My blog will probably be a little late. I destroyed my Mac book air by spilling wine on it. If I had been inebriated at the time I could use that as an excuse but no, I was stone cold stupid.
I’m always careful around my computers and am aware of the damage a glass of wine can do. This day though, was different. I picked up my wine and it caught on the edge of a note book I use for our investments and “kaboom” …disaster!
Within seconds I turned it down side up and doused it with clean water. I then asked Rosalie if she had any rice. We had just come back from the beach and she was a little giggly and told me “no, but we had lots of spaghetti.” Good suggestion, but not very helpful.
Before going out for dinner I left it upside down on a paper towel and called on the universe to heal it. It didn’t work. I’ll bring it back to Canada and see if I can fix it.
We went for our COVID tests this morning. We were told to get there early as there may be line ups. They open at eight so we got there just after seven. We were the only ones there so we got in early and were home by eight. Now we wait.
This the worst part of the season both here and in Canada: packing to leave.
It’s tough because we have to pack all our stuff but need to use some of it in the time before we leave. Luckily we don’t have to pack the booze.
I’ve been spraying all my tools with silicon as the air is somewhat salty and things rust quickly. It doesn’t seem to affect the car too much which is a bonus. However, I like to cover it with a shade cloth to keep some of the crud off of it.
Earlier in the year, I borrowed a step ladder from Omar’s bodega, to put up the shade cloth, but I don’t think he liked it and has kept the shed locked ever since. So, as I had to remove the said sombrilla, I asked him very politely, in Spanish, if I could use it again. He grinned and said “Si.”
Once that conversation was over I asked him if he wanted my hammock, as with the use of the loungers I don’t need it anymore. The look on his face was priceless. I can’t wait to tell him that I don’t want my guitar either.
We went to Papa Gallo’s for the last time yesterday (Monday). It was sad to say goodby to all our newfound friends who helped us so much with our Spanish and the Mexican culture. We learned a lot from them. However, we did have a few margaritas as well as a glass or two of wine to see us on our way. Rosalie was so into the wine that she insisted on staying for dinner.
I think the packing would be over a lot quicker if Rosalie didn’t insist on going to the beach every day.
Today the temperature hit 32 C. We were a bit warm so went to Barra Sunset Bar, to cool off at the beach. The problem was; it was so windy it was actually cold. So, we had a glass of wine and went home to sweat it out.
They started the round of second vaccinations in Cihuatlan today but are doing it alphabetically, so being Wells’ we didn’t get a look in. That is, until Rosalie got a text from her friend Elke saying that the alphabet idea had been scrapped and anyone could go right away starting tomorrow. We decided though to wait until we get home to Canada. As I said, it is warm at the moment and lining up for goodness knows how long isn’t a pleasant idea. Also, it won’t do us any good with solitary confinement anyway. So we’ll wait.
We have finally caved in and decided to come home and let ourselves be incarcerated in a local quarantine hotel or solitary confinement as we call it. As it turns out, it may not be too bad. Our costs are $400 a night food included, and we may be able to get a refund if our test comes back early and negative. So, we’re flying out on 1st May after overnighting in PV.
Papa Gallo’s is mostly closing this week so a new ‘local’ will have to be found for our margaritas in the afternoon.
The folks there will be missed, they helped us a lot with our Spanish as well as the Mexican culture. Gabino, one of the waiters, spoke only Spanish all season. Just last week we found out that he is fairly fluent in English. He and Rafael worked together at the big hotel until it was wrecked in the earthquake in 1995.
Iris is the cook (pronounced Ee-ree-s.) she is great and her food is always delicious. While we were waiting for the photo op, she was missing and Gabino insisted on shouting “IRIS” (not Eerees) as loud as he could until she came and took her place. (We think she was in the Baño.)
Carlito is the youngest of the group and speaks a little English. He’s quite the joker. I asked for two ’50s in exchange for a 100 peso note so I could give them a tip. He tried to tell me it was only worth 50 pesos, so when he did eventually come back with the change I pretended to keep it all. He is also great at firing up fajitas, even in the wind so his silliness can be forgiven.
Gabino, Carlito and Iris, and Rafael
Rafael is the day manager there and he has been the most helpful to us. He spent time in Ontario and has a wife and two kids there so his English is really good. Unfortunately he is now separated and is living with a very nice lady here in Melaque.
They took their masks off for the photoshoot but otherwise, they wear them all the time. The whole crowd seemed to get a little less formal as the season wore on at the end we were really comfortable with each other. Perhaps this was because we were mostly their only customers.
We have tried a few other locations. The restaurant on top of the rock called ‘Roca Moca’ has re-opened, weekends only, so we tried to go there for lunch. After staggering up a whole bunch of stairs we were told that they weren’t open until later in the day.
After checking it out and taking a few photos, we staggered back down again. We probably won’t go back as the stairs were hard on Rosalie’s knee. For lunch we went to the nearest beach restaurant and met up with an old mesero friend El Lotario. We hadn’t seen him in a few years as he seems to move from restaurant to restaurant.
Then off to Bugambilias for an afternoon glass of wine. After a short time at home, we somehow ended up at Papa Gallo’s again as it hasn’t quite closed yet. It reminds me of the great line from’ Princess Bride’ where Westley is only ‘mostly dead.’ Anyway, we mean to string it out as long as possible.
If you haven’t seen “Princess Bride” go find it and watch it right now. One of my favourites.
I just realized that animals are the real threat here in Melaque.
At our last location, we had the nasty early morning rooster as well as the dogs that barked all day or until Gerry, our neighbour let them loose. There were also the scorpion incidents but they’re arachnids so don’t count; unless one stings you of course.
When we moved to Pinal Villa there was a brief invasion of goats before a young kid came in and chased them outside again. Not before they deposited a few droppings for our approval. There was the odd iguana but they tend to leave us alone and are content to sit on the wall looking at us contemptuously. Of course, we have no idea what they get up to while we’re out.
Then some kids threw the kitten over the wall and I had a problem persuading it to stay home. Mind you, I wouldn’t want to stay home in case I got thrown over the wall again.
Then we had the mad rooster from across the street that visited for a few days and expected to be fed. The neighbour soon came and took him away. I hope he was delicious, but suspect he was a price fighting cockerel.
We have a gecko somewhere in the house as a guest. It’s not a problem as they don’t eat too much and keep the bugs down. However once in a while, in the wee hours, it likes to chirp. For such a small creature it sure is loud. Rosalie’s worried that it might drop on her in the night. I however am more worried about stepping on it on the way to the bathroom as they’re messy to clean up.
There was the donkey in Jaluco who wouldn’t move to let us drive past. And then there are the squirrels who race across our roof in their boots as we are taking our morning tea.
The latest problem concerns a bunch of cats that like to sit outside the bathroom window and sing to us. They start about four in the morning and I have no access to anything I can throw without unlocking all the doors.
All in all, animals are a problem here. I know Canada has a travel advisory for Mexico. I think they should add animals to the list.
It’s been a bit warm for the last few days so more time is spent at the beach. A few days ago it hit 35c in Pinal Villa so we were forced to go to the beach to cool off. With Rafael’s help, I noticed a lot more chiquitas there. I wanted to take a few pics for the boys. I told Rosalie “You pick ’em I’ll click ’em.” But I felt like a bit of a pervert so didn’t. (Yes, I know I am anyway. No need to remind me.)
When we were a lot younger, in our 20s, 30s or even 40s we would look at the girls on the beach and think “what if I…? would she…? can I.., without getting slapped?” Pure lust!
Today I just enjoy looking and thinking “Nice, very nice.” while Rosalie looks on and grins. She knows that it’s like a dog chasing a car; once you catch it what do you do with it? My favourite chiquita is Rosalie anyway, so she knows not to worry.
As it’s ‘Samana Santa’ the beaches are packed and the atmosphere is amazing. Lots of music, people enjoying the water, food everywhere. When we first walked into Papa Gallo’s and asked for a menu Rafael said he would have to go and wake the cook as business was so slow.
That’s because the Mexican tourists bring all their own stuff. From coolers full of food and beer to their own pop-up tents so they can keep the costs down. The other day there was a Mexican family in the restaurant and they ordered food but brought in their own beer. Try that in Canada! Also, they don’t tip much so the restaurants are suffering because they rely on generous tips from us Norteños. All the time we were at the restaurant we didn’t see one other Norteño. We were the only ones.
Things are slowly winding down for the season. We love it here but need to be back with our friends for a while. Hopefully, the stupid incarceration rule will be lifted and we can come back fairly easily. If not, we have the escape plan in place so one way or another should be home by this time next month.
Last week, we met some new friends and met them again yesterday for a drink. We got to talking and they admitted that they were trumpers. We didn’t know whether to get up and walk out or not. They redeemed themselves when they said they didn’t like trump but supported his policies.
A debate ensued. Ron and I got into it while the girls discussed important things like nail and lipstick colours and where was the best place to get a haircut. (Rosalie says: Did not…!)
I say Ron and I got into it but it was a very enjoyable conversation. It was refreshing to discuss things with someone who didn’t drag up long-dead conspiracy theories; although he came close a few times. They are Canadians who lived in Texas for a while so have quite a bit of knowledge regarding US politics. We agreed to disagree and arranged to meet again another day. Nice people.
There we were again at the beach because (insert excuse.) We have enjoyed going because it’s Samana Santa (Holy Week) and the entertainment can be a lot of fun. I don’t necessarily mean just the chiquitas, but the beachs’ oddball entertainment. The best part was, that a couple of the beach lovelies finally came on to me. I was so excited but didn’t know what Rosalie thought was so funny. Anyway, after all that, we still didn’t get our money’s worth.
After all the excitement we went home and I took some heart meds (tequila) to try and calm down and eventually volunteered to make dinner.
A few days ago we went to the beach for dinner (another excuse) I ordered a shrimp fajita which we ended up sharing. It was so good that I decided that I could do better.
On this day, we went to the various stores to get our shrimp and veggies and stowed them in the cooler in the car. After the beach, and when we got home, I went to work. After chopping, dicing, sauteing, burning to a crisp and over-salting, I presented Rosalie, who had sobered up a little by now, a Fajita a la Chris.
When we ordered it at Papa Gallo’s, Gabino fired it up all professional-like. Me: not so much; the darn thing wouldn’t flair up. I was using good quality tequila so that was probably the problem. Perhaps I need to use some of Rosalie’s low-quality rotgut with the higher octane to make a bigger bang.
Even though I do say so myself, it was pretty good. We have enough shrimp for the next day so I will try again then.
After expert advice from Rafael, I made another fajita but it still wouldn’t light. Perhaps we should have turned the fan off first. Oh well, next time.
In conversation with Rafael we learned that the beach bands are all different. It’s obvious when you think about it, but we just hadn’t thought about it.
We know when we see a mariachi band because they are dressed to the nines and sweating in the heat.
Bandas are the guy in the last blog who beat the hell out of their drums, play a shrieking wind instrument and generally create quite the racket.
Trios are three guys (who’da guessed) playing guitars and singing; mostly love songs.
Norteños are a larger band and have an accordion playing along.
Our favourites are the solo artists who stop by the outside restaurants and sing whether you ask them to or not and then pass a hat around for payment. No matter if they are good or bad we still pay them. One of these is Gerry who came by our last home a few times last year to play for us; he is good.
One good thing about the Mexicans on the beaches; they take their garbage away with them unlike the Norteño kids in Florida.
