Deck Furniture

On our walk this morning which we took with Kathy, we saw this wrought iron set which some local people are giving to Kathy for her new home. They need a lot of work but they are going to be worth it. Of course, Mom wants a set just like them. Good thing that we only have our backpacks to take stuff home.

It has been a beautiful day again with warmth and sunshine. We ended up with two walks in the morning followed by time spent in the sea to cool off before a late lunch. We both got new e-mail programs, the latest version of Eudora. Mom lost her address book and all her e-mail because the Incredimail program decided to reinstall itself and thought it was new on the computer. Oh well, now the Incredimail headaches will go away.

We went out late in the afternoon for cervezas and botanas at a local outdoor restaurant with the couple from BC. Then, it was time to head back to the villa for the Senators hockey game. We lost in overtime to Toronto. Sigh, not a good year for hockey.

Sunset over the sea

It's been another very good day here in Mexico. This morning we left home earlier than usual so that we could check out a few possible rentals for next winter in the town of Progreso. And, while Mom was checking out the last place, I went to my Spanish class. When that was done, we had lunch with one of the ladies who lives in our village beach area who was also in town for the afternoon.

We got home at a decent hour and were able to enjoy a swim in the sea before heading out with Kathy to open up the beach house she became owner of today. Of course that meant photos and wine and lots of excited planning talk. While there, the sun was beginning to set which gave an opportunity for this photo, a view we can't get from our beach villa as we are set deeper into a cove of sorts.

Now, with supper done, it is time for relaxing and doing my Internet stuff such as this blog. Hope your day was good as well.

Little Blue Heron

On our walk today, we came across this Little Blue Heron adding to the list of birds we have seen and photographed here in Mexico. As you might notice, I am writing this during the Senators game against the Sharks. So far no one has scored.

Today was a good warm and sunny day with two long walks as well as coffee and lunch on the deck. We got into the water for a few minutes even though it was quite windy and the water was very choppy by the time we finished our morning walk. This afternoon I had Spanish homework to take care of for tomorrow's lesson. I have to admit that I am enjoying these lessons. Other than that, there is nothing new in our life.

Mercado Lucas de Galvez in Mérida

While we were wandering around Merida, we checked out a place called Mercado Lucas de Galvez, a big market area in the old part of the city. The place covered at least two city blocks, some of it open air, some covered and some of it in a multi-level building. It reminded us of the markets in China and India with tiny shops all over the place. It was nothing to see at least a dozen shoe shops all side by side, many of them covered floor to ceiling with flip flops.

Well, Mom had an interesting day yesterday while I read, studied, walked and relaxed here in Chuburna. As I mentioned yesterday, she went to Progreso early in the morning with Kathy with the idea of watching a parade at 10 then going shopping. Well, the parade didn't happen until 1:30 so they had a lot of time to kill. Then when the parade time finally arrived, it was over almost as soon as it started. Mom and Kathy were still laughing about it when they pulled into the yard late in the afternoon.

Well, this morning the wind has gentled to a pleasant breeze and the waves are small. And of course, there is warm sunshine. Breakfast on the deck was a pleasant experience not having to worry about the wind blowing sand into our breakfast goodies and coffee. The long range forecast tells us that we have heat, sun and wind at least for the next five days.

On the agenda for today is a beach walk, relaxing, a bit more study then it will be my turn to go to Progreso for my Spanish lesson. I now go twice a week, on Wednesdays and Fridays.

A final note, Ottawa Senators are playing decently again and have traded a player and a draft pick for two others players from the Islanders. I imagine that there will be a fair number of other trades to take place during the next week as the trading deadline is March 4th. Until the next time, enjoy!

Following the rules

This picture of Mom was taken in the Museum of Anthropology in Mérida. I have a bit of a story to tell about our visit to this Mayan museum. First, Mom is beside an original Mayan artifact of a jaguar, one of the important figures in the Mayan world. Of course, no one is supposed to touch these items in the museum. But, so much for rules. When she decided to pose beside yet another Mayan carving, the museum security arrived and told her not to touch the artifacts. Soon, beside yet another piece, she again has the security arrive to warn her. Oh well, no problem as we did get at least this one with her.

Today is the last day of the pre-lent carnival time in Mexico. Mom and her friend Kathy went into Progreso early in order to watch the Mardi Gras parade there as well as buy some groceries. It is "girls' time out together" for them. They said I could go along, but considering how much fun shopping is and having already watched three carnival parades, I passed to that I could spent some quality time with myself. I expect them back here early this afternoon, so the rest of the day will become rather normal in a good way. Now, back to my Spanish studies.

Back from Mérida

In the photo, Mom is on the balcony of our hostel looking out over the square in Mérida. We stayed in the Zocalo Hostel found on the southern side of the main city square while in the city for part of the Carnaval. I was standing on the corner in order to get close up photos of the Children's Parade (desfile de ninos). About halfway through the parade, I went to join Mom on the balcony as the crowd was getting to much to handle as I stood there.

Well, we made it back home yesterday afternoon in time to have lunch and enjoy the peace and quiet after all the city noise. We had a good time in the city, better than I originally expected for being in a city. That said, it was time to go home and renew our internal batteries. Last night we were over a our neighbour, Kathy's for a glass of wine, some chocolate cake flan mixture that Mom and Kathy cooked up as well as some deviled eggs that Mom had made earlier in the afternoon. Kathy had a few other neighbours over as well, a couple who is leaving to return to the States, and another couple who is going to stay in the first couple's home here across the road from us.

Today it is all about wind, wind and more wind. While Mom and I were out for our morning walk, we ended up getting soaked as the sky became dark and then decided it was time for a downpour, a rare event here. This afternoon, quiet time, time for me to finally get at updating this blog for you. Talk to you again later.

Is it a flying fish

What a surprise this morning when we were sitting having our coffee on the beachfront patio. I saw something moving on the edge of the surf, first on the sand and then in the shallow edges. At first I thought it might be a good sized crab, then I thought it might be a wounded fish. We decided to go closer and this is what we saw. It looked like a fish with fans on each side - perhaps a flying fish. I looked on the Internet trying to find out what kind of fish it was without success. I guess it will stay a mystery.


I was back in Progreso this afternoon for my second one-on-one Spanish lesson. My head was certainly full after the lesson as my teacher is pushing as fast he can trying to see where we have to start slowing down. Of course, vocabulary is slowest to develop for me. The grammar is quickly being absorbed. Next lesson is next week Wednesday.