We went to Lo de Marcos to pick up Carroll's ear rings however we had previously made arrangements to have lunch on Saturday with two sets of friends (Millers and Gills are mutual friends ) so it was two birds with one stone. The Millers have been Lo de Marcos since late Oct but the Gills had just arrived earlier this week and we had not seen them for a few years as they live in Kelowna , BC so it was an ideal time to see both couples.
First we pick up Carroll's ear rings and they were much less expensive then she thought. " Bonus". Then we meet both friends at Gill's beach front condo and determined which restaurant would be open on Saturday. Restaurant in small towns do not necessarily have set hours and this became apparent as the first two where closed. I know you are probably thinking " why did you not phone ahead ". In small town MX where you don't speak clear Spanish that is a waste of time and probably would only be confusing to both parties. However, both couples have been coming to Lode Marcos for year so they know all the restaurants and we were third time lucky. We had a great lunch , swapped some travel stories and agreed to visit both couples this summer. cheers
Tuesday, 15 January 2019
Mx Trip # 43 Carroll's Ear rings are Ready ( Friday )
Carroll had a ring made 4 years ago by a jeweler in the small town of Lo de Marco and about 2 weeks ago she ask him to make a pair of ear rings to match. He wasn't sure he could make our deadline of this Saturday so she made arrangements for a friend from Med Hat to pick them up. However, on Friday evening we received an email saying the were ready for pickup on Saturday before 2 PM. That was great as we were going to LO de Marco to meet with friends.
Since we are leaving on Tuesday we had to pay the RV park for camping and we like to pay cash as they charge a small % for using a credit card so we attempted the bank machine that ate my card. A friend just happened to be ahead of me and he said that this particular machine was in English/Spanish so this time it was no problem. Incidentally it was Carroll's card as TD will not send me a new card until we stay at one address for 2 weeks which will not happen until we get to the US.
Since we are leaving on Tuesday, we had to get in some last minute beach time. The beach is not crowded anymore and the water is wonderful. Our beach is in a large bay so you can walk out about 200 ft before you even get your "Bingo Card" wet and the waves a normally very quiet. cheers
Since we are leaving on Tuesday we had to pay the RV park for camping and we like to pay cash as they charge a small % for using a credit card so we attempted the bank machine that ate my card. A friend just happened to be ahead of me and he said that this particular machine was in English/Spanish so this time it was no problem. Incidentally it was Carroll's card as TD will not send me a new card until we stay at one address for 2 weeks which will not happen until we get to the US.
Since we are leaving on Tuesday, we had to get in some last minute beach time. The beach is not crowded anymore and the water is wonderful. Our beach is in a large bay so you can walk out about 200 ft before you even get your "Bingo Card" wet and the waves a normally very quiet. cheers
Sunday, 13 January 2019
MX Trip #42 Medical Emergency ( Thursday )
Before I go any further I must tell about Bob. He is the "Go to Guy" in the park. Bob is an American and has been coming to this park for around 20 years. He was a commercial pilot before his retirement and now is a fisherman, a mechanic, the resident weather man, the translator, and if you need a welder like I did for my bent Tow Bar he will take you there and translate for you. And as I found out the other day, he also is a Medic and knows a local doctor if you have an emergency.
Around 3 AM Carroll was awoke when she heard someone pounding on Bob's door hollering Bob , Bob I need help. What we found out later was that a man in the condo's in our park had gone into shock due to, what appeared to be a mix up in his Insulin medicine, hence he was sweating and not coherent.
Once Bob seen the man he knew that he had to get something with sugar into his system fast so he returned to his RV , grabbed a jug of orange juice and got him to quickly drink 2 glasses. Then he called a doctor friend located in our town who arrived in 10 minutes. Before the doctor arrived, Bob got the man to drink a 3 rd glass of orange juice and did a blood sugar test and determine that his count was satisfactory and the emergency was over. The doctor checked the patient and said there was no need to visit the hospital. The doctor charge 50.00 for the house call.
As I said before Bob is definitely the go to guy and most of the residence have requested his knowledge, ability and know how.
Carroll completed her day by attending Augazizes and then had a Pedicure. I did nothing today. cheers
Friday, 11 January 2019
MX Trip # 41 Called the Vehicle Insurance ( Wednesday )
I'll deal with the Insurance later. The first item of the day was to visit friends ( Freeman and Phyllis ) who flew in Monday and we have not seen them for several years. We met them in Guayabitos at this park in 2002 and we did a trip around MX with them in 2003 so of course we had lots to talk about each other trips/ happenings over the past few years. Since we are leaving on Tuesday we hope to get together for lunch before we leave.
After our visit, we went to La Pentia as both our watches stopped and it was driving Carroll crazy not knowing the time. We found a
Jewelry shop in town that we had visited 4 years ago as Carroll had bought a neckless there. I have a watch that clips to my belt loop and I ask the Jeweler if he could put a battery in it. As soon as he seen it he said he remembered putting a battery in it several years ago because he had never seen a watch that clip to a belt loop. I bought this watch at a flea market in Palm Springs 10 years ago and I can't find a Jeweler who has ever seen them.
After that, we went looking for hydraulic oil as the reservoir for my MH Jacks has a slow leak. Because they do not have a Truck or Bus repair shop in this area, there is very little need for hydraulic oil. I went to one shop and the guy serving me could not speak English so we both got out our iPhones. I would type my request in English and translate to Spanish. Then he would type the response on his iPhone. I'm sure this must have looked funny to the other who were watching us. Suffice to say I did not get my oil. However, when I mentioned my need for hydraulic oil to a friend who farms in Grande Prairie he said that I could use transmission oil in lieu so I can pick that up at a Pemex station.
We I went to a Pemex to gas up the car, they had run out of the standard gas. I thought this was odd so I ask someone at the camp what was the cause of the lack of gas. Apparently, lots of the gasoline is moved by pipelines and thieves are taping into the pipeline and selling the gas on the black market. So the pipelines have been shut down and gasoline is now being moved by trucks and suffice to say they can not keep up with the demand hence very limited gas in our area. I need to fill the MH on Tuesday when we pull out so I hope they have fuel by then.
Now for the Insurance story: My grey water tank has a leak/crack which I believe was caused by the bump I hit in Hermosillo and also was the cause of bending my tow bar. Anyhow, I called the MX Insurance company and they sent an adjuster. When I purchased my MX Insurance I chose to have all repairs done in the US or Canada and not in MX so my premium was slightly higher. The adjuster advised me to get an estimate when I get to the US and if it exceeds the 1000.00 deductible they will pay the difference. cheers
After our visit, we went to La Pentia as both our watches stopped and it was driving Carroll crazy not knowing the time. We found a
Jewelry shop in town that we had visited 4 years ago as Carroll had bought a neckless there. I have a watch that clips to my belt loop and I ask the Jeweler if he could put a battery in it. As soon as he seen it he said he remembered putting a battery in it several years ago because he had never seen a watch that clip to a belt loop. I bought this watch at a flea market in Palm Springs 10 years ago and I can't find a Jeweler who has ever seen them.
After that, we went looking for hydraulic oil as the reservoir for my MH Jacks has a slow leak. Because they do not have a Truck or Bus repair shop in this area, there is very little need for hydraulic oil. I went to one shop and the guy serving me could not speak English so we both got out our iPhones. I would type my request in English and translate to Spanish. Then he would type the response on his iPhone. I'm sure this must have looked funny to the other who were watching us. Suffice to say I did not get my oil. However, when I mentioned my need for hydraulic oil to a friend who farms in Grande Prairie he said that I could use transmission oil in lieu so I can pick that up at a Pemex station.
We I went to a Pemex to gas up the car, they had run out of the standard gas. I thought this was odd so I ask someone at the camp what was the cause of the lack of gas. Apparently, lots of the gasoline is moved by pipelines and thieves are taping into the pipeline and selling the gas on the black market. So the pipelines have been shut down and gasoline is now being moved by trucks and suffice to say they can not keep up with the demand hence very limited gas in our area. I need to fill the MH on Tuesday when we pull out so I hope they have fuel by then.
Now for the Insurance story: My grey water tank has a leak/crack which I believe was caused by the bump I hit in Hermosillo and also was the cause of bending my tow bar. Anyhow, I called the MX Insurance company and they sent an adjuster. When I purchased my MX Insurance I chose to have all repairs done in the US or Canada and not in MX so my premium was slightly higher. The adjuster advised me to get an estimate when I get to the US and if it exceeds the 1000.00 deductible they will pay the difference. cheers
Thursday, 10 January 2019
MX Trip # 40 ( Fresh Ground Coffee ) Tuesday
There is a small coffee shop in La Penita , a town about 2 km away which is attached to Guayabitos. Besides being a coffee/ muffin shop, they actually roasts and grinds coffee to your preference. It is amazing at how many people buy their fresh ground coffee at the this outlet. This place has been in business ever since we first came here in 2001 and it is obvious that the make great coffee which is grown right in the area. They sell coffee in 1/4 , 1/2 or 1 Kilo and have 3 different grinds. We purchased 1/2 a kilo and 1 Kilo package which should last Carroll for the winter.
This was not a busy day but the weather was great so we hit the pool where we swapped travel stories with other residents. Cheers
This was not a busy day but the weather was great so we hit the pool where we swapped travel stories with other residents. Cheers
Tuesday, 8 January 2019
MX Trip # 39 ( Monday ) Pick up friends at the Airport
We have 3 thing on our plate for today, visit the ATM to get to get money , grocery shop at the Mega on the way to PV and pickup a couple at the PV Airport.
Because I lost my card to the ATM in La Penita we decided to stop in Busaria ( on the way to PV ) because the HSBC is the bank of choice for most RVers in our park. When we got to the ATM there was a Cdn from NB ahead of us and a couple from BC behind us and they have never had a problem. Of course we only have Carroll's card and we do not want to lose it. Carroll mention that we had a problem so the guy from NB says it in English and is similar to the ones in Canada so there is no problem. Carroll enter her card and followed the prompts ; no money, So she tried again; no money. The guy from NB say let me do it for you: still no money. The GD machine ran out of money. The couple from BC were at the other ATM so they said this one has money and we will stay here to help if needed. Carroll entered her card and followed the prompts and at last money. We withdrew the maximum and since we were on a roll we withdrew the maximum a second time.
Now to the Mega ( much like a WalMart ) to do the grocery shopping. We spent about an hour shopping, stopped at a pizza shop to grab lunch and then headed to the Aero Puerto. What a mass of humanity. Apparently 18 planes, full of tourist landed in a 2 hour period. and to make sure you are not comfortable there are NO seating in the Departure or Arrival area, however there are 2 bars in the area. Go figure!!
To get out of the paid parking area you pay for the parking in the departure area and the machine at the exit gate reads your ticket. However the machine would not read my ticket so I bused the Help button but I could not hear or understand the voice. Finally I realized the ticket was upside down even thought the picture showed it the other way. Cheers
Because I lost my card to the ATM in La Penita we decided to stop in Busaria ( on the way to PV ) because the HSBC is the bank of choice for most RVers in our park. When we got to the ATM there was a Cdn from NB ahead of us and a couple from BC behind us and they have never had a problem. Of course we only have Carroll's card and we do not want to lose it. Carroll mention that we had a problem so the guy from NB says it in English and is similar to the ones in Canada so there is no problem. Carroll enter her card and followed the prompts ; no money, So she tried again; no money. The guy from NB say let me do it for you: still no money. The GD machine ran out of money. The couple from BC were at the other ATM so they said this one has money and we will stay here to help if needed. Carroll entered her card and followed the prompts and at last money. We withdrew the maximum and since we were on a roll we withdrew the maximum a second time.
Now to the Mega ( much like a WalMart ) to do the grocery shopping. We spent about an hour shopping, stopped at a pizza shop to grab lunch and then headed to the Aero Puerto. What a mass of humanity. Apparently 18 planes, full of tourist landed in a 2 hour period. and to make sure you are not comfortable there are NO seating in the Departure or Arrival area, however there are 2 bars in the area. Go figure!!
To get out of the paid parking area you pay for the parking in the departure area and the machine at the exit gate reads your ticket. However the machine would not read my ticket so I bused the Help button but I could not hear or understand the voice. Finally I realized the ticket was upside down even thought the picture showed it the other way. Cheers
MX # 38 Carroll's Birthday ( Sunday )
Our friends, Dave and Joanne from Vancouver are world travelers and are always looking for other places and countries to find adventures. They are well aware of our trip to South Africa ( SA ) and we continue to say that is was our best trip ever. So they brought maps of SA with them and ask us to advise them on what to do and see in SA as they are very interest in making this trip.
So D and J invited us for breakfast on Sunday and then we would retrace our trip on their maps and point out the highlight. Not everyone has the same interest but by listen about our trip and then comparing it with other friends who did a 33 day Fantasy Caravan Tour then can get a good picture of what to see in SA. They are looking at a 2 month MH trip which we think is the minimum time to see SA. We also strongly recommended a 3 day trip to see the Victoria Falls which is on the Zambezi river and borders Zambia and Zimbabwe and is one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. D and J now seem more interested then ever to visit SA.
Most of the Mexican tourist have returned home so there is lots of room on the beach in front of our Park. So we hit the beach along with a few friends and the water was great as it must have been in the 70's and the waves were slightly rolling. Sitting on the beach with a beer and a book is a great way to spend the day.
Since it was Carroll's birthday, we along with 2 other couples went to a Italian restaurant for Pasta supper and of course Carroll ordered Chicken Marsala Cheers
So D and J invited us for breakfast on Sunday and then we would retrace our trip on their maps and point out the highlight. Not everyone has the same interest but by listen about our trip and then comparing it with other friends who did a 33 day Fantasy Caravan Tour then can get a good picture of what to see in SA. They are looking at a 2 month MH trip which we think is the minimum time to see SA. We also strongly recommended a 3 day trip to see the Victoria Falls which is on the Zambezi river and borders Zambia and Zimbabwe and is one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. D and J now seem more interested then ever to visit SA.
Most of the Mexican tourist have returned home so there is lots of room on the beach in front of our Park. So we hit the beach along with a few friends and the water was great as it must have been in the 70's and the waves were slightly rolling. Sitting on the beach with a beer and a book is a great way to spend the day.
Since it was Carroll's birthday, we along with 2 other couples went to a Italian restaurant for Pasta supper and of course Carroll ordered Chicken Marsala Cheers
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