Okay, okay - enough about the trials and tribulations of moving to Mexico. On to an always popular subject: the weather.
We thought we knew weather. After all, Michael and I both grew up in the mid-West where there's lots of weather. Natural disasters are floods and tornados, not earthquakes. (We let our earthquake insurance lapse about the time we moved SOB. How good it felt to write that letter to the insurance company. Not that Mexico doesn't have earthquakes, but they're centered along the southwestern coast where tectonic plates collide.) And snow - Michael especially. I knew I'd never get Michael out of L.A. unless we headed to someplace equally sunny!
But here we are in the highlands of central Mexico between the Oriental Sierra Madres and the Occidental Sierra Madres at an elevation of about 6500 feet and we have weather. As we listened to the rain falling early this morning, Michael remarked: I'd forgotten what weather was like.
Conversation about L.A. weather was usually how hot it had been, whether the forecast had been reached or exceeded, how hot would tomorrow likely be. Here in SMA it's nearly always pleasant and rains briefly most days. At least it used to do so.
A British friend always got a chuckle when the local L.A. television stations launched their Storm Track segments every time rain was predicted - even if we only received a smattering of moisture.
A friend who has lived in SMA for nearly 10 years recently commented: Is it too much to ask that rainy season structure itself the way it used to be, so that there would be hours of sun each morning and early afternoon before the sudden, fierce thunderstorms, and then it would clear up again? Or why can't all rain fall between midnight and 6 AM? Is that too much to ask, huh, huh? [Read the whole blog & more at her website: FallingInLoveWithSanMiguel.com]
It seems like she's getting her wish granted - almost. Lately there haven't been daily storms, but a few overnighters have made up for it. We're at 33cm of rain for the month of August with 13cm having fallen since Friday. Friday the heavens opened right at 7 PM when a gallery we know was to open a new show. Not sure what they did as a result (we took one look at the sky about the time we needed to leave, decided to skip the opening, and changed our clothes). The gallery was probably more crowded than usual with patrons avoiding the patio.
Okay; for those of you who have been following the trials and tribulations of moving to Mexico, we finally got a response from our mover. Their truck had developed problems near Saltillo in an area with no cell phone coverage. Things should be fixed after the weekend. We now have an expected delivery date of Tuesday or Wednesday - nothing more definite than that.
I had whined about the extra cost we incurred boarding the dogs for several days of supposed deliveries, inconvenience to our housekeeper and man-of-all-trades, and a few other issues in our last email to the mover. I hate to do that, but the mover has offered to cover our extra costs. The problems are all things beyond his control so we'll not accept his offer, but it felt good to get it off my chest. I can only manage so much Mr. Nice Guy without getting what passed for humor in our family.
And in the meantime we'll be able to run those errands that were piling up, like picking up a couple of pierced tin light sconces, some items at the hardware store, some new closet door pulls from the shop on Reloj - oh, and groceries. We're out of practically everything. I think we could manage a cheese omelette with a dusting of minced cilantro, but that's about the extent of our larder this morning.
Well, it continues to rain, so it's time to cover up the computer/modem and it's back to mopping up a bit of rain water.
Showing posts with label more rain. Show all posts
Showing posts with label more rain. Show all posts
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Sixteen days and waiting
As it turned out the weather cleared, cabin fever set in, and we went out for dinner last night. Taxied to El Jardin in Centro. After making a stop at the mail place (our mail is couriered from a Texas address), dropped into La Fugata for a 2-for-1 happy hour margarita. Nice drinks, though I didn’t care for the tequila they used - but it didn‘t stop me from drinking my 2x1 second drink - lovely setting, but meals were priced a bit on the high side (for down here).
Many of the buildings in Centro were once Spanish Colonial homes. Rooms facing the street separated the outside world from the rest of the house built around a central courtyard. When the homes were converted to business buildings the central courtyards often became restaurants with their second- or third-story open ceilings glassed in. Spacious and grand. La Fugata is one of those.
So, of course, we ended up at La Azotea again! Didn’t sit at our usual table as we were earlier than usual and the ‘front’ tables were unoccupied. When it started to sprinkle and the staff wasn’t moving very quickly to extend the awning, we moved to the very front under the canopy and had a splendid view to the west. The view included the workmen laying brick on the roof of a house a bit lower on the hill who didn't let the drizzle stop their work.
There was some sort of PR team that arrived for the Film Festival that began last night. The commentator, cameraman, and producer sat in the lounge area near us and occasionally got up to shoot a bit. I think we may be in one of them. Hope I was sitting up straight and not slumping or my mother will be turning over in her grave!
After a quick shopping trip this morning under gray skies, the weather again turned rainy and it’s still raining at 5 pm. Our trip included tableware and a few pots and pans as we were running out of plastic picnic things and ideas for microwaveable meals.
Let us say at this point that the local stores – including the large ones such as Bodega Aurora, Mega, and Sorriano do not stock frozen meals or entrees. There is, in fact, very little frozen food on offer. We did find some frozen veggies and French fries today but that was about it. Refrigerators are small here with smaller freezers and I’m not sure that that many people shop on a weekly basis, but rather daily. What need for frozen food is there if you are used to freshly prepared meals each day?
We also ran into one of our B&B hosts at Mega. Hope to pick up the mirrors, lights, and things we got from his partner when we were in SMA back in May.
Wondering what to do for dinner. Had thought of visiting La Postidita, but the weather would need to change rapidly for another rooftop dining experience. They have no awnings except over the bar. We had hoped to see the opening night presentation of the 200th anniversary of the revolutions celebration (Son et Lumiere on the face of La Parrochia), but may opt for something homemade. Would you believe refrigerator-case pizza a la Mexicana? The usual cheese and sauce with chorizo and chilies. Spicy! Hoping the two Zantac will forestall the effects of the pizza on my innards.
Still a bit wet out. We’ve already returned the Netflick Avatar we watched earlier this week. Next CD should arrive Monday. It was really a great movie. The usual good folk vs. the evil corporate world, but the CGI was spectacular. And the cast included Sigourney Weaver, of course.
Many of the buildings in Centro were once Spanish Colonial homes. Rooms facing the street separated the outside world from the rest of the house built around a central courtyard. When the homes were converted to business buildings the central courtyards often became restaurants with their second- or third-story open ceilings glassed in. Spacious and grand. La Fugata is one of those.
So, of course, we ended up at La Azotea again! Didn’t sit at our usual table as we were earlier than usual and the ‘front’ tables were unoccupied. When it started to sprinkle and the staff wasn’t moving very quickly to extend the awning, we moved to the very front under the canopy and had a splendid view to the west. The view included the workmen laying brick on the roof of a house a bit lower on the hill who didn't let the drizzle stop their work.
There was some sort of PR team that arrived for the Film Festival that began last night. The commentator, cameraman, and producer sat in the lounge area near us and occasionally got up to shoot a bit. I think we may be in one of them. Hope I was sitting up straight and not slumping or my mother will be turning over in her grave!
After a quick shopping trip this morning under gray skies, the weather again turned rainy and it’s still raining at 5 pm. Our trip included tableware and a few pots and pans as we were running out of plastic picnic things and ideas for microwaveable meals.
Let us say at this point that the local stores – including the large ones such as Bodega Aurora, Mega, and Sorriano do not stock frozen meals or entrees. There is, in fact, very little frozen food on offer. We did find some frozen veggies and French fries today but that was about it. Refrigerators are small here with smaller freezers and I’m not sure that that many people shop on a weekly basis, but rather daily. What need for frozen food is there if you are used to freshly prepared meals each day?
We also ran into one of our B&B hosts at Mega. Hope to pick up the mirrors, lights, and things we got from his partner when we were in SMA back in May.
Wondering what to do for dinner. Had thought of visiting La Postidita, but the weather would need to change rapidly for another rooftop dining experience. They have no awnings except over the bar. We had hoped to see the opening night presentation of the 200th anniversary of the revolutions celebration (Son et Lumiere on the face of La Parrochia), but may opt for something homemade. Would you believe refrigerator-case pizza a la Mexicana? The usual cheese and sauce with chorizo and chilies. Spicy! Hoping the two Zantac will forestall the effects of the pizza on my innards.
Still a bit wet out. We’ve already returned the Netflick Avatar we watched earlier this week. Next CD should arrive Monday. It was really a great movie. The usual good folk vs. the evil corporate world, but the CGI was spectacular. And the cast included Sigourney Weaver, of course.
Friday, July 23, 2010
Rain
Sitting here in the third floor studio on what passes as our bed (an inflatable mattress with a set of sheets and our newest acquisition: a down alternative comforter purchased at Costco yesterday. It’s Heaven! Warm, light, and fully covers the bed (my backside, too).
But back to today. It’s raining this morning. Not a hard rain, more of a concerted drizzle, but we’re all (Michael, Coca, Miyake, Fiyero, Chiquitita & I) snuggled in bed beneath or on top of the comforter sniffling with colds and watching a movie on the USA Channel. Buttered toast prepared on our borrowed Panini machine and a nap (for medicinal purposes, of course).
LATER
It’s now post-lunch (and post-nap) and another fabulous repast courtesy of the borrowed Panini press. Still raining, though a bit more steadily. So much for the ‘It only rains briefly once a day during the summer months.’ The door from the roof terrace into the studio is leaking a bit but not nearly as much as earlier this week when we had to dry out the bed sheets from the puddle of rain water. We’re using a couple of ‘snakes’ we found on the second floor terrace to persuade the rain water to go elsewhere (towards the drain, we hope). When we next have Pedro we’ll have to have him build up a lip at that doorway. If the lip extends under the flange at the bottom of the French doors I believe that we’ll lick that problem.
The rain has put a crimp in our plans to head out to Bodega Aurora for some necessities. We usually walk there and cab back home. If it’s still raining we’ll drive to and from the store. At least on the weekend work on the glorietta comes to a halt and traffic moves better.
But back to today. It’s raining this morning. Not a hard rain, more of a concerted drizzle, but we’re all (Michael, Coca, Miyake, Fiyero, Chiquitita & I) snuggled in bed beneath or on top of the comforter sniffling with colds and watching a movie on the USA Channel. Buttered toast prepared on our borrowed Panini machine and a nap (for medicinal purposes, of course).
LATER
It’s now post-lunch (and post-nap) and another fabulous repast courtesy of the borrowed Panini press. Still raining, though a bit more steadily. So much for the ‘It only rains briefly once a day during the summer months.’ The door from the roof terrace into the studio is leaking a bit but not nearly as much as earlier this week when we had to dry out the bed sheets from the puddle of rain water. We’re using a couple of ‘snakes’ we found on the second floor terrace to persuade the rain water to go elsewhere (towards the drain, we hope). When we next have Pedro we’ll have to have him build up a lip at that doorway. If the lip extends under the flange at the bottom of the French doors I believe that we’ll lick that problem.
The rain has put a crimp in our plans to head out to Bodega Aurora for some necessities. We usually walk there and cab back home. If it’s still raining we’ll drive to and from the store. At least on the weekend work on the glorietta comes to a halt and traffic moves better.
Thursday, July 22, 2010
More rain
Sitting in the studio on the third floor watching it rain. Nothing too tremendous today but lots of thunder! Always a favorite of mine since a kid in the mid-west. The number of times my mother came into our bedroom to find me propping my chin on the sill of an open window during an electrical storm...
Unlike yesterday when it rained on-and-off for most of the afternoon, the rain held off until we had returned from Celaya and deposited our friends at their home. I really like the rain: it freshens the air and makes one feel all cozy (assuming one is inside at the time). Yesterday’s rain poured down every time we left the trolley and headed into a home on the house tour. The lead realtor predicted the end of the rain every time we re-boarded the trolley and was wrong each and every time.
Our trip to Celaya was great: Wal-Mart, a pet supply store, Home Depot, and Costco. We knew that labor in Mexico is less expensive, but had heard that manufactured goods are not. How true! The replacement curtain rods (simple wooden poles) would have run $70+ per window. We may need to visit Home Depot’s lumber area and do the staining ourselves. ‘Replacement rods’ because it’s Mexico, where if you bought it, it’s yours to take with you when you leave your rented digs. Doesn’t matter whether it’s something that’s attached to the walls or not, as in California. So it’s not unusual to walk into a house/apartment and find no light fixtures, no towel rods, no bathroom mirrors, no curtains, no nuttin’! Just hope that, if we ever move, the things we’re adding will go with the new house. Or we just leave them behind for the next tenant.
After finishing our shopping at Costco we stopped at their food court and had hot dogs with condiments of the usual mustard, ketchup, and onions with the addition of mayonnaise and jalapeno peppers. Would you believe the customers even use ketchup and mayonnaise on their baked chicken wraps?!? Really.
Anyway, although it wasn’t Hebrew National franks (Mexico remembers the mad cow disease scare) they were quite tasty – nearly as good as the Polish sausages Costco sells in the states. And there was a constant line of folks who knew our friends stopping by our table and saying hello and being introduced to us. Our friends said once they met 5 different folks in Costco whom they knew. Only two stopped by our table today; we were introduced and chatted for a while to each. If we hang around our friends long enough, we’ll have met everyone who is anyone in SMA! (They were really nice people, too.)
Also, in explaining why we didn’t buy any food items at Costco [we have nothing but the small fridge and microwave that came with the house, some plastic plates and bowls, and plastic forks and spoons; hence we eat out a lot] they offered us the use of a toaster oven, Panini maker, and some Dijon (which I forgot to pick up). They are the same brands and models that are waiting to join us if the movers ever make it to SMA. We did buy a roasted chicken and some herb bread. Michael went to the local tienda after dinner and picked up some butter, I think, for the toast tomorrow morning.
On the moving front – it’s not moving. Received a photo today of the road between there and here – the road being engulfed with the river running next to it – with a promise that they would deliver things as soon as they could get through. Turns out that although some folks are able to cross at Laredo by car and make it to SMA, the bridge that commercial drivers must use is still somewhat out of commission and they must use the highway that’s under water. I’m really tired of being able to sit only in straight-backed chairs or on our inflatable mattress. Maybe we should go out for a drink tonight, too....
Unlike yesterday when it rained on-and-off for most of the afternoon, the rain held off until we had returned from Celaya and deposited our friends at their home. I really like the rain: it freshens the air and makes one feel all cozy (assuming one is inside at the time). Yesterday’s rain poured down every time we left the trolley and headed into a home on the house tour. The lead realtor predicted the end of the rain every time we re-boarded the trolley and was wrong each and every time.
Our trip to Celaya was great: Wal-Mart, a pet supply store, Home Depot, and Costco. We knew that labor in Mexico is less expensive, but had heard that manufactured goods are not. How true! The replacement curtain rods (simple wooden poles) would have run $70+ per window. We may need to visit Home Depot’s lumber area and do the staining ourselves. ‘Replacement rods’ because it’s Mexico, where if you bought it, it’s yours to take with you when you leave your rented digs. Doesn’t matter whether it’s something that’s attached to the walls or not, as in California. So it’s not unusual to walk into a house/apartment and find no light fixtures, no towel rods, no bathroom mirrors, no curtains, no nuttin’! Just hope that, if we ever move, the things we’re adding will go with the new house. Or we just leave them behind for the next tenant.
After finishing our shopping at Costco we stopped at their food court and had hot dogs with condiments of the usual mustard, ketchup, and onions with the addition of mayonnaise and jalapeno peppers. Would you believe the customers even use ketchup and mayonnaise on their baked chicken wraps?!? Really.
Anyway, although it wasn’t Hebrew National franks (Mexico remembers the mad cow disease scare) they were quite tasty – nearly as good as the Polish sausages Costco sells in the states. And there was a constant line of folks who knew our friends stopping by our table and saying hello and being introduced to us. Our friends said once they met 5 different folks in Costco whom they knew. Only two stopped by our table today; we were introduced and chatted for a while to each. If we hang around our friends long enough, we’ll have met everyone who is anyone in SMA! (They were really nice people, too.)
Also, in explaining why we didn’t buy any food items at Costco [we have nothing but the small fridge and microwave that came with the house, some plastic plates and bowls, and plastic forks and spoons; hence we eat out a lot] they offered us the use of a toaster oven, Panini maker, and some Dijon (which I forgot to pick up). They are the same brands and models that are waiting to join us if the movers ever make it to SMA. We did buy a roasted chicken and some herb bread. Michael went to the local tienda after dinner and picked up some butter, I think, for the toast tomorrow morning.
On the moving front – it’s not moving. Received a photo today of the road between there and here – the road being engulfed with the river running next to it – with a promise that they would deliver things as soon as they could get through. Turns out that although some folks are able to cross at Laredo by car and make it to SMA, the bridge that commercial drivers must use is still somewhat out of commission and they must use the highway that’s under water. I’m really tired of being able to sit only in straight-backed chairs or on our inflatable mattress. Maybe we should go out for a drink tonight, too....
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