Another week has passed...where does the time go?

The weekend is here again and I realized that I haven't written a blog post for over a week. Time passes by so quickly here as we have settled into our routine including a leisurely morning, a swim, a walk, maybe some errands to run and always something to do!

Last Sunday there was a jam session at an abandoned palapa on the old road to Chelem. It was a beautiful day so we accepted an invitation from our owners to accompany them and some friends for few hours. It was BYOB and snacks with a guy there selling pulled pork and chilli if you were hungry. The music was great and I now know where all the old hippies have gone...




Working those strings...




What about that harmonica?




The crowd enjoying the entertainment and it was free!




The Texas chef, Lizard Joe





The flamingos were feeding out in front but they were too far way for a good picture, but I just wanted to capture their colour which was beautiful.


Also started teaching English at one of the local schools. I go on Fridays with the Grade 6 class and the kids are just wonderful. On the first day there were 14 students in the class but only 10 the next time we came. School attendance is not consistent here.


The front of the school...it is Grade 1-6 and the students go to school in shifts, the first group in the morning and the second starting at 1pm and going until 5pm. It is in a small town in a very poor neighbourhood.




The girls having a laugh as they play the number game.




The boys seem interested.




Pauline and James, two volunteers from Halifax.


We took a walk around our neighbourhood one afternoon and I took a few pics to give you a glimpse of where we live....




A beautiful wall on a house up the street. Streets have well kept homes and...






A lot of yards look like this.




Looking for a place to buy?




My favourite one...this old guy does shaves and barbering in his front yard. They didn't mind having their photo taken.

Midweek we had el norte blow in with a fury...driving rain and wind that basically shut the town down.Students had a storm day because it was too cold and wet.





The streets were flooded...




The beaches were almost deserted...




Except for the birds.

The storm stayed for three days and the temperatures plummeted 15 degrees so much so that the temperature in the pool has dropped to 70 which is too cold even for our NL blood! But today the sun came out and mañana it will be 30 again.

And of course I can't finish a blog without a food story. We went to Samuk restaurant for some fish and it was unbelievably good. Here are the pictures to prove it...




We went in the kitchen to choose our fish




Don's choice...




My choice...

Here is what was left on Don's plate...




Good or what?

Well that's the post for this week.Not enough room to put in everything so will check in again next week, hopefully with pictures of our Spanish lessons and my Zumba class!

Tienen una bueno semana y hasta leuego!

Location:Progreso

Busy,busy,busy

Well we have been here in Progreso now for almost two weeks and life has been busy.

One of the things I committed to before we came down was participating as a model in a fashion show in aid of the Chixculub Food Bank, an organization that we support financially in that we sponsor two families.

We got to know the founder, Sharon Helgason, the last time we were visited and were impressed with her efforts. She does a lot to support the families of Chiculub with the food bank as well as programs for students and seniors.

Here is a link to the web site if you are interested in finding out a bit more about her work... www.foodbankchicxulub.com


So back to the Fashion Show...I have never been a model but thought it would be a way to meet some new people and have some fun at the same time. This proved to be true on both counts.

On Sat we went to Merida to visit Olga's Fashions, the store where we would choose the clothes to wear at the show. We went in by combi and were like kids in a candy store in that we could try on anything and with a dozen women of all ages, shapes and sizes it was a blast!




Karen and Kathy having a laugh on the way to Merida




Pauline and Jean checking out the fashions while Olga is offering the accessories

The Fashion Show was on Tuesday at Bamboo Beach, a local restaurant and was well attended by approximate 130 people. People volunteered their time to set up, play music, sell tickets and model. I had so much fun and the proceeds went to a good cause.




Rosa and Jean pretty in pink and white




One of my outfits




Modelling a traditional Yucatan dress called a huipil. It is the everyday attire of Mayan women. It is made from white cotton, embroidered with cross stitched flowers around the square neck and hem. It is worn with a special petticoat called a fustan which has lace around the lower edge that shows beneath the huipil.




Lots of colourful necklaces for sale as well

We've made our first trip in the bus to Costco to get some supplies we can't get here in Progreso, mainly meat and vegetables like lettuce and asparagus and of course cheap wine! I was also looking for new pjs that were lighter than I had brought because the evenings are so warm. This is what I found!




Flannel pajamas, since this is winter not much summer clothing. Can't imagine wearing these here!


It takes us about 3 hours from the time we leave here until we get back which includes our bus ride in and out, shopping and of course the highlight of our trip, a lunch at Costco! It always amazes us how easy and cheap it is to get around using public transportation in Mexico.




Our Costco lunch...the first salad we have eaten since we arrived. Don't really trust the cleanliness of greens in most places.



Unfortunately Don's back is acting up again so a trip to the massage table was in order...nice location for a massage with Claudia.









While I waited on the Malecon for Don I was busy people watching. It was Sunday and the last weekend of the holidays so a lot of people were out enjoying the day.




Playing on the beach




Sliding off the benches




NOT playing at all!

We also visited the local market for a bite to eat at one of the market stalls that serves cochinita pibil. The market was packed with families who were being entertained by a magician. The kids were enthralled.




Tortas are excellent here




Sunday brunch Mexican style




A busker at the market




The kids were taken with his tricks


And of course I wouldn't be doing a post unless there were a couple of pictures of what else we ate this week....




Tostados con cameron y pescado





Pescado con mariscos

That's it for another post and another week in Paradise!



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Progreso,Yucatan,Mexico

Settling into Casa Destino

We took the bus from Merida and have arrived in Progreso and settling in to what will be our home for the next two months.



New seats at the AutoProgreso Bus station in Merida


The place is called Casa Destino and is owned by a Canadian couple, Pamela and Andre. They have been working on it for the last year or so and have a one bedroom apartment and two studios available for monthly rentals. We have the one bedroom and it is quite comfortable.A lot smaller than the house we had last time but it suits us fine.




Great kitchen...already have cooked a couple of meals. The vegetables are delicious here so roasted veg tonight for supper.




Really nice new bathroom, even has a jetted tub.



The main living area...as you can see nothing on walls as the owners are just finishing the construction. I miss the colourful Mexican art work!




Don starting to work on his tan...can't stay out long as it is 32 today.




The best part is a nice pool where I can do my laps everyday, something I have missed doing for a long time.


It is located one block off the malecon which is a beachfront walkway where all the action in Progreso takes place. We walked down today and they have a lot of work done since we were here two years ago.




Don trying out his new shades!




The beach just down from our place.It was windy today so the boats were in.




Kids were enjoying the hot weather...




And so was their Dad.




Some people were in the waves.I am hoping once the wind dies down to be able to swim here as well.




You know you are at the beach when there are shells for sale everywhere.


So we have been to the Bodega for groceries, to the bank to check to see if our debit cards work ( they do!) and already have seen some people we met the last time. Progreso has become familiar to us very quickly and we are looking forward to our time here again this winter.

Location:Progreso,Yucatan,Mexico