This was one of those day where you just seem to walk there the day. Of course we hit the hot pools first but the one pool had a zillion kids in it so we took one with less activity. A large crowd was expected because it is the weekend and the pools are always full. They have a real good Splash Park which has two large tubs that dump water on the kids and some old folks too. These tubs hold 1000 L and 5000 L ( 1300 gals ) and they have to have a spreader to spray the water or I'm sure without it; it would be dangerous. We have never seen tubs that large.
We did skip into town for a few items and to check on the fuel situation. A tanker was off loading in one Pemex. However I did a lot of reading as I found a Arthur Hailey book that I had not read.
We finished the day with a happy hour with 2 couples. Fred and Donna are leaving on Monday so we re-hashed their trip by suggesting which way they should go and which roads to avoid. Fuel is not a problem for them as they have a diesel truck. Cheers
Tuesday, 29 January 2019
Monday, 28 January 2019
MX Trip # 57 Lazy Day ( Friday )
Some days there is just much to do so I today is one of those "what can I do today " days. The first thing is to hit the hot pools for an hour.
Well, we have been bragging about the Blueberries and other fruit so after we hit the hot pools in the morning we decide to go into town which is several blocks from the park and do some shopping.
We have to drive by 2 Pemex gas station on the way to town so we always check if they are open. The first station was not open but the next one had about 6 cars in line and since I was down a 1/4 tank from our trip yesterday I filled up. The latest rumor is that it will take a month or more before they get the gas supply fixed. I'm not so sure.
Then I dropped Carroll off at the fruit stand , because there is never any dam parking and I had to circle the block looking for a space. We agreed to meet at the grocery store after she picked up the Blueberries and Raspberries. After picking up a few groceries we drove around the town just to see what they had for other business. It is not much.
One of the park residences are a couple from Columbus Ohio ( Bill and Carolyn ) and they are not Trump fans. Bill has been trying to set up his satellite with no success so I ventured over to see if I could help. We discussed satellites but I was not much help. However he showed me how to use the satellite direction finder on my iPhone so now I am somewhat smarter. cheers
Saturday, 26 January 2019
MX Trip # 56 Visit two towns ( Thursday )
We heard about two towns within an hour and half drive so we decided to pay them a visit. The first town which is Zacoalco and it is a small but busily industrial town and is known for making furniture such as chairs, table and sofas. This a cottage industry town so there are many small shops. We stopped at one furniture shop to investigate , not to buy. The chair frames where already built but we did see them upholstering a chair and they were using pig skin. It follows that they must have lots of pigs in the area but our lack of Spanish doesn't allow us to ask many questions.
While driving into town we went by the Town Square ( Zocola ) and it was market day so we just had to check it out. The market was mostly meat vendors but there were many other vendors along the street so Carroll had to check out the shoes. As she was trying on Crocs and having trouble with the language a gentleman happened along and could see the problem so he stopped to help. He said he was originally from the town and was home for a visit as he has been working in Portland, OR for 20 years hence the reason he speaks English.
Then we headed to the town of Sayula and they are noted for manufacturing knife. As we entered town/city I noted that the main street was paved, 4 lanes with a boulevard. That in itself is not a normal town so I realized it must be highly industrial. As we entered the town to the town square it was obvious that is was middle class town. All streets were paved , there were many one way streets and for the most part people drove the right way down a one way street. That may be because there was several police driving around the city which is not normal in small towns or cities.
Our interest in this city was to go to a knife factory to see the knives being made. We did not have an address so we approached the local taxi who were waiting for a fair at the town square. The taxi's are the 3 wheel motorize cart, much like a 3 wheel motor cycle which has room for 2 people and the driver. The driver took us directly to the factory/store. Unfortunately the factory was closed but the store was open so we were shown around by a young lady. Once again no English but we did see the thousands of knives on display and they are not cheap. We did purchases a knife with a 6 inch blade for 42.00 Cdn.
We had lunch and return to our camp site.
While driving into town we went by the Town Square ( Zocola ) and it was market day so we just had to check it out. The market was mostly meat vendors but there were many other vendors along the street so Carroll had to check out the shoes. As she was trying on Crocs and having trouble with the language a gentleman happened along and could see the problem so he stopped to help. He said he was originally from the town and was home for a visit as he has been working in Portland, OR for 20 years hence the reason he speaks English.
Then we headed to the town of Sayula and they are noted for manufacturing knife. As we entered town/city I noted that the main street was paved, 4 lanes with a boulevard. That in itself is not a normal town so I realized it must be highly industrial. As we entered the town to the town square it was obvious that is was middle class town. All streets were paved , there were many one way streets and for the most part people drove the right way down a one way street. That may be because there was several police driving around the city which is not normal in small towns or cities.
Our interest in this city was to go to a knife factory to see the knives being made. We did not have an address so we approached the local taxi who were waiting for a fair at the town square. The taxi's are the 3 wheel motorize cart, much like a 3 wheel motor cycle which has room for 2 people and the driver. The driver took us directly to the factory/store. Unfortunately the factory was closed but the store was open so we were shown around by a young lady. Once again no English but we did see the thousands of knives on display and they are not cheap. We did purchases a knife with a 6 inch blade for 42.00 Cdn.
We had lunch and return to our camp site.
MX Trip # 55 Fuel has arrived??? ( Wednesday )
Fuel has arrived in Villa Corona and we have two Pemex station so it appears that they are taking turns at receiving the fuel because both stations are never open on the same day. You never know when fuel will arrive but I suspect it is during the night because I have never seen a tanker in this town.
Anyway, this morning around 10 I noticed a fairly short line up of probably 200 M long waiting for fuel so I decided to join the line up. It took me 35 minutes to get to the pumps but I have lots of spare time and I need fuel so what choice do I have. When I got to the pumps the sign said a 100 liter limit but since my car was 1/2 full that was not a problem. Since the line up was fairly short I return to the camp site and got the MH. When I got to the line up there was only 6 or 7 vehicles ahead of me so this was a bonus. I was beginning to think that the short line up meant they were running low on fuel but that was not the case.
As I entered the gas station I was ask if I wanted diesel or gas as most Class A MH are diesel. When I got to the pump I was ask how much fuel I wanted and I said I would like you to fill it. A lady standing near by, and I think a supervisor, heard me and said fill it up. By early afternoon they had run out of fuel again.
We had intended to go south to Patzcuaro however some friends left on Thursday to visit Paztcuaro, and send us an email saying the fuel crisis is worst in that area. We now have strongly considered leaving MX and going to TX, which is only 1200 km away and I can reach it with 2 fill ups. AZ is not worth taking a chance.
One couple are leaving tomorrow so they suggested a pizza for a happy hour/ supper with 3 couples so we (actual Carroll ) agreed. One guy ( Fred from Salmon Arms ) speaks several languages so he ordered the pizza by phone and it was delivered by motorcycle.
We hit the hot pools twice today. Cheers
Anyway, this morning around 10 I noticed a fairly short line up of probably 200 M long waiting for fuel so I decided to join the line up. It took me 35 minutes to get to the pumps but I have lots of spare time and I need fuel so what choice do I have. When I got to the pumps the sign said a 100 liter limit but since my car was 1/2 full that was not a problem. Since the line up was fairly short I return to the camp site and got the MH. When I got to the line up there was only 6 or 7 vehicles ahead of me so this was a bonus. I was beginning to think that the short line up meant they were running low on fuel but that was not the case.
As I entered the gas station I was ask if I wanted diesel or gas as most Class A MH are diesel. When I got to the pump I was ask how much fuel I wanted and I said I would like you to fill it. A lady standing near by, and I think a supervisor, heard me and said fill it up. By early afternoon they had run out of fuel again.
We had intended to go south to Patzcuaro however some friends left on Thursday to visit Paztcuaro, and send us an email saying the fuel crisis is worst in that area. We now have strongly considered leaving MX and going to TX, which is only 1200 km away and I can reach it with 2 fill ups. AZ is not worth taking a chance.
One couple are leaving tomorrow so they suggested a pizza for a happy hour/ supper with 3 couples so we (actual Carroll ) agreed. One guy ( Fred from Salmon Arms ) speaks several languages so he ordered the pizza by phone and it was delivered by motorcycle.
We hit the hot pools twice today. Cheers
Thursday, 24 January 2019
MX Trip # 54 Market Day ( Tuesday )
Every Tuesday is Market Day and everyone in the area comes to town and I did noticed that the older folks seem to do more visiting then shopping. However to say that it was crowded is a understatement. The Market starts at the town square (The Zocola ) and then they block of off one street for 3 blocks so the vendors can set up their booths. To coin a phase; it is organized confusion.
The grocery store is at the end of the market so we joined the throng of people to see what the vendors had for sale. Then we did the grocery shopping first and returned through the crowd to pick up fruits and vegetables including the fresh Blueberries etc.
I have mentioned that there was no fuel. Actually, we have received some fuel every other day but the line up is blocks long and most of the time the fuel runs out before many of those in line get to the pumps. Hence the reason I do not get in the line up.
Today we dropped over to visit Mike and Barb who are a couple from Delta BC and have been residences in this park for 10 years and have become Mexican residence. This allows them to have MX health insurance for 300.00 per year. We want to visit two towns, one that builds furniture and another that makes knives so we had to get directions from Mike as he knows the location of these places. Cheers
The grocery store is at the end of the market so we joined the throng of people to see what the vendors had for sale. Then we did the grocery shopping first and returned through the crowd to pick up fruits and vegetables including the fresh Blueberries etc.
I have mentioned that there was no fuel. Actually, we have received some fuel every other day but the line up is blocks long and most of the time the fuel runs out before many of those in line get to the pumps. Hence the reason I do not get in the line up.
Today we dropped over to visit Mike and Barb who are a couple from Delta BC and have been residences in this park for 10 years and have become Mexican residence. This allows them to have MX health insurance for 300.00 per year. We want to visit two towns, one that builds furniture and another that makes knives so we had to get directions from Mike as he knows the location of these places. Cheers
MX Trip # 53 Finally got the Laundry Done ( Monday )
Carroll is starting to feel better although she is still staying close to the MH and doesn't feel like shopping or going to the Hot Pools for obvious reasons.
I decided to get the Laundry done come hell or high water so I visited the laundry facility and spoke to Martha, apparently the "Queen" of the laundry facility . I ask about her doing the laundry and because we could not understand each other she pointed to a sign which said she need authorization from the office. I then went to the office and said the Martha needed there approval to do my laundry. The office lady made a phone call and said take your laundry to Martha. I ask the price and she said no charge, it's a free service. Martha had our laundry done by 3 PM and when I picked it up I tipped Martha and she couldn't get the smile off he face
So we are paying 15.00 Cdn per night for a full service camp site; full use of the hot pool and free laundry. Did I say why I like MX.
Since Carroll did not feel like shopping I took her shopping list and headed to town. Since we where her several years ago I had a good idea where to go and besides I had to visit the bank with her card. ( you probably recall the the ATM in La Penta ate mine ). This time the ATM treated me kindly and gave me money.
On the way to the grocery store I happen to see a street vendor selling Blueberries, Strawberries and Raspberries so I could not resist so I bought all three. They are so good I will return in couple of days for more. After picking up some groceries I returned home passing the Pemex gas stations and they had fuel but the lines were miles long so I will wait for another day. We are in no hurry to leave this place.
In the late afternoon another couple arrived and they are from Ohio so I went to say hello. They are seasoned MX travelers. They parked in the over flow because the 20 Caravans had all the good sites they wanted and the Caravans are leaving tomorrow and they will have the pick of the litter tomorrow. Incidentally, there are only 3 Americans in the camp, 2 of which arrived today and one is leaving tomorrow. Cheers
I decided to get the Laundry done come hell or high water so I visited the laundry facility and spoke to Martha, apparently the "Queen" of the laundry facility . I ask about her doing the laundry and because we could not understand each other she pointed to a sign which said she need authorization from the office. I then went to the office and said the Martha needed there approval to do my laundry. The office lady made a phone call and said take your laundry to Martha. I ask the price and she said no charge, it's a free service. Martha had our laundry done by 3 PM and when I picked it up I tipped Martha and she couldn't get the smile off he face
So we are paying 15.00 Cdn per night for a full service camp site; full use of the hot pool and free laundry. Did I say why I like MX.
Since Carroll did not feel like shopping I took her shopping list and headed to town. Since we where her several years ago I had a good idea where to go and besides I had to visit the bank with her card. ( you probably recall the the ATM in La Penta ate mine ). This time the ATM treated me kindly and gave me money.
On the way to the grocery store I happen to see a street vendor selling Blueberries, Strawberries and Raspberries so I could not resist so I bought all three. They are so good I will return in couple of days for more. After picking up some groceries I returned home passing the Pemex gas stations and they had fuel but the lines were miles long so I will wait for another day. We are in no hurry to leave this place.
In the late afternoon another couple arrived and they are from Ohio so I went to say hello. They are seasoned MX travelers. They parked in the over flow because the 20 Caravans had all the good sites they wanted and the Caravans are leaving tomorrow and they will have the pick of the litter tomorrow. Incidentally, there are only 3 Americans in the camp, 2 of which arrived today and one is leaving tomorrow. Cheers
Wednesday, 23 January 2019
MX Trip # 52 Getting set up ( Sunday )
When we arrived yesterday we did not feel like doing much as we had quite a day just getting here. Once I connect the utilities I try to get the TV set up so we could watch the news or in my case a hockey game. The lounge chairs, Bar-B-Q and our door carpet can wait until today. However I was not having much luck finding the signal so as dark closed in I gave up until today.
So this morning I went over to visit Mike and Barb as they are residence from Nov to April and they have Shaw Direct. I wanted to verify the angles to get the signal. While there I mentioned that Carroll was ill and had diarrhea so Barb gave us some pills to hopefully cure Carroll's problem. Diarrhea is common when travelling in MX.
I checked Mike angles and they were exactly as I was using however Mike suggest that I change my skew to his setting and once I did that I got the signal. I actually should have known about the Skew because I had the same problem several years ago when I was in Playa De Carman.
This campground has a washing machine which we campers can use so since Carroll was ill I decided to wash clothes. I was advised by a camper that the washing machine had to be filled by a hose as the Auto- Fill did not work. I put the clothes in the machine and filled it, close the lid and nothing happen. A camper ( lady ) happened by so she pushed a button and the GD washer emptied. So I refilled it again and waited nothing happened. Then I got pissed off and took my wet clothes and went home. Carroll did not feel well enough to help me. I can't believe I can not operate a simple GD washing machine. Cheers
So this morning I went over to visit Mike and Barb as they are residence from Nov to April and they have Shaw Direct. I wanted to verify the angles to get the signal. While there I mentioned that Carroll was ill and had diarrhea so Barb gave us some pills to hopefully cure Carroll's problem. Diarrhea is common when travelling in MX.
I checked Mike angles and they were exactly as I was using however Mike suggest that I change my skew to his setting and once I did that I got the signal. I actually should have known about the Skew because I had the same problem several years ago when I was in Playa De Carman.
This campground has a washing machine which we campers can use so since Carroll was ill I decided to wash clothes. I was advised by a camper that the washing machine had to be filled by a hose as the Auto- Fill did not work. I put the clothes in the machine and filled it, close the lid and nothing happen. A camper ( lady ) happened by so she pushed a button and the GD washer emptied. So I refilled it again and waited nothing happened. Then I got pissed off and took my wet clothes and went home. Carroll did not feel well enough to help me. I can't believe I can not operate a simple GD washing machine. Cheers
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