Warm and Windy

It's warmer today. I thought I would pick a picture from our road trip with Roger and Suzanne for today's blog entry. This picture was taken underground using a flash at 'las Grutas Tzabnah' just on the edges of the little pueblo of Tecoh. The name translates from Mayan to "the King's palace".

With warmer weather we enjoyed a long walk on the beach after breakfast sitting on the patio. Mom is heading to Progreso with Kathy in order to get just a few more supplies, especially some fresh fruit. Last night we played cards with Kathy and two other villa owners who are only about five villas away - Brian and Tracy. It was a good way to spend Friday evening.

Today, I hope to put a Spanish language program, called Pimsleur, on the computers. Brian owns three levels of the program and is kind enough to let us use them while we are here. As well, I will work on updating the blogs while Mom is in the city.

A final note - Happy Birthday, Tasha!

Una casa nueva

In case you are wondering, Mom thought that this might be salvageable. I am sure we could get this waterfront casa for next to nothing. It only needs a bit of work. Not!

Brrrr! Yes, it is cold, and windy. Mom is wearing her wind suit trying to keep warm this evening. When the sun goes down and the wind stays up coming off the water, it really does feel cold. Okay, so I am still wearing shorts. But, it is quite cool. And no, I won't trade places with you as it isn't that cold!

Today I had my second lesson and confirmed that I will take classes one-on-one beginning next week. My classmates were still struggling with the last class' set of ten vocabulary words. So far, I have been faithfully studying my one Spanish text and pocket dictionary. This is going to happen.

Spanish Lessons

As it is still windy and quite cool for the area, local fishermen are having to wear more clothing when out in the morning to check their nets. These two guys were just in front of our villa not too far out from shore. The water at that point is about four or five feet deep at the most.

As long as we stay out of the wind, it is warm. Yesterday I did go for my first lesson at the beginner level. It didn't take too long for the instructor to realise that I was out of place and that I knew more than the others in that class. I will go back for a second class with that group on Friday before the instructor comes up with a plan for private lessons which will maximize my language contact time. One hour alone is equivalent to about five hours or more in group lessons. I am looking forward to the one on one lessons as the instructor is a real teacher who likes what he is doing.

Super Hero Piñatas

On our walk to Chelem the other day we got to see a shop that was filled with piñatas. When we saw them we thought of our boys and how they would enjoy beating them with a stick in order to free the treasures hidden in side. The superhero piñatas would be especially interesting for Cameron, Griffin and Talan.

Today promises to be relatively quiet for the most part, a day of sunshine on the beach. I will travel to Progreso for my first Spanish lesson. We will see how that goes in terms of learning levels and interest factors. I have been using my own Spanish book to do some learning and trying to speak to some local people for practice. Here's hoping.

Whitecaps on the sea

Another day is almost done. All that remains is listening to tonight's Ottawa Senators game under their new coach. Here's hoping that it measn Ottawa winds tonight. That said, I won't be holding my breath.

Yesterday we walked to Chelem, about eight kilometres away from our villa. Once there we explored a bit of the small town before walking home. Needless to say, we didn't need a second walk in the late afternoon before supper. I got some photos which will likely end up one day on the other site when it is Chelem's turn for a post. By the evening, the wind picked up until it was blowing at least 50 mph / 80 kph. This was the roughest sea we have seen here.

Today, we began the day with no Internet service and very windy weather, a perfect day to travel into Progreson for an afternoon of playing bridge with the other senior citizens. An afternoon spent there is great for us as we are the youngest ones to show up making us feel even younger. Other than that, there is nothing new to report.

On the rocks

A lighly overcast morning with just a gentle breeze makes sitting outside for our morning coffee very enjoyable, but a cloudless sky like yesterday would make it even better. It is supposed to clear up for most of the afternoon with temperatures going up to about 28C. Right now, it is 21C, as I said, just right for a good morning cup of coffee on the patio watching the brown pelicans take nose dives into the gentle surf in search of breakfast.

The photo for today was taken yesterday at the lighthouse rocks which is about seven or eight kilometres from our villa, a good walk. Mom decided that every once in a while I should have my photo taken, especially when it involves a bit of climbing.

What's on the agenda for today? Well, I will spend more time on studying Spanish in preparation for my first official lesson on Wednesday late afternoon. Though I am starting at the beginner level, I think that it won't be too long before I change levels. It will be nice to be able to talk more with local people rather than just the Canadians and Americans who have moved here for the winter. Learning about the Mexican culture from the Mexicans themselves is my objective, that as well as perhaps making a few friends. Have a good day at home.

A Lazy Saturday in Progreso

It is sunny, getting warm and there is only a gentle breeze blowing, a huge contrast from yesterday. Well it was sunny and warm, but the wind was quite wild, especially coming straigth off the sea. Since we had planned on wandering around Progreso for a part of the day, the wind wasn't able to get on our nerves as much.

We walked to town, to Chuburna, in order to catch our minibus to Progreso. Since it was Saturday morning, we saw a few ladies selling things in the town plaza including this lady wearing traditional Mayan dress selling her vegetables and flowers. She had quite a few customers while we waited for our combi to fill up and leave.

In Progreso we walked down a number of streets occasionally bumping into people we knew from playing bridge as well as checking out some of the rentals in the small city. There is definitely much more room in our villa, more light and more open space in the beach countryside. After a late lunch with some of our bridge friends, we decided it was time to head home.