A Lazy Saturday

Dave

Saturday morning! Always a time to sleep in and not have to get up running. Even though we don't have to get up running during the week here in Mexico, the din of the streets as others go about their weekday routine makes it difficult to sleep late. So, Saturday has always been that day of an extra cup of coffee and a leisurely breakfast.

Our Saturday Breakfast

So this was our breakfast this morning: fresh scrambled eggs, fresh mango, fresh squeezed orange juice, bacon,  fresh French bread and yogurt with mango. The cheese on the bread is edam. (Gene's Notes:  Edam Cheese is called Queso de Bolla here - i.e.  a ball of cheese.   I don't eat eggs, so the yogurt is my substitute.)

A little more laying about then off to the market to get a few things as the markets are closed tomorrow. I got a liter of fresh orange juice, avocados and bananas. Went by the meat guy and got another kilo of bacon. Then back home as it was starting to get rather hot and extremely humid. Hope we have a t'storm this afternoon to cool things down. The last two days have been very hot! But it is that time of year, a transition time of year when the hot dry winter gives way to the cooler rainy season. It can get very interesting when the strong storms rolls in. As you may know, thunderstorms in the tropics can get extremely energetic. To the point sometimes you want to crawl under the bed! Once the heat dissipates, the really energetic ones go away and the usual old summertime growlers come in from time to time. We have visited Mexico in all the seasons but the hot one (this one!) Now we will have experienced all the climatic cycles and if we move here at some point in the future, we will be well prepared and no surprises.

We decided to have dinner and some shopping at our favorite mall. The food there runs the full international course from McDonald's, to local favorites; to Chinese to Italian and beyond! All of it good and well prepared, not to mention the price. Speaking of McDonald's, I find it interesting the menu is the same as in the States, the taste and quality is the same. I have to say the translation of the product across the border is impressive.

We finished our shopping and sat on the comfortable benches in the middle of the corridor to rest and just enjoyed the activity and music of a Saturday night in Merida. We used Cabify again, there and back and again a good experience, still, so far, so good. We shall see!

Gene

This morning I did a run into town looking for a couple of items but mostly just to look and enjoy the city. In the Municipal Building there are several offices. One of these is the office of tourism.

This warning sign made me laugh a lot.  Let me give you the full view of it.

You see, over the years of coming to Merida, we have been approached by many fast talkers who have told us most of these lies.  I do believe on our first trip we bought a few things to help support the Mayan families who work in the cooperatives.  We now know better and do not engage in conversation with these people.  I have to say that I have seen fewer of them on this visit and on our last visit.
Just so you know, wearing a panama hat tells every vendor that you are a tourist AND an easy mark.  But it is easy to look around and see that you don't see the locals wearing them.

Flowers in Merida

Gene

While out roaming the city,  I was strolling through a plaza of a group of local merchants/small businesses.  In one booth, there was a lady diligently working on some needlework.  I stood slightly behind her and watched.  Her husband saw me and politely asked if I was in need of something.  (I seriously have no idea what they were selling - I was too interested in her work.)  I said "No gracias, solo mirar" (no thanks, I was just looking.)  Then I pointed at her hand work.  She smiled broadly and started showing it to me.  I walked into the booth for a better look. The work was stunningly beautiful - and it looked as good on the back as on the front.

I did ask permission to take photos.  She graciously posed so I took this one showing her also.   She told me that she is making this for her house.  There were several panels, but I only took photos of this one.  Yes, I should have taken more, but the flowers were my favorite.

To the right you can see the edge of another one, with Watermelon or "sandia" on it.
A few words of Spanish and a big smile will get you far with many of these people.

We also met the American ex-pat neighbors across the street.  They are in their late 70s and are a true delight.  They are remodeling the house and have a great deal of it done already.  I have not asked to take photos of the house, but I did take one of a plant that was on the deck in a pot.

I understand that this grows into a small tree. I just loved the colors. 

Happy hour is calling.  Hopefully I will get to post more later.   It is quite hot here this time of year so we are taking it easy and getting some good relaxing time in.

As the saying goes - it's five o'clock somewhere!

Dave

Good afternoon on another hot one in Merida. It has been nice to stay pretty close to the AC today, but I think we are slowly getting accustomed to the heat. 

If you followed us last time we were here, you know that Uber treated us rather badly and has since gotten in trouble with the local government and the taxi companies. We found a new ride service called Cabify and it has the blessings of the government and the taxi companies. So Gene signed up and found out that it would not take an international credit card but would take PayPal. Using PayPal the account was approved and we decided to give it a try. We needed to go over to Plaza Sendaro (the large shopping plaza 3 miles away) to the big grocery store as a few things are not available through the market or the small local stores. Gene used the App and within about five minutes we were on our way. The cost was slightly less than the cost of a taxi, but since we don't speak Spanish we don't dare call a taxi direct!

So we got our stuff, had some lunch and goofed around some then Gene used the app again on his cell phone to get a Cabify. Within five minutes, the ride was in front of us and we loaded our purchases up and went home. Good clean trip, courteous driver and good overall service. We will continue to see how this works as we don't plan on renting a car this trip due to the new insurance regulations and the costs that brings to renting a car. Okay, so I'm off to Happy Hour, then dinner! 

Saturday Night Street Dance

Gene

A local monthly event is a street dance in the neighborhood we are staying in.  The dance "started" at 8 p.m. although it was about 15 minutes late.  This is Mexico!   I got there just after 8 and got a good seat on the end away from the band. I do have sensitive ears and I saw the speakers as I walked up.  The street was closed in the area - which is common for many events in Merida.
While I was waiting, I took a photo of the band getting ready.

The saxophone player was warming up as was one of the other musicians - I couldn't tell for sure what the instument was.

Once the band starrted playing,  people got up to dance.  Across from me was a family of five . The Dad danced with his daughter.  He clearly knew what he was doing, she appeared to be "humoring Dad."

Still it was nice to see the family doing things together.  Although you may notice that the youngest boy has a phone in his hand.

I took a video of some of the dancing.  Remember that this was early, the crowd grew on the "dance floor" was the night progressed.

I particularly enjoyed the older couples dancing. One couple danced every dance while I was there.   This was just about two blocks from our apartment.
For those getting this by email, here is the link to the youtube video. 

Sunday morning I had to go to the main Square in the center of town to enjoy a little bit of "Domingo en Merida" (Sunday n Merida.) I only took two photos this time.  The reason for them was not for the blog, but because a friend who lives in this neighborhood had told me that she has not seen corn on the cob here.  I told her about "elotes" - so when I saw it, I took the photo.

It is boiled (or sometimes roasted) corn that is husked right when you buy it and condiments are added.  These are cream, cheese, salt, chili pepper and lime.  Sometimes there is mayonaise also.   It may sound strange but it is delicious.  I have eaten it before and will need to have it at least once on this trip!

The weather is hot and a bit humid here this time of year,  but life is good.

Today, I took laundry - about a week's worth- to the lavanderia (laundry) that we had used two years ago.  The proprietor remembered my name - that really surprised me.  We had 6 kilos of laundry, which is just over 13 pounds, and on my ticket he marked it 61 pesos- roughly 3 dollars.   A guy could get used to that.
Till next time,
Gene