For the Ladies

These are some amazing dresses that are in the  window of one of the stores.... I am not sure if they are intended for "quincinera" (the big 15 year old birthday celebration where the girls wear dresses that cost as much as a wedding dress) or if they are for dances during the Carnival (Mardi Gras) that is a huge event for the entire city that starts next week....

 

And I saved the best one for last!

 

 Can you imagine the yards and yards of fabric that go in to these??

Of course I am sure the men are looking at these too (even tho I said it was for the ladies), so I added one for them!

This last one is specifically for my brother Marc.  We passed by a gym that has his name written all over it....

Sharon Aspenberg asked if we were in "Restaurant Heaven."  I guess that would be Cielo de Restarantes....  So this blog is devoted to the food we eat and see.

 Our first day a German tourist, his wife and young son led us to a restaurant close to our apartment.  Jerry had 3 small tacos (no surprises there!) and I had what is a regional favorite, sopa de lima.  The soup was excellent with a very slight flavor of lime in the broth and then lots of chicken and veggies.  We have since returned to that restaurant and have found it is one of the best.  The soup is around $3 and is a complete meal.

 For our  next restaurant adventure we walked to El Centro and ate at a little cafe called La Chaya Maya.  Jerry had a traditional Yucatacan dish that was turkey encased in a cornmeal "pocket" and then wrapped in banana leaves and baked.  Mine was some type of enchilada dish.

There is fresh fish and meat available at the Mercado but we haven't been that adventurous yet!  Also some things available at the grocery stores that we haven't tried....

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.