Well we have been here for a few days and can still say we are getting used to the place. Progreso is a large town about 45,000 people but certainly doesn’t seem to be as big as that. It is a fishing village with a full fleet of what looks like inshore fisherman as the boats are not too large. All up and down the beach there are boats pulled up on the shore. We haven’t fiqured out yet what they are fishing for or where we can buy fresh fish but we know it must be somewhere here.
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| One of the little fishing boats |
Progreso is also known for having one of the longest piers in the world at seven kilometres long. The town is trying to cash in the cruise ship industry and already have 2-3 ships a week with the hope of increasing that number to 10-12 a week. This industry must bring in a lot of cash to the economy and as a result the town is trying to spruce up its’ image especially in the center of town and along the malecon which is a seaside walkway by a beautiful clean beach.
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| Here is the pier to the left of the house.The large building is the cruise ship terminal |
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| Don enjoying the sights on the Malecon |
One of the most difficult adjustments we find is not having a car so we walk everywhere, good exercise for sure but some getting used to. We have to walk for groceries most every day and carry them back home. Our routine is to walk to a little bar owned by a nice guy by the name of Frisco, have a beer and then to the grocery store and then home. We have all day so we are not in any hurry.
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| Me and my trusty Mexcian phrasebook |
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| Don with his Snow White grocery bag |
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| Almost home... |
We also have to adjust to the Mexican ways…for example we lost the electricity in the house and now try to fiqure that out!! Anyway we got in touch with Tamara, the property manager, and she set out to try and solve the problem. She has been here for a while and she tells us about the moeyto sp?? which translates into the “ bite of the dog”. In other words if you live in Mexico you experience the “bite of the dog” every time you want something done. At home it is called an old fashioned bribe!
So this guy comes to try and get the electricity back on, which he did to a certain extent. However the Electric Commission has yet to come by to do anything for us. We will see what happens in the morning.
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| Not much safety gear in evidence here... |
And then there is the question of getting used to the food. We have travelled a lot but never get stomach sick; well all that changed last night when we spent our time on the toilet extremely sick. Good thing we had one each!! We think it was food poisoning but can’t fiqure out what it was we ate that did the number on us!!
And then there are the toilets which always have these signs near. Welcome to Mexico!
We knew there would be challenges to living in this country but there are also pleasures…the weather and people being two of them. It is so nice to wake up every day to warm weather and being able to sit outside at night is a treat. All the people you meet both Mexican and Gringo are great. The Mexicans always greet you with broad smiles and a warm greeting.
Since it is coming up to Christmas there is a tradition of going door to door with a picture of the Virgin Mary trimmed in silver garland and singing we think Christmas carols. Here is a picture of one group that came by a few nights ago.
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| Our singing troupe |
We are also picking up a few basic words..Hola, Adios, Si, No, Donde esta?,por favor, gracias, Bueno dias, bueno tardes, bueno noches, no entiendo ( I don't understand)
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