At around 6:30AM I wandered down to the Old Geezers table at the Patio wondering what possible topic we could beat up today. But much to my surprised there was nobody there and I know that Swain is always first across the start line in the morning so I thought there must be reason. When I got to the patio I could see the reason: Bob #1 was going fishing and it incumbent for the onlookers to help launch his boat and retrieve the trailer. We do not have a boat launch, as you just launch the boat across the beach into the ocean and then retrieve the trailer by attaching a rope to the launch vehicle, normally a jeep.
You notice I said Bob #1 that's because there are 3 Bob's and the first one to arrive get the #1 name. There are also 2 Dave's and 2 George's and there was 2 Tom's but one has left.
Incidentally Bob #1 was "Skunked " 3 times so the fishing is not that good yet. Apparently it picks up in Feb.
We finally go a MX cell phone and it cost 200 P ( 20.00 )and that includes 100 Minutes. Our friend called so we could enter their number and neither one of us could answer because we did not know which button to push. There is no "green " telephone on the key pad.
I also needed to fill the car with gas so I went to the nearest Pemex for a fill up and I rec a free car wash, MX style; two guys using a power washer, with a bucket of soapy water and they dry it off.
We finished off the day by laying out trip plans for Feb. We forgot to bring our MX travel " Bible " so we hope to borrow one from friends who will not need theirs because they are going directly out to AZ. Actually " WE" did not forget our book; Carroll put it in the MX pile and I removed it to read about something and left on the coffee table. I told Carroll it is not her fault but I'm still blaming her. ha ha . cheers
Tuesday, 13 January 2015
Monday, 12 January 2015
Winter of 2015 in MX (Jan 7 and 8)
Jan 7: Don and Carol from Onanole , MB dropped into Rincon for a visit . When the were RVers ( they now live in Florida ) they spent many winter in Rincon and Lo de Marcos and that is were we met them about 8 years ago. I know you are saying : Where the hell is Onanole... ask Mr. Google but it is near Clear Lake, MB.
Anyhow, they decided to walk to La Penita, a town about 2 KM away and invited us to met them at a local "Watering Hole" called Himmes for lunch. They said they like to walk everyday but they did not realize the temperature was around 85 F. We met them at Himmes at Noon and they were beat.. in fact they looked like a wet rag before it was wrung out. I immediately ask if they would like a ride home and Don said I'm glad you ask because I was just going to ask for a ride.
Another couple , friends of Don and Carol also joined us . They are from Minden, ON so Now I had ask, where the hell is Minden, ON. After 3 tacos and a couple beer to quench our thirst we return to the park for a rest.
After Happy Hour , Don and Carol invited us and another couple to join them for supper which we accepted. After 2 meals and a few beers I was ready for bed. This is just another way to "Kill" a day in Rincon. cheers
Jan 8: It is not hard to surmise that this would be a slow day after yesterday. It was salon quite hot and since the ocean was a little rough we defaulted to our heated (82 F) pool for a few hours. Several members of the park also chose the pool over the ocean today.
After we had enough of the pool we decided to go shopping for Yogurt, as we like to make a smoothie for breakfast everyday. Most small store called OXXO ( our version would be 7/11 or as I call them the Bin Ladin store since they are all run by Muslums ) carry a large array of goods but then never have Yogurt with fruit, just the plain yogurt and I need fruit Yogurt . After checking several OXXO store, ( they are on every corner ) we gave up and decided to tour a small town on the water ,about 2 KM away. It does have a couple of RV parks but they did not have many customers. After driving up and down both streets we return to our abode and caught up on some reading. I have yet to finish one book so you can guess how busy we must be . Carroll hasn't even cracked a book yet as reading is not her strong suite. cheers
Anyhow, they decided to walk to La Penita, a town about 2 KM away and invited us to met them at a local "Watering Hole" called Himmes for lunch. They said they like to walk everyday but they did not realize the temperature was around 85 F. We met them at Himmes at Noon and they were beat.. in fact they looked like a wet rag before it was wrung out. I immediately ask if they would like a ride home and Don said I'm glad you ask because I was just going to ask for a ride.
Another couple , friends of Don and Carol also joined us . They are from Minden, ON so Now I had ask, where the hell is Minden, ON. After 3 tacos and a couple beer to quench our thirst we return to the park for a rest.
After Happy Hour , Don and Carol invited us and another couple to join them for supper which we accepted. After 2 meals and a few beers I was ready for bed. This is just another way to "Kill" a day in Rincon. cheers
Jan 8: It is not hard to surmise that this would be a slow day after yesterday. It was salon quite hot and since the ocean was a little rough we defaulted to our heated (82 F) pool for a few hours. Several members of the park also chose the pool over the ocean today.
After we had enough of the pool we decided to go shopping for Yogurt, as we like to make a smoothie for breakfast everyday. Most small store called OXXO ( our version would be 7/11 or as I call them the Bin Ladin store since they are all run by Muslums ) carry a large array of goods but then never have Yogurt with fruit, just the plain yogurt and I need fruit Yogurt . After checking several OXXO store, ( they are on every corner ) we gave up and decided to tour a small town on the water ,about 2 KM away. It does have a couple of RV parks but they did not have many customers. After driving up and down both streets we return to our abode and caught up on some reading. I have yet to finish one book so you can guess how busy we must be . Carroll hasn't even cracked a book yet as reading is not her strong suite. cheers
Winter of 2015 in MX ( Jan 6 ) Carroll's Birthday
The day started like every other day; I get up at 5 AM but Carroll stays in bed until 8 AM. It a "promise" she made to herself once she retired , unless there is a greater need.
Later today we are invited to a party at our friends, Bob and Linda at their park in Lo de Marco about 14 KM away. Lo De, as we all call it is a small town , but not touristy, on the beach and it has at least 6 RV parks. Bob and Linda are hosting a surprise party for Bob's sister who is visiting and has a Birthday, so since we know his two sisters we are invited. They don't know it is Carroll's B'day and we did not want to spoil the surprise by telling them until we get there.
I should mentioned that we met Bob and Linda in Playa del Carman about 8 years ago and it is nice that we still keep in contact.
Now to kill the day until the party starts at 5PM. I needed a haircut so I checked with a friend for a barber and then headed out to find the barber shop. Actually, they are hair Salons as I have never seen a male Barber shop in this town. When asked by my Barber at home , how I want my hair cut , I usually say " quickly and quietly" but since I don't speak Spanish I just say Medium even though I don't really know what the means.
Then I reminded Carroll that she was out of coffee so we ask friends where the local "Coffee Roaster" was located . I remember buying coffee from the roaster years ago but forgot the address, so to speak. There are no addresses in Guayabitos, there are just locations. The direction are; the Roaster is on the hwy, just passed the light , next to the Tire shop on the west side of the road and if you see the Pemex you have gone too far. AAh I said, now I remember; you can't there from here!!!! Well I found it even though Carroll advised me that I made an illegal left turn. So what.. I'm in MX. I bought a Kilo of coffee for 12.00 . We will like buy another Kilo before we leave here.
At 4:30 we headed to party and we got to met friends we had not seen in a while. The party was great and Bob and Linda made a great Fajita supper and the B'day cake was huge. It was at least 2 ft by 1 ft and 6 inches high. It was made by the cook at a local restaurant their cakes are moist and always very tasty. Suffice to say it was a great party but Linda and Bob always go all out when the host a party. We all appreciate the effort the put into the supper for all of us. Cheers
Later today we are invited to a party at our friends, Bob and Linda at their park in Lo de Marco about 14 KM away. Lo De, as we all call it is a small town , but not touristy, on the beach and it has at least 6 RV parks. Bob and Linda are hosting a surprise party for Bob's sister who is visiting and has a Birthday, so since we know his two sisters we are invited. They don't know it is Carroll's B'day and we did not want to spoil the surprise by telling them until we get there.
I should mentioned that we met Bob and Linda in Playa del Carman about 8 years ago and it is nice that we still keep in contact.
Now to kill the day until the party starts at 5PM. I needed a haircut so I checked with a friend for a barber and then headed out to find the barber shop. Actually, they are hair Salons as I have never seen a male Barber shop in this town. When asked by my Barber at home , how I want my hair cut , I usually say " quickly and quietly" but since I don't speak Spanish I just say Medium even though I don't really know what the means.
Then I reminded Carroll that she was out of coffee so we ask friends where the local "Coffee Roaster" was located . I remember buying coffee from the roaster years ago but forgot the address, so to speak. There are no addresses in Guayabitos, there are just locations. The direction are; the Roaster is on the hwy, just passed the light , next to the Tire shop on the west side of the road and if you see the Pemex you have gone too far. AAh I said, now I remember; you can't there from here!!!! Well I found it even though Carroll advised me that I made an illegal left turn. So what.. I'm in MX. I bought a Kilo of coffee for 12.00 . We will like buy another Kilo before we leave here.
At 4:30 we headed to party and we got to met friends we had not seen in a while. The party was great and Bob and Linda made a great Fajita supper and the B'day cake was huge. It was at least 2 ft by 1 ft and 6 inches high. It was made by the cook at a local restaurant their cakes are moist and always very tasty. Suffice to say it was a great party but Linda and Bob always go all out when the host a party. We all appreciate the effort the put into the supper for all of us. Cheers
Sunday, 11 January 2015
Visit to the doctor ( 2015 Jan 5 )
Carroll has had a terrible cough off and on for about 20 years and it usually last for months. She has visited many doctors starting in Ontario in the early 90's. She has even been seen by an Nose and Throat specialist but no doctor has helped and in fact most brush it off as a cough that will go away with an over the counter medicine.
Shortly after we got to Guayabitos a friend dropped in for a visit and ask Carroll about her cough which was real bad. Our friends ( Bob and Linda ) both had a medical problem shortly after the arrived. A friend told them to contact a clinic ( run by a nurse named Pamela Thompson ) in PV who would find them a doctor, which they did and their condition was solve quite quickly.
This is how it worked the system works; You call (email ) Pamela and explain your condition and she gets you an appoint with the Specialist and a Family doctor. On 31 Dec we email Pamela asking if she could help with Carroll's continuous coughing. Within an hour she replied asking several questions such as are you a smoker, is a wet or dry cough, are you congested, when did last see a doctor, when was your last chest x-ray etc. Of course we replied immediately and she advised us the she would get a doctor shortly in the new Year.. On 2 Jan she replied that we had an appointment with a specialist at the hospital in PV at 1 PM on the 5 Jan. Now that is service. By the way, this service is free and we have never met Pamela.
Today we visit the doctor. We arrived at the hospital 15 mins early and was directed to the Admission desk where Carroll was told that the doctor would see her shortly, which happened. The doctor ask the proverbial first meeting but in depth questions, including when she had a chest x-ray. This took about 1/2 an hour. He then sent Carroll for an x-ray and Carroll was second in line. Once the x-ray was taken they give it to you after you pay the 450 P, about 40.00 Cdn, and then you return to the doctors office for further consultation. He explain the x-ray in depth and pointed out that Carroll's right lung has reduced in size which is probably the reason she is always short of breath. He then did a physical check on her chest and stomach. He then gave Carroll a prescription for 3 medicines which should clear her cough in about 4 weeks. He also sold Carroll a breathing Instrument to expand her lung. He also suggested 3 other potential causes, along with the shortage of breath that could lead to her continuous cough.
Now for the out of pocket cost, as we did not call our insurance company. X-ray 450 P, Breathing Instrument 240 P, and the doctors fee 440 P. That is about 100.00 Cdn. It's hard to believe that not one doctor Medicine Hat did not considered Carroll's cough serious enough to send her to a Specialist.
The appointment took about 1 1/2 hours so that left us time to visit "Costco"
because you can't go to PV without going to Costco. It seems to be a "Right of Passage " Cheers
t
Shortly after we got to Guayabitos a friend dropped in for a visit and ask Carroll about her cough which was real bad. Our friends ( Bob and Linda ) both had a medical problem shortly after the arrived. A friend told them to contact a clinic ( run by a nurse named Pamela Thompson ) in PV who would find them a doctor, which they did and their condition was solve quite quickly.
This is how it worked the system works; You call (email ) Pamela and explain your condition and she gets you an appoint with the Specialist and a Family doctor. On 31 Dec we email Pamela asking if she could help with Carroll's continuous coughing. Within an hour she replied asking several questions such as are you a smoker, is a wet or dry cough, are you congested, when did last see a doctor, when was your last chest x-ray etc. Of course we replied immediately and she advised us the she would get a doctor shortly in the new Year.. On 2 Jan she replied that we had an appointment with a specialist at the hospital in PV at 1 PM on the 5 Jan. Now that is service. By the way, this service is free and we have never met Pamela.
Today we visit the doctor. We arrived at the hospital 15 mins early and was directed to the Admission desk where Carroll was told that the doctor would see her shortly, which happened. The doctor ask the proverbial first meeting but in depth questions, including when she had a chest x-ray. This took about 1/2 an hour. He then sent Carroll for an x-ray and Carroll was second in line. Once the x-ray was taken they give it to you after you pay the 450 P, about 40.00 Cdn, and then you return to the doctors office for further consultation. He explain the x-ray in depth and pointed out that Carroll's right lung has reduced in size which is probably the reason she is always short of breath. He then did a physical check on her chest and stomach. He then gave Carroll a prescription for 3 medicines which should clear her cough in about 4 weeks. He also sold Carroll a breathing Instrument to expand her lung. He also suggested 3 other potential causes, along with the shortage of breath that could lead to her continuous cough.
Now for the out of pocket cost, as we did not call our insurance company. X-ray 450 P, Breathing Instrument 240 P, and the doctors fee 440 P. That is about 100.00 Cdn. It's hard to believe that not one doctor Medicine Hat did not considered Carroll's cough serious enough to send her to a Specialist.
The appointment took about 1 1/2 hours so that left us time to visit "Costco"
because you can't go to PV without going to Costco. It seems to be a "Right of Passage " Cheers
t
Saturday, 10 January 2015
Winter in MX ( Jan 4 )
Same old start to the day. I grab my cup of tea and report to the "old Gezzers " table, ready for the debate on any subject. One particular guy ( Swain ) is usually first at the table and he always wipes off the plastic chairs for the rest of us, as the humidity is extremely high causing heavy dew. Swain was a Boiler maker and a Pipe Fitter and he spent many years constructing Heating Plants in many countries around the world so he has many stories to tell.
After breakfast, while having our Tea and Coffee on our patio our friends ( Ken and Mirim from another RV park) who traveled down with us dropped in for a chat since they were in town shopping. We were also trying to schedule a dinner date , however it hard to believe that, two couples on vacation are so busy that can't schedule a dinner date but that's life in MX.
The festive season in this area is slowing down as the Mexicans are starting to head home so with some room on the beach we decided to spending a few hours toning up our Tan. Also the ocean is calm today so we will take advance and go for a dip. Carroll does not like the breakers.
Later in the day some friends invited us to go for a Pizza for supper. We accepted the offer as it does take much of an offer to get us to go out to supper. Besides , it was our first Pizza in MX and we definitely have to taste the Mexican food. ha ha. And that is how our first Sunday in 2015 went. cheers
After breakfast, while having our Tea and Coffee on our patio our friends ( Ken and Mirim from another RV park) who traveled down with us dropped in for a chat since they were in town shopping. We were also trying to schedule a dinner date , however it hard to believe that, two couples on vacation are so busy that can't schedule a dinner date but that's life in MX.
The festive season in this area is slowing down as the Mexicans are starting to head home so with some room on the beach we decided to spending a few hours toning up our Tan. Also the ocean is calm today so we will take advance and go for a dip. Carroll does not like the breakers.
Later in the day some friends invited us to go for a Pizza for supper. We accepted the offer as it does take much of an offer to get us to go out to supper. Besides , it was our first Pizza in MX and we definitely have to taste the Mexican food. ha ha. And that is how our first Sunday in 2015 went. cheers
Friday, 9 January 2015
Winter in MX 2015 ( Jan 2 and 3 )
I USUALLY MAKE A NOTE ON THE CALANDER, for my blog, SO I CAN JOG MY MEMORY AS TO WHAT I DID ON EACH DAY, but there is no notes for today. I'm sure that I attended the "Old Gezzers " round table discussion as it is pretty routine and we normally attended the Happy hour at 5 at 5 PM but other than that I'm drawing a blank as to what activities took place during the day. So I will stop boring you for the 2 Jan....
Jan 3 was a very active day as the painter came to finish sanding and to paint the 2 cargo doors. As I mentioned earlier the neighbors were not happy with the paint smell but as I said we did cocoon the area. It took most of the day to prepare the final finish to paint and then each coat had to dry. So the job was not completed until early afternoon.
When I went to pay the mechanic the price went from 550.00 P to 580.00P and I said what for... he said for the paint. Then I did recall that all their estimates are for labour only and they usually ask for money to buy the paint in advance. This is normal practice in small town MX.
In conclusion, I'm tickled pink with the finished product. So it was agood day. cheers
Jan 3 was a very active day as the painter came to finish sanding and to paint the 2 cargo doors. As I mentioned earlier the neighbors were not happy with the paint smell but as I said we did cocoon the area. It took most of the day to prepare the final finish to paint and then each coat had to dry. So the job was not completed until early afternoon.
When I went to pay the mechanic the price went from 550.00 P to 580.00P and I said what for... he said for the paint. Then I did recall that all their estimates are for labour only and they usually ask for money to buy the paint in advance. This is normal practice in small town MX.
In conclusion, I'm tickled pink with the finished product. So it was agood day. cheers
New Years Day, 2015 in MX ( Jan 1)
Jan 1 is normally a Statuary holiday or ( a day of Recovery ) for us in North America but not so for MX. However, in MX it looks more like a normal work day as most businesses are open. Let me start from the first of my story.
When we purchased the MH, two of the cargo doors were scratched along the bottom and I always intended to get an estimated in Canada but never got around to it. When we decide to winter in MX I thought I might get it done down here. While visiting our friends in the RV park ,next to us I seen a guy painting a boat so I inquired if he did vehicles. My friend said that he was highly recommended and in fact he was having his front bumper repainted. I ask, thru an interpreter , if the MX body Mechanic would give me an estimate. He immediately followed me home and give me an estimated of 550 P ( about 50.00 ). I'm thinking, is he serious, 50 bucks so I said how soon can you start, thru the interpreter he said Wed and after he left I started thinking , what Wed???, because Wed is New years Eve. On Wed he came and ask for the door handle so he could match the paint. In MX they don't use paint codes, they match it perfectly. On Thursday, Jan 1 his helper shows up to sand and prepare the 2 doors. Several hours later the Mechanic showed up to check on his worker so I ask when he was going to paint the doors. He said something so I replied with " Mahayana" and he made a faces as if to say , not likely, so I let it go because he will not be paid until it is completed.
I should mentioned that I ask permission from the manager to paint the doors and he answered with yes, IF your neighbor doesn't mind. I ask the neighbor, who is 2 spaces away and he said I guess so but his wife was not so accommodating but did not say no.
On Sat they returned to paint the doors, however there was a slight wind and of course the paint smell drifted to the not so accommodating neighbors and they were not happy and they said so. They closed up their trailer and went to the beach.
So, to stop the drifting paint smell I got a huge tarp from the Park and sort of cocooned the area and that help to prevent the smell from drifting.
The neighbors are now talking to me.
However, the paint job is perfect and several guys in the park who I have named " The Inspectors " where impressed and one guys is now getting his MH painted.
Now for part Two; While my car was parked at one of the small towns during the festive season, where parking is "haphazard" at best , I got side swiped with 3 good dings in the passage side so I ask the Mechanic for a written estimate from the mechanic and he gave me a estimated of 5500.00 P ( 550.00 Cdn ). This includes painting the whole passage side from the window level down. Can you imagine what that would cost in Canada. I believe he will start it Monday but I insist it be done at his shop, which he wants to do anyway.
I dropped in to see how my friends car bumper turned out and it was a perfect match so this guy is good.
I spend the rest of the day watching WJHC and we were invited to our friends for Supper. While there we met another couple ( Garry and Val )who were ex-military and served in Shilo before us but we knew many of the same people, which dominated the conversation.
Now , Garry is getting some work done on his car. I'm not sure how I got to the front of the line as both Tom and Garry where suppose to be done before my MH. That's Mexico. cheers
When we purchased the MH, two of the cargo doors were scratched along the bottom and I always intended to get an estimated in Canada but never got around to it. When we decide to winter in MX I thought I might get it done down here. While visiting our friends in the RV park ,next to us I seen a guy painting a boat so I inquired if he did vehicles. My friend said that he was highly recommended and in fact he was having his front bumper repainted. I ask, thru an interpreter , if the MX body Mechanic would give me an estimate. He immediately followed me home and give me an estimated of 550 P ( about 50.00 ). I'm thinking, is he serious, 50 bucks so I said how soon can you start, thru the interpreter he said Wed and after he left I started thinking , what Wed???, because Wed is New years Eve. On Wed he came and ask for the door handle so he could match the paint. In MX they don't use paint codes, they match it perfectly. On Thursday, Jan 1 his helper shows up to sand and prepare the 2 doors. Several hours later the Mechanic showed up to check on his worker so I ask when he was going to paint the doors. He said something so I replied with " Mahayana" and he made a faces as if to say , not likely, so I let it go because he will not be paid until it is completed.
I should mentioned that I ask permission from the manager to paint the doors and he answered with yes, IF your neighbor doesn't mind. I ask the neighbor, who is 2 spaces away and he said I guess so but his wife was not so accommodating but did not say no.
On Sat they returned to paint the doors, however there was a slight wind and of course the paint smell drifted to the not so accommodating neighbors and they were not happy and they said so. They closed up their trailer and went to the beach.
So, to stop the drifting paint smell I got a huge tarp from the Park and sort of cocooned the area and that help to prevent the smell from drifting.
The neighbors are now talking to me.
However, the paint job is perfect and several guys in the park who I have named " The Inspectors " where impressed and one guys is now getting his MH painted.
Now for part Two; While my car was parked at one of the small towns during the festive season, where parking is "haphazard" at best , I got side swiped with 3 good dings in the passage side so I ask the Mechanic for a written estimate from the mechanic and he gave me a estimated of 5500.00 P ( 550.00 Cdn ). This includes painting the whole passage side from the window level down. Can you imagine what that would cost in Canada. I believe he will start it Monday but I insist it be done at his shop, which he wants to do anyway.
I dropped in to see how my friends car bumper turned out and it was a perfect match so this guy is good.
I spend the rest of the day watching WJHC and we were invited to our friends for Supper. While there we met another couple ( Garry and Val )who were ex-military and served in Shilo before us but we knew many of the same people, which dominated the conversation.
Now , Garry is getting some work done on his car. I'm not sure how I got to the front of the line as both Tom and Garry where suppose to be done before my MH. That's Mexico. cheers
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