Lost in Mexico - Nochebuena, Feliz Navidad y Feliz Ano Nuevo!!

 Ok so we will continue with part 2 of December and the holidays and get everything up to date, so I can slack off again for awhile lol.

As I said we were getting ready for the Christmas festivities.  We decided to buy a little tree and decorations to put up and place the Santa Sacks under it.  Dana was adamant that it was her job to decorate the tree so I left it be and finally had to push her to stop tanning and put it up on the 23rd.  Well she got the lights on it, then kept trying to get me to do the rest.  I kept saying no as I have to cook the dinner, except for the things she had to have her way.  So in the end Dana completed the tree and I brought out all the gifts for the kids to put under it.  As you can see tanning and swimming was first priority, so this is the way you decorate a tree in Mexico!  We went out shopping and got the turkey and the last of the items we needed for the dinner, stuffing fixings, some veggies and any last minute beverages as we were unsure if there would be a no sale day due to the holidays.  I started some prep on the 23rd and got all of the bread ready for the stuffing along with the onions and celery and spices.  I chopped up all of the veg and had them ready in a pot with water so I didn't have to worry about that.  Just the potatoes to peel with the help of Dana as they were new potatoes and a thin skin and I don't play well with knives (no peeler) and the turkey to prep and cook the next day.

On the 24th, I cooked the sausage for the stuffing and got it ready for the bird.  Cleaned it, cooked the giblets for the spoiled princessa and got the turkey in the oven.  Everything else was ready to go when it was time, so we sat down to relax and wait for our friends to arrive.  Puppy enjoyed her cooked giblets and they were gone in a heartbeat.  Dana got her brussel sprouts done the way she wanted them and got the potatoes ready.  We were enjoy a drink and a friend I had met in Merida called to say he was on the Malecon with his son and asked to stop by so I invited them over for some Christmas cheer and then of course offered them to stay for dinner as they were not planning on having one at home.  Eventually Ismael and family arrived.  The boys are all very quiet, even when playing and his little girl, Aithanna is the sweetest little thing.  Dana took the boys in the yard and was trying to teach them horseshoes with a plastic set she brought with her.  Eventually I called all of the kids to the tree and got them to find the bag with their name on it.  Nothing was very expensive but they loved the novelty of the Canadian items and enjoyed the small gifts that we got for them as well.  Glow sticks that Lorie send were a hit.  Aithanna was hugging both her stuffed cat that Krystal sent for her and her little pony that we got her.  She sat with Dana and had to open and check all of the items in her bag and then spent some time colouring in her book.  The turkey turned out amazing and everyone crowded around the table and enjoyed the dinner, most of which was new to them.  The stuffing and gravy and the brussels were a hit for my friends son.  He told Dana repeatedly how great they were.  Dana and Jess(Ismael's girlfriend) cleaned up the kitchen after I served a festive cake for dessert.  We sat and talked for a bit and then Ismael et all needed to leave.  I'm not sure if he had to take his children back to Merida or not but he did have to get ready for work that night.  My friend and his son left shortly after that so Dana and I could get ready and prepare for the night ahead.

In Mexico they celebrate Christmas on Christmas eve and they call it Nochebuena.  It is the main celebration which is marked by a family feast, midnight mass and gift giving as well as FIRECRACKERS!!  This is what we were getting prepared for now as we knew it would not be a good night for the Princess.  There had been some small ones going off over the course of the preceding week but tonight would be one of the worse.  We had the music up loud and were trying to drown out the noise to no avail.  Sure enough, puppy became anxious and was pacing, panting and circling worse then I have ever seen her.  I decided to go to bed and get her in my room with the tv cranked up in the hopes of settling her down.  Nothing was working as she climbed on my head, pulling my hair, standing on my arm and the nightstand.  She tried to hide in the closet until a really loud one (like a bomb explosion)

went off and she came flying out of the closet.  I finally gave up and found the gravol and fought her to get one in her.  It took a while but eventually it kicked in and I had to make sure she was still breathing cause she turned into a dead dog laying beside me, but I would finally be able to get some sleep at 4am.  She ended up hiding by my pillows behind my head and falling asleep as in the picture before she finally moved and was flat out beside me.  I knew that fireworks are expected in Mexico and it would be a challenge for puppy but this week was going to be the worse for her as the firecrackers will be every night for a week.  Thankfully, they weren't too bad in our neighbourhood leading up to New Years.  I went to the vet and asked for something to help her get thru New Years as again it would be mayhem at midnight.  The vet gave me 2 pills and said to give them about 10pm so that they would take effect and she would be calmer at midnight.  Well I was contemplating a bit earlier and just I was thinking of it a few started.  So it was now pill time.  I managed to get one into her and then the fight was on for the second one.  Eventually Dana who couldn't believe how hard such a little dog could fight, went to the kitchen and mashed up the pill, mixed it with some chip chip and put it on a cracker and she ate it!!!  Thank goodness.  I was trying to wait until midnight with Dana but they were starting to be more frequent so I took puppy to bed with a loud tv and hid away.  She actually did pretty good considering the people across the street were letting them off in the street and there were a few doozys.  She paced a bit but laid on the floor for the most part and eventually when all was quiet she did come to bed and settle around 2 am.  I have one more dose from the vet in case I need them and may go back and ask for more for the drive home to help her out.  I'm not sure if the same happens at Easter which is a 2 week party here called Semana Santa but if it is then I will definitely need more to get thru that holiday before heading home.

Christmas day Dana and I opened our sacks and decided to have Mimosas.  We went thru 2 bottles of Prosecco while talking to our families at home.  New Years morning we just had coffee with tequila crema and another quiet relaxing day.  On the 2nd, I woke up at 3am with a crippling pain in my sternum.  I did not feel nauseous but tried to throw up, nor did I need a movement.  I took a gaviscon to try and calm it, thinking it was heartburn but nothing was calming it down.  I could not get comfortable and was near tears. Around 8 Dana came in and she got me the gravol that was downstairs and |I took that as I was sending messages and cancelling appointments that were booked that day.  Thankfully and I don't know why but the gravol worked and it knocked me out.  When I woke the pain was gone.  I stayed in bed until the next day but still had sore ribs (like if you have had a huge coughing fit or dry heaved for hours, yet I had neither)  It was really quite strange but I am back to normal for me.  We have been pretty lazy since the holidays but are about to get back at it.  We are heading out today for laundry, some groceries and lunch.  Tomorrow we are getting our nails done and then we will see what the rest of the week/end brings.  I would like to make a plan and go off exploring somewhere so we will see what happens.

So to all of you back home that are freezing, we are thinking of you and are not envious of your fabulous weather.  Merry Xmas and Happy New Years from Mexico.

Bromas y Deseos from Kahlua and I

Yep, I'm Lost In Mexico #4

 So it would seem, I have most definitely got lost in time down here.  Or maybe Dana and I are just too occupied in our daily activities.  It has been a month since I last posted so I will divide it into 2 posts so that  it is not too long.

Dana is settling in well except for the dogs out back that continuously bark at night and keep her awake.  Yes this is Mexico, she will have to get use to it.  She just doesn't understand that the owners can't hear them or do anything about it, like we would at home.  She says the rooster doesn't bother her but the non stop barking is really getting to her.  She wants to buy some earplugs and an eye mask so she can sleep.  I told her that she needs to work on changing her sleep schedule anyways because everything is done first thing in the morning here, markets, shopping, etc before it gets too hot.  Then can relax in the afternoon or do whatever.  We are slowly getting around to this and she is trying to get up earlier.  Her ankles and legs are quite swollen and she is having a heck of a time dealing with them.  She has been trying to keep them raised and also icing them on the regular to try and get them to come down.  She continues to ruminate about what she has done and in her mind "being homeless".  I remind her that she is not, this is her home for now and she will have another when she returns.  It is just a temporary rental and a much more pleasant one at that, considering the temperatures are dropping quickly in Merritt.

I found a new nail tech and she did an amazing job.  She ended up almost removing the ones the other girl did and starting fresh as 2 of my nails were cracked very short from the work the other had done.  In all my time with my most fantastically skilled tech in Canada I have broken 1 nail in about 5 years.  The new girl, Gaby, removed the old ones and redid them with fantastic art and still was done in 2.5 hours!  Much better then the first place I went to.  I have rebooked with her for the new year.

I also went and got my hair done.  I had the colour refreshed from what Toni did in the early fall and decided to get it cut a little more and add bangs.  The lady is a Canadian and has quite a few little

businesses on the go.  She did a great job matching the colour and I loved the cut.  I will be going back to see her when I need another refresh.  Dana has also decided to book in for a facial and I am thinking about some of the other services that they are offering in the wellness spa.  They have a doctor that comes in for chiropractic services and he also does some work in regards to stem cells.  Im thinking about a consult with him, 1) to get an adjustment on my back and hips to help with my mobility and 2) to get more information on the stem cells and see if they would help at all with these symptoms of mine, especially my legs.  If anyone reading this knows anything about stem cell therapy, please send me a message, I would appreciate any and all info on the subject.  Anyways, we stopped at home quickly and I threw on some makeup, then we went to town.  I felt great with the new hair and while we were walking thru a little artisan market I sent a quick pic to Krystal and she called me the next second.  She couldn't believe how great it looked and said that I looked younger!  Thanks baby girl but how the hell can I be younger when she is turning 32!  Even her boyfriend said I looked great but maybe that was just sucking up to the MIL.  We did some virtual shopping while she was on the video call and said goodbye.

Later on in the week, I talked to Fabian again and he told me to come over and he would do another Catarina tattoo for me.  We had found a design that we both liked so I made plans to come over to the

shop.  When I got there, there was 2 other ladies there, one was getting her eyeliner done and the other got a finger tattoo done.  Well wouldn't you know but they are both from Courtenay and worked in health care there.  Small world for sure.  The lady getting her eyes done looked familiar but neither of us could place each other.  It turns out that the finger tattoo lady - Shiloh also drove down and is a bit skittish about so wants to keep in touch and possibly convoy back with me.  That could make for an interesting trip having another along for the journey.  So we exchanged info and added each other on socials and we will see what happens.  I should contact her anyways as it seems the 2 of them are all over the place exploring different things and we have really yet to get out of the area but we have big plans of doing so.  Or even have them over for dinner and drinks, Dana loves talking and meeting people!  Anyways they left and Fabian got to work on my arm.  I laid on the table and read for awhile then had a little nap while he worked away.  When he was done he was amazed that I didn't move at all, he thinks I'm made of stone or something as I don't flinch or shift or jump around, I'm just immune to the pain.  My wrist and forearm were a bit swollen when he was done but it looked great.  Then to my surprise he didn't charge me for it!  That was amazing and made me feel great considering all the business I have brought him over the years.  I gave him a good tip as I didn't feel right giving him nothing and we are making plans for some other things.  I may even do my eyes and brows again as I have next to no brows and it is getting harder to see to do my eyes!  LOL the joys of aging!!  Dana is also thinking about getting more done and when her daughter comes down, she is going to get one.  I have to laugh as I have created 2 monsters with Ang and Dana who have gone from zero to tattoo hero!

We waited for the Grand Opening of the new Walmart in Progreso, especially Dana as she wanted no part of going back to the first one we went to in Merida with the crazy roundabouts.  It was an absolute gong show....everyone and their dog decided to go for the big opening.  They had a truck driving thru town with announcements blaring, all kinds of displays and samples out front of the store, music at top volume and parking was insane.  The lot was basically full and there were cars all lined along the side of the street.  Thank goodness for my handicap card as we were able to get a spot right in front of the store.  Inside wasn't really that bad, a bit of chaos with the number of people but most were on missions for certain items for Christmas.  That is what we were doing also, getting the last things for the Santa sacks for Ismael and family and also the things we wanted to put in each others Santa Sacks and some general shopping.  I was absolutely ecstatic when we strolled into the liquor department and spotted those glorious turquoise and pink bottles of 1921 tequila crema!  It was liked the skies opened up and cast rays of sunshine down upon the bottles beckoning me to them.  Needless to say 2 ended up in my cart and I'm sure I will be going back for more.  This is the first time that I have seen it here in the Yucatan in all the years I have been coming.  I generally get a bottle or 2 at the duty free in the airport on my way home, so this made the end of the year for me.  It is definitely a nice change to have the Walmart here and not have to go into one of the dozen in Merida and I have to say that the produce so far is fabulous, better then the other stores in town.

Our evenings consist of dinner and sitting outside relaxing.  One evening our resident security

PawPatrol was out doing her rounds of the pool and yard.  She started into a crazy barking fit and was bouncing all around in the back corner.  I grabbed my camera and went to see what had her all in a tizzy, figuring it might be her first experience with an iguana.  Well low and behold she found the possum and had it cornered.  It was just trying to hide from her and was not hissing or trying to attack her.  She just kept bouncing forward at it and barking, then getting closer and trying to sniff at it, but not too close.  Dana came out to see what all the excitement was about and thought that it was adorable.  I thought she was going to try and pet it for a moment but she stayed back not sure on how it would react.  Well getting the guard dog away from her conquest was a bit of a challenge, but treats and food always work, so off to the kitchen we went to occupy her for a bit so the little guy could wander off to where he wanted to go.  Of course when treats were over, she had to go back out and investigate again to make sure we were all safe from any more invaders.  Besides the colony of cats, she hasn't found anymore critters to guard us from.  Her biggest thrill is barking and chasing the cats or running out front and barking at people passing by, sometimes even just at nothing.  She hasn't found anymore lizards to chase.

Dana is loving all the meals so far and is more then happy to be eating lighter and healthier.  She keeps saying that she could do this when she goes home.  We have had all kinds of seafood meals as well as salads and even did some steaks one night.  She looked forward to having the tuna steaks again and said this time she wanted it on the rare side as it should be instead of overcooked.  I also got her to eat it raw but marinated in a poke bowl and also made a tuna ceviche as part of a charcuterie board we had one night.  She was dumbfounded that she was eating raw fish and enjoying it and wanted more.  When I brought out the leftover ceviche the next day, she dug right into making sure that she got her share of it and that I didn't eat it all on her.  So for now we are just relaxing and prepping for Christmas.  It will be the first time that I will cook a turkey in years, as Len always made it his way.  Not to mention cooking it with gas, which is new to me but here's hoping it all goes well.

Well until the festive edition (which I will write immediately) that is all of the excitement for the first couple of weeks of December and Danas stay.

Bromas y Deseos from Kahlua and I

Lost in Mexico #3

 Its been just over a month and I'm loving every minute of it.  Too think I would normally have gone back home by now.  Instead I have had visitors for a week and my partner in crime has arrived to spend the rest of the season with me.  I still have been on the go until my family arrived, then it was just spending time with them.

So I got the princess Kahlua in for her spay surgery.  She did better then expected but I don't think the vet wants to see the stubborn girl again.  She was all happy as usual to go for a car ride and walk, sniffing at doors and doing her thing.  When we got to the entrance to the vets office, she sniffed and tried to high tail it out of there!  Of course I pulled her back and brought her in.  She did not want to walk to the back when it was time to go and the tech had to pick her up and carry her in.  Lord knows how she behaved for them once they had her back there but I know it was a fight.  When I went back to pick her up, they said she wasn't drowsy at all and she was raring to go home.  They brought her out and she was pulling the vet out the door....she was ready to get out of there.  She was happy to leave and see me and jumped right up and into the Jeep.  You wouldn't know she just had surgery.  When we got home she was a little slower but still wandering around doing her thing.  She went out in the back to say hi to Ismael and he was also surprised, he thought that she would be more downcast.  She eventually settled on the couch and rested and again the next day was a little slower....but not much.  Crazy, stubborn pug.  She was good about taking her meds, wrapped in ham of course and letting me clean her incision.  She is all good and back to her normal self now.

A couple days later, I had to go into Merida to do my tax number.  All went fine this time except for me falling again!  I found a parking space right out front of the building.  It was a little tight for the Jeep but I took it anyways instead of circling or trying to find a park cade near by.  Well I parked but I was close to the car beside me.  I was squeezing my way out the door and caught my back foot on my floor mats and took a header out the door between the 2 cars.  I didn't fall flat but caught myself with my hands.  Well I ended up spraining my thumb and its still sore, as well as my knee, shoulder and wrist were sore after.  As I said before I need to drink, being sober I tend to fall down.  Anyways, my appointment went well and got it completed and returned home to the puppy who was waiting for me.

The next day I was back to Merida to pick up my fugly cousin and niece at the airport.  Well what a damn trip that was.  For some reason the nav system decided to send me through town to get to the airport instead of the highway around the outside of town.   Merida has a ring road around the perimeter of the city.  It still took about the same amount  of time but would have been easier to get there taking the highway.  I got there and had a fight getting into the park cade.  I guess it was full, so when you pushed the button to get a ticket, it wouldn't give one and you just had to sit there.  I think it was tied into the exit booth, so when someone left then it would give a ticket at the entrance.  There was a huge line of people trying to get in and by the time I finally got in they had made it out.  So I just loaded them up and we tried to leave.  Well you don't just scan your ticket and pay, you have to go inside to pay your ticket and then scan it.  Needless to say, I had to park and go in to pay my 2 minute ticket and back out to leave.  The trip home took me on the highway and it was way easier.

I got them settled in for the week and we didn't do too much.  We went for some groceries and did a little drive around town so Lindsay could see the area and Robyn a bit more then she did last year.  Robyn went out to get her haircut one day and walked there and Lindsay had breakfast at the cafe while she waited.  We ordered more seafood so Robyn could get her fill while here.  She tried swordfish and we also had shrimp kebobs and tuna steaks, she loved all of it and really enjoyed the swordfish.  I also made her a stuffed avocado one night, which I used the local butter avocados which are huge and stuffed with taco meat and cheese.  The girls did the dishes every night while I cooked for them.  On Tuesday, I had to go back to Merida to pick up Dana.  This time it wasn't quite as crazy getting in the park cade but her plane was delayed a bit and ended up waiting quite a while for her to get out but she sailed right through customs and collected her bags and we were off.  We were making a stop at Walmart to pick up a couple things and for Dana to stock up on her alcohol.  Well Dana got to experience me driving like a Mexican as we had to go through 2 triple lane roundabouts and basically there is no fucks given when you are going through them, it is everyone for themselves!  And of course we had to go through them again when leaving, well to say the least it scared the crap out of her and she was happy to get back to our sleepy little coastal village.

We would sit around outside in the evening and watch the back wall for our wildlife episodes.  The first night we had fornicating iguanas, then an opossum, more iguanas, cats, and an iguana in a hole in the wall.  It was funny the night the possum was there, we couldn't get Kahlua to go out and check for it but when I walked out to get a picture, she followed behind me and then Lindsay walked out on the phone and she followed behind her, peaking around her legs to see if she was going further.  Almost like she was afraid and getting Lindsay to go first.

Robyn and Dana were happy to see each other again and the drinks started flowing.  I said it was a 50/50 on if Dana went to bed early or if she would stay up drinking.  Well she stayed up even after we all went to bed.  I came down at 12:30 to let the dog out and she was sitting by herself still drinking and thinking about all the changes she has just made in her life.  Of course, she wanted to keep talking so I had to excuse myself to go back to bed.  She has been better after the first night and gone to bed at a reasonable hour.  

On Wednesday night we went for a walk down the Malecon and out for dinner.  Lindsay and Robyn treated us as a thank you for having them.  We went to Barloventos which is an expat hangout and Dana had been before, the food was good and the servers recognized her from February.  I know where to find her if she goes missing in town.  Lindsay and I walked back down the Malecon to get the Jeep while the other 2 went to the Oxxo and grocer to pick up some more alcohol and we picked them up there to head home.

My family headed home the next afternoon, so it was another trip to Merida.  I got the route down now, so it was a quick trip in and back home.  Dana and I went to a new market and cafe and had a bite to eat then made a quick trip to town for some veggies and cash for her as well as taking her for her pedicure and then we have just relaxed around the house since then, as we get into our groove here.  We bought a little tree to put up for our Christmas with Ismael and family.  Only  problem with our little outing was when we went to the bank and I went in to get her money, again I decided to fall on my ass!  I went to leave and as I took a step down, my foot slid off the step and I went down hard.  The young boy that was waiting just inside ran out to check on me which was nice.  I picked myself up and went back to the car slowly.  I hit and bruised up my bad leg, little scratch on my knee and torqued my back a bit, its all still a bit achy especially my leg.  Time to stay home and drink, cause it seems I can't do much of anything while sober.

No major plans on the horizon for Dana, I have a hair appointment on Thursday and nails the following week with a different technician.  Puppy likes having others around and she even went to have a sleep with Dana.  She looks forward to Ismael coming over and he always stops and looks at her to say "adios" when he leaves.  Well that is about all of the excitement for now, lets see what kind of trouble Dana and I can get into now!

Bromas y Deseos from Kahlua and I

Lost in Mexico week 2

Well, it's been just over a week since I last checked in and all is great.  I have been busy getting things done that were on my list but still have more to do.  I haven't had any luck contacting the person for my hair nor have I found a place for waxing.  All good though as those were the least of the things I need to get done.

I found a car wash place to detail the jeep and what a deal.  They had it for about 3 hours, cleaned the inside immaculately and washed and polished the outside, tires, windows you name it and including tip it cost me all of $30 Canadian.  Far cry from the cost of detailing at home.  Then of course a few days later, I went out to Ismael's and there was still large puddles along the beach roads and I got mud all over it again.  I honestly tried to avoid it but the puddle filled the whole road.  Then of course the princess came in the jeep again and I got a new layer of fur on the seats as well as some dusty footprints.  Oh well, I'm not going to complain when I can easily take it back and have it done again.

I contacted my fisherman and got an order delivered of 1 kg each of tuna steaks, scallops and prawns.  He ran out of prawns but brought me what he had for now.  All of this for $50, heck the tuna alone would have been $35 to 40 at home never mind the cost of scallops.  I made some kebobs with shrimp and scallops one night and a marinated tuna steak and then a poke bowl with marinated tuna, scallops and shrimp another night.  It has all been amazing.  I'm waiting until the end of the month to order again as not sure what the others may want to have while here.  My niece won't eat any of it but I know I turned my fugly cousin onto the tuna steak last year and she is game to try the poke bowl as well, but she may want some lobster or other fish.

I made an appointment for Kahlua, as I want to get her fixed while here.  Yes, I know it should have been done long ago, but money was never in the budget for it.  I asked the vet in Canada if she was too old and she said no, she is in great health and of course I could still do it.  So I contacted the vet hospital here called "Planned Pethood" and due to her age they wanted to do lab work first to make sure she was able to go under anesthetic.  I knew this was going to be a challenge but so be it.  I took Kahlua in and she was so happy to be out in the jeep and a walk but she knew as soon as we entered the building where we were and her anxiety peeked.  She kept trying to break for the door.  Once we were in the exam room, all bets were off and she wanted no part of any of it.  In the end it took 3 workers to hold her down to get the blood samples.  This from a dog that doesn't even weigh 20 pounds, but she is all muscle and fights like a gator doing death rolls.  They contacted me at the end of the day and said that she was perfect and that I can bring her in on Monday for the surgery.  The visit and lab work cost me less then $100 and it will be around $150 for the surgery, far cry from having it done at home.  So she is not going to be a happy girl on Monday but I won't have to worry about her getting accidentally knocked up at her age nor her going into heat any more.

I found a place to get my nails done and a pedicure, the hard part was finding a place that uses the same method as I have done at home.  It is called a structured manicure at home as it is a coating that goes over your natural nail to give it strength.  Here they call it a rubber base.  Well, she did a great job but it took 6 hours for both the nails and pedi.   I was really getting impatient with the whole process.  Even at home when Sarah is doing really intricate designs she rarely takes 3 hours from start to finish.  Hell she hand painted a plague doctor that was no more then half an inch big before I left and we were still under 3 hours.  So needless to say, I may search around some more and see if I can find another place to go, cause I just can't sit that long.

I made my first trip into Merida as I was going to immigration to get my tax number that goes with residency.  You didn't need to get it before if you weren't working, or selling a home but now they want everyone to have it.  Well it was the wrong day to make the appointment in downtown Merida.  I got all the way to the street I needed to go across and the police had the streets blocked.  Of course in the downtown all streets are one way, so I figured I would just go back down and then cut across and come back up closer to where I needed to be.  No such luck, I think I went down about 15 blocks and they were still blocked off, so I went back up with the intention of finding parking as close as I could and then walk over to the immigration building.  So I managed to do that although still ended up a distance away and as I'm walking up, I'm in the middle of a parade.  The facilitator I was meeting said they were filming a movie but they were also having a parade for the revolution holiday and I got caught in both of them!  Needless to say I missed my appointment time so we had to rebook and do this all over again.  On my way back to the beaches, I stopped at the local Walmart and picked up a few more things and then back home to a happy puppy.

Ismael has been back over now that he is feeling better and Kahlua gets so excited to see him.  He gets a laugh out of her excited greetings.  I don't think he is much of a dog lover but he does like her.  He even took her out for a walk when he was waiting for me one day.  He has cut the grass again and cleaned the pool.  He took me to show me where the pool supply was to get the needed chemicals.  He wanted to start his own pool cleaning business so Dana and I split the cost and bought him the pump he needs to do the cleaning as a Christmas present.  I have helped him set up a page on facebook so he can start advertising and get some business.  He is a very hardworking young man as he also has a full time job as security on the pier.

I made a trip over to Chelem, just to look around and also stopped in to say hi to Fabian, our tattoo guy as he was sending me messages on my way down, reminding me to be careful when dealing with the police as they like to steal from foreigners.  Don't I know it after one of the last stops.  He was glad that I made it safely and surprised that I did the drive by myself and called me a badass.  Ya I guess I am, but there are lots of folks that do the drive so I don't think it is that much of a big deal.  He invited me to come back the next day for a tattoo but we got our wires crossed and didn't connect.  Maybe soon.

I can't count the number of books I've read already since getting here, that damn kindle I bought is gonna be the death of me.  I have read so much since getting it and never seem to have it out of my grasp.  I need to leave it be and do some of my crafting that I brought down with me instead.  I started sorting thru designs one day and then got sidetracked on to something else.  I think I will just wait until after my family goes home as it will be a busy week next week between the vet and 2 trips to Merida, plus giving the house a tidy before they get here.

I'm doing pretty good finding my way around and finding shortcuts to get to places, like avoiding going thru town to get home.  Of course that also leads thru some of the more local neighbourhoods and the looks I get for the Jeep.  I decided to try and hurt myself yesterday and think I sprained my second toe slipping on the tile on the patio.  Note to self, wet tile is extremely slippery.  I took a step, twisted, fell, slammed my toe, lost my beer (that I had just opened), lost my desire for another, and promptly sat down to rest the pain in my ankle and toe and dry off a bit before trying to walk any further.  My toe is still sore this morning and a little swollen but I can bend it and walk so its not broken.

I have made myself bacon and eggs quite a few times for a late breakfast.  I don't usually eat breakfast but I bought what looked like bacon but it is way more meat then fat and is fabulous.  Can't make an over easy egg on gas if my life depended on it so over hard it is, with some fresh tomatoe slices and a bit of cottage cheese.  My dinner meals have been amazing as well, besides the seafood, I have been having taco salads, chicken breasts and tonight I have a really nice looking pork chop, just can't decide if I should BBQ it or fry it in the seasoned parchment papers that I get here.  They are great, you wrap your meat of choice in the paper that is coated in seasoning and then fry it.  I have used them at home in the air fryer also.  I haven't made any of my Mexican meals yet but was thinking about doing up some burritos or the enchiladas to put in the freezer.

Well until the next update,

Bromas y Deseos from Kahlua and I

First week of Lost in Mexico

 Well, I'm one week in and I have to say I have been pretty lazy and not doing to much.  The night I arrived and the next evening Ismael took me out to pick up a few things but after that I didn't venture out.  I had good intentions but they all fell short.  I have spent my time slowly unpacking and sorting things around the house and my room.  I took my time and swept the floors but have not got to mopping them yet.  I cleaned the kitchen cupboards so I could stock them.  Of course all of these tasks take longer then normal as I need to take breaks in between.  My sleep pattern is totally switched now and I'm waking up by 530am as this is a much busier and noisy neighbourhood.  Trucks start rolling in to the pier, dogs start barking like they are roosters and we have some resident cats that scream continuously like they are dying if not fighting.  Kahlua seems to have made friends with one of them and I see her in the front yard nose to nose with it.  Not sure if its the same one, I think so, but they try to get in the house.  For the first 3 days, I couldn't figure it out but the kitchen garbage can was getting knocked over, once during the night.  I was beginning to think the place was haunted or the souls had not returned after Dia des la Muertas.  I thought I had shut all the doors and locked them at night but then I remembered the one on the balcony was open and that is where the cat must have got in.  Resourceful little buggers.  The same one seems to be headbutting or throwing himself at the side door trying to get in as it has a little give to it and I keep hearing this crash.  Again, freaked me out at first until I think I figured it out, cause of course he was screaming at the same time.  And when I say screaming I mean it, all my windows are shut in my room and it sounds like he is in the room with us.  Of course it wakes Kahlua from her slumber every time he screams but she's too lazy to go look.

Kahlua is making herself at home and enjoys wandering around the back yard.  She is not a swimmer, more of a sinker but she goes out and does a couple of laps around the pool on the tile walkway then comes back to the patio to lie down.  She will go off and inspect each corner of the yard taking in all the new smells and one day I caught her rolling in the grass, yep she found something stinky!   It was all in her neck and shoulders.  Needless to say it was the tub or the pool so she went for a sink in the pool.  Good thing I have a lifejacket for her as she has no clue on how to swim if her life depended on it and in her mind it does even when I'm holding her.  She thunks her paws with such force you would think they were the size of a Great Dane and her back end is pointed straight down.  We managed to get through it but she was none to happy about it.  It was also the last really warm day that was over 30, so I figured it also helped to cool her off, as she was walking around panting, too stupid to go and have a drink.  We have gone on several short walks to the beach (a block away) and around the hood.  She does love the beach but I think she is afraid of the sound of the waves as she doesn't want to get to close to the water.  The tuff girl isn't so tuff when the neighbourhood dogs go nuts behind their gates at her.  She jumps into the street to get away from them.  Yep she is big and brave in her own yard and area but not so brave in this one.  She likes going out front barking at people passing and bouncing the way she does.

Ismael was here the first 2 days helping out.  He cut the grass which had gotten quite long and did some mild pruning of the trees, raked it and bagged it.  He also helped get the hot water going cause I had one heck of a tepid shower the first day.  But its going now, takes a bit to get to the tap but it is working.  The pressure isn't great but I can live with that as long as I can have a warm shower and not cold.  He was checking in each day after to see if I needed anything or if all was good.  I was fine and I didn't want to take him away from his family after he was away for several days.  I had not heard from him for the last couple days and I sent him a message for the gate code (which got changed to coffee for some reason) and he was confused.  He also said that his phone was not working properly and asked if I needed anything.  Which I do.  The gate on the drive way, my Jeep(with roof rack) just clears the rail but the chain hangs down when open.  When I pulled in, it was okay except the front of the roof rack is slightly angled so the chain that opens the gate slid up and over it.  When I went to back out, it caught as the back is squared.  So I managed to tighten it and get it to rest inside the rail and was able to back out, but when I pushed the button to close it, it did not close quite all the way.  I was not going to continue fighting with it and went on my shopping mission, already covered in grease from the chain.  Of course when I got back and let the monster out, she went straight to that opening in the gate.  She might be able to get through it if she works at it but I put  cinder block in the gap to stop her and all is fine for now.  Hopefully I will hear from him and we will be able to adjust it so that it works properly.

The owner stopped by and introduced herself and she seems quite lovely.  She told me any problems to let her know and gave me her number and address.  I was a little stressed that I could not find any bath towels or pool towels and went out and bought a set of 4 for now(needing them for the end of the month).  Then she shows me the storage room (which I thought was locked) and of course there is extra bedding, towels, loungers etc and she told me to help myself.  This is normal for the owners to lock away their personal things but she was open to use whatever I needed.  She was tickled at Kahlua's name and made the motion of knocking back a shot, then laughed.  She gave her a treat to make friends, even though Kahlua was being a good girl.  She is having a worker come by to fix a window in the stairwell, as there was a big rainstorm the day I arrived and water came thru and onto the stairs, which nobody needs to slip on but especially myself or my niece that is arriving at the end of the month as she is about 5 months pregnant with her first child.

I finally got my VPN and firestick to work so that I can watch my Canadian programming.  It took a little effort but I finally won.  I had installed a free one on the firestick that had been suggested but Prime blocked it after one episode.  So I checked into another paid one that is highly recommended and got it for $65 for 27months, that's like $2.50 a month.  Mexican deal, so cheaper then at home.  Can watch the Mexican streaming services but it is not all the same content so I was super happy to make it work, cause I had a bunch of shows I was watching weekly.

The Jeep seems to draw some attention around town.  When I went to the grocery store, they were doing some kind of promo and had a Jeep there wrapped in a Sprite design and colour with a sprite can on top that was a boom speaker.  Damn it was loud.  Well I pull in and get a spot up front and the workers are checking out my dirty Jeep.  When I left and stopped at Oxxo to pick up some water a fellow there starts talking to me.  Nice Jeep...Canada?  We had a short conversation and he offered to help carry the jug of water for me which was great as I had tweaked my back again and my legs were starting to ache from doing groceries.  Lots of other lookey loos as |I drive by also.  Jeeps are not super common here.

I have a list of things I need to find and do and have been searching to find the right places.  The only confirmed contact I have is for my hair but I need to find a nail tech, a spa for waxing (I hate shaving) and maybe a massage, laundry, a car wash/detail and a vet as I am going to get her fixed while we are here cause it is sooo much cheaper and I need to call the fisherman to get a delivery made. (I want some prawns, scallops and tuna while I wait for others who may want lobster or other items)  Now that I have an update out of the way, I will carry on and try and accomplish some of these items or at least make appointments for them.

So even though they are saying we are having a cold front here and posting AI  pics of snow at landmarks, I'm still wearing shorts and tanks.  Temp says its 26 already.  My body is much happier with this temperature then that at home.

Until the next update,

Bromas y Deseos from Kahlua and I 

Last Day - Ciudad del Carmen to Progreso, Yucatan

 WOOHOO I did it!!

After 8 days of driving, 3 very long ones in the states, I made it to the Yucatan.  Approximately 6300kms.  The attached pic is starting from Yakima so add another 450kms.

My helpful assistant was up early today, I guess he was also looking forward to getting home, even thou he was enjoying the trip, taking tons of pictures and happy to be along for the ride.  We got the Jeep loaded, and headed out.  Traffic was a little heavy leaving Ciudad del Carmen but we persevered.  Once we got out of the city it was clear sailing the rest of the way.

We were stopped at 2 more checkpoints and they just checked documents and let us go.  After we passed thru Isla Aguada we were cruising the coast.  The ocean was literally right beside me and just beautiful to see the waves rolling in.  It is a very pretty area but quite remote to live and a fair distance to go for any major shopping, either back to CdC or into Campeche.

Ismael was messaging with the lawyer that was handling my rental and we were told before 2 or after 430.  Well looking at the Nav system it was stating arrival time of 230, of course it didn't know how fast I could drive like a Mexican and make time.  Originally we said 430 but as we got closer I had made up over 45 minutes and traffic was fairly light thru Merida.  We were in Progreso just after 1:30.  He messaged again and there became a confusion in times between 3 and 4:30 so we went to his house (the old rental) and just kicked back for the wait.  It was 5pm by the time we got in to see the lawyer and finally an hour later had the keys.

We whipped over to the house and emptied the Jeep, then back to his house to get his family.  Then the grocer so I could pick up some basics and items to make dinner for everyone.  We then came back to my house and the kids and Ismael went swimming and I made dinner for them.  I made Jambalaya and we were laughing as they said it was to hot for them but I was eating it no problem.  I thought they liked spice down here...all the sauces are "caliente".  We sat around for a while and then they took and Uber home as Ismael had a few beers.  He said he would be back today to help out with anything I needed and to cut the grass that was not done before getting here.

I puttered around, trying to find all the light switches and took just my travel bag and toiletry bag to my room and figured I would deal with the rest today.  Kahlua and I hunkered down in our room, I figured out the tv but couldn't get my firestick to start but found a way to turn on a movie on Netflix.  I think I only watched half then turned it off and went to sleep.  King size bed and the Diva has 3\4's of it as usual.

We got up this morning around 6 as my back was aching and still is, hours later but it is loosening up slowly.  I made some coffee and sat outside.  I opened up the doors and windows to air things out and get a cross breeze going.  There is AC in the rooms but fans downstairs, so the cross breeze is a bonus.  I took my time and emptied one bag and sat down, then another and sat.  I have mostly everything moved to where it is going but there is still more organizing to do.

Kahlua has been making her rounds.  She goes out front and barks with the neighbourhood dogs then comes out back and has a barking conversation with other dogs, then back to the couch to be a potato...and its not even hot yet.  I wonder if the dogs are understanding each other or if she is barking in English and they are barking in Spanish??  She saw her first little lizard this morning and tried to give chase but it was pretty quick and she didn't really put any effort into it.  I can't wait til she comes face to face with a big iguana!!!

So as I finish this up, I'm just waiting for Ismael to arrive and help out, then I'm going to make a quick trip to the store and then come back and relax and do nothing.

I have been told by a few that the daily installment has become part of their life and they are going to miss my daily ramblings.  So I will try and keep things up at least once or twice a week, while I am Lost in Mexico!!

My first visitors will be here on the 27th for a week and Dana will finally arrive on December 2nd for the duration and the drive back to Canada.  I think at this time at least 2 weeks in February will be full with all of my family coming.  Mom and Pops, at least my brother, if not his whole family and I'm going to try and get Krystal here as well.  It is not often that we are all together so this will be a treat.  Anyone else that is interested, just let me know and I can give you the details....flight, very cheap rent and share in the groceries and buy your own booze.

Anyways, I'm safe, in familiar territory and WARM!  Ya, had to throw that in.

Bromas y Deseos from Kahlua and I (that would be Spanish for the tagline Wags and Wishes)

IT'S ALL ISMAEL'S FAULT!! Mexican Day 5 - Cordoba to Ciudad del Carmen Campeche

 ONE MORE DAY TO GO!  Not that I'm sick of driving and road tripping, I'm having a blast and getting to see so much of the country and how much it differs in each area, but happy to be at my winter home and just relax and enjoy.  It's been a balmy 28 degrees all day and still in low 20's now.  We are on the coast finally but not the area that I have gone to, we are 1 state over and have wanted to come over this way to check it out.

Anyways the morning for me started off okay, I got up and got ready, packed the car and the dog and was waiting for Ismael.  I had told him we would leave at 8am as it was going to be a full day driving.  Well, I sat in the car waiting, calling, texting, waiting, calling, texting, until he finally answered at 9am.  He quickly got ready and came out to the Jeep.  We headed out and stopped at the Oxxo, so he could get a coffee and I wanted to reload my toll pass transponder.  Got that out of the way and started heading to the highway.  We had 2 motorcycle officers in front of us and they pulled to the side and waved us by, then darted to the left like they were going to make a uturn.  Next they end up beside and behind us.  The one beside us waved to pull over, so I did.  Ismael jumped out to talk to them.  He checked all my papers and everything was in order but he talked to Ismael for about 10 minutes.  When we were cleared to leave, Ismael said that we were stopped due to there being 2 cartels active in that state and the jeep looked suspicious, big tires, winch and being black(not a common colour in Mexico)  All was fine thou, but now we are about 1.5 hours behind schedule.

The rest of the day was relatively uneventful, beautiful scenery and we were heading for the coast now.  We were chatting and laughing and he had told me his father is a retired police officer in the state we were in and where he was from.  I had asked him why he chose to move to the coast away from all of his family and he told me that it was due to job prospects and safety/security.  In other words the state of Tabasco is not a very safe one and has minimal job prospects.  No sooner did we have this conversation and we came across a checkpoint.  Sure enough they waved me over.

I wasn't too concerned as the other 4 that I was stopped at, 2 let me go when I said English only, the other 2 just joked and were friendly.  Well not this time, these guys were looking for a bribe or something.  Anyways one officer came to my window and greeted me, then started speaking with Ismael. (I think I will gag him for now on)  I presented my license, resident card and Car import permit(they don't care about the insurance)  That was all fine and dandy but then he decided he wanted to do a car inspection.  I warned him about the attack dog in the back seat and Ismael came around and put her leash on and got her out while I collected my purse and things.

So away he goes and starts digging thru the car.  First he finds my vape juice and brings it out and gives it to another officer.  Well this guy is a shit and starts trying to tell me that it is marijuana, because it said nicotine and mint/menthol.  As he was trying to tell Ismael this and Ismael is responding with it is for an e cigarette then another female officer comes over with first one then another of my green propane bottles.  He looks at it and is pointing to the flammable symbol and is saying that it is not allowed.  Ismael explains that it is for cooking and points to the BBQ on the roof.  He doesn't seem to care.  He has my resident card and is telling Ismael that he will be handing us over to the police.  I tried to ask what the problem was, since I was let into the country with these items and the car was inspected then (a small fib but WTF)  He told me that he is the authority here and they don't do their jobs at the border.  Then for some reason he handed back my residency card and walked away, leaving the friendly polite officer to finish searching EVERYTHING in the car.  He opened both suitcases, the cooler, my toiletry bag with all my meds, my day bag with travel clothes, my cricut machine bag, checked the totes with craft supplies, the dogs bag, etc, everything and I mean everything.  I was watching thou to make sure he didn't take anything.  And this is also where I was smart and was wearing a money belt with my Canadian, USA and excess Pesos in it and only had minimal in my actual wallet.  The only thing he didn't go thru was my purse which was on my person the whole time.

Meanwhile, Ismael is on the phone to his dad or uncle or both who are both retired police.  He said after we left that they called and told them to let us go.  He sent them a picture of what they were bitching about and his Uncle said it was BS.  Ismael did give the friendly guard 200 pesos to speed things up and I told him to take a couple handfuls of Halloween candy that I brought for the kids and he did repack the back of the Jeep as I instructed as he was not very good at playing Tetris and packing the way I did.  All of this transpired about 45 minutes from our destination for the night and due to the other delays in the morning we ended up driving into town to find our Airbnb in the dark.

Even thou they were threatening to arrest us, for some reason I was overly calm and I had no idea what they were saying or what Ismael was up to.  My only though was where my car would be going and what would be stolen out of it and what about Kahlua, she is no street dog she is a Diva, what would happen to her, she needs her Momma!  She was well behaved thru the whole situation and I think she was just happy to be out of the car and walk around for a bit.  You would think I would be shitting my pants with the prospect of being arrested for nothing.

Anyways, we got on the road for the last stretch and were laughing and joking about it.  Ismael said that neither of us will ever forget this trip, which I'm sure we won't.  We finally found our way to our house and again had to fight with the BBQ to get in the garage, its just a little too tall for spaces down here.  I let everyone know we were stopped and took Kahlua for a short walk around the neighbourhood to do her business.  I came back and Ismael had ordered pizza for dinner and I sat down to start this edition of Lost in Mexico!

So all in all, if Ismael had not of slept in, then we may have had a whole days worth of different experiences!  One more short day tomorrow and I will be in Progreso and can start relaxing.  It should only be about 5 hours to get here, here's knocking on wood that no more shit will happen on the road tomorrow.  When we get there, we have to stop for the keys, then stop by the house and maybe unload while I have some extra muscle and then take Ismael home to his family and I will have to make a quick trip to the grocer for a few essentials.  Then I will be kicking back and doing not to much for a day or 2.  I look forward to Dana arriving on December 2nd and my fugly cousin and niece on November 27th.

I'm still not sure how I drove the whole damn country and about a dozen states and only having this one issue on the second to last day.  I am presently in the second safest state and heading to the safest so I'm not overly worried.

Attached is a pic of the coast as we reached it just at nightfall.

Wags, Wishes and a big FU to the federales for ruining what has been a great trip so far.