January 14 to 20, 2018

Another week has flew past in Paradise, the weather has been cooler and rainy but we don't have to shovel i t.

We have been watching the weather back home and it has been nasty with power outages, schools closed due to bad roads - we certainly do not envy you. We also know the day will come when we are unable to travel away from that kind of weather, probably sooner rather than later.

On with more positive thoughts and enjoying the now.....

A small sample of the wiring here in Puerto Morelos on a pole just outside of Howard and Theresa's apartment. 

For those of you who like plants and flowers and cacti

The interesting banana plant - the birds love to 

eat the bananas when they ripen, especially the orioles.

This is the addition I mentioned in a previous post at the Municipal  Medical Centre, more office space I presume.

Another restaurant here on the Colonia side 

- at the South end of  Zetina Gasca

I had shrimp, Theresa had chicken, all meals were delicious and very reasonably priced.  

An example of our cool skies, so far we have not needed our air conditioners during these days. All of our Mexican neighbours are wearing heavy jackets while we still dress in shorts and cooler clothing. This is our summer weather back home.

The armored truck delivering money to and from one of the local banks.

You can have your eyes tested and pick our your frames in the open air at the Municipal Medical Centre here in the Colonia.

Laundry day at this casa.

What is missing in this picture? You have to love Mexico.

Thank you to Judy Blue for this beautiful vest and Louise Begin for alterations. It was originally a jacket which was too small for me. It is made of  wool with hand stitched appliques. Beautiful and very warm on these cooler evenings. 

Allan wanted to gift a very good friend of ours so step one was purchasing an older well  used wheel barrow. This is a work in progress.

One of our many neigbourhood cats.

The Municipality is doing road construction on the street 

(Calle Brujula) which runs North and South at the end of our street which runs East and West.  The lady speaking in this photo is the Mayer of the Municipality of Puerto Morelos - Laura Fernandez.  She is very personable, she shook hands with everyone and hugged others, Allan go the hand shake and I got the hug,😅

The official breaking of  old road surface in 

preparation of upgrades.

Step 2 in the gift to a friend, stencils, paint brushes and paint. This is a small store on the street behind us, it always amazes me the selection of items for such a small space. 

Calle Brujula the day after the ground breaking. Actually they are doing many streets in the Colonia. An improvement much needed through out the community.

Step 3 - getting the gift painted for presentation.

Step 4 - purchasing a chain and padlock to secure it in place once delivered.  Allan and Howard take the opportunity to act like the locals and take a short sit while they wait for their number to be called so they can acquire and purchase their supplies.

Step 5 - the delivery. It is important that the gift get delivered be for our friend arrives to open his business for the day.

Step 6, the final step - Ole Taxi is unveiled and secured in place with chain and lock.

The seed for this project was planted last year when Howard and Theresa joined us  at Ole Restaurant and Bar for a drink. We teased Theresa about needing a taxi when she left because of the small amount she had to drink. Our friend Manuel owns and operates this establishment and he has made several "need a taxi" jokes since then. He was very happy with the gift on his own taxi service.

Some of the housing units in our town

.

These two fellows are out every day 

polishing and repairing shoes.

We took a trip into Play del Carmen this week for lunch   and a little sightseeing. What a busy place it was even for a cold day.

We were invited to lunch with this couple - Maurice and Susan from Manitoba. It is always nice to meet fellow Canadians and especially when they like Puerto Morelos.  They are first time visitors to our lively community, we are certain they will be back - it is an addictive part of paradise - if you have visited once you will be back.

Musicians at the dock in the Port.

Another sample of an angry looking evening sky

Farewell to another week - my how time flies!

Stay safe friends and keep smiling!

WEEK #9 IN PARADISE   
- la semana número 9 en el paraíso 😁😁

January 7 - 13th,  2018

On Tuesday the 9th we went to the dentist/orthodontist with Dani for her monthly adjustments to her braces. We bought her a water pic to help in cleaning her teeth, braces and correcting the gingivitis she had when first arrived this November. Dr Gena explained and demonstrated to her how to use the water pic, hopefully she uses it and continues to have good dental hygiene.

These are photos of some of the 8 cats who live in our close proximity. This is mating season so you  know what that brings - loud howls and screeches in the night, then the dogs bark, then the rooster begins his regular crowing before 2 in the morning and this noise keeps up until daylight. It reminds me of living on the farm - we have become accustomed to it and sleep through the nights now.

Even a dog takes time out for a poop in the middle of the road.

I felt the need to plant some flowers at the front of our property so we went to the local gardens, purchased soil and plants that do not require much water. The next morning we had plants strung all over the place except in the soil. Cats - those 8 beautiful, sexually aroused cats were so happy with the soft soil. They must have used the flower beds all night as litter boxes. We fooled them though, we replaced the bulbs and put a dome of chicken wire over the beds. It was so funny, while we were placing the wire on the beds they all came out to watch, sniff and stare while we did the work.  They seemed quite concerned over the loss of their easy digging bathroom facilities.

We took a day to go into the port for 

lunch and a walk on the dock.

Just beautiful, we don't ever get enough of these views

A lucky shot with my camera

This little fellow was with an adult, coming home from school they stopped for a short sit - he looks deep in thought.

The kids from the school on the ocean in the Port are heading home after their day of learning.

Howard and Theresa arrived in Puerto Morelos on January 5th, they have their own place this year and seem to be enjoying it very much. I keep saying Puerto Morelos is addictive, you visit once and you have to keep coming back.

One day this week we went to Cancun with 

Howard and Theresa to do some household shopping. We stopped for lunch at one of our favorite restaurants, La Parrilla.

The waiters are doing something different since 

we were there last, they carry an empty beer mug on their head to your table, squat down and let you pour your beer into it, then you take it off their head and place it on the table. Neat - anything to impress the customer.

I know I have shown you pictures in past posts but I just have to share more photos of this lovely restaurant.

It was a great lunch and wonderfully chilled beers, satisfied and with stomachs full  we headed out for shopping. We hit Home Depot, Soriana, Walmart and Costco. It was a good day.

Yesterday (Saturday) we went to the beach with Howard and Theresa, much to our dismay we  were again reminded that nothing stays the same - there is always change.

These drill rigs were doing test holes for more construction - in front of Casa Bandidos and over to the last year's new building on the beach.

😞

The day was cloudy with high winds gusting in different directions and blowing sand in each gust.

The weather didn't discourage any of us who

 wanted to spend the day at the beach though. 

It was a beautiful day and a restful way to end the week.

Take care, stay safe and warm. I hear the power is out in Manitowaning and surrounding areas. That is not fun having no hydro on a cold winter's day unless of course you have a secondary heat source. We wish we could send some of this sunshine home to all of you.