Debi in Mérida

Open mic night

2012-01-27T19:28:00.001-06:00

Back in March I blogged about cafe el Pendulo and their Open Mic NightWell unfortunately cafe el Pendulo has fallen.

Fortunately Open Mic Night has been picked up by Amate Books.

O P E N M I C - “In Your Eyes” Foundation and Amate Books proudly presentMusic, Poetry, Comedy, or whatever talent YOU can bring

A NIGHT OF CABARET

“No use sitting alone in your room…come to the cabaret!”

At Amate BooksCalle 60 y 51, Merida

Every Wednesday at 7PM

Invited artists will perform for your pleasure, but all are encouraged to bring a guitar, banjo, poetry, fiction, comedy, harmonica, violin, tuba, whatever.

Share your talent, be a star at Cabaret Amate

$50 pesos cover includes 2 free drinks (beer or wine), cafe, or $50 pesos toward the purchase of a book.

Don´t miss this weekly event,

every Wednesday at 7PM at Amate Books,

or you will regret it for the rest of your life!!!!!

Hosted by: Jonathan Harrington

jicara, or xicalli in Nahuatl

2012-01-27T08:52:00.002-06:00

We have what was once a small separate casita behind our house. Lots of people think/thought we should turn it in to either a guest cottage or our master suite. Well we don't get enough company to justify that expense, and we don't need a 'Master Suite'. It is best served as our bodega, or storage area.

Just past the end of the patio, and next to the bodega where the garden starts is a narrow spit of land. This spit of land is available for planting - it borders both the bodega and the walkway just before the garden opens up. In this spit of land I have tried several different plantings trying to find what works. I had a 'flor de campana' which I liked very much it was tall'ish, full and almost always had flowers. What this also meant was that it was always shedding flowers, that ended up in the pool. Tom don't like stuff in the pool.

So I removed that and put in a jicara. When I got this jicara it was in a 12oz plastic cup. It is now about 12 feet high, AND I now have my first jicaras; 2 jicaras in fact.

here you can also see the work being done for an irrigation system installation, that will be a separate post!

Jicaras are used all over the place for all sorts of things. They were originally utilitarian, used as bowls, cups, scoops, storage vessels.

They are now also used as decorative pieces.

a few years ago I was gifted a green jicara fruit. I researched on the internet and attempted to cure the gourd myself. I was successful at eviscerating the gourd and drying it, although my attempt to cut it was not so successful; I did crack it. It was a smelly and tedious process. So will I process these myself or gift them to a carver, hmmm, who knows, - sounds like another blog post to me!

irrigation system installation - Day 1

2012-01-26T21:38:00.000-06:00

Over a year ago I started talking about putting in an irrigation system. It takes a bit over an hour to water the back garden with the hose. Then there is the small garden outside the kitchen as well as the pots around the patio and pool. Oh, and the small garden out front. So you can see how, especially during the dry season this could take up quite a bit of time. I actually enjoy the watering, most times, but sometimes not!

And 'so what' you might think, she's retired, what else does she have to do - Plenty! I have plenty to do!

Anyway, I can't now remember where I saw the ad, but I contacted Randy, from Natural Thangs - he came out looked the place over, and offered me an estimate.

Tom and I tend to be do-it-yourselfers. Some say we're a bit controlling and want want things done the way WE want them done! Yes, I'd have to agree on that. We are also organized and plan things out. In fact about a year ago I measured out the garden and started a layout for where heads should go for coverage etc. I just didn't know how to measure the water pressure to know length of line and run, etc. Without that knowledge how could I plan properly head placement, etc. So, I sort of sat this plan off and forgot, well I didn't forget, I just didn't follow through.

So back to Natural Thangs, I saw an ad, or comment, or photo, or something and gave them a call.

Randy - came, we talked over price, we struck a deal, a very loose deal. We didn't follow our own counsel to others. Get a detailed estimate and outline of exactly what is to be done. Nor did he provide a 'Design' for the sprinkler layout - but hey - TIM (This is Mexico) Things roll a bit differently here. Add to that we gave him nearly 2/3 payment up front - again, against our counsel to others; 1/3 up front, 1/3 at halfway point, and 1/3 upon happy ending.

Anyway, Randy and his guys, 3 instead of the 2 he quoted, One guy for free? Doubtful! all show up this AM ready to rock n roll.

So Randy and 3rd guy, Renee I think, start talking about heads and coverage, and how much of this that and the other thing. They check the pressure of the water coming out of the hose, chat some more and then head out to buy their supplies.

Talking with Randy, we, Tom and I ask questions about stuff, what's he doing here, how's he doing that - he keeps saying he's a professional and has lots of experience and to trust him! OK! That's why we're not doing it ourselves right?!

So the worker guys are trenching - the boss man is shopping - and I am sittin back, fat, dumb, and happy!

before trenching

They did get a fair amount done - check out these photos!

during - trenching

Well the photos are causing me some grief right now! But Day 1, most of the trenching is done, some tube is laid, the sod and dirt have been delivered, still no design, and things have changed from the discussion this morning to what was done by afternoon.

Let's see what tomorrow brings!

Pet/house sitting services

2012-01-26T14:01:00.000-06:00

Our friend Kathy is looking for pet and/or house sitting opportunities.

I provide you with her references and contact info below.
She indicates to us - "...feel free to offer it to your ex-pat friends, especially if they have a beach home and need me to stay and love/exercise their dog on the beach for a week or so while they travel :)."

Please contact her directly if interested.

KathrynMonahan – Pet Sitting Resume

Contact: Kathryn_Monahan@yahoo.com or 970-764-5237

______________________________________________________

As a single woman, my pets are my family, and I need apetsitter to offer much more than feeding and watering and quick stopovers. Kathryn treats my pets to a vacation while I'm away onvacation. She spends lots of quality time at my home, and I come hometo calm, well-exercised dogs and a happy, well-loved cat. Sheoffers the dogs physically and mentally stimulating walks on a dailybasis, and the kitty lots of attention. My home is safe and sound whileI'm away, and clean when I return. I've used dozens of petsitters in mylife, and Kathryn is one of the very best in every regard. She gets a5-star rating from me (and my pets).

Ann Bond

Durango, Colorado

agent.bond2@gmail.co

-----------------------------------------------

We have known Kathryn for manyyears. Throughout this time, we haveasked her on many occasions to take care of our furry friends, Ginger &Duffy. In addition to caring for ourpets, she would take care of our property as well. This included our home, vehicles, landscape,etc. We have recommended her to many of our friends, who request her serviceson a regular basis. She has always beenhonest, sincere and done exactly what was asked. We highly recommend her for any pet/housesitting job. Please feel free to contactus at the information provided

Jo Joanne and Paul Wade

D Durango, Colorado

jwadern@earthlink.net

------------------------------------------------------------------

H Having known Kathryn formany years, she agreed to be our petsitter (housesitter, but I don’t care aboutthe house as much as my pets). We weretruly amazed at how dedicated she was to our pets (house) and how much theycame to love her. Even now when shestops by the dog greets her like a family member, the bird starts talking awayto her like she lives there, and the fish – well, you know fish. They probably all get more attention from herthan from us! We find our home is betterthan how we left it. I have shot myselfin the foot by referring her to others but she somehow still finds time to fitour family in. I cannot say enough goodthings about Kathryn and I know anyone who uses her services will not bedisappointed. As a side note, I rememberasking Kathryn to go to dinner one night while she was petsitting elsewhere;she couldn’t go because that particular dog was afraid of thunder and it was astormy afternoon! If that doesn’t showcommitment (dog sitting vs. friends), I don’t know what does!

Rick and Joan Ehat

Durango, CO

jehat@aol.com

---------------------------------------------------------------

Before Kathryn began pet/housesitting for us, we used to leave on vacation with a feeling of trepidation anda dash of guilt. Now, we know our furry loved ones will be treated at least aswell, if not better, than if we’d never left. And I sometimes believe our catmay wish we’d stay away. But we do return, and always to a home that’s beenwell cared for. Kathryn is very personable to work with, but also impressivelyconscientious and professional. Recommending her to others is my first,significant non-selfish act of the New Year.

CarolineArlen and Lars Morris

Durango,CO

caroline@frontier.net

A weekend cultural extravaganza!

2012-01-22T19:30:00.002-06:00

Boy have I had a fun weekend - On Friday I had the 2nd of my new Yoga classes. Yes, yes, I know, me exercising, just doesn't seem right does it! But yes! I am now attending a twice a week morning yoga class.

In the evening there was a meeting at a local bookstore that sells English language books. The bookstore also sells Spanish language books, and artisania, mainly from Oaxaca.

The current owner wants out, and the couple that are buying want to create a sort of Cultural Center, geared towards a predominantly English speaking customer base. So we had a meeting; introductions were made, ideas outlined, and then we broke in to focus groups to outline some ideas and wishlist items. There were groups for Book Club, Music, WorkShops, Lecture Series, I think, I could be wrong; I went with the Workshop Group. We came up with quite a list, should be interesting to see what transpires.

Tom had a poker game that night and was using the car so I was on my own. After the meeting I was strolling along and saw a dress I liked in a small shop and stopped in. I did end up buying the dress, and found out the sales lady is a neighbor; she said she lives in La Ermita and mentioned a street not 5 blocks south of me. Small World!

I then continued strolling and spotted several friends at a small streetside cafe, 'Vida Catrina', They invited me to join them and we visited for a while. They had ordered food and it was really well presented, and according to the group the food was all good.

I continued my strolling and ended up in Paisaje de Revolucion, which is a breezeway of sorts between the cathedral and the Macay Museum. This breezeway has just recently undergone some remodeling and now has a covered translucent open end roof. Here I stumbled upon the tail end of a dance performance by a contemporary Cuban Dance Troup. They are here performing as a part of the Festival of the City, a month long cornucopia of cultural events. I really enjoyed the dancing. Here is the dance troupe info -

Compañía de Cuba de Danza Contemporánea ENDEDAN´S

So by now it's getting on to 11PM and I head home. Yes, I walked most of the way, I did catch a bus at 67 x 62 y 64. And yes I felt completely safe and comfortable.

Then on Saturday, there were a variety of everyday detail kinds of things, sweep the floor, load of laundry, grocery store, pay CFE (electric), blah, blah, blah. And again, Tom was using the car so I was on foot. I should have taken a regular taxi home from the grocery, I normally get a trici-taxi but as I was walking out the store doors I saw all of them pulling off, drat and damnation. I really did have too much stuff, and now my shoulders and elbows are a bit sore!

Tom ended up getting home a bit later than I had anticipated and one thing led to another and by the time we realized it it was 7pm. I told him about the Dance Troup and since they were only playing the 2 nights. He decided he wanted to see them so we walked up to Amaro for dinner. Amaro is one of our favorite places, the food is consistently good, Tom loves their margaritas, and I am a sucker for their sangria. They have a great variety of vegetarian dishes, but they also serve beef, pork, chicken, fish, and seafood as well, a little something for everyone. Seating is mainly al fresco in the large courtyard of this converted colonial style mansion which also happens to be the birthplace of Andres Quintana Roo; AND starting anywhere between 8 and 10PM they have musicians. This particular Saturday was a guitarrist,/singer named Tony. He's really quite good, plays lots of traditional and contemporary Trova music, romantic ballads, etc. It was a shame to leave him but we had to get to the dance performance.

OKAY, so off we head after dinner towards the paisaje and we stroll past and great several friends, always fun!

So here are some photos of the dancers, they were performing, among other things, a contemporary adaptation of La Carmen.

I REALLY hate seeing the porta-potties as the background,

and I thought the jumbo screen was a bit distracting

oye, this guy could fly, he was very talented!

OKAY, so after the dancers we, yes tonight it was Tom and I, walked to the bus stop and took the bus home together.

So Sunday I have a ticket for the symphony, and Tom has a seat reserved at a friends for football.

Our internet was down most of the morning so I couldn't get to an email for the phone number to call Trish who had my ticket - so luckily she lives only about 3 1/2 blocks away. I walk up, get my ticket, accept the offer of a ride, as yes, you guessed it, Tom is using the car again. Although he did offer to walk and give me the car today!

Anyway, the symphony today was FABULOUS! This link will take you to todays program
Tchaikovsky, Shostakovich, Prokofiev, and Strauss. Fabulous!

How can you not enjoy being in this building, it is beautiful!

So after the concert I start walking about a bit and run in to friends Jorge and Joanna and we decide to go for some lunch, or first choice was packed so decided to try the Vida Catrina, none of us had been.

This is one of the entries, not very fetching is it!

but look what you see when you get inside!

el mariachi loco! or are they los mariachis locos?

tamarind chicken, deelish!

chile stuffed with picadillo and queso de bolo

and Jorge's Special Order, fettuccine with shrimp in garlic wine sauce.

all super tasty, and wine is 2 for 1 at lunch, SCORE!!!!

We each liked our food and I think we'll each go back again sometime!

OK, now I'm feeling fine, I have had lunch with 2 of my favorite people, and I've had 2 glasses of wine! and I am back on the street. I take a shortcut through the park and what do I find, a performance by a singer named Beatriz, who has an amazing voice by the way!

And I stop in at a pharmacy and pick up my prescription for the antibiotics for my tooth infection which I still have done nothing about scheduling for the tooth repair.

And then I make my way back to my trusty bus stop. From my house to the plaza grande, or Plaza de la Independencia is about 18 blocks, to get to the bus stop that comes in to my neighborhood you must walk to within 8 blocks, silly eh. But that short ride sure helps out on the way home!

So here I sit, Tom is still at football, dogs are fed, birds are in, I've made a followup appointment about the irrigation system and sod I want installed, It's been a very good day! Maybe I'll go watch a movie!

Yes, it's been a very good day!

Syntomeida epilais - Oleander Caterpillar

2012-01-20T05:08:00.000-06:00

So I am out walking around in the garden and I notice this!

Yipes, what is happening to my Adenium?

Well - It is being eaten up by this little beauty!

Syntomeida epilais

The oleander caterpillar is a native of the Caribbean region, and although the caterpillar itself is not poisonous, because of what it eats you should definitely avoid touching it. The sap of the oleander has a toxin that can cause you to break out, and possibly have respiratory distress.

younglings

this little beauty is what the caterpillar turns into. Gorgeous, eh?

The Polka Dot Wasp Moth

And yes Jonna - I am going to have to kill these guys, they are killing my plant. See ya later alligator!

2012 FM2 Renewal

2012-01-19T02:06:00.000-06:00

On 5 December 2011 Tom and I arrived at INM (Immigration) to turn in our paperwork for our annual migratory document renewal. All the paperwork had been filled out online and printed. We had all the copies we needed of the stuff we needed. We had our photos; 3 front views, 2 side views, no makeup, eyeglasses, or jewelry, against a white background. After about a 45 minute wait to get through the line to sign in the guard informed us that they were at days capacity and that we COULD wait, but probably WOULDN'T get in. I must say I did appreciate his advice.

On 9 December 2011 Tom and I arrived once again at immigration with the same packet of info, but this time we were there an hour and a half BEFORE they even open and sat on the street in a line waiting for admittance. At 9, they open the gates and we file in to the checkin line. No problems today. We wait, while I wait in line Tom walks to the bank and makes our renewal fee payments; for 2011 it was 2801pesos each! We get in, we turn in our info, well sort of. Our proof of income were the quarterly statements from our retirement fund that show how much we get each month. NOPE They want to see how much we put in the bank each month. OKAY - race home - jump through hoops, get what they want from the internet and race back - Good thing we have a car, eh? So we get everything turned in and are told to check back after the holidays, and here that means AFTER the first week in January.

Well the second week in January we were busy with the Spay n Neuter Campaign. So about the 13th or 14th I check online and there it is - the message that says to present ourselves at the office. So Friday 13 January 2012 we again position ourselves on the street in front of INM and hour and a half early to wait in the line for them to open. Once we get to the check in line it takes 2 minutes for them to look us up and tell us we have an appointment at 10am on the 16th. Great!

On the 16th I go to INM at the appointed hour and get the process started, we get completely through my set of paperwork. Last step is to affix the photos and then laminate the card. Our photos are precisely what was asked, EXCEPT that they were from differing photo sessions so the clothing was different. NO GOOD, WON'T DO! Must have new photos.

So Tuesday we go to Wal-Mart, get the photos we needed taken, and while we wait we manage to spend 1450pesos. As we are entering Immigration we run into a friend and the fee if you turn in your paperwork in January for the same renewal is now 34XXpesos!

Now Monday, when I left, the young lady, Alicia, told me when I return to come directly to her. SO! We get to Immigration and approach the young lady who had just the day previous told me to return directly to her and she tells me we must wait in the lobby/seating area. OK fine! After about 20ish minutes they call my name, as I get ready to stand the guy doing the name calling asks me for my photos,which I give him and he tells me to wait where I am. He does however take Tom with him. In just a few minutes, less than 10, Tom is back with his card in hand. I must continue to wait - I suspect that this could have something to do with my reaction the day previous when I was told the photos weren't going to work (and here I thought I had masked my feelings so well). Anyway, so I wait a bit more, then a just a short while longer, and then in a few more minutes, out comes the name caller guy with my card. EUREKA! Legal for another year!

So now it is about 1pm, and it is WAY past lunch time, so off we go to Centro to get lunch at Marlin Azul; now why did we choose Marlin Azul; because it is a block from the building where we can pay our taxes. You might think we are pushing our luck, but no, we walk in, approach the cashier with last years statement, she does some keyboard clicking tells us how much, we pay, and then go eat some fabulous fish and drink a few beers.

Then home for about 2 hours and off to the fun-filled dental experience I wrote about earlier!

But we did go out for a great meal with friends later in the evening, and I probably wouldn't have had I had any type of dental surgery or procedure!

So see things happen for a reason!

dental drama!

2012-01-18T05:25:00.004-06:00

My tale starts a bit more than a year ago when I broke a molar, that had recently had a root canal, then continues into last June when I was getting prepped for a crown, another dental experience I'd rather forget.

OK, wait So it's all becoming a blur, but I ended up needing a root canal, my Dentist, well my Dentist at the time, he is no longer my Dentist doesn't do root canals but calls in someone else. No problem, this other person comes to his office and the work is done there, well if we want to call it work.

Over 2 hours with mouth jacked open him fumbling around, blah, blah, blah, long story, lots of discomfort - read pain, and I am trying to block it all from my memory. Well after the root canal I must wait a bit then go in for the crown, another REALLY bad experience that makes my stomach go all squishy when I think about it. Then I break the tooth that had the root canal and my dentist wasn't available. Add to that, later when I told my Dentist I was having discomfort in the tooth that had the root canal he told me I couldn't be having any discomfort because I'd had a root canal, EXCUSE ME?! Well that was pretty much what ended our 5 year relationship.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

OK, so I've got a new Dentist, dr Ernesto, who I am liking pretty much. He has done a few cleanings, and when I started having some serious discomfort in the offending molar he took an xray of same offending molar in which he identified a small pocket at the bottom of one of the roots that is infected. Mr Specialist Root Canal guy blew it! Thank You so very frickin much!

Anyway, dr Ernesto indicates that to fix this will require an oral surgeon as they will have to go in from the side, blah, blah, blah, or another root canal - I can't even think about it, my hand is starting to shake and I can't keep correcting my typing mistakes or I'll give up on this and go read a book.

So, I have this ground down nub of a molar that has had a root canal but is now infected, I have to do the antibiotics to get the infection down. dr Ernesto has indicated to me that he has spoken with new specialist dentist's office and that they understand what's going on, especially helpful since my spanish isn't really good enough to go through a big long explanation. And I do feel better knowing that new mr specialist dentist knows my history.

So I get to mr specialist dentist's office today, well actually yesterday, which is really quite lovely, and big, with lots of people in pastel shades of medical garb, all smiling and happy, and lots of little cubicles (6 or 8 I believe) where dental work gets done. And the dental chairs face a bank of glass behind which is this awesome aviary, I'm gonna like this - I now have aviary envy. I start by trying to explain my spanish isn't so good, he says his english isn't so good, we have a laugh, ha, ha, ha!, then I tell him how afraid and nervous I am about dental work, he says him too!, we have another laugh, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha! This is where the laughing ends.

We go and do a full surround xray, when we get back to the cubicle and I am asking him about his conversation with dr Ernesto he gives me this look! He doesn't know who I am talking about, or anything about me. So now first thing I start to wonder is am I in the right place, I called and made the appointment myself, did I call the right place? So I try to explain some more, I pull out the trusty iPad and pull up some emails between dr Ernesto and me, still doesn't know dr Ernesto or me. GREAT! So he starts to talk fast, and I can see he's not happy, and he's talking fast, and I can't understand, and I see that bad things are about to happen so I ask if we can call dr Ernesto. So I call dr Ernesto, on my cellphone, thank you very much, I explain to Dr Ernesto the situation and he asks to talk to mr specialist dentist, they go on and on, and start talking about where his office is, what his hours are, yada, yada, yada...

Then my cell dies because it is out of pesos! So then mr specialist dentist starts in at me, and I am trying to explain that my spanish isn't good enough to either understand or explain everything, and he says, I think, that what has happened before doesn't matter because he will make the determination based on the xray and his experience, blah, blah, blah, and now I am starting to get scared, and he's yelling, well talking quite loudly, more people start coming in to the cubicle, I say I have to leave, he says I owe him for the appt, I start to tear up, he's getting louder, and saying something to the effect that he can't treat me if I have no confidence in him, yada, yada, yada. He does this mexican hand wipe thing that means something is Done, Finished, Over!

I have a stronger fight than flight instinct, and I am really pushing down on the fight response because that doesn't always prove productive, satisfying yes, productive no, so my flight instinct is telling me get the hell out of here.

I'm still trying to apologize because my spanish can't handle the situation, and he's just glaring at me, so now I am mad, afraid, scared, upset, and REALLY need to get out of there, so I turn and start walking out, and just kept walking...

I went directly to dr Ernesto's office, just a few blocks away - I am trying to explain what just happened - how could he, mr specialist dentist, not know about me or what's going on since he, dr Ernesto, had called him. Well, seems dr Ernesto had relayed my info to the receptionist. ummmm, the receptionist?

yeah, well, I think I may be looking for another dentist, for sure I am looking for an oral surgeon! That or I could just get this damn tooth removed and be done with it!

So here I am, up at 4am writing a blog because all I can think about is the drama, what did I do wrong, what could I have done! Well, in 6 years here I damn sure should have better Spanish than I do and that really would have diffused the situation. I mean, if we could have communicated effectively I don't think any of this would have escalated to the state it did!

So for those of you thinking you can live here without learning Spanish, well, good luck with that. It isn't working out so well for me!

¿Qué pasa?

2012-01-16T14:19:00.002-06:00

Qué Pasa, roughly means What's Up? What's Happening?

So what's been up with me! Well -

The 3rd Annual Spay n Neuter Campaign organized by Planned Pethood just ended. It was 4 days at 2 different locations here in Merida, and 2 days in Progreso. It was/is a fabulous event in which to be involved.

I just wrote a 'WrapUp, Thank You' report and posted it on the YAPA blog, you can read that here!

Our Cooking Group once again decided to cook for the Vets and Volunteers. We've done this before to rave reviews. We must be getting good because we shaved an hour off our prep time. And again, there has been great response to the food we made. I also did the Volunteer Coordination, and worked 2 days of the Clinics. I am so out of shape - I do enjoy my lethargic sedentary life, but boy when I do get involved in something physical it takes its toll.

It was a tremendously rewarding experience for all involved.

And last week our housekeeper stopped by and quit! OUCH! Apparently her kids, ages 10 and 16 are needing a bit more parental supervision as their grades, and health are suffering. Fine, whatever....No, I'm being intentionally snarky. I understand that er kids come before cleaning my house. But she's been here 3 years. So I now need to find another housekeeper.

So I've been cleaning - ugh! again, that sedentary lifestyle and physical activity just don't mix.

I've been trying to finish up with our annual immigration document renewal - my last appointment to pick up our docs, or so I thought, was this am. NO! NOT! Didn't happen. Our pictures, 3 full front, and 2 right side were not all in the same clothes. THE SAME CLOTHES!!!! @^%@#)*$#@&$#, so we need to get a new set of photos taken. Whatever, Ni Modos!

I'm looking for a Ropero (aka Wardrobe) to use as a linen closet. Right now I use plastic boxes, and they are stacked in the Guest Room, well actually they are all over the bed because that way they don't have to be moved every week for cleaning, Not an attractive look!

I need to get the garden paths laid with sod again, yes again! The dogs use the pathways as a racetrack, and no - I don't want rock or cement, I only want grass!

I had a bunch of email communications with Belkin over a Surge Suppressor that BURNED up - in the end they asked for my address here and said they were going to send me a replacement - well it ended up at a friends house in the US. Great, more email communication with a Customer Service rep that doesn't or can't read my emails. Yes, intentional snarkiness !!!!

I really need to get off my duff and find a car, something quite small and economical, an Atos, or Chevy, or Ka.

Oye, Too much to do, to much going on - Think I'll go read a book!

Tomorrow is Another Day!

Restaurant Review - Andar de Paella

2012-01-13T06:21:00.000-06:00

This past Monday my Cooking Group and I prepared enough food to feed over 40 Veterinarians, Vet Techs, and Volunteers at the 3rd Annual Spay n Neuter Campaign. After delivering the food we were taking ourselves out to eat. Tom and I wanted to introduce these guys to Bruno Bistro.

We got to Bruno's only to discover that they were closed to attend to some remodeling.
Yipes, now what!
Monday is notorious for Restaurants being dark, or closed.

As we were walking back to our vehicles we passed this!

Cute eh?

Andar de Paella

calle 21 #62 x 10 y 12

colonia Mexico, Merida

9999-27-7198

So Why Not we sez and in we trooped!

Cute front room with bar

It was still quite early for the lunch crowd to start arriving, it was just about 1PM, so there was still some opening prep going on.

Regardless, they led us to our own private little room, which was quite nice!

there were some other tables, but we were the only ones seated in this area, in all honesty we were the only ones in the whole place.

So first things first, Tom asks for the Wine List, here's the wine list

I LOVE this!

Ask what they have and they show you!

Perfect!

No list from which you order, and when you ask, they say they don't have it, this is it!

OK, one the menu the also offer among other drinks, pitchers of Sangria, and pitchers of Clericot,

Interestingly - story has it that clericót was born when the Roman Empire took over France and Great Britain; territory that had been dominated by the the Celts. The Celts had the custom of celebrating New Year on October 31, which was the last night of Samhain (the celebration of the end of Harvest Season).

And coincidentally, for the Romans this is the same date they paid homage to the goddess of fruit trees. The result of this overlap was a festival rite fusing elements of both cultures. Celebrated by drinking a kind of cocktail, a mixture of fruit and wine that charmed the mind until it was as if possessed by a restless spirit.

We ordered and drank 2 pitchers of Clericot!

I think I went home with that restless spirit!

OK, back to the Restaurant Review.

Luis, our waiter was very cordial and efficient. He tried his best with our language impaired group to explain the menu, which is taken from the cuisine of Spain and therefore more heavily Castellano Spanish than Mexican Spanish.

We ordered a few Tapas, and all agreed it would be fun to come in just for drinks and tapas.

We all highly recommend the mushrooms with chile ajillo.

We then each ordered something different, It was all good, actually is was all great.

lechon pochado al romero, a monster pork joint, poached, in what I think may have been beer

detail of the garnish; mashed potatos with fresh asparagus, fried leek strips and parsley.


bacalao vizcaina, sort of a salt cod veracruzano, Tom liked it very much!

pulpo a fiera, lovely tender chucks of octopus, sort of an olive oil and paprika sauce. It was very good, but a bit heavy.

these are both Salmon dishes, one in a red wine reduction, the other a Sidra reduction. Sidra is a sweet sparkling wine with an apple-y flavor. We suspect both were Sidra reduction, but really SO tasty. and beautiful crunchy peppers, and fried leeks.

this is the Camarones en salsa cabarles, which is a really lovely goat cheese sauce

The food was fabulous, the service was terrific, as we were leaving we notice el chef and family sitting and we complemented him on the food. I think he was a bit surprised by us. He asked if we lived here in Merida to which we all joyously replied Si!

He invited us back! We will take him up on that offer!

Restaurant Review - Bruno Bistro Gourmet

2012-01-12T09:42:00.002-06:00

A week ago tomorrow we met up with a group of old friends, and met some new friends for lunch at a relatively new restaurant.

Bruno Bistro Gourmet

calle 21 # 66 x 10 y 12

col. Mexico, Mérida, Yucatán, México

Teléfono Reservaciones 9992453675

Very cute place, the designs painted on the walls are very cute, nicely set tables and chairs, large front patio; some roof covered, others with umbrellas. Bathrooms are clean! and fully stocked.

there are some other really cute designs, but you'll have to go see them for yourselves

They are currently working on the inside to enclose and air condition it before summer gets here so for now it is patio seating.

And even though the menu's hours say open on Monday, they aren't, At least that's what happened when we tried to have lunch there this past Monday with a completely different group.

There must have been 12 of us around the table and service was quite good and pretty fast given that we all were ordering lots of different things. One meal came way later than the rest, and the recipient was dis-satisfied. It was mussels and she assumed one type but got another (black VS green lipped or something like that).

So the menu needs to be a bit more specific when there are varieties available to mention what variety is being served.

Also one of the Specials was called lamb ribs (costillos de cordero), and what they actually appeared to be were standing rib roast chops, beautiful meaty little chops which were absolutely to die for, the sauce was a cranberry something something reduction. Unfortunately when I heard ribs I assume the scrawny little bones that you gnaw on to pull away bits of meat - I so wish I had known, I'd have ordered them for sure, so Next time it will be lamb ribs for me.

All around the table the food was being complemented, and as stated there was quite a variety at our table.

As you can probably tell - I neglected to take a single food foto!
mil disculpes!

Tom had a Tira Misu dessert and proclaimed it the best in Merida, and in his top 5!
They also offer a Tira Misu Frambuesa, but it's more of a Trifle than a Tira Misu!

We give this restaurant high marks, the food was very good, the service was amazing - we will definitely be going back!

I think the waitress said her name was Shirley (pronounced shearleeee)

Here's a peek at the menu and wine service.

Thank You Google - NOT!

2012-01-10T16:20:00.000-06:00

So the last month I've been recruiting and scheduling Volunteers for the 3rd Annual Spay n Neuter Campaign here in Merida. So far so good - I have Spreadsheets, broken down by day, and hourly, so as to track when and which Volunteer is coming and going - Very Schmantzy! - Lots of emails - LOTS of emails. I do all this through our Animal Assistance Volunteer Group, Yucatan Ayuda Para Animales (YAPA).

Well last evening Google locked down our YAPA email address - Apparently our group isn't at least 13 years old; the minimum requirement to have an email address. So here we are, yesterday was Day 2 of a 6 Day Campaign and I can't communicate with the Volunteers.

I was SICK last night - I had a fear and dread based melt down - I mean REALLY - I made myself sick! Thank You Google for your diligence in protecting me from myself!

OK so at least I had shared myself with ALL the Docs I had created in Google Docs! Or else no schedule matrix, no Position Instructions, No Directions and Maps to locations!

The worse part is I can't communicate with the Volunteers, I can't even get to the database, I can't let them know!

I made a letterhead for YAPA, and drafted a letter indicating that we are an all Volunteer group of mostly retired people doing what we do, blah, blah, blah, scanned my drivers license to it then emailed it.

They have acknowledged receipt of my letter and will make a determination in 3 to 5 days!

Well at least, IF they let me have the account back I can send apologies and Thank Yous.

Well at least while I am working for the Clinics I'm not thinking about it!

That's a Good Thing!

21" LG color TV for sale

2012-01-05T07:17:00.000-06:00

SOLD

SOLD

SOLD

It's my Blog and I can do what I want to, so I'm gonna post a TV that I want to sell.

Es mi blog y puedo hacer a lo que quiero, así que voy a fijar una TV que quiero vender.

Purchased in 2006, we are the original owners

Comprados en 2006, nosotros son los dueños originales

This is an LG 21" Color TV, with remote control.

Marka LG, Televisor a color, 21 pulgados con Control Remoto.

$750pesos

Works fine, Tom bought a big fancy ass flat screen 2 years ago so this one is just sitting around doing nothing so time for it to move on.

triptych paintings for sale

2011-12-31T10:02:00.000-06:00

SOLD
SOLD
SOLD!

Tom and I recently came into possession of a lovely triptych painting.

As lovely as it is we really have no room for it. Therefore we've decided to sell it - with the money raised to go to spay and neuter cats here in Merida.

Each of the 3 panels measures 15 3/4 inches x 19 5/8 inches.

The panels are board and have a reinforced center board from which the hanger is mounted.

The artist name appears to be Frenas, or Frenqs, well you decide.

We are willing to accept offers, but really if someone wants to give us maybe 600pesos, that's 2 females spayed, or 3 males neutered
we would be so much more than thrilled!

Crock Pot Pork with Chipotle and Dates

2011-12-29T11:00:00.002-06:00

A year or so ago friend Joanna posted a blog about a porkchop and chipotle dish that I thought sounded very yummy!

Tonight we are having a gathering (about 12 people) and I am using Joanna's recipe as a jumping off point for a Crock Pot Pork with Chipotle and Dates. I am switching it to pork chunks so that they can slow cook and be fork tender; with this size crowd we have to eat off our laps and that's tough enough without adding fork AND knife service.

I started with 2.5kilos of pulpo de cerdo, which is more or less pork roast, but cut into chunks and pieces. I cut it all into tennis ball or smaller size pieces.
about 10 cloves of garlic chopped,
a large onion chopped,
about 3 chipotle peppers with some of the adobo,
1 1/2 cups of minced dates, boiled in 1 cup of water to create a paste. I have another cup of pitted and halved dates that I will add much later,
and an Indio beer, plus some salt and pepper.

Here you can see the ingredients.

There were too many dates which caused the broth to be too sweet, so I never added the full dates. I would reduce the amount of dates by about half. I then added 3 more chipotles to balance the sweet. There was a good tang to the meat mix, but that was toned down once plated with the accompaniments.

I think a sprinkling of fresh minced rosemary on service would be a fabulous addition.

Here is the mix in the crock pot.

It was WAY tastier than the picture implies.

The pork was served with couscous with pinenuts, roasted veggies, rosemary bread, and a citrus salad.

(and of course I neglected to take that photo)

The meal started with spinach and feta pinwheels rolled in hojaldra, and ended with dark chocolate truffles rolled in walnuts.

And then there were the 7 bottles of sparkling wines.

It was a fabulous party, but because of the friends, not the wine!

So there you have it, a new crock pot recipe.

the m&m face off!

2011-12-27T19:35:00.004-06:00

So Tom and I went to the movie theater today.

We saw the new Mission Impossible movie. It was very good, action packed but not overly gorey or bloody.

We bought our regular, to share, large popcorn, ginormous soda, and a package of m&m peanuts.

We're sitting there and Tom hands me an m&m, I look at it and it is brown, I pull a face and Tom wants to know - What???

PUHLEEEESE! We all know that in Flavor - yellow and green are the best, followed by orange, then reds are borderline, and with the blue and brown, well why bother, they just aren't very good at all!

Tom then pulled a face, ate the brown one and gave me a yellow!

More Mexican Holiday traditions are still on the way!

2011-12-26T10:44:00.007-06:00

Just when you thought the Holidays were winding down and you could get yourself away from the table.

Well if you live in Mexico you couldn't be more wrong! And if you live here in Merida you would be even more wrong!

Not only do we have the New Year, and New Years eve coming up, we are also gearing up for Merida's 470th birthday (6 January)! Which is also within the 'festival de la ciudad' festivities.

Also on 6 January is Dia de los Reyes Magos, or 3 Kings Day. This is also known as Epiphany and signifies the conclusion of the 12 days of Christmas. (but not the end of the party'ing).
This is the more traditional day of gift giving .

On the evening of the 5th of January families gather in the early evening to share the Rosca tradition; rosca y chocolate. Rosca de Reyes is a sweet egg bread shaped in a ring or crown sometimes studded with dried fruits. Inside the Rosca is baked a small baby doll figure (representing the baby Jesus), the lucky recipient of the doll gets to host the Candelaria party on 2 February.

Candelaria signifies the day Jesus was presented at the Jewish Temple 40 days after his birth.

Tamales are the traditional food served for the Candelaria party. And this will officially signify the end of the Holiday Season. phew!

Well, don't forget 2 February is Groundhog Day!

ah, the smell of electrical burn in the morning...

2011-12-25T07:40:00.007-06:00

First - Merry Christmas to All!

Now, on to my story - So yesterday morning, we were preparing to start on some out of the house activities and we heard an odd, yet intuitively known, deep toned pop and hiss. We both turned and zombie walked into the office and straight to the desk, another deep toned pop and hiss and the smell of electrical burn intensified.

The super duper high watt voltage suppressor electrical strip, in to which the laptop, desk lamp, TV, and dvd player were plugged ceased to suppress.

We started by switching the strip off, then pulling the the plug for the strip out of the wall, and then disconnecting the appliances.

Tom tore the strip apart and the inside was charred inside.
Good thing we were close to the office and heard all this as it was starting.

So, all my tec/geek/electronics friends - just what is a good quality, yet reasonably priced surge protector for electronics equipment?

So what we had was a Belkin SurgeMaster 2950 joule Transient Voltage Surge Suppressor,
model F9G930-10

in doing some research I have discovered it was subject to a recall a few years ago because the plastic case separates, but nothing about it spontaneously combusting.

tis the season...

2011-12-20T09:04:00.009-06:00

...and there have been no shortages on parties, theatrical events, cultural events, and just plain fun with friends events!

We had a christmas party the other night for the girls at a group home, complete with tree, santa, gifts, dance performances, sing alongs, and cake.

Purpura Plastika had an exhibit of art by participants from several workshops -

and of course the wedding of our dear friends daughter - oh, and the reception!

It's been a great few weeks, and looks to be just as good for the upcoming few. Parties here, parties at friends', Friends in from out of town, part-timers back for the winter,

Not to mention the planning for the 2012 Spay n Neuter Campaign,
if you want to volunteer or donate just shoot me an email!

Holiday Season here in Merida! - Las Posadas

2011-12-17T09:47:00.009-06:00

As a part of the traditional christmas celebrations here in Mexico are the posadas.

December 16th saw the start of Las Posadas,
the nine days of celebration culminating with Christmas Eve, or Noche Buena.

Here in my neighborhood, which is an older and more traditional YucaMaya neighborhood, they still celebrate with posadas, which are fiestas or parties that prepare for the arrival of the baby Jesus on December 25th -

The posadas typically starts with the group gathering and praying a rosary, then part of the group splits off to become peregrinos (pilgrims) going from home to home, singing the traditional posada song - which come from the stories of how Mary and Joseph had to travel village to village seeking shelter. The peregrinos pass around the neighborhood in a procession, complete with costumed Mary and Joseph, palm leaves, candles, etc and sing in front of differing houses. Most of this is prearranged, and the different houses will all deny Mary and Joseph shelter until they get to the last house, which invites the peregrinos in and offers them all a beverage, typically ponche*, and maybe some cookies. It really is a lovely tradition.

*Ponche is a lovely drink, served warm, of fruit juices, sugar cane or pilloncillo, cinnamon, chunks of fruit, etc. I'm sure the recipe changes a bit family to family, and region by region, depending on what is seasonally available.

Noche Buena (the evening of the 24th of December) is when the big day of family celebration occurs. Families get together to attend midnight mass then gather to eat, drink, sing, and celebrate the season. There is typically a piñata, which is hugely popular with all ages. Piñatas are not just for the kids! There is also a big midnight meal, as well as gifts. One such gift is the aguinaldo, which are bags with fruits, nuts, and candies.

The traditional piñata used for Posadas is a star with 7 cones, or points. I found a few relationship details about the Star shape, and the number of points.

One says; "The points on the star represent the devil and the seven deadly sins, the goodies inside are blessings El Diablo is hiding, and busting it open releases them." Sanchez and Sons, Pinata makers in Phoenix

Another says; "All these elements have a meaning:

The seven cones represent the 7 sins
Being blindfolded represents faith
The stick represents virtue
The inside treats are the glory of God that falls upon you" mamalatinatips.com

I am not religious, but I still enjoy and appreciate these traditions.

It's one of the many things I love about living here in Mexico - it has opened my eyes more fully to differences, and I have an ever growing respect for the traditions and beliefs of others.

Restaurant Review - casa del agua steak house

2011-12-12T04:07:00.000-06:00

I recently had the opportunity to take lunch with friends at casa del agua steak house. This new Steak House is located on calle Perez Ponce No. 407A x 31 y 33, in colonia Itzimná, Merida.

The building is a renovated 'Casona' Big House. It is quite grand and has some lovely details and water features. The open space is just a bit too open for me, almost austere, with no art work, but of course TVs.

Our table shared 2 appetizers; the BBQ shrimp, and the salmon carpaccio. The sauce of the shrimp was fabulous, but for me it overpowered the shrimp so that it could have been served on anything. The carpaccio was fresh, light lightly smoked and quite tasty. I liked the slivers of habanero, but really missed the traditional egg, onion, capers, and lemon presentation. And there were definitely not enough crackers for the amount of salmon.

Our table of 6 ordered dinner with 4 of us selecting beef items, and 2 of us choosing salmon. Apparently the meat is imported from either the US or Canada, and is certified as either Angus or Hereford. And as tends to hold true, when in a steak house you should order steak. We ordered 2 filets, 2 rib eye, and 2 salmon meals. The meat orderers were all wowed by their meals while Janean and I pronounced our salmon dishes as good. We also ordered asparagus in hollandaise for the table to share.

I show you the salmon dish, not because of the salmon, but to show the veggie garnish which is a grilled slice of eggplant, zucchini, and mushroom, which to me was much tastier than the salmon, and I can't now even remember what the sauce was.

The asparagus was quite good, the sauce very creamy and buttery, but not very lemony.

We had several bottles of wine, a few cocktails and desserts. I'm more of a savory than a sweet person, so for me the desserts were just ok, but everyone else thought they were good.

But the most impressive for me was the coffee service.

Each coffee orderer was served a small french press,

and a box with a variety of selections to add to your press.

a variety of sweeteners, including a dark sugar, 2 roasts of coffee, and chips of cinnamon bark. The barrister loads your press, pours in the hot water and after that you are on your own.

One note, if it is your first time there, and you are approaching from Montejo along perez ponce heading East you have to be very careful or else you'll miss it, then you'll find yourself lost. Just as you round the corner, starting to head in a Northerly direction, a ways before the right swing onto avenida aleman it is just there on your left, the frontage is quite small and you can't see any indication that you are upon it. If you are approaching from the North, heading South along perez ponce it is quite visible. They need a banner, at least until they have established their client base.

The Green Movement

2011-12-11T05:21:00.001-06:00

A friend sent me this as an email -

I like the message and thought I'd pass it on.

Especially, now that I am turning into an 'old' person, and am a conspicuous consumer!

Checking out at the store, the young cashier suggested to the older woman that she should bring her own grocery bags because plastic bags weren't good for the environment.

The woman apologized and explained, "We didn't have this green thing back in my earlier days."

The clerk responded, "That's our problem today. Your generation did not care enough to save our environment for future generations."

She was right -- our generation didn't have the green thing in its day.
Back then, we returned milk bottles, soda bottles and beer bottles to the store. The store sent them back to the plant to be washed and sterilized and refilled, so it could use the same bottles over and over.So they really were recycled. But we didn't have the green thing back in our day.
We walked up stairs, because we didn't have an escalator in every storeand office building.
We walked to the grocery store and didn't climb into a 300-horsepower machine every time we had to go two blocks. But she was right. We didn't have the green thing in our day.
Back then, we washed the baby's diapers because we didn't have the throw-away kind.
We dried clothes on a line, not in an energy gobbling machine burning up 220 volts -- wind and solar power really did dry our clothes back in our early days.
Kids got hand-me-down clothes from their brothers or sisters, not always brand-new clothing. But that young ladyis right. We didn't have the green thing back in our day.
Back then, we had one TV, or radio, in the house -- not a TV in every room. And the TV had a small screen the size of a handkerchief (remember, not a screen the size of the state of Montana .
In the kitchen,we blended and stirred by hand because we didn't have electric machines to do everything for us.
When we packaged a fragile item to send in the mail, we used wadded up old newspapers to cushion it, not Styrofoam or plastic bubble wrap.
Back then, we didn't fire up an engine and burn gasoline just to cut the lawn. We used a push mower that ran on human power.
We exercised by working so we didn't need to go to a health club to run on treadmills that operate on electricity. But she's right. We didn't have the green thing back then.
We drank from a fountain when we were thirsty instead of using a cup or a plastic bottle every time we had a drink of water.
We refilled writing pens with ink instead of buying a new pen, and we replaced the razorblades in a razor instead of throwing away the whole razor just because the blade got dull. But we didn't have the green thing back then.
Back then, people took the streetcar or a bus, and kids rode their bikes to school or walked instead of turning their moms into a 24-hour taxi service.
We had one electrical outlet in a room, not an entire bank of sockets to power a dozen appliances.
And we didn't need a computerized gadget to receive a signal beamed from satellites 20,200 kilometers (12,552 mi) miles out in space in order to find the nearest pizza joint.

But isn't it sad the current generation laments how wasteful we old folks were just because we didn't have the green thing back then?

2011 FM2 Renewal process

2011-12-10T05:24:00.000-06:00

Time once again to renew our documents which allow us to live in this country. We've been doing this for quite a few years now, and regardless of all the changes that have been made we feel like we've got it down! Piece of cake. No Problem! Oh how the mighty have fallen!

Actually so far it hasn't been all that bad! I went online and filled in the required forms for renewing our FM2's - here is the link for that form: http://inami.gob.mx/index.php/page/Solicitud_de_Estancia

Of Course our printer died, we took it to the repair shop and were told it would be cheaper to buy a new one. But a friend has/had an old one that he didn't use anymore so we got that. Then the trouble started. This older printer doesn't support Windows 7, so after 3 unsuccessful attempts to install the software I gave up. I installed it on our older computer, you know, the one that could go into catastrophic heart failure at any minute. Well it held up, did its duty, and our forms are all printed.

note - I've heard Firefox isn't working well so I did use a computer that has Internet Explorer.
Also, for all sorts of other processes, Application, Renewals, etc friend Steve has done a fabulous job of spelling it all out step by step http://yucalandia.wordpress.com/living-in-yucatan-mexico/moving-to-mexico-fmm-fm2-or-fm3/

Under “* ¿Qué desea hacer?”: Choose: “Extender la estancia”

Under: “* Especifique”: Choose: “Refrendo de inmigrante”

Since this is for Renewal you have your current FM2 card and it should have all the info you need; NUE, and CURP. Apellido is your last name, and Nombre is your first and middle name, exactly as it is on your card.

Well, like I said, this is for renewal only, so you should be able to figure the form out, it really is quite simple and basic.

The hard/harder part came when I was trying to find the Form online to be able to pay the fee before going in to start the paperwork process. I have heard that this really expedites the procedure if you are pre-paid. I couldn't find it, and the friend who had done it before didn't bookmark the page, but did send me a scanned copy of his form thinking that might help me in my search - It didn't, so what I eventually did was to go online and find a site that would take a PDF form and turn it into a WORD doc. So that is what I did, I now have the payment form as a WORD doc that can be filled in and used as needed. WooHoo.

OK, so we show up at INM at 9AM on a Tuesday, 6 December, the line is out to the street, we wait - after about 45 minutes we get to the desk, and thankfully I do speak Spanish, because the nice guard was able to explain, and more importantly I was able to understand, that he was telling me that because of the number I was about to receive (65) I probably wouldn't get in today and would have to come back another day. Now had I not been able to understand all this I could have spent hours waiting to finally be turned away. Anyway, Thanks to the nice guards advice we went home and plan to go back again, but much earlier.

OK, It is now Friday, 9 December - In our hope to get in, we, like MANY others have shown up more than an hour before opening and queued up on the sidewalk. At 7:45 we were in line at INM, which opens at 9.

At about 8:45 they opened the gates and allowed us on to the INM property where we queued up once again to sign in to the log book and receive our first ficha (numbered ticket), We received #20.

The numbers start to be called at 9 and then you queue up in front of an agent in front of a computer where you say what you want - she inputs info and then gives you another ficha, in a variety of colors depending on what your needs are, different colors designate different rooms once you actually enter the building, this time we were Red #16. Once the hour was past 9AM Tom walked the 3 blocks to the Bank with our vouchers to pre-pay our fees, I waited for us to be called into the building.

About 10am we were called in to the building. It was a short wait once inside the building.

We approached an Agent that we have seen many times before. She starts going through our paperwork, everything is order, it's looking good, we're moving right along.....THEN, SCREEEEEECH! Halt! Bam! Our Financial statements are 6mth year to date statements from the company that issues our pension; these are the same statements we've used in years past. The statement shows the amount we receive monthly, AND the YTD amount. No Good! They want a statement that shows exactly how much, in each of 3 consecutive months. Great, our pension funder doesn't offer that type of statement - long explanations ensued. She accepted our documents, but asked that we get the type of statement she wanted and get it back to her, before 1:30. Great! So home we raced, poked around in our pension webpage, then our bank webpage, finally we print out several things, create the type of doc she wants, and high tail it back up just in the nick of time! She's happy, we're happy, all is right with the world!

By this time it is 1:30, we've been involved in all this since about 7:30 when we left the house - so far we've had coffee, and I now have a headache, we're crabby, ok more that crabby, and we're really hungry. Off to lunch.

OH, and she said to not bother checking back until January because in all likelihood nothing will happen before then. It is the Holidays, and their offices are closed QUITE a few days during the Holidays, which include 5 days in early January for All Kings Day.

This new system is really working!

iPad2 update, UPDATED

2011-12-09T15:45:00.006-06:00

So if you read my previous post you know that I had to turn my less than 5mth old iPad2 in for replacement.

I called this AM about 11:30 and was told that the replacement wasn't in, and that No, they didn't know when or if it would be. Now I must point out that the guy I had worked with, and asked for was 'Busy' so this info came from someone else.

I called again about 1:45 and was put through to My Service Guy, Jose Luis - SHAZAMMMMM
my iPad2 is in, and I can pick it up before 2, or after 4. I hit the road!

My replacement iPad2 is busy charging right at this moment, and in a few hours I will start all over with the whole initialize and setup procedure, so stay tuned, check back, fingers and toes crossed!!!!!

My iPad2, an update!

2011-12-08T11:33:00.012-06:00

There's an Apple in Merida!

An Apple Authorized Service Center that is! -

The Store is called Avante,

and this is their web link

I was just there! The staff were all friendly, and many of them speak English. Well at least as well as I speak Spanish, so most anyone with some Spanish can work it.
You've got to be able to help out some!

I can't take credit for this discovery, Barry and Yesenia found it -
Barry told me, now I'm telling you!

The map on their web link is pretty good, but for more concise directions write this down;
calle 23 x 16 y 18 #107B, Col Chuburna. Since most everyone knows where CostCo is here in Merida that is where I'll start - if you are heading North on Technologia you make a U turn at the retorno right at the CoctCo, Now the instructions will be the same if you are coming South on Technologia, You make a Right on 23A, go till you get to the stop sign, then make a Right, then at 23 go Left, The store front is on the Right just at the corner by the Stop Sign - this is what it looks like.

Now for the sad news, sort of! My iPad2, that I got in July while in Houston, is being replaced. I'm not sure I'm happy. First, they have to keep it in order to get me the replacement, so I am Ipad-less right now. While waiting and pondering my decision I sat and emailed myself a bunch of stuff from the iPad, Notes, Photos, etc. Then I did a RESET - sort of like a computer FORMAT command -I hope - to erase all my personal info.

Now that I am home, the note things I sent made it - but no photos came???Did I not give them enough time between sends, who knows, the photos are gone!

I probably should have come home with it, tried to sync it all to my computer then erased it, but the last time I tried a sync the iPad to the computer the iPad froze - I could turn it off, couldn't get any response when once again attached to the computer. Finally after letting it sit for 24 hours I got it started by doing a hard reboot, which involved three things pushed simultaneously for some determined length of time. Of course I lost all my stuff.

In telling Tom about the event I was telling him, This is what I think happened, and what I think will be happening...He hates that kind of stuff, but hey, I am trying to conduct business in Mexico with knowing proper Spanish!

So what I think is - They can't repair the iPad, It's under warranty, I'll get a new one, an English one, should be in tomorrow, or Monday, maybe Tuesday, call him to check if its here/there!

Lots of people ask me if I LOVE the iPad. No, I don't love it, I do like it quite a bit. I probably would prefer an iPhone, or iTouch, now that I know what I know. The iPad is great if you travel alot. But for everyday carryin around it gets heavy, and bulky. And I do like the everyday carryin around part.

Cilantro Cumin Dipping Sauce

2011-12-08T04:57:00.000-06:00

AFAD recently held their Annual Fundraiser

Tom and I donated some wine, and made a tray of about 125 botanas for the event.

Nothing super fancy, just skewers with a variety of grape tomatoes, cheese chunks, and black olives. But what was apparently the BIG hit is/was a Cilantro Cumin Dipping Sauce that I make with some frequency.

This sauce is something I just throw together - Now I know I could go out and buy the stuff and make it and do measurements and blah, blah, blah.... but if you know me then you know that won't happen.

Therefore, here is the recipe, as I know it!

One large bunch of cilantro, cleaned and patted dry - do not cut off stems
3-4 large cloves of garlic
juice of 3 limon indios These are sort of like key limes in the USofA, you could use any tart citrus, lemon, lime, sour orange....
1 T cumin seed and 1/2 tsp oregano, toasted
oil - avocado oil is good, olive oil if salad grade, or canola oil. maybe 1/3 cup

salt, pepper

and I like a bit of heat so I add a bit of chili; serrano, habanero, jalapeno, whatever I have, but I always roast it a bit on the comal.

put it all in the food processor and go at it.

''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''

Hago esta salsa con frecuencia - lo usamos en todo tipo de cosas - no hay una receta real, por lo tanto, no hay medidas exactos.

Un manojo de cilantro, limpiado y secado - no corte los tallos
3-4 dientes de ajo grandes
jugo de 3 limon indios, jugoso
1 T semillas de comino y 1 / 2 cucharadita de orégano - tostado (este es el secreto, comino y oregano bien tostado)
aceite - aceite de aguacate, de oliva, si el grado de ensalada, o aceite de canola. tal vez 1 / 3 taza

sal, pimienta al gusto,

y me gusta un poco de picante entonces agregar un poco de chile; serrano, habanero, jalapeño, cualquire lo que tengo, pero siempre que asar un poco en el comal.

Purpura Plastika

2011-12-06T00:01:00.001-06:00

I have written a number of posts about Purpura Plastika and their Art Therapy programs.

I am a huge fan of, and so very proud of what these artists accomplish with kids and women from, shall we say distressed situations.

You can read my posts Here and Here

They are planning a SALE this coming week. Not much notice - I know!

I was going to write about it, but Joanna has beat me to the punch so I will direct you to her well written and full of photos post

CLICK HERE

and don't forget to visit PPK's website for more info and lots more photos

funny how you just get used to things a certain way...

2011-12-05T07:32:00.009-06:00

Tom and I have been buying our coffee from Cafe Organico for several years now. If you are in the area (Mérida) it is located on Calle 33D por 72(Ave. Reforma), in the Centro Comercial Colón.

We always get the Italian Roast (tostado italiano), and very fine grind (molido fino). The italian roast is their darkest roast. Well about a month ago their grinder broke. They were bringing in bags of already ground coffee, or you could always buy the whole beans and grind it yourself (why didn't I think of that?)

We happened in one day when they were out of our roast, so instead of thinking it through and buying the beans, I do have a grinder, somewhere! I said no problem, we'll come back. We, I don't often go up to where the cafe organico is so we ended up completely out of coffee. No problem, I ran, walked, well actually I drove the 6 or so blocks to Chedraui and bought some coffee there; Chedraui brand, their Gourmet selection. It ended up on the compost pile. Guacala!

We went without coffee a few days, then I bought some Gravat, which is what a bunch of people here use. Neither Tom nor I ever finished a full cup, and we pitched nearly a full 12cup pot everyday.

We are used to and enjoy our Organic, Chiapan grown, Italian Roast, fine grind coffee.

We happened to be up in that area the other day running errands and we stopped in - the grinder is fixed, the container was full of italian roast beans, we have coffee, and we are very happy.

We drained the full pot yesterday - it was a very good day!

They do deliver, I even have the number, 9999252831, so someone tell me - why don't I just call and get it delivered?????? Add to that "Way up There" is maybe 3 miles???? GEEEEESHHHHHH!

Cactus and Succulent Club - Show and Sale

2011-11-18T12:15:00.001-06:00

Jonna and I are members of a local cactus a succulent club

-La Asociación Yucateca de Cactáceas y Suculentas-

It works out doubly well for us because in addition to learning about cactus and succulents we get to practice our spanish.

The Club is made up of mostly mexicans, and the language of the club is spanish.

It's really good for us during the presentations because the talk is more moderated; slower, more pronounced.

But OMG, when it gets to the QnA part, and during the breaks, we both struggle trying to keep up.

The 'Club' is hosting a Show, Sale, and Exhibition of cactus and succulents.

It will be held the 25, 26, and 27 of November at CICY

(Centro de Investigación Científica de Yucatán, A.C.)
Calle 43 No. 130, Colonia Chuburná de HidalgoCP 97200, Mérida, Yucatán, México;

which is up by the Chedraui North - across the highway from the Gran Plaza mall.

you can email the Club at - info.asycs@gmail.com

http://www.cicy.mx/

http://asycs.weebly.com/

map here

Hope to see you all there!

Buses and Bus Terminals of Mérida, Yucatán

2011-11-16T06:00:00.000-06:00

Friends John and Jane have a blog, several blogs actually, and now quite a few books out there as well.

You can access all their stuff through this blog link

One of the things they've posted about, and have recently updated is about taking buses and colectivos here in Merida and the surrounds.

They have put together a very concise listing of bus stations and destinations, along with photos of the stations.

This is Must Have info, you should bookmark this for future reference.

In Other Words: Merida - a literary magazine

2011-11-14T20:36:00.001-06:00

There are a lot of Writers here in Merida!

Some of them wrote before they came here, others have found the time since coming here to write.

As you can tell if you have been reading my blog for a a while, I am not a Writer. I can write, but I am not a Writer.

A Group of local Writers have recently started a new online literary magazine called

In Other Words: Merida

check it out!

and if you too are a Writer, they are inviting you to participate.

Manguera - what this word really means!

2011-11-12T09:06:00.001-06:00

OK, so I have these 2 dogs, one of whom is still a puppy, doing all the standard puppy stuff....Which has included chewing the end off the hose so many times that the hose no longer reaches the netherlands of the back yard!

The bamboo out back has been especially hard hit by the lack of watering - so to rectify that situation, and until I design and have installed a sprinkler/watering system we bought one of those huge clear plastic pvc tube hoses that "everyone" (kind of like saying "they") says is the best

I can only think that the people that recommend them do not do their own watering.

OMG, that thing is killing me, it's like wrestling a 30 ft python, or at least what I imagine wrestling a 30 ft python would be like

It is heavy and unwieldy (is that a word?) and I end up soaked head to toe. But man o man does it put out the water!

Here in Merida they call a hose a manguera, I don't know what they call it in the rest of Mexico.

OK, so let's look at this word - Man Guera - Man, self explanatory (well in English it is), and Guera which means war or fight in Spanish...

So what this means is that a MAN is supposed to be FIGHTING with this hose, Not Me!

Thought for the Day!

2011-11-11T08:21:00.001-06:00

Life is not the way it's supposed to be... It's the way it is

It's the way we cope with it that makes the difference.

I saw this somewhere recently,

can't remember where, and don't know by whom!

regardless, me likey!

Birth of a New Tradition

2011-11-06T09:32:00.001-06:00

My mom recently sent me an email, actually a SPAM email as it instructs you to send it to all your friends. I was taken with part of the underlying content. That of supporting local business. This particular email is aimed at slamming foreign made goods, particularly Asian made goods. But the underlying concept is GREAT!

Instead of buying mass produced and imported goods, support your local businesses, even though many Chains, whether Grocery, Restaurant, Mechanic, Beautician, or Department Store go a long way toward support of, and employ many in your community, perhaps your local small business owner can use your help too! It doesn't matter if you live in North Carolina as she does, or in Ecuador, or Bangladesh, or Merida Mexico as I do. Buy from and support your local community.

Tis the season.

I am including most of that email message here should you care to read! It could be quite generic if you replace Asian and China or Chinese with Foreign Made, and American with My local Community. I like the underlying message.

Christmas 2011 -- Birth of a New Tradition

As the holidays approach, the giant Asian factories are kicking into high gear to provide Americans with monstrous piles of cheaply produced goods -- merchandise that has been produced at the expense of American labor. This year will be different. This year Americans will give the gift of genuine concern for other Americans. There is no longer an excuse that, at gift giving time, nothing can be found that is produced by American hands. Yes there is!

It's time to think outside the box, people. Who says a gift needs to fit in a shirt box, wrapped in Chinese produced wrapping paper?
Everyone -- yes EVERYONE gets their hair cut. How about gift certificates from your local American hair salon or barber?

Gym membership? It's appropriate for all ages who are thinking about some health improvement.

Who wouldn't appreciate getting their car detailed? Small, American owned detail shops and car washes would love to sell you a gift certificate or a book of gift certificates.

Are you one of those extravagant givers who think nothing of plonking down the Benjamins on a Chinese made flat-screen? Perhaps that grateful gift receiver would like his driveway sealed, or lawn mowed for the summer, or driveway plowed all winter, or games at the local golf course.

There are a bazillion owner-run restaurants -- all offering gift certificates. And, if your intended isn't the fancy eatery sort, what about a half dozen breakfasts at the local breakfast joint. Remember, folks this isn't about big National chains -- this is about supporting your home town Americans with their financial lives on the line to keep their doors open.

How many people couldn't use an oil change for their car, truck or motorcycle, done at a shop run by the American working guy?

Thinking about a heartfelt gift for mom? Mom would LOVE the services of a local cleaning lady for a day.

My computer could use a tune-up, and I KNOW I can find some young guy who is struggling to get his repair business up and running.

OK, you were looking for something more personal. Local crafts people spin their own wool and knit them into scarves. They make jewelry, and pottery and beautiful wooden boxes.

Plan your holiday outings at local, owner operated restaurants and leave your server a nice tip. And, how about going out to see a play or ballet at your hometown theatre.

Musicians need love too, so find a venue showcasing local bands.

Honestly, people, do you REALLY need to buy another ten thousand Chinese lights for the house? When you buy a five dollar string of light, about fifty cents stays in the community. If you have those kinds of bucks to burn, leave the mailman, trash guy or babysitter a nice BIG tip.

You see, Christmas is no longer about draining American pockets so that China can build another glittering city. Christmas is now about caring about US, encouraging American small businesses to keep plugging away to follow their dreams. And, when we care about other Americans, we care about our communities, and the benefits come back to us in ways we couldn't imagine. THIS is the new American Christmas tradition.

Time is Not an exact science

2011-10-25T06:30:00.000-05:00

Things are different here - in soooooooooo many ways.

One way in particular is how we refer to the day, and when is an acceptable to time to call, or expect to be able to make an appointment.

I was recently trying to make an appointment and the gentleman told me the day of week he was available, and in the afternoon. Great I thought, and suggested 2pm. He chuckled a little and let me know 4:30 was the earliest he could make an afternoon appointment.

Times of the day have different words and meanings.

For example:

the early morning hours, say 1am - 5 am - here they are called madrugada - this is about the time parties start to wind down and people start to head home.

Morning - from say 7am to noon is matutina or en la manana,

Mid Day - medio dia is from say noon to 3/4, this when it is really tough to make appointments. People go to lunch from say 1:30 - 3:30.

Afternoon - from 4ish to 7ish is vespertina or en la tarde - this is a great time to do appointments.

Evening - 8pm till 1am would be noche. This is when people start to get moving for dinners out, dinners with friends, parties etc. Although few would ever get anywhere at 8pm. If you tell someone 8pm, expect them about 9:30. We were once accused of having a kid party when we told a mexican friend our party started at 8pm.

Don't call people before 9am, 10 is better. But you can call them up to 10pm, even later if you know them.

If you want to meet for lunch, 2:30-3pm is correct. So forget about an appointment with anyone because they are out to lunch. Anywhere between 2 and 5 is sort of a quiet zone, People are either eating, resting, or handling personal business.

It takes a bit to get used to, but what a difference it will make if you get accustomed to these general ideas.

my new molcajete

2011-10-24T16:39:00.002-05:00

Not to long ago on one of Erich of Intheyucatan.com's videos, Brent of Remixto fame was demonstrating how to make tacos de arracherra. As part of this demonstration he was making a salsa in a molcajete. Now his salsa is very familiar to me as it is one I make frequently. Although I either mince the ingredients, or use the food processor, depending on the application.

I love Brent's molcajete, It is big and shallow, and does not include a pig face! and since I know he shops at the big mercado frequently I decided to head over to see if I could find one just like it! I couldn't!

I did find, and buy this nice big heavy molcajete -

which required me to taxi home rather than walk, this thing must weight 15/20lbs.

Well, Today I decided to make guacamole for a house warming I am going to tonight. I put the molcajete in the kitchen by the sink, and started roasting off the veggies I need, 1 serrano chile, 3 lg cloves garlic, 2 med tomatoes, 1/2 medium onion, I also prepped juice of 3 limes, 2 haas avacados, salt, and cilantro.

I started with the serrano, then added the onion, and then started adding the charred tomato halves one at a time. I muddled, I twisted, I pounded, I scrapped, until I thought my shoulder was gonna come loose - I then brought the food processor in, sat it next to the molcajete, transferred all the stuff, whizzed it for a few seconds, and VOILA! Guacamole.

Anyone want to buy a molcajete - Like New!