As we approach the year's end, perhaps we can look forward to the next year instead of reflecting on the past.
2014 highlights did include a Panama Canal cruise followed by some time at Disneyland in May, An Eastern Caribbean cruise followed by a week at Walt Disney World in August, A quick Western Caribbean cruise in November and then a trip to Anaheim for friends' Disney Wedding later in November.
Our Eastern Caribbean cruise also included a trek to the Mexican Consulate in Orlando to apply for our Residente Permanente visa as we were out of Mexico on the magic date for the changeover here in San Miguel. (A past blog entry dealt with that in detail.) We now will not need to visit the INM offices on a yearly basis (until the government discovers that they don't have the same revenue flow and does something about it).
2014 was also the year that we said goodbye (temporarily, we hope) to our good friend Victor as he moved to Puerto Vallarta. He had proved so helpful in dealing with landlords, the Mexican DMV, and on many other occasions besides being great fun! Michael helped Victor move house, transform a former private hospital into a B and B, and Victor graciously house sat and looked after our Wheatens while we gallivanted off on our travels. Now the poor dogs are thrust back at our earlier solution: Wendy's Pet B'n'B out in the campo. Not quite the same as staying 'at home' for them, but they like it there, too! Lots of room to run and a comfy house in which to spend the nights. We'll have to renegotiate our lease this coming Spring at our current house with our landlords (who speak only Spanish) without his good services. Wish us luck!
And without Victor and his visiting family to amuse, we had to branch out for the recent Christmas holidays and found that we could manage a new group of acquaintances. That's a good thing, too!
Looking forward to 2015, as promised, we have three weeks in Cabo this year. We'd decided to make it two weeks until the family asked us to extend an additional week. Happy to oblige. We now need to whittle down the forty-two dinner recipes to a more manageable list.
And instead of flying home from Cabo for a week before heading out to New Orleans, we'll be flying direct! Time to seriously work on the packing list (already done!). We've never been to New Orleans, but a great friend - who goes yearly - asked that we put it on our schedule this next year to celebrate her fifth year of cancer remission. Everyone to whom we speak tells us how much we'll like it - so I guess we've just been missing out on a good thing! I understand that there are a group of neon colored wigs for us all to wear while viewing the parades....
Then it's home for a bit before we head out to another bucket list contender - a set of three Baltic cruises that begin in Orlando (after a week at Walt Disney World again; we've always managed to combine cruising with the Parks) for a 15-day transAtlantic, followed by a week of cruising to the northern European capitals along the Baltic Sea, and then a week doing the Norwegian fjords. We'd been thinking of trying an eastbound transatlantic (we'd flown to Spain the last time and cruised westbound) and a 15-day cruise with only three port stops (New York City, Newfoundland, and Iceland) tempted us with all those sea days. Then there was the week doing the fjords and we just filled in the week between those two cruises with the northern capitals cruise. That's going to do us for cruising in 2015!
Our TA (travel agent) managed to find a cabin for us that was available for all three cruises so there won't be any packing/unpacking until we finish the cruises at the end of the month. Then we have the excitement of flying home from Copenhagen with a very brief stopover in Chicago. Hope O'Hare is in better shape than the last time I had to sleep on the floor of the terminal when our flight was delayed....
Then no more travel until 2016. It may get a little boring, but we'll need to save up our pennies for further adventures!
Sunday, December 28, 2014
Friday, December 12, 2014
...Or Not!
Between the last post and this one the weather did improve a bit - and we've been in Southern California for a wedding at Disneyland (do I hear an echo of a horse-drawn Cinderella-style carriage?).
However, it's been grim since we returned a couple of days ago. (More on that trip later.) The nature of our homes here (concrete and brick with no central heat) depends largely upon sunlight to warm them. If the sun is out (i.e., it's warm-to-hot), the exterior of the house heats up and radiates warmth into the house through the night.
When the sun doesn't shine (cloudy skies, rain, et cetera) there's nothing to warm the walls and there is no heat to radiate inside the house during the evening/night hours. A few days of this and our houses are cold through and through.
Don't suggest adding central heat. We rent - and even if we didn't - few houses are configured to add heat. There's no room for duct work, for one thing. Nor room for furnaces unless you've a newer house that was designed for a heat plant.
Our home has a small balcony on the second floor where the water heater is housed and I suppose it could suffice (the water heater requires gas), but the heated air would have to be fed into the sala on the second floor and you could hope that it would make it's way down to the ground floor. Adding duct work to the ground floor would make the house look like something out of a sci-fi picture!
So we make do with free-standing LP heaters. Venting? I think not! We just have to be careful and turn them off before retiring for the night so we'll wake up in the morning. Or else leave a window open, but that sort of eliminates the use of a heater, eh?
But we're home from Disneyland (where the wedding took place), the dogs are healthy and happy to see us (and we're cooking a special stew of barley, carrots, sweet potatoes, and chicken in broth to augment their kibble), and we don't leave town until mid-January! So what if it's a bit chilly? That's why we have a growing closet of warmer clothes! Wish I could type while wearing gloves....
However, it's been grim since we returned a couple of days ago. (More on that trip later.) The nature of our homes here (concrete and brick with no central heat) depends largely upon sunlight to warm them. If the sun is out (i.e., it's warm-to-hot), the exterior of the house heats up and radiates warmth into the house through the night.
When the sun doesn't shine (cloudy skies, rain, et cetera) there's nothing to warm the walls and there is no heat to radiate inside the house during the evening/night hours. A few days of this and our houses are cold through and through.
Don't suggest adding central heat. We rent - and even if we didn't - few houses are configured to add heat. There's no room for duct work, for one thing. Nor room for furnaces unless you've a newer house that was designed for a heat plant.
Our home has a small balcony on the second floor where the water heater is housed and I suppose it could suffice (the water heater requires gas), but the heated air would have to be fed into the sala on the second floor and you could hope that it would make it's way down to the ground floor. Adding duct work to the ground floor would make the house look like something out of a sci-fi picture!
So we make do with free-standing LP heaters. Venting? I think not! We just have to be careful and turn them off before retiring for the night so we'll wake up in the morning. Or else leave a window open, but that sort of eliminates the use of a heater, eh?
But we're home from Disneyland (where the wedding took place), the dogs are healthy and happy to see us (and we're cooking a special stew of barley, carrots, sweet potatoes, and chicken in broth to augment their kibble), and we don't leave town until mid-January! So what if it's a bit chilly? That's why we have a growing closet of warmer clothes! Wish I could type while wearing gloves....
Monday, November 24, 2014
Gray Skies Are Going To Clear Up...
A few days ago I was watching the workmen construct a house a block away from our second floor bedroom doorway. Although it was overcast and foggy, there they were, working away. The next day they were again at their task in the cold weather - 45F degrees is cold for San Miguel, even in the winter. The fog was just lifting from around the spiffy homes on the rise to the west.
True to the usual here, by one o'clock each day the overcast had cleared, the sun was out, and it was rather warm (some may say 'hot'). They followed the usual weather pattern; just a bit colder at the beginning of the day.
Friday night it poured down. I'm told that there was some terrific thunder and lightning (slept through that), but while watching the television in the middle of the night I witnessed a spate of rain that became quite heavy at times - and then moved on.
As expected, our street suffered. We live on a modest hill that runs past our house, so rainstorms wash the hillside down to the bottom of the hill, where the street meets up with the road from Celaya. Unfortunately, the Celaya road is on a higher elevation. So the city had graciously installed a large drain where our street must change elevation in order to join the Celaya highway. However, because everything gets washed down the street to the drain, it sometimes clogs up. And it's been doing this for years....
Enter the city's road department which installs a supplemental drain that diverts the overflow through piping at the lower level which comes out a ways down the Celaya road and dumps the excess water there. Of course that work eliminates the sidewalk up to the highway level, so they built a stepped rampway. This is an improvement to the dirt path that has existed - for years - since the original sidewalk disappeared.
Now, there are problems with the location of the discharge of that pipe (it's in the parking area of our local gym and members drive around and through it), but their answer to that (some concrete over the discharge pipe and some vertical pipes to prevent cars from driving directly over it) are miscalculated. It wasn't long (the first day) until a vehicle drove over the concrete panels and destroyed them. And after this big rain, the part of the dirt parking lot that was dug up (by shovel and pickax) so they could run the piping was a muddy mess. At least the dirt previous to their work had been hard-packed.
So life goes on. I'm sure the gym is not happy with their work or placement of the discharge area, but if it was placed further down the road it would interfere with the parking for delivery trucks to our supermarket. I suppose folks will eventually get used to it....
True to the usual here, by one o'clock each day the overcast had cleared, the sun was out, and it was rather warm (some may say 'hot'). They followed the usual weather pattern; just a bit colder at the beginning of the day.
Friday night it poured down. I'm told that there was some terrific thunder and lightning (slept through that), but while watching the television in the middle of the night I witnessed a spate of rain that became quite heavy at times - and then moved on.
As expected, our street suffered. We live on a modest hill that runs past our house, so rainstorms wash the hillside down to the bottom of the hill, where the street meets up with the road from Celaya. Unfortunately, the Celaya road is on a higher elevation. So the city had graciously installed a large drain where our street must change elevation in order to join the Celaya highway. However, because everything gets washed down the street to the drain, it sometimes clogs up. And it's been doing this for years....
Enter the city's road department which installs a supplemental drain that diverts the overflow through piping at the lower level which comes out a ways down the Celaya road and dumps the excess water there. Of course that work eliminates the sidewalk up to the highway level, so they built a stepped rampway. This is an improvement to the dirt path that has existed - for years - since the original sidewalk disappeared.
Now, there are problems with the location of the discharge of that pipe (it's in the parking area of our local gym and members drive around and through it), but their answer to that (some concrete over the discharge pipe and some vertical pipes to prevent cars from driving directly over it) are miscalculated. It wasn't long (the first day) until a vehicle drove over the concrete panels and destroyed them. And after this big rain, the part of the dirt parking lot that was dug up (by shovel and pickax) so they could run the piping was a muddy mess. At least the dirt previous to their work had been hard-packed.
So life goes on. I'm sure the gym is not happy with their work or placement of the discharge area, but if it was placed further down the road it would interfere with the parking for delivery trucks to our supermarket. I suppose folks will eventually get used to it....
Saturday, November 15, 2014
Holidays
Just like life NOB (north of the border), Mexico has recently decreed that holidays that occur on weekdays should be observed on Mondays - to provide 3-day weekends for revelers.
Accordingly, Revolution Day (Thursday) is being celebrated over this long weekend. Not that San Miguel is particularly associated with the Revolution, but it's a nice place to go on holidays, so we're flooded with traffic from DF (day-effay) or Mexico City's Distrito Federal with their driving habits from 'the Big City'.
Now, we're used to this - crowds, honking horns and all. But this time the main thoroughfare into Central is chock-a-block with cars as a result of the work being done laying new electrical conduits.
The work is only half done, so there are interruptions to the smooth flow of traffic. It was evident when we walked into town the last few days, and quite evident when we taxied or bussed back to our part of town.
Of course the improved electrical service doesn't extend to our part of town, so no new meters, electronic readings, et cetera.
In other news, our friend Victor is in town for a few days from Puerto Vallarta to close up the family condo in Vista Magna and turn it over to a corporate long-term renter who will furnish it themselves and offer it to customers of their hotel who are looking for something a bit more more. His mother, who owns the property, is also in town; we enjoyed lunch with them both at Hecho en Mexico yesterday.
Mom returned as far as Leon late yesterday in order to return to San Miguel with more family members tomorrow. And we'll have a late lunch (well, not late by their standards) at Tacos Don Felix Sunday afternoon. Good times!
Accordingly, Revolution Day (Thursday) is being celebrated over this long weekend. Not that San Miguel is particularly associated with the Revolution, but it's a nice place to go on holidays, so we're flooded with traffic from DF (day-effay) or Mexico City's Distrito Federal with their driving habits from 'the Big City'.
Now, we're used to this - crowds, honking horns and all. But this time the main thoroughfare into Central is chock-a-block with cars as a result of the work being done laying new electrical conduits.
The work is only half done, so there are interruptions to the smooth flow of traffic. It was evident when we walked into town the last few days, and quite evident when we taxied or bussed back to our part of town.
Of course the improved electrical service doesn't extend to our part of town, so no new meters, electronic readings, et cetera.
In other news, our friend Victor is in town for a few days from Puerto Vallarta to close up the family condo in Vista Magna and turn it over to a corporate long-term renter who will furnish it themselves and offer it to customers of their hotel who are looking for something a bit more more. His mother, who owns the property, is also in town; we enjoyed lunch with them both at Hecho en Mexico yesterday.
Mom returned as far as Leon late yesterday in order to return to San Miguel with more family members tomorrow. And we'll have a late lunch (well, not late by their standards) at Tacos Don Felix Sunday afternoon. Good times!
Sunday, October 5, 2014
Contrasts
Talk about change - while I sit here at the computer peeling large chunks of skin from my sunburned body (a result of our trip a couple of weeks ago to Puerto Vallarta), it now raining for the third time in the last 24 hours! Once with extremely loud bangs, once with no thunder/lightning, and the latest time with only moderate t/l. What a difference.
Not that our PV trip was without precipitation, Although largely sunny and dry (not counting the humidity -- what ever made me think I'd want to live there?), the last night was a gusher. We were sitting outside at a restaurant on the malacón and rapidly moved inside after watching others dash here and there for shelter.
But three times in twenty-four hours? That's a new record for us, to be sure. (And there's still time for another cloudburst to roll in....)
In other news, we've decided to pull the plug on Club 33. With the remodeling of the Club and institution of a new, higher class of membership (Platinum - which seems to be populated with people who have too much money and very little sense), Club management has begun a push to eliminate Golds (the former top level of membership).
They have offered Golds the opportunity to upgrade to Platinum without paying a new initiation fee and pro-rating the dues. (Some Plats are upset with this; whatever.) And to help that along, they are rumored (the notices come out this month) to be raising the current Gold annual dues nearly double!
Since we haven't been able to visit the Club since fall of 2012, it would appear to be good money thrown after bad if we were to simply renew. And upgrading is out of the question altogether. Fourteen thousand dollars a year in annual dues (and rising) is not in the budget by a long sight. Our friends whom we have sent to the Club when they visit Los Angeles will miss out, but they're not paying for it!
My next post will probably be happier, now that the decision has been made. At least we'll be able to visit the club when we're at Disneyland for a wedding at the beginning of December (and still members)
And there's always the next cruise to talk about!
Not that our PV trip was without precipitation, Although largely sunny and dry (not counting the humidity -- what ever made me think I'd want to live there?), the last night was a gusher. We were sitting outside at a restaurant on the malacón and rapidly moved inside after watching others dash here and there for shelter.
But three times in twenty-four hours? That's a new record for us, to be sure. (And there's still time for another cloudburst to roll in....)
In other news, we've decided to pull the plug on Club 33. With the remodeling of the Club and institution of a new, higher class of membership (Platinum - which seems to be populated with people who have too much money and very little sense), Club management has begun a push to eliminate Golds (the former top level of membership).
They have offered Golds the opportunity to upgrade to Platinum without paying a new initiation fee and pro-rating the dues. (Some Plats are upset with this; whatever.) And to help that along, they are rumored (the notices come out this month) to be raising the current Gold annual dues nearly double!
Since we haven't been able to visit the Club since fall of 2012, it would appear to be good money thrown after bad if we were to simply renew. And upgrading is out of the question altogether. Fourteen thousand dollars a year in annual dues (and rising) is not in the budget by a long sight. Our friends whom we have sent to the Club when they visit Los Angeles will miss out, but they're not paying for it!
My next post will probably be happier, now that the decision has been made. At least we'll be able to visit the club when we're at Disneyland for a wedding at the beginning of December (and still members)
And there's always the next cruise to talk about!
Thursday, October 2, 2014
Nearly There -- or, is that Here?
When I filed for a renewal passport on September 9th, I was given an estimate of 3 - 4 weeks. And it seems to be true!
After filing the paperwork and paying the fee at our Consulate's office, I was sent to the DHL office in Centro to arrange (pay for) secure delivery. They gave me a Waybill number for my trouble.
And although their website has always shown 'We don't have a record of this number,' it finally reflected a shipment to San Miguel yesterday. Repeated visits to the website has shown its progress from Ecatepec (a large suburb of Mexico City) through leaving Mexico City's hub at half-past midnight early this morning. Not sure if it will stop off in Celaya on its way to SMA, but the Consulate's estimate if proving correct.
Once I have the document in my hands, we'll be ready for our next trip to Orlando and a week-long cruise November 1st! That and 25 pesos will get me a small cappuccino and two rollies at the Mega coffee bar next door!
ADDED - And I do have the new passport in hand! Followed its track through Celaya and on to SMA, then zipped downtown (okay, walked downtown), stood in line, and picked it up! I think the clerk was surprised that I was there so soon after it was delivered.
In other news, our cruise line (Disney, of course) has posted shore excursions for one of our B2B2B cruises next May. Not sure why they chose the middle cruise (Northern European Capitals) to put up first, but that's what popped up on their website yesterday. We've picked out likely suspects, though we can't book them until the end of January. A lot more choices than the private tour company we were looking at (Swan Lake in St Petersburg - with or without a backstage visit, anyone?) and a bit more pricey, but still reasonable. More time at the attractions and options, and less time on a tour bus, it seems.
We're thinking a tour of Tallinn, Estonia with a concert of medieval music and lunch; a visit to Holy Blood Cathedral (with an interior visit, versus walking past it) and a canal boat trip through St Petersburg; a combination Land & Sea tour in Helsinki; and a tour of Stockholm including a visit to the Vasa, a warship which sunk in 1628 on its inaugural voyage which has since been reclaimed and is on display. We're still undecided about the Swan Lake performance in St Petersburg (the ship remains in port until nearly midnight to accommodate this, but it's so late!) and/or the visit to an Ice Bar in Stockholm. If the timing works out, a tour to the Ice Bar may win out....
Can't wait to see what they have in mind for the fjords and the Transatlantic crossing!
After filing the paperwork and paying the fee at our Consulate's office, I was sent to the DHL office in Centro to arrange (pay for) secure delivery. They gave me a Waybill number for my trouble.
And although their website has always shown 'We don't have a record of this number,' it finally reflected a shipment to San Miguel yesterday. Repeated visits to the website has shown its progress from Ecatepec (a large suburb of Mexico City) through leaving Mexico City's hub at half-past midnight early this morning. Not sure if it will stop off in Celaya on its way to SMA, but the Consulate's estimate if proving correct.
Once I have the document in my hands, we'll be ready for our next trip to Orlando and a week-long cruise November 1st! That and 25 pesos will get me a small cappuccino and two rollies at the Mega coffee bar next door!
ADDED - And I do have the new passport in hand! Followed its track through Celaya and on to SMA, then zipped downtown (okay, walked downtown), stood in line, and picked it up! I think the clerk was surprised that I was there so soon after it was delivered.
In other news, our cruise line (Disney, of course) has posted shore excursions for one of our B2B2B cruises next May. Not sure why they chose the middle cruise (Northern European Capitals) to put up first, but that's what popped up on their website yesterday. We've picked out likely suspects, though we can't book them until the end of January. A lot more choices than the private tour company we were looking at (Swan Lake in St Petersburg - with or without a backstage visit, anyone?) and a bit more pricey, but still reasonable. More time at the attractions and options, and less time on a tour bus, it seems.
We're thinking a tour of Tallinn, Estonia with a concert of medieval music and lunch; a visit to Holy Blood Cathedral (with an interior visit, versus walking past it) and a canal boat trip through St Petersburg; a combination Land & Sea tour in Helsinki; and a tour of Stockholm including a visit to the Vasa, a warship which sunk in 1628 on its inaugural voyage which has since been reclaimed and is on display. We're still undecided about the Swan Lake performance in St Petersburg (the ship remains in port until nearly midnight to accommodate this, but it's so late!) and/or the visit to an Ice Bar in Stockholm. If the timing works out, a tour to the Ice Bar may win out....
Can't wait to see what they have in mind for the fjords and the Transatlantic crossing!
Sunday, September 28, 2014
Permanente At Last!
Yes, we're now in possession of our Residente Permanente cards! Yahoo!! Perhaps a third exclamation point is warranted - !
A friend's RP card was yellow; ours have a pale green background. Don't know that the colors have any meaning; perhaps they just changed stock? Michael's photo is fine; mine is a little washed out, but the cards are issued for an "indefinida" period and also allow us to work for pay - not that we will be doing so any time soon. After all, having the cards is the important part, not one's visage - though I wish mine was not quite as ghost-like!
Best part is that now we can travel outside the country and return without the danger of voiding all the credit for the years we've spent here as an FM3 & FM2 when we re-enter without a valid Residente card in hand. Took us four years to get there (through all the changes in immigration rules), but we're here! [If you've been following this blog, you'll know that our FM2s expired while we were out of the country and we needed to visit a Mexican Consulate while in Florida - which complicated things.]
We did pick up our cards on Thursday after we returned to San Miguel from Puerto Vallarta (last week), but we've been a mite busy since then so forgot to post! The cards (and our facilitator) were waiting for us in the garden of the Starbucks building (our facilitator's unofficial office).
This is a hard time for facilitators: After clients renewed their cards annually for so many years, we're suddenly all getting Permanentes and not requiring their services any longer - at least until the government realizes that it's not taking in the same amount of revenue and changes the rules once again.
You'll notice that our cards are for an 'indefinite' period, not 'forever' so I suppose they can require a periodic review (with a fee, of course) if they wish. Another advantage to the Permanente document is the permissible time out of Mexico. With a Temporal we were limited to 180 days in a five-year period; with the changeover to Temporal/Permanente that limitation went away.
Now to wait patiently for my passport renewal to arrive so we can travel to Orlando on November 1st. I was told by our Consulate's office that the passport should take about 3 to 4 weeks to be processed and delivered. The third week will be up next Tuesday, September 30th. Let's see if I get an email from DHL to come pick the document up! DHL does give you a website and tracking number with which you can monitor the arrival of your passport - all for the $200 peso fee! Yes, one must pay for the required delivery.... Can't have a passport falling into the wrong hands, now, can we?
A friend's RP card was yellow; ours have a pale green background. Don't know that the colors have any meaning; perhaps they just changed stock? Michael's photo is fine; mine is a little washed out, but the cards are issued for an "indefinida" period and also allow us to work for pay - not that we will be doing so any time soon. After all, having the cards is the important part, not one's visage - though I wish mine was not quite as ghost-like!
Best part is that now we can travel outside the country and return without the danger of voiding all the credit for the years we've spent here as an FM3 & FM2 when we re-enter without a valid Residente card in hand. Took us four years to get there (through all the changes in immigration rules), but we're here! [If you've been following this blog, you'll know that our FM2s expired while we were out of the country and we needed to visit a Mexican Consulate while in Florida - which complicated things.]
We did pick up our cards on Thursday after we returned to San Miguel from Puerto Vallarta (last week), but we've been a mite busy since then so forgot to post! The cards (and our facilitator) were waiting for us in the garden of the Starbucks building (our facilitator's unofficial office).
This is a hard time for facilitators: After clients renewed their cards annually for so many years, we're suddenly all getting Permanentes and not requiring their services any longer - at least until the government realizes that it's not taking in the same amount of revenue and changes the rules once again.
You'll notice that our cards are for an 'indefinite' period, not 'forever' so I suppose they can require a periodic review (with a fee, of course) if they wish. Another advantage to the Permanente document is the permissible time out of Mexico. With a Temporal we were limited to 180 days in a five-year period; with the changeover to Temporal/Permanente that limitation went away.
Now to wait patiently for my passport renewal to arrive so we can travel to Orlando on November 1st. I was told by our Consulate's office that the passport should take about 3 to 4 weeks to be processed and delivered. The third week will be up next Tuesday, September 30th. Let's see if I get an email from DHL to come pick the document up! DHL does give you a website and tracking number with which you can monitor the arrival of your passport - all for the $200 peso fee! Yes, one must pay for the required delivery.... Can't have a passport falling into the wrong hands, now, can we?
Thursday, September 18, 2014
Another Wrinkle
Okay; we leave for PV (Puerto Vallarta) tomorrow and I still don't have any 'official' ID. Saw our facilitator yesterday morning while enjoying our koffee klatch at Mega's coffee bar; no joy - not ready yet. Maybe they didn't include yesterday as part of their 'ready in 8 days' estimate. Or perhaps they were even closed on Monday? Holidays down here tend to complicate things. Most government agencies close for the Christmas/New Year's holidays as a bloc of time.
Here's hoping that it is ready for him to pick up today and that he'll have it if/when I run into him at Starbucks later today. Here's hoping I see him at Starbucks....
Not having the Residente Permanente is not a big deal. While it's true that I don't have either form of ID that shows I'm in the country legally, I shouldn't need it for our trip tomorrow to PV. After all, we're driving, not flying and there are no national borders to cross. I'd just be more comfortable to have something in case a cop pulls us over or stops us while walking down the street. I suppose I can try my Mexican Drivers License if push comes to shove. That's an official document, eh? Works in the States; might work down here.
The passport I have in my possession has holes punched in it and is stamped 'Cancelled' inside. Probably won't do me much good, though I have it in my possession. But it has the consulate's Visa glued to one page; that might work!
Don't know if I'll see the facilitator today or not. Michael needs to be home as much as possible to do stuff; we've got haircuts scheduled late morning (that's a walk into and out from Centro); the package that's taken 3 weeks to reach us via our mail handling service has finally arrived (and I've paid the fees via Paypal) so I need to pick that up (still waiting on the packages that have been delivered to them two and one week ago); need to stop by our bank to get some spending money for PV; and we need to brush out a dog and be home when the puppy farm person stops by the house to pick them up for their vacation later today.
Oh, yeah; need to throw some things into a suitcase for the trip and make some sandwiches for the drive to the coast, too. Unlike Los Angeles, there's not a fast food franchise on every corner. We are stopping in Guadalajara to 1) see Victor's mother, 2) leave his winter things with her, and 3) grab breakfast at this great restaurant, New York, New York, before heading further south.
It'll be a busy day!
ADDENDUM [9/25/14]
Okay; so the cards were not ready before we left town for PV. Now that we're home again, we've spoken to our facilitator and he has them in his possession. We'll pick them up from him at Starbucks later today! Whew, what an ordeal. I like things neat and tidy; this has not been so!
Here's hoping that it is ready for him to pick up today and that he'll have it if/when I run into him at Starbucks later today. Here's hoping I see him at Starbucks....
Not having the Residente Permanente is not a big deal. While it's true that I don't have either form of ID that shows I'm in the country legally, I shouldn't need it for our trip tomorrow to PV. After all, we're driving, not flying and there are no national borders to cross. I'd just be more comfortable to have something in case a cop pulls us over or stops us while walking down the street. I suppose I can try my Mexican Drivers License if push comes to shove. That's an official document, eh? Works in the States; might work down here.
The passport I have in my possession has holes punched in it and is stamped 'Cancelled' inside. Probably won't do me much good, though I have it in my possession. But it has the consulate's Visa glued to one page; that might work!
Don't know if I'll see the facilitator today or not. Michael needs to be home as much as possible to do stuff; we've got haircuts scheduled late morning (that's a walk into and out from Centro); the package that's taken 3 weeks to reach us via our mail handling service has finally arrived (and I've paid the fees via Paypal) so I need to pick that up (still waiting on the packages that have been delivered to them two and one week ago); need to stop by our bank to get some spending money for PV; and we need to brush out a dog and be home when the puppy farm person stops by the house to pick them up for their vacation later today.
Oh, yeah; need to throw some things into a suitcase for the trip and make some sandwiches for the drive to the coast, too. Unlike Los Angeles, there's not a fast food franchise on every corner. We are stopping in Guadalajara to 1) see Victor's mother, 2) leave his winter things with her, and 3) grab breakfast at this great restaurant, New York, New York, before heading further south.
It'll be a busy day!
ADDENDUM [9/25/14]
Okay; so the cards were not ready before we left town for PV. Now that we're home again, we've spoken to our facilitator and he has them in his possession. We'll pick them up from him at Starbucks later today! Whew, what an ordeal. I like things neat and tidy; this has not been so!
Friday, September 12, 2014
Wrinkles
So there were some wrinkles, of course. Our trip to our local Immigration office was not with drama. And I can't leave Mexico for a few more weeks.
INM first: So we went to the INM offices this past Monday, met up with our facilitator, Eduardo, and moved to the waiting area. There we sat for about an hour, waiting for them to call our number (#12). While waiting we counted many times that the single clerk at the window would search for a person's application packet and eventually have to walk to the office next door to find it. However, it wasn't a simple job of walking through a doorway or using a pass-through - no, she had to walk though the intake area (in the opposite direction), past her own office, and then into the office that had the paperwork (and the reverse trek with the paperwork). Not a big deal, I suppose, but when she had to do this with every customer it was tiring just to watch it happen!
So we waited about an hour for them to reach our number. While we were waiting, the person sitting next to us became ill. The room watched in horror as she bent over the empty chair next to her, retching. And she continued to slide until she was on all fours on the floor, retching as she descended. The office did call the Red Cross for assistance. We cleaned up her glasses which had fallen into the vomit so she would be able to see when she recovered and she finally was able to walk into the restroom where she waited for the Red Cross folks to check her out. She did remain to conduct her business with the INM folks; pity, as she had a lower number than ours!
A custodian person also finally showed up to mop up the mess and clean off the chairs. (It still smelled funny, so we stood the rest of the time in the intake area.)
They eventually called No. 12 and we went up to the window. Of course the clerk looked in the file drawers, searched the files on the table, and then went next door to get our paperwork packets.
After signing forms carefully (it must match the signature in our passport; I almost want to sign my new passport differently so it doesn't match - but that would be silly and probably result in travel delays...) and being fingerprinted, we were all set, having paid the fees before this trip.
However, because the office is waiting for a supply delivery, it will be next Wednesday before our cards are ready. Luckily for us, our facilitator will pick up the cards for us and we'll meet him at Starbucks to exchange cards for cash (his fee). One more thing taken care of - permanently, we hope.
Then on to the US Consulate's office in San Miguel. (And we are lucky to have a local Consulate's office so we don't need to trek into Mexico City repeatedly.) In the meanwhile, I can't leave Mexico - or enter another country - because I applied for a new passport. The timing was a little tricky. When we travel to the Scandinavian countries next May, my passport must be valid for an additional 6 months or the cruise line will not allow me to travel. It expires next June. So between now and then I needed to renew my passport.
Our current travel plans are: fly to the US for a cruise in November; the US for a Disneyland wedding of friends in December; Cabo San Lucas for a family vacation in January; the US for a visit to New Orleans with different friends; and the aforementioned Scandinavian cruise: 29 days aboard a ship as we sail from Florida to Copenhagen via NYC, Canada, Iceland, and Oslo; then Northern European capitals in Estonia, Russia, Finland & Sweden; and finally the western Norwegian fjords before we fly back to Mexico via Iceland & Chicago. All but the trip to Cabo will require a valid passport (Cabo still being in Mexico, I just need my Permanente card for ID).
So I decided to try and renew it before the November cruise - there was no really good time except around the year-end holidays, and Mexican government offices close for a few weeks then. The Consulate clerk told me that it should only take three to four weeks presently, and I've allowed 6 weeks, so we should be A-OK. A quick bus ride to the Consulate's office, service at the counter (the clerk dealt speedily with all the people ahead of me in line) and I already had the new passport pictures with me and the application filled out, and then a walk into downtown to prepay the DHL delivery charges. When Michael did his last year, the Consulate/Embassy used a different firm that had offices just across the street from our neighborhood.
Now I wait with my old passport which has been punched full of holes through the machine-readable numbers and stamped 'CANCELLED.' [Hope there's no emergencies NOB or I'll find out what getting an Emergency Passport entails.]
So not going anywhere until DHL calls to tell me that my new passport has arrived and I go into downtown to pick it up. Michael renewed his last year when we weren't traveling as often - the end of 2014 and 2015 is a crazy time for us! Guess I should have tried to match up my next renewal with his date. They didn't seem to care that I was renewing it 9 months in advance; what would they care about 21 months in advance?
And that's all the news that's fit to print. There should be general rejoicing next week when we get our Residente Permanente cards!!!
INM first: So we went to the INM offices this past Monday, met up with our facilitator, Eduardo, and moved to the waiting area. There we sat for about an hour, waiting for them to call our number (#12). While waiting we counted many times that the single clerk at the window would search for a person's application packet and eventually have to walk to the office next door to find it. However, it wasn't a simple job of walking through a doorway or using a pass-through - no, she had to walk though the intake area (in the opposite direction), past her own office, and then into the office that had the paperwork (and the reverse trek with the paperwork). Not a big deal, I suppose, but when she had to do this with every customer it was tiring just to watch it happen!
So we waited about an hour for them to reach our number. While we were waiting, the person sitting next to us became ill. The room watched in horror as she bent over the empty chair next to her, retching. And she continued to slide until she was on all fours on the floor, retching as she descended. The office did call the Red Cross for assistance. We cleaned up her glasses which had fallen into the vomit so she would be able to see when she recovered and she finally was able to walk into the restroom where she waited for the Red Cross folks to check her out. She did remain to conduct her business with the INM folks; pity, as she had a lower number than ours!
A custodian person also finally showed up to mop up the mess and clean off the chairs. (It still smelled funny, so we stood the rest of the time in the intake area.)
They eventually called No. 12 and we went up to the window. Of course the clerk looked in the file drawers, searched the files on the table, and then went next door to get our paperwork packets.
After signing forms carefully (it must match the signature in our passport; I almost want to sign my new passport differently so it doesn't match - but that would be silly and probably result in travel delays...) and being fingerprinted, we were all set, having paid the fees before this trip.
However, because the office is waiting for a supply delivery, it will be next Wednesday before our cards are ready. Luckily for us, our facilitator will pick up the cards for us and we'll meet him at Starbucks to exchange cards for cash (his fee). One more thing taken care of - permanently, we hope.
Then on to the US Consulate's office in San Miguel. (And we are lucky to have a local Consulate's office so we don't need to trek into Mexico City repeatedly.) In the meanwhile, I can't leave Mexico - or enter another country - because I applied for a new passport. The timing was a little tricky. When we travel to the Scandinavian countries next May, my passport must be valid for an additional 6 months or the cruise line will not allow me to travel. It expires next June. So between now and then I needed to renew my passport.
Our current travel plans are: fly to the US for a cruise in November; the US for a Disneyland wedding of friends in December; Cabo San Lucas for a family vacation in January; the US for a visit to New Orleans with different friends; and the aforementioned Scandinavian cruise: 29 days aboard a ship as we sail from Florida to Copenhagen via NYC, Canada, Iceland, and Oslo; then Northern European capitals in Estonia, Russia, Finland & Sweden; and finally the western Norwegian fjords before we fly back to Mexico via Iceland & Chicago. All but the trip to Cabo will require a valid passport (Cabo still being in Mexico, I just need my Permanente card for ID).
So I decided to try and renew it before the November cruise - there was no really good time except around the year-end holidays, and Mexican government offices close for a few weeks then. The Consulate clerk told me that it should only take three to four weeks presently, and I've allowed 6 weeks, so we should be A-OK. A quick bus ride to the Consulate's office, service at the counter (the clerk dealt speedily with all the people ahead of me in line) and I already had the new passport pictures with me and the application filled out, and then a walk into downtown to prepay the DHL delivery charges. When Michael did his last year, the Consulate/Embassy used a different firm that had offices just across the street from our neighborhood.
Now I wait with my old passport which has been punched full of holes through the machine-readable numbers and stamped 'CANCELLED.' [Hope there's no emergencies NOB or I'll find out what getting an Emergency Passport entails.]
So not going anywhere until DHL calls to tell me that my new passport has arrived and I go into downtown to pick it up. Michael renewed his last year when we weren't traveling as often - the end of 2014 and 2015 is a crazy time for us! Guess I should have tried to match up my next renewal with his date. They didn't seem to care that I was renewing it 9 months in advance; what would they care about 21 months in advance?
And that's all the news that's fit to print. There should be general rejoicing next week when we get our Residente Permanente cards!!!
Thursday, August 28, 2014
Permanent(e) at last!
Yes, we're nearly there! But first, a bit of history:
When we moved to Mexico four years ago, it was for the long run, not just a place to go for a while. So as soon as we could, we filed for an FM2 Inmigrante visa. Skipping the lesser FM3 visa allowed us to move forward at a speed about 4 years faster.
Then the law changed. They lumped both the FM3 and the FM2 into a Residente Temporal. (Why did we pay more for the FM2, you might ask...?)
Finally, we qualified to apply for the Permanente Residente, but the law had changed yet again and unless we could file our paperwork in person on the day before our Temporal expired, we were out of luck. And we couldn't - we'd be floating around the Caribbean on that date and a facilitator couldn't stand in for us.
And since the laws had changed again (and our Temporal visas would have expired), we would need to 1) apply for a visa at a Mexican consulate in a country to which we were entitled to travel; 2) get permission to remain in Mexico for no more than 30 days on our tourist visa; if granted 180 days, we would be out of luck as the standard-length FMM would be considered an abandonment of our intention to become a permanent resident; 3) apply for a 'real' visa card within 5 days of landing in our home town and all within 30 days of arrival in the country.
Now to our current situation.
To obtain the Mexican Visa that was pasted into our passport, we had to jump through some particular hoops: proof of solvency, proof of marriage, have a valid passport good for an additional 6 months, passport pictures, and pay the fee for the visa (the least of our worries). So we got the special passport pictures (Mexican) and took them with us, made copies of everything (Mexico is big on copies, but one needs to provide them with the original documents), and have proof of solvency (another technicality that caused concern).
Solvency if provable if you present 12 months of bank statements with an ending balance of $3,500 (plus a lesser fee for any additional people) - we weren't sure that each month would have quite enough money in the bank; OR an ending balance of $450,000 US; OR a property deed for a Mexican house worth a minimum of $450,000 US; OR, if retired, a social security benefit letter for a minimum of $3,500 US/month + the extra people fees. With my SSAN letter and government pension, I could qualify under that option ($3,500/month plus $1,500 for Michael as we were legally married). So we brought our SSAN letter and a year's worth of Direct Deposit statements from my retirement association. (They don't issue a letter each year as does SSA.)
We thought we were good to go. Michael even called the Visa Department of the Orlando Consulate to verify that we actually had an appointment for that Monday at 8 AM. Yes, good to go; fine.
So we go off and cruise for a week with Facebook friends, then return to WDW for a few days of additional vacation.
On Monday morning we call a Lyft taxi and trundle off to the Consulate from WDW Animal Kingdom Lodge, arriving just at 8 AM. The guard whisks us into the waiting room and delivers us to the window for Permanente visas. And then the fun began.
First of all, they seemed to think that we were to be there on Tuesday morning, not Monday, as the consul had taken a few days off and they thought he would be in by 10:30 - or not. Or, we might need to come back the next day to get his signature. As it turns out, we were still there when he arrived!
Then they insisted that we have our bank statements, not the letters that we had brought. Well, we had them - back in Mexico. So the clerk tried to find a local branch of the library so we could walk there and print out our bank statements and copy them. (Oh, and we needed two copies in addition to the original - one for each of us.)
When she couldn't find a nearby library listed on the internet, she did let us use her computer and printer to get the needed bank statement forms and she ran all the additional copies! What had begun as a problem turned into a helpful experience. Whew!
Then we had to have an interview as to why we wanted the visa, they took our photos (in addition to the ones we brought with us), and ran a fingerprint check (want to be careful about who they are letting enter the country, I guess; we might be terrorists).
All of this takes time, as there was lots of going to a back office and conferring about our progress.
Finally, we were called up again (what could they want now!?!) and sent to the cashier to pay for our visas and off we went to call for another cab. Animal Kingdom Lodge is about 25 miles from the consulate, so we were happy to have discount codes for our rides to and from WDW.
So, armed with our Mexican Visa pasted into our passports, a couple of days later we flew home to Mexico. The plane was only partially full (good), but another, larger plane stuffed full of people had landed before ours and they were mostly foreigners (US citizens) standing in a great, long, snaking line (bad). A lot of college-age guys in suits with lots of paperwork in their hands. So we waited and chatted with the nearby folks in the same line.
The line was eventually whittled down to about two lines in length when we noticed that agents were packing up, turning off their lights, and going home! A guard came over and took those at the end of our line to the Nationals' section where there was still an agent working. And even though we were at the end of the line, she wouldn't include us in that group! Grrr....
Eventually, someone opened up the Diplomat line and we were scooped off to go through that section. At least the agent there was familiar with our pasted-in Visa so that presented no problem. We had been warned that if the agent mistakenly marked 180 days on the visa paperwork instead of 30 days, INM (Immigration) would consider it our fault, not the agent's, and we would need to go back to the foreign country and start over again. No longer could we simply walk into the local INM office and file for a visa; we had to begin in a consulate. Luckily Orlando had one so we could visit them while we were at WDW.
So we had our new Permanente visa card pictures taken the day after we arrived (Thursday), met with our facilitator (also on Thursday), he got the new paperwork on Friday and we signed it and took it to the bank for payment and he filed it on Monday - within our 5-day limit. Whew!
Now we wait for an appointment to go in and give them our fingerprints and finally to pick up the Permanente Visa the next week. Whew again! Another couple of weeks and we should be set - for life -- or until the government realizes that this jump to permanente due to the new law to the permanent status eliminates everyone's annual visits with accompanying payment of fees! So we'll expect to eventually be told that they want us to come in for some sort of interim check-up, but grumble as we might, we're used to change.
And we'll soon be legal - again. We nationalized our van last year in anticipation of the change (Permanente folks cannot drive a car with foreign license plates, you know). That should just about do it except for the annual car license renewals, emission check-ups, and that sort of thing. At least there will be one less savings account for the visa fees on the Excel spreadsheet.
When we moved to Mexico four years ago, it was for the long run, not just a place to go for a while. So as soon as we could, we filed for an FM2 Inmigrante visa. Skipping the lesser FM3 visa allowed us to move forward at a speed about 4 years faster.
Then the law changed. They lumped both the FM3 and the FM2 into a Residente Temporal. (Why did we pay more for the FM2, you might ask...?)
Finally, we qualified to apply for the Permanente Residente, but the law had changed yet again and unless we could file our paperwork in person on the day before our Temporal expired, we were out of luck. And we couldn't - we'd be floating around the Caribbean on that date and a facilitator couldn't stand in for us.
And since the laws had changed again (and our Temporal visas would have expired), we would need to 1) apply for a visa at a Mexican consulate in a country to which we were entitled to travel; 2) get permission to remain in Mexico for no more than 30 days on our tourist visa; if granted 180 days, we would be out of luck as the standard-length FMM would be considered an abandonment of our intention to become a permanent resident; 3) apply for a 'real' visa card within 5 days of landing in our home town and all within 30 days of arrival in the country.
Now to our current situation.
To obtain the Mexican Visa that was pasted into our passport, we had to jump through some particular hoops: proof of solvency, proof of marriage, have a valid passport good for an additional 6 months, passport pictures, and pay the fee for the visa (the least of our worries). So we got the special passport pictures (Mexican) and took them with us, made copies of everything (Mexico is big on copies, but one needs to provide them with the original documents), and have proof of solvency (another technicality that caused concern).
Solvency if provable if you present 12 months of bank statements with an ending balance of $3,500 (plus a lesser fee for any additional people) - we weren't sure that each month would have quite enough money in the bank; OR an ending balance of $450,000 US; OR a property deed for a Mexican house worth a minimum of $450,000 US; OR, if retired, a social security benefit letter for a minimum of $3,500 US/month + the extra people fees. With my SSAN letter and government pension, I could qualify under that option ($3,500/month plus $1,500 for Michael as we were legally married). So we brought our SSAN letter and a year's worth of Direct Deposit statements from my retirement association. (They don't issue a letter each year as does SSA.)
We thought we were good to go. Michael even called the Visa Department of the Orlando Consulate to verify that we actually had an appointment for that Monday at 8 AM. Yes, good to go; fine.
So we go off and cruise for a week with Facebook friends, then return to WDW for a few days of additional vacation.
On Monday morning we call a Lyft taxi and trundle off to the Consulate from WDW Animal Kingdom Lodge, arriving just at 8 AM. The guard whisks us into the waiting room and delivers us to the window for Permanente visas. And then the fun began.
First of all, they seemed to think that we were to be there on Tuesday morning, not Monday, as the consul had taken a few days off and they thought he would be in by 10:30 - or not. Or, we might need to come back the next day to get his signature. As it turns out, we were still there when he arrived!
Then they insisted that we have our bank statements, not the letters that we had brought. Well, we had them - back in Mexico. So the clerk tried to find a local branch of the library so we could walk there and print out our bank statements and copy them. (Oh, and we needed two copies in addition to the original - one for each of us.)
When she couldn't find a nearby library listed on the internet, she did let us use her computer and printer to get the needed bank statement forms and she ran all the additional copies! What had begun as a problem turned into a helpful experience. Whew!
Then we had to have an interview as to why we wanted the visa, they took our photos (in addition to the ones we brought with us), and ran a fingerprint check (want to be careful about who they are letting enter the country, I guess; we might be terrorists).
All of this takes time, as there was lots of going to a back office and conferring about our progress.
Finally, we were called up again (what could they want now!?!) and sent to the cashier to pay for our visas and off we went to call for another cab. Animal Kingdom Lodge is about 25 miles from the consulate, so we were happy to have discount codes for our rides to and from WDW.
So, armed with our Mexican Visa pasted into our passports, a couple of days later we flew home to Mexico. The plane was only partially full (good), but another, larger plane stuffed full of people had landed before ours and they were mostly foreigners (US citizens) standing in a great, long, snaking line (bad). A lot of college-age guys in suits with lots of paperwork in their hands. So we waited and chatted with the nearby folks in the same line.
The line was eventually whittled down to about two lines in length when we noticed that agents were packing up, turning off their lights, and going home! A guard came over and took those at the end of our line to the Nationals' section where there was still an agent working. And even though we were at the end of the line, she wouldn't include us in that group! Grrr....
Eventually, someone opened up the Diplomat line and we were scooped off to go through that section. At least the agent there was familiar with our pasted-in Visa so that presented no problem. We had been warned that if the agent mistakenly marked 180 days on the visa paperwork instead of 30 days, INM (Immigration) would consider it our fault, not the agent's, and we would need to go back to the foreign country and start over again. No longer could we simply walk into the local INM office and file for a visa; we had to begin in a consulate. Luckily Orlando had one so we could visit them while we were at WDW.
So we had our new Permanente visa card pictures taken the day after we arrived (Thursday), met with our facilitator (also on Thursday), he got the new paperwork on Friday and we signed it and took it to the bank for payment and he filed it on Monday - within our 5-day limit. Whew!
Now we wait for an appointment to go in and give them our fingerprints and finally to pick up the Permanente Visa the next week. Whew again! Another couple of weeks and we should be set - for life -- or until the government realizes that this jump to permanente due to the new law to the permanent status eliminates everyone's annual visits with accompanying payment of fees! So we'll expect to eventually be told that they want us to come in for some sort of interim check-up, but grumble as we might, we're used to change.
And we'll soon be legal - again. We nationalized our van last year in anticipation of the change (Permanente folks cannot drive a car with foreign license plates, you know). That should just about do it except for the annual car license renewals, emission check-ups, and that sort of thing. At least there will be one less savings account for the visa fees on the Excel spreadsheet.
Wednesday, August 27, 2014
Farewell, Victor - well, not completely
Today one of our best friends, Victor Rivadeneyra, took the first step in his new adventure in life. After several years in San Miguel de Allende, Victor is heading to a new job in Puerto Vallarta! Victor was the person who worked out the details for our last two houses and was an intermediary with the owners (our Spanish is rather rudimentary, don'cha know).
We've been through a lot, both good and everything else, with Victor and look forward to visiting him in PV. In fact, we'll be delivering some of his things in mid-September after he returns to SMA. Should turn into a beach trip for us.... His family still has a condo here in SMA, so until that sells, I'm sure he'll visit from time-to-time.
I'm also sure we'll keep in touch with him (Facebook is great for this) and visit often. Michael loves the beach! I keep offering to move there (even found a house near Costco...), but Michael is smart enough to know that, although the altitude is much lower (sea level vs 6700 feet) and that there is an airport, the heat and humidity would probably do me in! If only there was a location that combined both a lower altitude and a reasonable combination of heat and humidity for most of the year. After all, it's only icky for part of the year! And the house had a lovely pool!
The next three weeks will go slowly, I know. Starbucks will not hold the same attraction of running into and chatting with Victor, but then we get to drive back to PV with more of his belongings when he returns to SMA to finish packing for a few days. Our trip will most likely include a stop for breakfast at New York, New York - a wonderful restaurant in Guadalajara where his mother lives - before heading on to PV.
Best of luck, Victor - and we'll see you both soon and often. [The pups love the Daisy Hill Puppy Farm!]
We've been through a lot, both good and everything else, with Victor and look forward to visiting him in PV. In fact, we'll be delivering some of his things in mid-September after he returns to SMA. Should turn into a beach trip for us.... His family still has a condo here in SMA, so until that sells, I'm sure he'll visit from time-to-time.
I'm also sure we'll keep in touch with him (Facebook is great for this) and visit often. Michael loves the beach! I keep offering to move there (even found a house near Costco...), but Michael is smart enough to know that, although the altitude is much lower (sea level vs 6700 feet) and that there is an airport, the heat and humidity would probably do me in! If only there was a location that combined both a lower altitude and a reasonable combination of heat and humidity for most of the year. After all, it's only icky for part of the year! And the house had a lovely pool!
The next three weeks will go slowly, I know. Starbucks will not hold the same attraction of running into and chatting with Victor, but then we get to drive back to PV with more of his belongings when he returns to SMA to finish packing for a few days. Our trip will most likely include a stop for breakfast at New York, New York - a wonderful restaurant in Guadalajara where his mother lives - before heading on to PV.
Best of luck, Victor - and we'll see you both soon and often. [The pups love the Daisy Hill Puppy Farm!]
Friday, August 22, 2014
WDW Vacation
We've returned home, after a cruise in the Eastern Caribbean with friends and some time at WDW. Here are some notes:
WDW
We went to WDW after a cruise with 14 Facebook friends (most of whom we only knew via Facebook), and it's a good thing as I'd have been pooped if we'd done WDW before cruising. Hot and humid, we'll never do that again!
When we arrived at Animal Kingdom Lodge - Kidani Village, they had a room ready for us - although we had arrived hours before check-in time. A Plus. However, it was nearly at the end of the corridor, so a l-o-o-ong walk from the lobby each time we went somewhere or returned to the room. A Minus. Those who whine about the length of corridors at Boardwalk have nothing to complain about.
Seeing the giraffes and antelopes from our room each time we returned to the room or woke up in the morning was an exceptional treat - like having your own private zoo. Bus service made everywhere else in the World no more than 20 minutes away. They do keep the buses at meat-locker temps, though.
Visited Hollywood Studios (rain caused us to rethink visiting it after picking up our Tables in Wonderland card and asking Guest Services to set the order in which our multiple admission tickets were used on the new Magic Bands+. Had dinner at 'Ohana with a cousin of Michael's whom he had not seen in 40 years! Great time was had by all. The restaurant was packed as was a large waiting area, too.
Sunday, we went on a Sunrise Safari led by an animal care supervisor. Interesting to see the animals first thing in the morning when they're awake. Not as wonderful as the Wild Animal Trek we took last year, but I didn't have to traverse a ramshackle bridge, either. And breakfast was a treat at Pizzafari! No, not cold pizza, the chef had outdone himself with African dishes. We found out that we really like Pap (made of white corn meal and topped with cheese or African-spiced tomatoes). Sounds like the restaurant may go the way of all flesh to make way for the Avatar attraction. I'll miss that Pecan Bread Pudding with Plantains and a Praline Sauce.
Then it was off to EPCOT for some attractions, both old and new to us, dinner at Biergarten, and a Tequila Tasting with friends at the Mexico pavilion after IllumiNations and the park closed. Yes, there were still buses available at midnight!
Monday, we took a Lyft taxi to the Mexican consulate in Orlando to jump through the hoops to get a Permanente Visa (more in a separate entry). Returned for lunch at Animal Kingdom's Yak & Yeti restaurant and then off to Fort Wilderness for the Hoop-Dee-Doo! dinner show. A bit cheesy but good. I prefer the BBQ ribs at Disneyland's Big Thunder Restaurant, but they served the biggest strawberry shortcake I've ever seen - or tried to finish off! No, didn't quite make it....
Tuesday was Magic Kingdom day with dinner at Be Our Guest. Our pager for dinner didn't work, so they sent a cast member out to find us, walked us to our table, and introduced the dreamy Kurt. The food was the best meal we've had at WDW! My Pork Rack Chop was nice and moist and Michael's Strip Steak was super! I know what I'm ordering the next time....
Watch for the story of our quest for a Permanente Visa which will be written after we finally have the cards in our hands!
WDW
We went to WDW after a cruise with 14 Facebook friends (most of whom we only knew via Facebook), and it's a good thing as I'd have been pooped if we'd done WDW before cruising. Hot and humid, we'll never do that again!
When we arrived at Animal Kingdom Lodge - Kidani Village, they had a room ready for us - although we had arrived hours before check-in time. A Plus. However, it was nearly at the end of the corridor, so a l-o-o-ong walk from the lobby each time we went somewhere or returned to the room. A Minus. Those who whine about the length of corridors at Boardwalk have nothing to complain about.
Seeing the giraffes and antelopes from our room each time we returned to the room or woke up in the morning was an exceptional treat - like having your own private zoo. Bus service made everywhere else in the World no more than 20 minutes away. They do keep the buses at meat-locker temps, though.
Visited Hollywood Studios (rain caused us to rethink visiting it after picking up our Tables in Wonderland card and asking Guest Services to set the order in which our multiple admission tickets were used on the new Magic Bands+. Had dinner at 'Ohana with a cousin of Michael's whom he had not seen in 40 years! Great time was had by all. The restaurant was packed as was a large waiting area, too.
Sunday, we went on a Sunrise Safari led by an animal care supervisor. Interesting to see the animals first thing in the morning when they're awake. Not as wonderful as the Wild Animal Trek we took last year, but I didn't have to traverse a ramshackle bridge, either. And breakfast was a treat at Pizzafari! No, not cold pizza, the chef had outdone himself with African dishes. We found out that we really like Pap (made of white corn meal and topped with cheese or African-spiced tomatoes). Sounds like the restaurant may go the way of all flesh to make way for the Avatar attraction. I'll miss that Pecan Bread Pudding with Plantains and a Praline Sauce.
Then it was off to EPCOT for some attractions, both old and new to us, dinner at Biergarten, and a Tequila Tasting with friends at the Mexico pavilion after IllumiNations and the park closed. Yes, there were still buses available at midnight!
Monday, we took a Lyft taxi to the Mexican consulate in Orlando to jump through the hoops to get a Permanente Visa (more in a separate entry). Returned for lunch at Animal Kingdom's Yak & Yeti restaurant and then off to Fort Wilderness for the Hoop-Dee-Doo! dinner show. A bit cheesy but good. I prefer the BBQ ribs at Disneyland's Big Thunder Restaurant, but they served the biggest strawberry shortcake I've ever seen - or tried to finish off! No, didn't quite make it....
Tuesday was Magic Kingdom day with dinner at Be Our Guest. Our pager for dinner didn't work, so they sent a cast member out to find us, walked us to our table, and introduced the dreamy Kurt. The food was the best meal we've had at WDW! My Pork Rack Chop was nice and moist and Michael's Strip Steak was super! I know what I'm ordering the next time....
Watch for the story of our quest for a Permanente Visa which will be written after we finally have the cards in our hands!
Monday, July 21, 2014
New Estufa de Piso
When we first moved to Mexico, the first house was partially furnished, i.e., it had a stove, fridge, and a dining room table and chairs. So no need to bring appliances with us nor any need to immediately shop for appliances. [We did bring our washer and dryer with a propane conversion kit for the dryer which we had installed once we were here.]
When we moved to our second house it was completely unfurnished: no stove, no fridge, no nuthin'. We even had to seal the tile floors before moving in, add cabinets in the kitchen, light fixtures (of course), cabinets under the bathroom basins, custom mirrors to fit the ceramic frames on the walls, et cetera.
So we went cheap, buying appliances from private parties listing on the Civil List (more about that at some point in the future). The fridge was a good purchase - still working and larger than the one in our first house. When we moved to the current house, our range was fine at first, but eventually began to leak propane, so we started turning off the gas supply at the control in the wall. [I frequently forgot this step and Michael's nose would tell him to check the kitchen!]
We recently checked the ole bank balance (on the occasion of an appliance sale at Mega - July is ale month!) and decided it was time for a new stove. We are happy to announce that we now have a Frigidaire estufa! Not only was the sale price reasonable, but the features are great: 1) the stove has a hinged glass top that is very cool*; 2) the entire oven door is of reflective glass that still allows you to peek inside when the 3) oven light is illuminated; 4) the controls include the stove-top burners (6 burners of various sizes to fit your various pots) as well as 5) a built-in timer, 6) the aforementioned oven light control, 7) the electronic ignition switch (not automatic, but better than our hand-held lighter) and 8) a cast iron grill for the stove top. [*We had heard that the hinged glass top was required as a safety issue because it shut off the gas supply when it was lowered into place, but I don't think that was true. But it sure looks cool and keeps the top of the stove a bit cleaner.]
Plus the stove features a broiler!!! Many stoves here in Mexico do not, there's just a cabinet area to raise the stove top to counter height. But we have a real broiler - though the oven control calls it a 'grill'...go figure! And, wonder of wonders, the stove has a contraption that automatically pulls the oven racks forward when the door is opened so it's simpler to check what you're baking! [This seems to be my exclamation point paragraph!]
So we're very happy with the stove and think it looks cool. We gave our old stove to our housekeeper, who said her husband simply tightened up some connections inside the stove and the gas leak disappeared! Glad she'll be able to continue to clean for us and not be found gassed to death in her home.
As for the fridge it's working well; trips to Costco stress the freezer area to hold everything we bring home, but the next size up may not fit in the area of the kitchen it's in - and an automatic ice maker is superfluous as there is no water on that side of the kitchen. Although the main floor guest bathroom is close enough that a line could probably be run from under the bathroom sink through the wall and along inside the base cabinets.... We'll see if we get an extension on our lease next spring before we invest the money on plumbing!
And that brings to mind the need for a whole-house water filtration system. The water in our part of town is rather hard; the sinks and toilets would certainly look better with filtered/softened water to prevent the scale build-up. And Michael could eliminate cleaning the water filter built into the clothes washer from his monthly chores! Without that task, the flow of water into the washer is dramatically slowed and a load of wash takes forever to finish.
Unfortunately we've already told the landlord that we hope to replace the tile counters in the kitchen, so that should be first on our list of projects - right after moving the switches for the backyard lights to the inside of the living/dining rooms. Why go outside and fumble around in the dark for the switches? (We also told them that we would like to replace the fiberglass tub in the master bedroom bath, but it's set in a concrete-and-tile surround, so that may be staying just as it is. Perhaps new coat of fiberglass paint?)
Ah, well; life is good!
When we moved to our second house it was completely unfurnished: no stove, no fridge, no nuthin'. We even had to seal the tile floors before moving in, add cabinets in the kitchen, light fixtures (of course), cabinets under the bathroom basins, custom mirrors to fit the ceramic frames on the walls, et cetera.
So we went cheap, buying appliances from private parties listing on the Civil List (more about that at some point in the future). The fridge was a good purchase - still working and larger than the one in our first house. When we moved to the current house, our range was fine at first, but eventually began to leak propane, so we started turning off the gas supply at the control in the wall. [I frequently forgot this step and Michael's nose would tell him to check the kitchen!]
We recently checked the ole bank balance (on the occasion of an appliance sale at Mega - July is ale month!) and decided it was time for a new stove. We are happy to announce that we now have a Frigidaire estufa! Not only was the sale price reasonable, but the features are great: 1) the stove has a hinged glass top that is very cool*; 2) the entire oven door is of reflective glass that still allows you to peek inside when the 3) oven light is illuminated; 4) the controls include the stove-top burners (6 burners of various sizes to fit your various pots) as well as 5) a built-in timer, 6) the aforementioned oven light control, 7) the electronic ignition switch (not automatic, but better than our hand-held lighter) and 8) a cast iron grill for the stove top. [*We had heard that the hinged glass top was required as a safety issue because it shut off the gas supply when it was lowered into place, but I don't think that was true. But it sure looks cool and keeps the top of the stove a bit cleaner.]
Plus the stove features a broiler!!! Many stoves here in Mexico do not, there's just a cabinet area to raise the stove top to counter height. But we have a real broiler - though the oven control calls it a 'grill'...go figure! And, wonder of wonders, the stove has a contraption that automatically pulls the oven racks forward when the door is opened so it's simpler to check what you're baking! [This seems to be my exclamation point paragraph!]
So we're very happy with the stove and think it looks cool. We gave our old stove to our housekeeper, who said her husband simply tightened up some connections inside the stove and the gas leak disappeared! Glad she'll be able to continue to clean for us and not be found gassed to death in her home.
As for the fridge it's working well; trips to Costco stress the freezer area to hold everything we bring home, but the next size up may not fit in the area of the kitchen it's in - and an automatic ice maker is superfluous as there is no water on that side of the kitchen. Although the main floor guest bathroom is close enough that a line could probably be run from under the bathroom sink through the wall and along inside the base cabinets.... We'll see if we get an extension on our lease next spring before we invest the money on plumbing!
And that brings to mind the need for a whole-house water filtration system. The water in our part of town is rather hard; the sinks and toilets would certainly look better with filtered/softened water to prevent the scale build-up. And Michael could eliminate cleaning the water filter built into the clothes washer from his monthly chores! Without that task, the flow of water into the washer is dramatically slowed and a load of wash takes forever to finish.
Unfortunately we've already told the landlord that we hope to replace the tile counters in the kitchen, so that should be first on our list of projects - right after moving the switches for the backyard lights to the inside of the living/dining rooms. Why go outside and fumble around in the dark for the switches? (We also told them that we would like to replace the fiberglass tub in the master bedroom bath, but it's set in a concrete-and-tile surround, so that may be staying just as it is. Perhaps new coat of fiberglass paint?)
Ah, well; life is good!
Wednesday, July 2, 2014
Permanente vs Temporal
"Emergency" the subject line read. The email, from Michael who had gone into Centro for a Spanish lesson, immediately caught my attention.
"Emergency" What could it be? A million possible causes raced through my head. Last year when we applied for our 4th Residente Temporal permit, we started the process before we left, so we had a travel letter from INM which had to be stamped both going and returning to Mexico; we found the various offices and got it done. At that time we had been told that this year - when we would be out of the country when our Temporal expired and we would need to file for our Permanente permit, we could leave the country when it was still valid and return after it expired, then file for the Permanente within 5 days of returning. Easy-peasy.
The 'emergency' is that Michael had talked to the facilitator we used and just learned that we could no longer do that! There was no longer any forgiveness. If you weren't in town to file for your Permanente on the day it expired, you were up a particular creek without a paddle. Leave the country and start over again with a Temporal.
As it turns out, one can file for the Permanente at a Mexican Consulate in another country, do the preliminary paperwork, get the visa, and then return to Mexico and visit INM and carry on with the process. Of course, the ability to skip the financial proofs of stability disappear under that plan. And since we were concerned about whether we'd have enough income to satisfy the requirements, there was a lurch in our tummies.
We will be out of the country on a Caribbean cruise during August (we knew this last year because we plan ahead for these things) when our Temporal expires. INM doesn't allow anyone else to stand in for you on that expiration date if you're gone; can't send a facilitator. You must start over at a Mexican Consulate in your home country or another country where you are legally permitted to visit.
Visas for Mexico (the Residente Temporal and Permanente are not strictly visas, but most people think of them as such) fall into a few different categories: The FMM (Forma Migratoria Múltiple) is used by most tourists when entering Mexico. The form is also used by those holding various other visas to track exits and entrances to the country. Visas have certain time-out-of-country limits.
Our August cruise to the Caribbean is followed by several days in Walt Disney World (how can you go to Florida and not visit WDW?), so we looked up the consulate in Orlando as a possibility. It's not like we've never been to the World before; we could miss a day or two of our stay for a Permanente visa!
As it turns out, Orlando is a very good possibility. After exchanging several emails with their very helpful Visa staff, we learned that the procedures they follow are fairly simple. Although consulates should follow the same rules around the world, not all of them do so. There have been similar situations among INM offices here in Mexico. For one thing, the financials vary in amount. The amount needed for Orlando is more than the amount in our book on immigration (which is calculated based on the minimum daily wage in Mexico City for a particular number of days), however they do reduce the amount for a family-related second person who is applying for the Permanente visa at the same time (again, it's not really a visa, but most people refer to it as if it were). With that reduction - and our marriage license to prove that we are married - we can easily qualify. If we had been in Mexico when our Temporal expired, INM would have skipped the financial requirement.
So with proof of our retirement benefits that we've collected in the past year, our apostiled marriage license, our US passports, a new passport-sized photo for each of us, and the appropriate fees, we'll be in business. We must make sure that the immigration officer at the Mexico City airport when we return marks our FMM for 30 days, not 180, and also marks the 'Canje' (Exchange) box. Then we have 30 days after returning to Mexico to contact INM about exchanging our consulate-issued visa for a 'real' Residente Permanente.
We have friends who have done the process themselves while still in Mexico (there's a store across the street from INM who will take photos and prepare the paperwork for a reasonable fee), but we will most likely use our last facilitator. If Michael hadn't seen him in Starbucks and asked him about our new visas, I wonder when he would have told us? [When we had returned to Mexico and went to see him - too late???] We also were in luck that Orlando has a consulate and they will be able to handle things all in one trip to their offices.
Wish us luck!
[I know, you were expecting the promised post on our new estufa. Soon, soon....]
"Emergency" What could it be? A million possible causes raced through my head. Last year when we applied for our 4th Residente Temporal permit, we started the process before we left, so we had a travel letter from INM which had to be stamped both going and returning to Mexico; we found the various offices and got it done. At that time we had been told that this year - when we would be out of the country when our Temporal expired and we would need to file for our Permanente permit, we could leave the country when it was still valid and return after it expired, then file for the Permanente within 5 days of returning. Easy-peasy.
The 'emergency' is that Michael had talked to the facilitator we used and just learned that we could no longer do that! There was no longer any forgiveness. If you weren't in town to file for your Permanente on the day it expired, you were up a particular creek without a paddle. Leave the country and start over again with a Temporal.
As it turns out, one can file for the Permanente at a Mexican Consulate in another country, do the preliminary paperwork, get the visa, and then return to Mexico and visit INM and carry on with the process. Of course, the ability to skip the financial proofs of stability disappear under that plan. And since we were concerned about whether we'd have enough income to satisfy the requirements, there was a lurch in our tummies.
We will be out of the country on a Caribbean cruise during August (we knew this last year because we plan ahead for these things) when our Temporal expires. INM doesn't allow anyone else to stand in for you on that expiration date if you're gone; can't send a facilitator. You must start over at a Mexican Consulate in your home country or another country where you are legally permitted to visit.
Visas for Mexico (the Residente Temporal and Permanente are not strictly visas, but most people think of them as such) fall into a few different categories: The FMM (Forma Migratoria Múltiple) is used by most tourists when entering Mexico. The form is also used by those holding various other visas to track exits and entrances to the country. Visas have certain time-out-of-country limits.
- The FMM, when endorsed by an immigration officer, grants stays of up to either 30 days or 180 days. When it expires, one must leave the country and re-enter on a new FMM. There are people living in SMA who have never gone beyond this point. They simply return to the states and obtain a new FMM every six months. The process allows them an opportunity to do some shopping at their favorite stores!
- The Residente Temporal is a one-year visa that can be renewed for up to a total of four years. The initial Temporal is issued for one year; after that you can continue one year at a time or go for up to three more years in one fell swoop. Then you need to leave the country and re-apply for a Temporal at a consulate before returning unless you opt for the Permanente, which requires that you apply immediately upon the expiration of your Temporal or leave the country and go through a consulate.
- After four years on a Temporal you may apply for the Residente Permanente visa which doesn't require annual renewals and thus no annual fees. It costs more but there aren't those pesky annual renewal fees. The amount of time you are permitted to be out of the country is also longer. If you or someone in your family has a health issue, for instance, that requires long, involved treatment, you want to have the Permanente visa.
Our August cruise to the Caribbean is followed by several days in Walt Disney World (how can you go to Florida and not visit WDW?), so we looked up the consulate in Orlando as a possibility. It's not like we've never been to the World before; we could miss a day or two of our stay for a Permanente visa!
As it turns out, Orlando is a very good possibility. After exchanging several emails with their very helpful Visa staff, we learned that the procedures they follow are fairly simple. Although consulates should follow the same rules around the world, not all of them do so. There have been similar situations among INM offices here in Mexico. For one thing, the financials vary in amount. The amount needed for Orlando is more than the amount in our book on immigration (which is calculated based on the minimum daily wage in Mexico City for a particular number of days), however they do reduce the amount for a family-related second person who is applying for the Permanente visa at the same time (again, it's not really a visa, but most people refer to it as if it were). With that reduction - and our marriage license to prove that we are married - we can easily qualify. If we had been in Mexico when our Temporal expired, INM would have skipped the financial requirement.
So with proof of our retirement benefits that we've collected in the past year, our apostiled marriage license, our US passports, a new passport-sized photo for each of us, and the appropriate fees, we'll be in business. We must make sure that the immigration officer at the Mexico City airport when we return marks our FMM for 30 days, not 180, and also marks the 'Canje' (Exchange) box. Then we have 30 days after returning to Mexico to contact INM about exchanging our consulate-issued visa for a 'real' Residente Permanente.
We have friends who have done the process themselves while still in Mexico (there's a store across the street from INM who will take photos and prepare the paperwork for a reasonable fee), but we will most likely use our last facilitator. If Michael hadn't seen him in Starbucks and asked him about our new visas, I wonder when he would have told us? [When we had returned to Mexico and went to see him - too late???] We also were in luck that Orlando has a consulate and they will be able to handle things all in one trip to their offices.
Wish us luck!
[I know, you were expecting the promised post on our new estufa. Soon, soon....]
Saturday, June 28, 2014
Rainy Season is upon us! [with Pix!]
I know you've been wondering "Where's the weather report" so here it is!
May (and sometimes April and June, too) is our rainy season here in San Miguel. And it hasn't disappointed this year. At first we really knew it was here because we got the dregs of Hurricane Christina from off the western coast of Mexico. Lots of thunder and lightning - it sounded as if Peter Stuyvesant's crew was at nine pins again. Rolling thunder and appropriate flashes of lightning, some rather close judging from the CRASHES we both heard and saw simultaneously!
After a few days the rain cleared out, sunshine in abundance was again present, and we could sleep through the night - except for the heat. Out came the fan! Gotta say that for the altitude: when it's sunny you know it. Walking into town we almost always head for the shady side of the street, unless it's already crowded with other folks walking. If it's too crowded we put up with a bit of sun.
Never noticed a place where there was so much difference between sun and shade. It may be quite hot in the sun, but you walk into a shady patch and it's instantly cooler. Guess the sun doesn't heat up the atmosphere easily, just what it falls upon. [Note to self - Think about shade for the roof-top terrace, especially over the master bedroom....]
But it was obvious the rainy season was really upon us when it began to rain again. This time it was daily and mostly later afternoon and evening. There were a few days when it really poured for most of each day but it's now settled into the more traditional pattern.
Michael mentioned that the city workers were out in force a couple of days ago after a particularly long rain, scooping up the mud that had flowed down the libramiento and settled in the glorieta, making traffic rather dicey.
The house is holding up to the onslaught pretty well. What should you expect from a concrete house? Only leaks wherever there's an opening! If the winds blow from the west there is a certain amount of water that's blown under the threshold of the roof-top door that drips down the stairs. We have one of those cute stuffed fabric snakes to cure that, but there's sometimes a bit of leakage from around the windows surrounding the door. Guess it's time to get a new tube of silicone from Mega and attack those panes. At least we don't have the leaking skylights like our first house (which we stopped leaking into our computer room with said tube of silicone).
One of the members of our Wednesday morning koffee klatch is looking after a house and renting it out for a friend. Since he's an American he's tackling the leaking skylight/windows problems himself. If you landlord were Mexican, the renter would be fixing it himself; it's as if you owned the house. The only time we called a landlord was with the house before this one (it was recently built) and we let the landlord know when the water heater leaked into the walls. Otherwise, we fix things ourselves or call a maintenance guy. Julian is our friend!
Our first house has recently come up on the market at a reasonable price. I would have tried to work out something with the owner if it only had a garden for the dogs. Heck, we would have stayed there if it had the garden. That was the primary reason we moved away - and the band next door who practiced and practiced and practiced! Maybe they're better by now - or moved away.
The more usual pattern of rainfall does make it easy to fall asleep to the gentle patter of raindrops - though I do miss some of the thunder and lightning. The dogs do not agree....
Addendum -- Yesterday (June 30th) we had a storm that was pretty strong where we live, but even more rain was dumped in Centro. Here are some pictures that were published on Facebook. The first is of rainwater cascading down the steps at one corner of the Jardin (the central garden stop in Centro, opposite the Parrochia church); the Jardin is level at the Parrochia side but, like most things in San Miguel, is built on a hill; the second picture is of the corner opposite those steps where the local (and only) Starbucks is located. We frequently are seated in the window to the left of the waders.
Next time - our new estufa de piso -- that's 'range' to you!
May (and sometimes April and June, too) is our rainy season here in San Miguel. And it hasn't disappointed this year. At first we really knew it was here because we got the dregs of Hurricane Christina from off the western coast of Mexico. Lots of thunder and lightning - it sounded as if Peter Stuyvesant's crew was at nine pins again. Rolling thunder and appropriate flashes of lightning, some rather close judging from the CRASHES we both heard and saw simultaneously!
After a few days the rain cleared out, sunshine in abundance was again present, and we could sleep through the night - except for the heat. Out came the fan! Gotta say that for the altitude: when it's sunny you know it. Walking into town we almost always head for the shady side of the street, unless it's already crowded with other folks walking. If it's too crowded we put up with a bit of sun.
Never noticed a place where there was so much difference between sun and shade. It may be quite hot in the sun, but you walk into a shady patch and it's instantly cooler. Guess the sun doesn't heat up the atmosphere easily, just what it falls upon. [Note to self - Think about shade for the roof-top terrace, especially over the master bedroom....]
But it was obvious the rainy season was really upon us when it began to rain again. This time it was daily and mostly later afternoon and evening. There were a few days when it really poured for most of each day but it's now settled into the more traditional pattern.
Michael mentioned that the city workers were out in force a couple of days ago after a particularly long rain, scooping up the mud that had flowed down the libramiento and settled in the glorieta, making traffic rather dicey.
The house is holding up to the onslaught pretty well. What should you expect from a concrete house? Only leaks wherever there's an opening! If the winds blow from the west there is a certain amount of water that's blown under the threshold of the roof-top door that drips down the stairs. We have one of those cute stuffed fabric snakes to cure that, but there's sometimes a bit of leakage from around the windows surrounding the door. Guess it's time to get a new tube of silicone from Mega and attack those panes. At least we don't have the leaking skylights like our first house (which we stopped leaking into our computer room with said tube of silicone).
One of the members of our Wednesday morning koffee klatch is looking after a house and renting it out for a friend. Since he's an American he's tackling the leaking skylight/windows problems himself. If you landlord were Mexican, the renter would be fixing it himself; it's as if you owned the house. The only time we called a landlord was with the house before this one (it was recently built) and we let the landlord know when the water heater leaked into the walls. Otherwise, we fix things ourselves or call a maintenance guy. Julian is our friend!
Our first house has recently come up on the market at a reasonable price. I would have tried to work out something with the owner if it only had a garden for the dogs. Heck, we would have stayed there if it had the garden. That was the primary reason we moved away - and the band next door who practiced and practiced and practiced! Maybe they're better by now - or moved away.
The more usual pattern of rainfall does make it easy to fall asleep to the gentle patter of raindrops - though I do miss some of the thunder and lightning. The dogs do not agree....
Addendum -- Yesterday (June 30th) we had a storm that was pretty strong where we live, but even more rain was dumped in Centro. Here are some pictures that were published on Facebook. The first is of rainwater cascading down the steps at one corner of the Jardin (the central garden stop in Centro, opposite the Parrochia church); the Jardin is level at the Parrochia side but, like most things in San Miguel, is built on a hill; the second picture is of the corner opposite those steps where the local (and only) Starbucks is located. We frequently are seated in the window to the left of the waders.
Next time - our new estufa de piso -- that's 'range' to you!
Wednesday, June 25, 2014
The Path Between the Seas
I guess I forgot to write a trip report on our Panama Canal cruise; oops! Well, we went on a Panama Canal cruise with Disney (who else?). Started with an overnight stay at the Courtyard by Marriott which is attached to the Mexico City airport (Benito Juarez). There's nothing like getting a good night's rest before an early morning check-in. There's an elevated walkway between the hotel and the terminals; all quite civilized.
A fairly uneventful flight to Miami - if you don't count the jocks who decided to sit in our exit row (without paying the extra fee, thank you). After arrival in Miami and going through the Immigration and Customs formalities, we made our way out to the curb and flagged down the hotel's shuttle. Checked in at the Crowne Plaza, ate dinner there (they were at least trying...), and crashed. We had faxed the hotel about an early shuttle to the Port of Miami, but the concierge person went missing, so we went outside and took a taxi. Actually, two taxis were fighting over who would take us to the Port. Not sure the right one won, but we got there pretty quickly and were dropped off somewhat near the proper place.
The cruise itself was just fine. We met up with some folks from the cruise's Facebook page and chatter away while waiting for the terminal to open - then full speed ahead to check-in. Missed the chance to upgrade from the depths of the ship to something with a balcony by about 5 people in line. However, it turns out our cabin was fine: same size, still had two small portholes for daylight, and the first floor was close to the entrance/exit for shore excursions!
Speaking of shore excursions we got off in Key West and went hunting for a particular sandal shop. Found the shop, got the sandals (we wear them around the house a lot), and then decided to walk to the point furthest south in the United States. Did I mention that it was hot and humid? Well, we finally reached the place, took some pix, and walked back into downtown and to the ship to cool off.
The other shore excursion we enjoyed was in Cartegena, Columbia. We'd gone on Segway excursions before at WDW, DLR, and in Nassau, but I had grown too old for the ones provided by the cruise line. One of our fellow cruisers had found a place in downtown Cartegena that had no age limit, so we booked a tour with them. It was a gas! Not only did we zip around to all the interesting points in downtown, surprising a few pedestrians on the way, but we zipped around on top of the old city walls! Once on top of the walls it was a simple matter to navigate, but getting up on top of the walls was a challenge. The ramps were short and quite steep. To get the Segways up the ramp, we had to increase our speed by leaning forward -- to the point that I felt like I was going to skin my nose! I'll skip ramps in the future!!!
The Canal itself was interesting. Disney had brought a former pilot on board to talk about the history and working the Canal each day leading up to the transit. Thought it might be boring, but no way! Great fun.
Before we reached San Diego the ship stopped in Puerto Vallarta and Cabos San Lucas. Visited our favorite beach in PV; our resort in Cabo.
Then it was time to disembark in San Diego. We were going to walk to the Amtrak station, but decided to take a taxi instead (time was short). Rode the train to Anaheim and taxied to our hotel. Zipped over to Disneyland and met up with our first group of friends (we hadn't seen one of them in four years since we left SoCal). Then met up with some Club members at 1901 (one of the Platinum members walked us into the lounge), re-met our earlier friends for dinner and finally went back to the hotel. The next day we met another friend for dinner at Carthay Circle; it was yummy. Then we headed back to the hotel to pack and be ready for the ride to LAX for our flight to Mexico City. We didn't go to the Club because it's being extensively renovated to enlarge the kitchen and add an additional lounge in Disneyland. Slated to open July 18th - six months after it closed (we were expected to pay the entire year's dues, of course).
Once we made it home (flight to Mexico City, bus to San Miguel) we said hello to the dogs and fell into bed. A successful trip, if a bit harried at times. Our airline back home had called before we left San Miguel to tell us that they had cancelled the flight for our return. They suggested that we take their flight the next day but weren't willing to foot the bill for an additional night's stay at the hotel, so we cancelled with them and booked another flight on a competing airline. Unfortunately, no one else was flying on the day that we wanted to return, so our 3-day vacation turned into a day-and-a-half!
But it was still good!
A fairly uneventful flight to Miami - if you don't count the jocks who decided to sit in our exit row (without paying the extra fee, thank you). After arrival in Miami and going through the Immigration and Customs formalities, we made our way out to the curb and flagged down the hotel's shuttle. Checked in at the Crowne Plaza, ate dinner there (they were at least trying...), and crashed. We had faxed the hotel about an early shuttle to the Port of Miami, but the concierge person went missing, so we went outside and took a taxi. Actually, two taxis were fighting over who would take us to the Port. Not sure the right one won, but we got there pretty quickly and were dropped off somewhat near the proper place.
The cruise itself was just fine. We met up with some folks from the cruise's Facebook page and chatter away while waiting for the terminal to open - then full speed ahead to check-in. Missed the chance to upgrade from the depths of the ship to something with a balcony by about 5 people in line. However, it turns out our cabin was fine: same size, still had two small portholes for daylight, and the first floor was close to the entrance/exit for shore excursions!
Speaking of shore excursions we got off in Key West and went hunting for a particular sandal shop. Found the shop, got the sandals (we wear them around the house a lot), and then decided to walk to the point furthest south in the United States. Did I mention that it was hot and humid? Well, we finally reached the place, took some pix, and walked back into downtown and to the ship to cool off.
The other shore excursion we enjoyed was in Cartegena, Columbia. We'd gone on Segway excursions before at WDW, DLR, and in Nassau, but I had grown too old for the ones provided by the cruise line. One of our fellow cruisers had found a place in downtown Cartegena that had no age limit, so we booked a tour with them. It was a gas! Not only did we zip around to all the interesting points in downtown, surprising a few pedestrians on the way, but we zipped around on top of the old city walls! Once on top of the walls it was a simple matter to navigate, but getting up on top of the walls was a challenge. The ramps were short and quite steep. To get the Segways up the ramp, we had to increase our speed by leaning forward -- to the point that I felt like I was going to skin my nose! I'll skip ramps in the future!!!
The Canal itself was interesting. Disney had brought a former pilot on board to talk about the history and working the Canal each day leading up to the transit. Thought it might be boring, but no way! Great fun.
Before we reached San Diego the ship stopped in Puerto Vallarta and Cabos San Lucas. Visited our favorite beach in PV; our resort in Cabo.
Then it was time to disembark in San Diego. We were going to walk to the Amtrak station, but decided to take a taxi instead (time was short). Rode the train to Anaheim and taxied to our hotel. Zipped over to Disneyland and met up with our first group of friends (we hadn't seen one of them in four years since we left SoCal). Then met up with some Club members at 1901 (one of the Platinum members walked us into the lounge), re-met our earlier friends for dinner and finally went back to the hotel. The next day we met another friend for dinner at Carthay Circle; it was yummy. Then we headed back to the hotel to pack and be ready for the ride to LAX for our flight to Mexico City. We didn't go to the Club because it's being extensively renovated to enlarge the kitchen and add an additional lounge in Disneyland. Slated to open July 18th - six months after it closed (we were expected to pay the entire year's dues, of course).
Once we made it home (flight to Mexico City, bus to San Miguel) we said hello to the dogs and fell into bed. A successful trip, if a bit harried at times. Our airline back home had called before we left San Miguel to tell us that they had cancelled the flight for our return. They suggested that we take their flight the next day but weren't willing to foot the bill for an additional night's stay at the hotel, so we cancelled with them and booked another flight on a competing airline. Unfortunately, no one else was flying on the day that we wanted to return, so our 3-day vacation turned into a day-and-a-half!
But it was still good!
Sunday, May 25, 2014
Storm No. 2
I did measure the rain water in our unofficial container from yesterday's storm - around 1-1/2 inches. Waiting for the sun to come up so I can read the measurement for last night's storm. Yes, there was another one last night -- which I slept through, darn it! Hate when that happens. I still remember waking up as a child for the electrical storms in southern Indiana. In fact, we had a few doozies last year when I was back in our old hometown to assist my sister and her husband update an 1892 farmhouse for resale. Although nowadays there's a radio that alerts one to upcoming severe weather.
Woke up during the night to post-storm dripping, a wet balcony, and Miyake was sleeping on the bed with a towel draped over her (a sure sign that she had been excited earlier in the evening - usually by wind and lightning).
Michael tells me that there was, indeed, a storm that lasted about two hours, had lots of thunder and brilliant lightning, and seemed to rain more heavily that the previous night's storm. I think it's still part of the disturbance off the western coast of Mexico - but we'll take the rain whatever the source.
Rain does have an effect on our water supply - which comes from wells higher up the mountainside - but it visibly affects the level of the presa, or reservoir - which provides irrigation water for agriculture. The big presa is visible from many parts of the town; other smaller presas are tucked into the countryside here-and-there around town and the surrounding campo are not as easily apparent.
Woke up during the night to post-storm dripping, a wet balcony, and Miyake was sleeping on the bed with a towel draped over her (a sure sign that she had been excited earlier in the evening - usually by wind and lightning).
Michael tells me that there was, indeed, a storm that lasted about two hours, had lots of thunder and brilliant lightning, and seemed to rain more heavily that the previous night's storm. I think it's still part of the disturbance off the western coast of Mexico - but we'll take the rain whatever the source.
Rain does have an effect on our water supply - which comes from wells higher up the mountainside - but it visibly affects the level of the presa, or reservoir - which provides irrigation water for agriculture. The big presa is visible from many parts of the town; other smaller presas are tucked into the countryside here-and-there around town and the surrounding campo are not as easily apparent.
Friday, May 23, 2014
The Rainy Season Has Begun!
So, we're back from our cruise through the Panama Canal - but more on that later.
Today's post is again about the weather. The 'rainy season' is supposed to start in May and we hear there was some rain before we returned to SMA, but tonight is a gusher! It's been pouring for quite some time....the doggies have found solace beneath our chairs in the office. In fact, even Fiyero moves closer to Michael's desk if I get up to go to the kitchen. And he's the brave one!
There was a storm reported to be nearing the Pacific coast and it was supposed that it would travel inland. Seems to have done so.
Pouring down rain, thunder, and some lightning! Whew!!! Glad it didn't begin while we were asleep. Instead we've had a chance to close windows, take in towels, et cetera. It will be interesting to see what the amateur weather stations around SMA report tomorrow.
It seems to have lessened just as I write this; let's hope it continues to abate.
Today's post is again about the weather. The 'rainy season' is supposed to start in May and we hear there was some rain before we returned to SMA, but tonight is a gusher! It's been pouring for quite some time....the doggies have found solace beneath our chairs in the office. In fact, even Fiyero moves closer to Michael's desk if I get up to go to the kitchen. And he's the brave one!
There was a storm reported to be nearing the Pacific coast and it was supposed that it would travel inland. Seems to have done so.
Pouring down rain, thunder, and some lightning! Whew!!! Glad it didn't begin while we were asleep. Instead we've had a chance to close windows, take in towels, et cetera. It will be interesting to see what the amateur weather stations around SMA report tomorrow.
It seems to have lessened just as I write this; let's hope it continues to abate.
Monday, April 21, 2014
Our Number Came Up! Or, Our Ship Will Come In!
So I was upstairs reading (time to re-read all the Sue Grafton Kinsey Millhone mysteries) when Michael appeared in the doorway -- "Guess what! We've got our cabin assignment!!!"
Now I suppose some explanation is required to set up this situation. We always book a specific cabin. Decide what we can afford by the time payment is due and that's home for the cruise. You can save a spot of change if you go with a guarantee cabin, that is you pay for a certain category within a class of cabin and the actual cabin is assigned later. On some cruises - such as the two-week long Panama Canal - Disney also sometimes offers a guarantee cabin where you agree to accept any cabin they assign, and Disney has the flexibility to assign you a cabin within a type of stateroom: Inside (IGT), Ocean view (OGT), or Veranda (VGT). The fares are quite attractive in exchange for these conditions. They don't always offer this choice or they may offer only certain ones. On this Panama Canal cruise, only IGTs and OGTs were on offer. They also don't offer this category until the Paid In Full date passes, so folks don't opt for it early on. (You need to pay the entire fare when booked, agree to accept whatever cabin you're assigned, et cetera.) So you need to save up for the cruise before you know whether you're going or not. (We try not to use credit cards.)
So for this cruise - which was a bit pricey due to being two weeks long - we decided that we would do it if Disney offered an OGT fare. There's always the possibility that you could be assigned to a category that is higher than the category you paid for: someone who booked an IGT might be assigned an OGT cabin, et cetera. If it wasn't offered, then we'd decide what category we could afford and book whatever remaining cabin was available - or wait until next year.
As we had always known exactly what cabin in which we would be sailing, this was a new experience - and one that I am not in a hurry to repeat. Up until a few weeks ago I was in a state of hyper-ness. What category are we going to be assigned? Where in the ship will it be located? When will we find out which cabin we will receive? Michael spent a lot of time trying to convince me to calm down.... And as it turned out, we received our cabin assignment a bit earlier than expected!
So now we know which cabin it is: 1058. This is in the lowest category within our OGT group and is on the lowest deck (No. 1) and center. If some of the cruise is through rough weather we will be very happy that we're on Deck One - the lower the location on the ship, the more stable your voyage. It's also quite near the mid-ship elevators, so we should be able to reach anywhere else on the ship easily. Being on Deck One the elevators should be empty when they reach us and everyone else will try to fit in them as we head upwards, but not us. There are times when an elevator door opens and those waiting say 'We'll wait for the next one!'
It seems to be time for us to knock some things off our bucket list. The Panama Canal is one of them. We both especially enjoy long cruises with lots of sea days; port stops are not so important to us anymore. There is a fall Eastern Caribbean cruise that we're taking with a group of friends that has several stops and it's 'Gosh, what are we going to do at this stop?'
The Panama Canal cruise was also spurred on when some friends with whom we've sailed before gave us The Path Between the Seas. It's a well-written (thick) book that begins with the French attempt to build the Canal and goes through the completion by the United States. It covers all the background chicanery as well as the engineering and health rigamarole. It made the Canal a real 'I've got to see this' item on our list.
[In 2015 we'll be sailing across the Atlantic (visiting NYC; St. John's, Newfoundland; Reykjavik, Iceland; and Oslo, Norway on the way) to visit the Northern European capitals and the Norwegian fjords. Another cruise to cross off our list! This began as a two-voyage trip (EBTA and Fjords) with a week in Copenhagen between cruises, but we replaced the week in Copenhagen with the Northern European Capitals cruise (Tallinn, Estonia; St Petersburg, Russia; Helsinki, Finland; and Stockholm, Sweden). Since we'll probably not be back to that part of the world it seemed the best way to spend our time. We'll still have a few days in Copenhagen waiting for our flight back to Mexico.]
So, we're jazzed. The EastBound TransAtlantic portion of the group of 2015 cruises is also in a cabin on Deck One, so we'll find out what it's like and whether we need to find some more funds to move up a notch or two! Since we don't spend a great deal of time in the cabin (it's said), a less attractive location should be okay!
This year we leave home two days early to reach the port in Miami ahead of embarkation, so it's not quite so long before we're on vacation - approximately nine days!
Now I suppose some explanation is required to set up this situation. We always book a specific cabin. Decide what we can afford by the time payment is due and that's home for the cruise. You can save a spot of change if you go with a guarantee cabin, that is you pay for a certain category within a class of cabin and the actual cabin is assigned later. On some cruises - such as the two-week long Panama Canal - Disney also sometimes offers a guarantee cabin where you agree to accept any cabin they assign, and Disney has the flexibility to assign you a cabin within a type of stateroom: Inside (IGT), Ocean view (OGT), or Veranda (VGT). The fares are quite attractive in exchange for these conditions. They don't always offer this choice or they may offer only certain ones. On this Panama Canal cruise, only IGTs and OGTs were on offer. They also don't offer this category until the Paid In Full date passes, so folks don't opt for it early on. (You need to pay the entire fare when booked, agree to accept whatever cabin you're assigned, et cetera.) So you need to save up for the cruise before you know whether you're going or not. (We try not to use credit cards.)
So for this cruise - which was a bit pricey due to being two weeks long - we decided that we would do it if Disney offered an OGT fare. There's always the possibility that you could be assigned to a category that is higher than the category you paid for: someone who booked an IGT might be assigned an OGT cabin, et cetera. If it wasn't offered, then we'd decide what category we could afford and book whatever remaining cabin was available - or wait until next year.
As we had always known exactly what cabin in which we would be sailing, this was a new experience - and one that I am not in a hurry to repeat. Up until a few weeks ago I was in a state of hyper-ness. What category are we going to be assigned? Where in the ship will it be located? When will we find out which cabin we will receive? Michael spent a lot of time trying to convince me to calm down.... And as it turned out, we received our cabin assignment a bit earlier than expected!
So now we know which cabin it is: 1058. This is in the lowest category within our OGT group and is on the lowest deck (No. 1) and center. If some of the cruise is through rough weather we will be very happy that we're on Deck One - the lower the location on the ship, the more stable your voyage. It's also quite near the mid-ship elevators, so we should be able to reach anywhere else on the ship easily. Being on Deck One the elevators should be empty when they reach us and everyone else will try to fit in them as we head upwards, but not us. There are times when an elevator door opens and those waiting say 'We'll wait for the next one!'
It seems to be time for us to knock some things off our bucket list. The Panama Canal is one of them. We both especially enjoy long cruises with lots of sea days; port stops are not so important to us anymore. There is a fall Eastern Caribbean cruise that we're taking with a group of friends that has several stops and it's 'Gosh, what are we going to do at this stop?'
The Panama Canal cruise was also spurred on when some friends with whom we've sailed before gave us The Path Between the Seas. It's a well-written (thick) book that begins with the French attempt to build the Canal and goes through the completion by the United States. It covers all the background chicanery as well as the engineering and health rigamarole. It made the Canal a real 'I've got to see this' item on our list.
[In 2015 we'll be sailing across the Atlantic (visiting NYC; St. John's, Newfoundland; Reykjavik, Iceland; and Oslo, Norway on the way) to visit the Northern European capitals and the Norwegian fjords. Another cruise to cross off our list! This began as a two-voyage trip (EBTA and Fjords) with a week in Copenhagen between cruises, but we replaced the week in Copenhagen with the Northern European Capitals cruise (Tallinn, Estonia; St Petersburg, Russia; Helsinki, Finland; and Stockholm, Sweden). Since we'll probably not be back to that part of the world it seemed the best way to spend our time. We'll still have a few days in Copenhagen waiting for our flight back to Mexico.]
So, we're jazzed. The EastBound TransAtlantic portion of the group of 2015 cruises is also in a cabin on Deck One, so we'll find out what it's like and whether we need to find some more funds to move up a notch or two! Since we don't spend a great deal of time in the cabin (it's said), a less attractive location should be okay!
This year we leave home two days early to reach the port in Miami ahead of embarkation, so it's not quite so long before we're on vacation - approximately nine days!
Tuesday, March 25, 2014
It's Raining!!!
I know, we haven't spoken about the weather in some time, so here's an update. Our cool weather suddenly disappeared and the heat came on a couple of weeks ago. Not that it was always hot, but these blasted concrete houses, once warned up, are loathe to let the warmth go.. Great in winter, but not so great in the summer. And the bedroom, being on the second floor, heat up nicely.
Although it's not really 'rainy season' yet - that's more May - it had seemed like it was going to rain but never did. Just met up with a friend at Starbucks who lives higher up in the hills in town and he told us that it had really poured down on the far side of the presa a couple of times recently.
But tonight it has turned up here. Great, dark clouds, really big rain drops, and a bit of thunder. Only enough rain for about 20 minutes, but it sure helps cool down the town. The rain has mostly stopped now, but traces of thunder can still be heard rumbling around.
Now if it could only arrange to do this most evenings, that would be appreciated!
Although it's not really 'rainy season' yet - that's more May - it had seemed like it was going to rain but never did. Just met up with a friend at Starbucks who lives higher up in the hills in town and he told us that it had really poured down on the far side of the presa a couple of times recently.
But tonight it has turned up here. Great, dark clouds, really big rain drops, and a bit of thunder. Only enough rain for about 20 minutes, but it sure helps cool down the town. The rain has mostly stopped now, but traces of thunder can still be heard rumbling around.
Now if it could only arrange to do this most evenings, that would be appreciated!
Monday, March 17, 2014
Home is Where the Heart Is
Marc
is searching the internet....and finding fun things. Our very first
house that we rented (but NEVER stayed in) here in San Miguel is on the
market and has been since August of 2012. Many of you may remember me
talking about the Gaudi-style house that really looked amazing.....and
then we saw it in person. Our first mistake - and one of only a few -
in San Miguel. Our new friends found us a different house the next weekend!
Our second home, though it was really our first REAL rental, is also on the market, recently listed. It was a great home in a very "authentic" Mexican neighborhood. We were the only gringos in the area and got along great with all of our neighbors.....except for that rock band (well, wannabee rock band) that lived next door and practiced at horrific hours. BUT we really liked it. We only moved away because we had absolutely no room/garden for the dogs. It was a fun year there....and we were close enough to our friends Carol and Norma and one of our favorite restaurants, Tacos Don Felix!
Home No. 3 in the La Lejona, 2da Seccion, was HUGE!!!!!!!!!! Five bedrooms, two HUGE living rooms, four baths, garden area, gated parking, and brand new construction.....so brand new that the master bathroom was never finished....and never was during our tenure there. Fortunately there were enough baths and showers throughout the house that we were never really wanting. Unfortunately the owner wanted to sell the house so we bailed after one year. Still on the market..........
Home No. 4 is two houses away from Home No. 3. Yes, still probably larger than we really need (surprised?) but we are VERY happy here....and the owners are very happy with us, which makes for a happy time everywhere! March 1st started our 2nd year in this house, the first year of a two-year lease (the first lease was for only one year). It's quite convenient to everything we need. It's an easy FLAT walk to centro, which as you probably know from reading my constant updates, is something I do on a daily basis. AND if we ever decided that we needed an ice cream fix, if we were ever so inclined, there is a block wall behind us that if we started to chip away at it goes DIRECTLY into the freezer section of our local grocery store (Mega) and we could scoop our our dessert! Here's hoping they will go for an additional 2 (or 3??) years on our next go around.
Ah, loving life.............
Our second home, though it was really our first REAL rental, is also on the market, recently listed. It was a great home in a very "authentic" Mexican neighborhood. We were the only gringos in the area and got along great with all of our neighbors.....except for that rock band (well, wannabee rock band) that lived next door and practiced at horrific hours. BUT we really liked it. We only moved away because we had absolutely no room/garden for the dogs. It was a fun year there....and we were close enough to our friends Carol and Norma and one of our favorite restaurants, Tacos Don Felix!
Home No. 3 in the La Lejona, 2da Seccion, was HUGE!!!!!!!!!! Five bedrooms, two HUGE living rooms, four baths, garden area, gated parking, and brand new construction.....so brand new that the master bathroom was never finished....and never was during our tenure there. Fortunately there were enough baths and showers throughout the house that we were never really wanting. Unfortunately the owner wanted to sell the house so we bailed after one year. Still on the market..........
Home No. 4 is two houses away from Home No. 3. Yes, still probably larger than we really need (surprised?) but we are VERY happy here....and the owners are very happy with us, which makes for a happy time everywhere! March 1st started our 2nd year in this house, the first year of a two-year lease (the first lease was for only one year). It's quite convenient to everything we need. It's an easy FLAT walk to centro, which as you probably know from reading my constant updates, is something I do on a daily basis. AND if we ever decided that we needed an ice cream fix, if we were ever so inclined, there is a block wall behind us that if we started to chip away at it goes DIRECTLY into the freezer section of our local grocery store (Mega) and we could scoop our our dessert! Here's hoping they will go for an additional 2 (or 3??) years on our next go around.
Ah, loving life.............
Monday, February 24, 2014
Our First Visit to an Outlet Mall in Mexico
Michael and I are pros at outlet malls, whether on the road to Las Vegas, closer to Palm Springs, up the California coast towards Santa Barbara, or even in the industrial part of Los Angeles. It's been like withdrawal since we've moved to Mexico - though there is a nice selection of shops just south of San Diego that was visited every time we made it back to the states.
Our nearest outlet stores are in León, about an hour-and-a-half away from San Miguel. Our nearest airport is on the outskirts of León/Silao - about an hour away. We had heard that there was an outlet mall of nothing but shoe stores in León from a friend, and since our shoe purchases since moving to Mexico nearly 4 years ago have consisted solely (sorry!) of tennis shoes from Costco - and since we had a couple of cruises coming up traveling on one of them with a group of fashion-conscience friends - we decided we should look around for some new shoes. [I'd already tarted up our tuxedos via the internet!]
And an outlet mall is an outlet mall!
A friend had recently shopped there and was more than willing to go back to show us where it is and guide us through the shops. So off we went bright and early at 9:30! (Not quite 'bright and early' by our standards, but still....)
Unfortunately this is the dry season, so our drive through the hills was boringly monochromatic: brown and more brown. But we usually travel through this area in a shuttle headed to the airport for an early morning flight, so this time we could at least see what we were driving past. And there had been some progress: the bridge they were working on and the roadworks outside Guanajuato had been completed.
It was a bit of a drive past the airport turn-off to reach León (I thought it was closer), and even then we were on the outskirts when the shoe outlet shops loomed alongside the roadway. (At this point the highway is sort of a large street, so it was simple enough to pull into the driveway.) Luckily for future shopping trips, there is a Starbucks at the entrance and a large Pollo Feliz sign, so we shouldn't get too lost if we try it ourselves!
León is the leather and shoe capital of Mexico, so the mall is huge! Mostly one level with shops devoted to individual brands run by the factories that produce them, there are over 200 shops plus a few clothing places and a food mall for hungry shoppers. I think we stopped into most of the shops, unless they specialized in women's shoes. Even then, since our friend's mother accompanied us on the trip, there were some stops there, too.
All told, the group of us purchased 5 pairs of shoes: Lucy (our friend's mother) purchased a pair of quite nice trainers, Michael - 'it's still too expensive' - came home with 3 pairs, and I got one pair of Flexi leather court shoes. Our friend even had two pairs of glasses delivered to the mall from the optician's shop he visited in Centro León last week!
A shame the stores didn't have everything in stock in our sizes/colors (it is an outlet, after all), but a good trip, nonetheless. I now understand Imelda Marcos' fascination with shoes. If the mall were closer, we'd be in BIG trouble!
Unfortunately, it was still another hour-and-a-half home with about a zillion topes to bounce over and cars/trucks to pass on two-way roads over the hilly, twisting landscape.
It's the thought of that drive that may keep us from visiting more than monthly....since the only way to see if they have shoes in our sizes/colors is to go there.
But we made it there and back, the dogs were happy to see us again, and we collapsed in a heap! Until next time....
Our nearest outlet stores are in León, about an hour-and-a-half away from San Miguel. Our nearest airport is on the outskirts of León/Silao - about an hour away. We had heard that there was an outlet mall of nothing but shoe stores in León from a friend, and since our shoe purchases since moving to Mexico nearly 4 years ago have consisted solely (sorry!) of tennis shoes from Costco - and since we had a couple of cruises coming up traveling on one of them with a group of fashion-conscience friends - we decided we should look around for some new shoes. [I'd already tarted up our tuxedos via the internet!]
And an outlet mall is an outlet mall!
A friend had recently shopped there and was more than willing to go back to show us where it is and guide us through the shops. So off we went bright and early at 9:30! (Not quite 'bright and early' by our standards, but still....)
Unfortunately this is the dry season, so our drive through the hills was boringly monochromatic: brown and more brown. But we usually travel through this area in a shuttle headed to the airport for an early morning flight, so this time we could at least see what we were driving past. And there had been some progress: the bridge they were working on and the roadworks outside Guanajuato had been completed.
It was a bit of a drive past the airport turn-off to reach León (I thought it was closer), and even then we were on the outskirts when the shoe outlet shops loomed alongside the roadway. (At this point the highway is sort of a large street, so it was simple enough to pull into the driveway.) Luckily for future shopping trips, there is a Starbucks at the entrance and a large Pollo Feliz sign, so we shouldn't get too lost if we try it ourselves!
León is the leather and shoe capital of Mexico, so the mall is huge! Mostly one level with shops devoted to individual brands run by the factories that produce them, there are over 200 shops plus a few clothing places and a food mall for hungry shoppers. I think we stopped into most of the shops, unless they specialized in women's shoes. Even then, since our friend's mother accompanied us on the trip, there were some stops there, too.
All told, the group of us purchased 5 pairs of shoes: Lucy (our friend's mother) purchased a pair of quite nice trainers, Michael - 'it's still too expensive' - came home with 3 pairs, and I got one pair of Flexi leather court shoes. Our friend even had two pairs of glasses delivered to the mall from the optician's shop he visited in Centro León last week!
A shame the stores didn't have everything in stock in our sizes/colors (it is an outlet, after all), but a good trip, nonetheless. I now understand Imelda Marcos' fascination with shoes. If the mall were closer, we'd be in BIG trouble!
Unfortunately, it was still another hour-and-a-half home with about a zillion topes to bounce over and cars/trucks to pass on two-way roads over the hilly, twisting landscape.
It's the thought of that drive that may keep us from visiting more than monthly....since the only way to see if they have shoes in our sizes/colors is to go there.
But we made it there and back, the dogs were happy to see us again, and we collapsed in a heap! Until next time....
Friday, February 7, 2014
Aerial Bonbs, or a lack thereof
Just wanted to note that neither on the actual day celebrating the Consitution (Wednesday) nor the legal holiday (Monday preceding the Wednesday) were there any cuetas (aerial bombs) heard! That means the dogs slept through the night and that means, we did too!
We now return to our regular programming.
We now return to our regular programming.
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