photo. Oh when the breeze would swirl the ballons around the pool it was so cool.

I'm hoping some of the friends that took photos might have a few good ones to share, and then I will post them as well.

Spicy conserva, o botana

A while back a friend asked if I knew how to make a certain botana we were eating in restaurants while travelling through Puebla and Oaxaca. I didn't at the time but have experimented and like this mix very well, it is spicy, but you can tame it by removing the pith and seeds from the peppers, and/or by adding more veggies and less peppers.

Pickled jalapeños are a popular accompaniment to meals, and a popular botana as well. They provide a great burst of heat and flavor when paired alongside many dishes. This recipe pickles the jalapeños with carrots, onions, and cauliflower for a bit of extra flavor and a little variety at the table.

3 - 4 cups white vinegar, or enough to cover the veggies
1/2 cup sugar
2 Tblsps salt
1 - 2 tblsp of pickling spice, optional
10 jalapeño chilies, I like to mix both red and green
6 -8 carrots, peeled and cut into coins about 1/4 inch thick
2 small onions, quartered
2 cups cauliflower separated or cut in to bite sized florettes
another optional addition is to add 10-12 cloves of peeled raw garlic

Cut the tops off the chilies and quarter them. Aim for flat even sized pieces. You can leave the seeds if you want the extra spicyness, or else remove them.

Add the sliced jalapeños, carrots, onions, and cauliflower to a glass jar large enough to hold everything comfortably (about 1/2 gallon).

Add vinegar, sugar, salt, and pickling spice together in a non reactive pot, heat, stir until dissolved, then pour the hot liquid mixture over the vegetables so that they are completely covered, once cool seal the jar and store in the fridge for at least one week before using. This mix should last about 6 weeks in the fridge.

This is a really lovely crunchy botana. Provecho!

An Ode to Grass

I just discovered this poem that Tom wrote about our new grass.

He wrote and sent it to a friend, but I found it in her reply, and being shamelessly proud I print it here with neither his approval or authorization for all to enjoy.

(I personally will bear the wrath for your reading enjoyment)

Hi ho, hi ho, it's off to water I go!

Oh green tall blades of grass so true,
no longer is my heart so blue

Your natural mesh is oh so fine,
you make my life so sublime

The dust is down that did blow in,
having to clean so often was truly a sin

You offer relief to all my woes,
now off I go to wiggle my toes

Tk

The Grass is Always Greener...

One of the things we've done recently was to have sod (cesped in español) installed on the pathways in the garden.

I had been trying for quite a while to decide what I wanted on the paths but hadn't come up with anything low cost, low maintenance, and clean. The loose dirt and rock that the pathways had deteriorated to was unbearable; dirty, dusty, muddy, etc.


So I finally decided to get bids on sod installation. I had a recommendation for one place, So I went and talked and made an appointment for a visit to assess the state of my space and to get a concepto (bid). The appointed day and time came, went, passed by several more days and no word.
So off to where I wanted in the first place - I have a little local vivero (garden shop/nursery) close to the house; one day I must blog them. Anyway, Selva Madre has 2 lots, one at calle 75 x 54y56, the other at calle 77 x 54y56. Marcello gave me a ball park of 70pesos per meter squared, depending on what he found when he visited. He came with me right then and there to see the space. After talking we, Tom and I, decided we wanted an extra thick layer of clean topsoil put down because our garden soil is really bad; that took us to 80 pesos per square meter. An agreement was made and a date set.


Marcello and his cousin Gerardo came as promised, OK, they were about 2 hours later than they said, but they came, I was thrilled. The first 10-12 hours was spent cleaning, leveling, removing large protruding stones, delivering bags of soil, strips of sod, etc.



The next morning they showed up again, and again, I was thrilled.

They started the installation.

They spent the full day laying a thick carpet of new soil, and the pieces of cut sod. The cutting machines here aren't as uniform as those used in the States, so the pieces are not uniform in either length or thickness. This sod came from VeraCruz, and is called American. It is the same type as used in the park at La Ermita.

Drum roll please for the new sod

This is from the patio beside the pool looking out in to the garden before the sod.

This is after the sod

And this is looking at the pergola before sod

and after sod

ohhh, ahhh

They guys actually had to come back the 3rd day because we were short about 6 square meters of sod. They came early installed cleaned up and were gone. I have a 2 month guarantee. They came back after the first week to apply a growth stimulant, will return in 20days to do that again, and again in 20 days after that. If any of the sod is faulty or dead, they will replace it.

The sod has been in for 2 weeks and is doing incredibly well. - I am thrilled

For Kathy, and Benney

I've been away from the BLOG for about a week.

And there really has been very good cause - Two friends from Colorado came to visit, AND it was Tom's 60th birthday.

It's been a hectic few weeks - I'll start with the friends, good things always start with friends.

Kathy and Benney decided to coincide their visits with us this year. We all used to live together in Colorado Springs, well not together together, but all in Colorado Springs and we'd get together with some regularity. Now Kathy lives in Durango, we are here in Mérida, and Benney keeps us up to date on current affairs in Colorado Springs.

So what do you do with friends when they come to visit and you really mostly want to visit and catch up -

You lay around the pool

You get them to walk your dog (and any other household chores you can manage)

You show them around the hood

La Ermita

We kept expecting either flames to erupt, or the ground to quake as we strolled the hallowed grounds, thankfully we made it through the church property without incident

We took in some museums

The Macay outdoor sculpture exhibit

You take them to the beach -

Where you Sit and Chat

Drink a few beers

Eat some botana

Support the economy by shopping

Enjoy the beach scenery

We really did have a lovely visit, we shopped, ate, laughed, drank a bit, and I believe I speak for us all, look forward to doing it all over again!

Till next time amigas!