Melaque (Day 16)

Our leaving time here is closing in on us fast.

Not much on schedule the past few days and here is why: The owner here was getting a new fridge. The old one was being moved out of her house and Doug was there the other day to see if he could help out. He noticed that her bike was in the way so he grabbed it and stepped back, you know where this is going, right? Lost his footing on a log on her sidewalk which caused him to pitch to the right. He landed on his side (ribs) on her concrete short wall. We think he has probably bruised or cracked a rib or two. Not much that can be done. Just Tylenol and wine! His breathing (deep and regular) is fine. For this reason, we have ben a bit "house bound" for the past 3 days. He keeps telling me to go out and explore if I want but it isn't much fun on your own! Sheesh, what a pair we are!! Anyway, he is feeling a bit less sore although any sudden movement causes him substantial pain........

For your viewing pleasure......the flowers of our compound. Pretty sweet! 

 

 

Being in the warm climate, we have been rather inundated with bugs and mosquitoes. Most evenings found/find us in the van, rather captive. I for one was tired of getting eaten alive (right, Paula??). It seems I am a bite-magnet for bugs. We do occasionally watch a movie on the computer and it is pretty hot in here in the evening with the door closed so we devised an "office/screening room" to help with that problem. Since there are no other campers here right now, we sort of hogged the patio area......

 

We have carried this screen tent around with us for years and seldom use it.

We were able to sit out last night, watch a movie and for the first time since

being here, neither of us had on ANY bug spray. I am sure our skin thanked us!!

 

Anyway, we did go out for a walk in the early evening last night. We wandered up the walkway that runs behind us here at Villa Xochipilli. It's actually a few blocks long and is quite pretty. We couldn't dally too long as 1) there were mosquitoes coming out as soon as you stopped  2) there are some rather large crocodiles that live "somewhere" in the lagoon and 3).....there are some crocodiles never mind, already mentioned that.

This lagoon goes right up and under the highway. Story has it that a few years ago, a fellow used to come to some part of the lagoon and feed the crocs. Whilst busy feeding one croc some raw chicken, he unfortunately (you know where this is going too, right?) didn't notice the other large one. Suffice to say that they never have found him.....

Remember, if confronted by a crocodile, run zigzag because they can't follow you in

a crooked line, only in a straight line.....learned that in Louisiana!! 

Looking back through another part of the lagoon at one of the buildings here at

Xochipilli. You can just barely see the roof.....

We both thought this was a bit of a creepy tree. I

think it is some type of banyan tree?

The small casita that our friends, John & Anna, from Ontario

were staying at. They have since left for home via plane.

They were at that dinner just after we got here on the 7th. 

Universal everywhere. Broken toilet = planter.....

Yellow building is the back of Xochipilli

The tree that is pretty much right behind us on the walkway.

Now we have circled around out front and these are the casitas to the left

of Irma's place. they are not part of Xochipilli. Campground is behind the rust coloured wall on the right. See the big wooden gates?

Looking back up "our" street.....

So there you have it. Another day here in Melaque/Obregon. Technically, we are in Obregon but I have yet to figure out where the dividing street is so I have just called it all Melaque. I promised Doug that if he could move this morning I would take him out to Rosita's Loncheria for breakfast. He did, indeed, move so I had to make good on my promise!! Another great breakfast there. He was happy.......well, that combined with his Tylenol!!

Peace everyone....have a great week!!

Thought for the Day: The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be....Ralph Waldo Emerson

Melaque (Day 15)

Just chilling out so not much to report. We always enjoy our rides into town and that's about all we did.

Seemed to be a bird kind of day......

Paula, this one is for you!

Not sure what this is but he isn't the most graceful.....

Of course, the parrot squawking above a store was the best.

I imagine that he was their pet.....

A brief stop at Rosita's Loncheria for a milkshake

and then off to get some groceries....

She is such a sweetheart. Apparently she is expanding her little

restaurant next year!! She now knows to tell me the amount we owe

ONLY in Spanish and not to write it down so I have to HEAR it.....

I am getting a pinch better but not so great. Still, I try!!

She is most patient with me and is very helpful-Thanks Rosa!! 

Little store up the street where we got some groceries.....just repainted.

I will get a better picture maybe tomorrow.

 

Tonight we decided to walk out to the Tacos Pachita stand that is on the street. Super good. It was funny, because we went sauntering out there on Thursday and were surprised that they were closed!! Gasp!! Tonight, we each had 6 tacos (yes, we had no lunch today in preparation....) and they are quite small. You have a choice of beef, chicken, chorizo, pork or tripe. They are served on small fresh corn tortillas. Six each with a glass of fresh pineapple juice each came to a whopping total of $125 ps ($9.45 Cdn) incld tip. YUM!!

 

Such great little pop up dinner spots.....

 

Senora Pachita was not there yet so Pedro had to start cooking for us.

  

You can see Rosita's little Loncheria stand

across the street and down on the right. She is closed at 5 pm

 

...and you just hope that the bus driver does not make a mistake!!

 

The street to our place is just past the white building

on the left and down one block...

Doug is happy.....

 

So that's it for today. As we sit here in the van, we hear the regular noises of a little town just seeming to wake up (9:00 pm). Small scooters zipping around, dogs barking (always), cats in the midst of territorial disputes, crickets. Once again, families are out, babies in strollers. Kids running back and forth. Soon, the music will start somewhere. So surreal in a way and yet so normal seeming. We love it. You just stroll home and the same senora is sitting outside her house on our street. She must think us crazy as EVERY time we go by her we say, usually in unison, Buenos Dias (morning) or whatever is appropriate, given the time of day. Oh, the other night, randomly it seemed, about 9:00 pm a full on band started playing down the street, in the street. Horns, drums, tuba, etc. It was Senora Feleciatate's (sp?) birthday. How cool was that. Went on for about one hour.

 

Life here is.......predictably unpredictable. 

 

Peace and happiness to everyone. Happy weekend....love your families!

 

Thought for the Day: Trade your expectation for appreciation and the world changes for you…. Anthony Robbins 

Melaque (Day 13)

Few more pictures from yesterday. Another week goes by and it is time for the outdoor tianguis again. Always interesting and fun.

Typical hardware/everything table.

If you look just above the tarp, just off-centre of the picture, you

will see a coconut flying through the air. His son was tossing them across to dad.  

Getting ready.....

Wouldn't this be fun, driving around the White Rock pier in the summer??

Part-time jobs for Gus and Jasper!! I'll drive, they can have their arms in the ice cream!

Resident large iguana, Mr. Handsome.

Quite majestic, isn't he?? He thinks so......

If you look closely, you can see him on the roof, just to

the left of the palm tree. I am certain that he can make that flying

leap right onto Euri.....

.....just limonada

 

Today (Thursday) we rode our bikes over to Barra de Navidad. This does require you to ride on the highway for about 1.5 km. There are decent sized shoulders so it wasn't too bad. Still, be best to be on your toes. After you turn off the highway, it is another 3 kms or so to Barra. Doug mapped it out and it is a total ride of 6 kms each way. So, good exercise for a hot day.

If you survive the 1.5 kms on the big highway, you get to this lovely

bike/pedestrian path all the way into Barra de Navidad...

Loved this little house. Looks a bit Old English-y, don't you think??

There was a new development with boat canals by the houses. Salesman told

us that they have already sold 17 of the 58 lots and let us ride around to

check it out. I don't think that the sales figures were anything to get excited about.

Fancy looking though.

Walking back around and through the town. Always lots of restaurants

and bars one can go into.....

We thought this was funny. All the little kids were gone for

the day but all the pigeons came in. She's mopping, they're pooping!!

 

Reviewing, once again, why we do NOT drive at night.

Open manhole with no cover. Just a stick and a

broken chair to advise you of impending doom.

Oh, but the stick has a jaunty red topped plastic

bag tied on to it!! Gosh, I hope that the security man did not topple in??

May the luck of the Irish always be near to you......

 

We have been to Barra twice now and I must say, it is nice but I certainly prefer the Melaque/Obregon area where we are now much better. It has a much more peaceful existence here for sure. Still lots of shops and services here too but somehow a nicer feel in the town, for me that is.

Remember Mr. Handsome? He decided to come down the wall today.

I found this very interesting and went and took a vantage spot nearby to watch.

He did his best to "wait me out". I thought all his cold blood would run into

his head but, apparently not. As soon as I looked away, he made that drop down on to the other roof, about 6 feet. Scared the poop out of me. Made a huge crash. Then he was looking somewhere else...maybe he passed out after all??

Photo turned sideways so you don't get a crick in your neck.

Apparently folks don't think so highly of the brown ones. They nest in your roof and dig under the tiles with those long claws, ruining tiles and creating quite a mess.

If you are going to be an iguana, be a green one. Everyone likes those. 

(Oh, and stay off the road...ahem) 

Show-off. Anyone can do that.....

 

Well, another exciting day here in Melaque/Obregon. Can't say it's dull and boring. We rode back into town tonight for a spin. That's another 3 kms on the bikes for a total of 15 kms. That ought to wear off some of that wine.....

 

Peace and good night everyone! (Pssst......tomorrow's Friday!!)

Thought for the Day: Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.