Our daily walk

Our typical day starts with us getting up around 6:45 a.m. ( but the rooster starts crowing at 5:00 a.m...).  We leave for school by 8:00 and walk 4 blocks to catch the bus to El Centro where we get off and walk another 5 blocks to catch a second bus that takes us close to the  school.  We usually arrive around 8:45.  Classes start at 9 a.m. and go until noon.  After school we are usually quite hungry so we have been buying lunch before heading home.  Somehow it usually takes us several hours to get home because we have lunch, stop at the Mercado for bannanas, etc. or run some other errand.  We try to make breakfast and a small dinner at home.    Attached are photos of "street scenes" that  we see to and from school.

As you can see in the photos, we are definitely in Mexico.  It is poor and crowded - tho when I looked at these pictures I said, "where are all the people?" only to realize that  I try to be polite while taking photos and wait until there is a small clearing  so I am not right in their faces!  It's a pretty bustling place in the morning until around 1 p.m. when things slow down a bit for "siesta."  Actually a lot of citizens just try to have lunch with their families until about 3 or 4 when  everything starts back up - many places are open until late in the night.

The photos with the beautiful buildings and plazas that I have put in previous blogs are
 in the center of the city or "El Centro."  This is the area where most tourist hang out and there are wonderful hotels, parks/plazas, and historic buildings as you have seen.  We live at the southern edge of El Centro.  Most ex-pats, the Walmart, the school, shopping mall, etc. are north of El Centro.  Hopefully these photos help to give everyone a feel for the entire city.

Sunday 27 de Enero

Yesterday was a fun day.  It was Jerry's b-day (65) so we went to a nice hotel for brunch.  Sharon Aspenberg asked if we are in "Restaurant Heaven" and the answer to that is "Yes, there are very good restaurants.  Brunch was excellent with a lot of choices and cost 300 pesos.  The exchange rate is 12.5  pesos per dollar - so just less than $25 for the two of us.

We then took the bus to the Gran Mall - basically just a mall as in shopping malls everywhere - actually nicer and newer than the St George Mall but....  We had hoped to see the movie Life of Pi and the marquee said "Ingles" but when we went to buy the tickets the woman said it was only in Spanish....  Big disappointment.  We realize now that it probably was in English and subtitled in Spanish...

 

The next photo Jerry took as an expression of his artistic side....   Shoes seem to be very important in Merida.  Zapaterias (shoe stores) are EVERYWHERE.

We then took a bus back to El Centro and it was just becoming dusk.  The lighting was perfect for some photos of the beautiful plazas and buildings.

 

Additional Photos Today January 23, 2013

Wednesday, 23 de Enerio

Our landlord (Viviana) is a very friendly, likable young woman.  She built the two apartments starting at the street and running back.  Then she built her house behind the apartments.  Our apartment is the second from the street.    Estas confundido?
Anyway, We have posted more photos for your enjoyment!

Viviana has four dogs that she has rescued.... they're good dogs and we get our dog "fix" every day.  Below are photos of Usus (latin word) and Negro

Also some photos of our kitchen and guest room.

Our Swimming Pool - tho we haven't used it yet.

Week 3 January 21, 2013

Hola Amigos!

Unfortunately....  We are still struggling  to get well.  One day we feel better and then the next day we feel like crap...  Don't know if it is "the" flu or what.  We're both pretty congested; the sore throat comes and goes;  and we are tired.  We have enrolled in a Language School for three weeks and started last Wednesday so I could attend Jerry's class to help him catch up with the other two students. We officially started our three weeks yesterday (Monday) but we stayed home sick!  Jerry is starting to get the idea of "learning a language," but is mostly in that confused state of "what the hell did she say?"

It's been quite the learning curve as far as getting a feel for getting around, etc.  Our apartment is about 15 long blocks south of El Centro.  Most expats live north of El Centro so we are getting a good feel for the everyday Mexican neighborhood. 

 We have found our favorite Ice Cream Store, the neighborhood convenience store, and where to buy a new large bottle of water (agua purificado).  It's a diverse neighborhood - some of the homes have been renovated and some look very old and in disrepair.  

Garbage is always an interesting cultural aspect.  While downtown there are containers labeled "Inorganica" and "Organica," I'm not sure your average Mexicano has much awareness of the difference.  i.e.  In our neighborhood, if you have finished with something, you just toss it out!   

So!  We have added a lot of photos because a photo can say more than words.  Enjoy!  Lynne and Jerry

Mexico!

We have landed....  Our flights went well tho we did have to run at break neck speed to catch our connecting flight in Mexico City - a very kind Airport Representative led the way for us or we would never have made it!  Senor Jerry forgot that he had fruit and two bottles of water.... which increased his security check.

We arrived in Merida  to 90 degree heat (10 degrees hotter than normal for this time of year) with 70% humidity.  We anticipated the humidity but with the added  heat it is taking some getting use to.  The first four days both Lynne and I were sick with the flu, Lynne in bed for two days. 

 We are now on Day 5 and actually were able to venture into the center of the city which is about 16 (long) blocks.  We are both somewhat weak and still in recovery mode so we were very tired when we got back. 

Last night we watched the movie "Three weddings and a funeral"   (English with Spanish subtitles) and  then went for an evening stroll only to stop to admire a young Mexican couple's wedding reception.  The next thing we knew, we were invited in, introduced to the bride, groom, cousins and neighbors and treated like royal guests!  Can you imagine that happening in the U.S.?  It was a lot of fun.  We didn't  have our camera with us so didn't get a photo with the bride and groom but they did press upon us souvenirs and we will post a photo of us with those.

Manana we will go to a Language School to check that out and hopefully pick up some tourist info at the tourist center. 

January 11, 2012

Time flies!  We spent Christmas with Trish, Denny, Courtney and Ann Guhman (from Kayenta) at Roper Lake.  It was chilly but warmer than it had been and beautiful clear skies.  The photos show Mt. Graham (10,500 ft.) towering over the campground.

We had a great New Year’s Eve party around the campfire with the rest of the volunteers; said our farewells and headed to Kartchner Caverns on News Years Day.  One of the employees at Roper gave us four tour tickets to the caverns and the Ranger arranged for us to have 2 free nights.  Well worth a visit!  The caves are magical underneath the two very ordinary hills.

We met up with our friends Steve and Liz @ Kartchner and then headed for the prairies SE of Tucson near Patagonia to do some dry camping.



We spent a couple nights at a Casino (free parking lot camping!) in Tucson.  Asked locals for a Mexican restaurant recommend and they sent us to Restaurant Heaven!

January 9 we landed at Lost Dutchman State Park (3 nights gratis thanks to our Ranger at Roper).  Arizona is just so beautiful!  We camped just below Superstition Mountain.

Next:   on to Quartzsite to meet back up with Steve and Liz for the Gem and RV Show.