Artemio

Sabado, 30 Junio 2012.  Just another beautiful day! Now last night was a different matter. Huge thunder & lightning, and rain again that was hard to believe. Suddenly we both yelled out, flew off the bed, and slid our air mattress to the side. A few large drops of water had spattered us as we laid on our bed. Hit both of us at the same time. Was quite a startling shock. We knew the roof needs work, and this determined for us that the first major project is roof repair, when we are back here in the fall. We won't leave anything in this room along the dripline, as August, the month we'll be gone, is the rainiest of the year here.

This is a very noisy country, and the corner we live on gets lots of vehicle and pedestrian traffic, but all is quiet by 8PM. Some one down the block likes opera, and sometimes lovely Mexican music. Five small dogs next door that bark some, but not steady, so it is OK. In between all the noises, we hear the song birds. Also in the distance, a rooster. Several pekin ducks live down the street. Also there is a large Catholic church being slowly constructed, on the next block north kitty corner (contraesquina) from us, and one roofed open area to the side is being used for Sunday services. The church bell now is very tinny sounding—sometime in the future we can expect more bell sounds when the building is finished. Construction now is at a standstill and has been for several years.

This morn when heading out, there was a young bird scrunched down in the grass. Apparently the baby hadn't learned it's flying technique yet. It was gone later in the day. Carmen tells a story of years ago, when her small female cat brought a young blue jay in thru the cat door and Carmen found her trying to nurse it! Took the bird away from the cat and put it in a cage over night. The next morning it was able to fly back to the waiting mother bird. On our way into town, we saw, and Dan talked to, the driver of a delivery truck with propane tanks. Dan asked the driver to arrange with his company for a bulk delivery to happen Monday morning at 9AM. We really are looking forward to a warm shower.

Laundry again. Starting to wash the curtains as the windows are cleaned. Saw a water bottle delivery truck next door, so Dan dashed out and asked them to deliver to us a 5 gallon carboy (garafon). The company comes by Monday, Wednesday & Friday and will check with us weekly. The fellow carries this heavy jug inside to it's proper place for us. Next we walked in to the cable company office. Talked to the clerk. Studied the flyer with the plans. Decided we need the only one that offered high speed (5MB) internet, which bundled with phone and 91-channel TV will cost about USD64 a month. Phone service includes all calls free (local, national, international), and means we will not have to install Telmex phone service. We decided to wait and have cable installed when we move here in September. Only takes about a week after ordering it.

Next to the hardware store again. When we got home yesterday, we discovered that one of our selected parts yesterday, never made it to the cashier and home with us. We selected it again, along with another item. Cannot find towel racks or a paper towel roll holder here. We walked further north a block where there are many small stores along the block. We both remembered a housewares store. Did not find it or it was not open. When stores are closed the total front is covered with a slide down door, so you never would know what was behind the door.

Again we stopped at the grocery store. When one walks and has to carry bags 9-12 blocks, one tends to buy less at one time. Now that we have a juicer, we bought oranges. Yes, they are still green here. Cost was 30 cents US a pound. The juice is sooooooooo good! Makes a great afternoon lifter upper. Everything here is not perfect. Bought a large pineapple from a streetside stall, and later in the day, when we needed a snack, we cut into it we found it starting to ferment and rot. It looked fine on the outside. Most disappointing.

Our next event today – a fellow, along with his peddle cart filled with tools (including gas-powered weedwacker), rang our door bell, which is out by the front gate. He offered to cut our grass and prune all our bushes. Dan had been slowly cutting the grass with hand cutters. Most exhausting. He also had been working on one of the bouganvilla (bugambilia), which have nasty thorns. We quickly agreed to have Artemio tidy our outside up, plus he would also cart away all the weeds we had pulled up from our parking patio area. He indeed did a marvelous job. Took him about two and a half hours. We realized later that we had probably paid him twice what we should have, plus we gave him a cold glass of water and two bandaids for the finger he had cut. We look forward to him returning, but we will be wiser when we pay him. Either way, it was most inexpensive. To our surprise, he put all the cut debris on a large white tarp, and carried it over this shoulder deep into the banana plantations across the street. Took him four trips from the front area and three from the back. Now, do we dare to put yard waste in the banana fields too? That is the question.

Mucha Limpieza

Viernes, 29 Junio 2012.  Major cleaning again, while waiting for our stove and frig to be delivered. Muebleria Brasil guys showed up about 1pm, unloaded, unwrapped and set them in place. They pointed out that the gas fitting behind the range needed an adaptor to join up with the gas line's flare fitting. No propane in our tank yet, so no rush on this. Then we treated ourselves to a restaurant lunch. Why? We deserved it! Also we asked previously and found out that the Cafetería Fortin 2 blocks south of the plaza (we had breakfasted there numerous times on our last visit here, always clean & economical) would let us connect to the internet while there, so we brought along our netbook.

Turns out that it is too noisy to hear Skype (sorry Paul, just couldn't hear you when you rang in), as the speakers are very underpowered—we'll pack some earbuds along next time. Carmen indulged in a milanesa (breaded thin beef), which gave her jaws a good workout, and Dan had chicken leg with squash-like chayote, which was very tasty. In Guatemala Dan knew of this vine-grown vegetable as guisquil.

Next we did a bit of shopping. We went to the Urbina hardware, which Frank had recommended as having the best selection in town. Hardware stores here have pretty much everything on display with a sample of each item mounted on the wall or in glass-fronted cases. You must ask for the product, then the clerk gets it from inventory in back to the counter for you. You must go to each different department for each type of item you want. When everything is selected each clerk has written your selection with code numbers on a small piece of paper (Carmen loves things to be written on petite pieces of paper), we then go to the cashier station to pay the bill. Lastly we go back to each department to pick up our paid for item. A couple needed items this store did not have. No problem, we would buy them in Córdoba. Also bought a medium-sized mailbox, which of course we have not yet been able to find the part to attach it to our gate. Life is so much easier when you have a good Lowe's store nearby. Come on Gurney, build the next one here!

We next went to the Telcel agency to purchase a cell phone. It was closed, and the clerk at the store next door said they had just closed. Would not be open for half hour, so we went down the street a bit more and bought a paleta for Dan and an ice cream cone for Carmen. Walked across the street and sat in the park. How we do love this park. Saw our favorite “city” dog. She drank water from a faucet with a drain basin where a man had just washed his hands and filled a jug. Dan walked across the street again to see if Telcel was open yet. Nope. We gave up on that for the day and walked across the park towards the Super Ahorros grocery store and home. On the other side of the park, we saw the workers getting out of the repair truck for Cablecom. They told us the office would be open the next morning. Off to the grocery store. We do enjoy this small town grocery, which actually has good prices and most of what one would need. Home again, home again! And yes, this is really feeling like home to us.

What a surprise we had when we got home. Along the street out side the sidewalk, we have some really nice plantings. Someone had weeded them out while we were gone today. Now who would do that? We think maybe the city did it, as the grass further down the block, along the road edge, was trimmed also.

A La Ciudad

Jueves, 28 Junio 2012.  First after breakfast – a repeat of yesterday, Carmen did the laundry in the kitchen sink. Laundry will be done this way until September, when we buy a washer and dryer. The dryer will be rarely used, since there is sun nearly every day, which dries clothes in about three hours. First went to the electric utility office with that copy of the escritura, with which we opened our power account. This account is in Carmen's name, which will provide her with that important proof of residence that virtually any government transaction seems to require. We won't get a bill immediately, since we are just at the start of a two month billing cycle. Then the bank again, to stock up on pesos for some appliance shopping. Off to the bus stop, but there were oddly no others waiting and no buses stopping. Dan went into the drugstore, in front of which we used to wait, of and they informed him that the stop was now two blocks further down the street. Why must things change? We got on the bus and the driver was ecstatic to be able to talk to some one from the US. He lived in Portland 15 years. He got so excited he handed Dan back the money and kept the tickets, until Dan pointed out the minor confusion caused by him being able to speak to fellow Pacific Northwesterners.. Arriving in Córdoba, we first ordered our refrigerator, stove, a lever action citrus juicer, and two lawn chairs, for delivery tomorrow. We had scoped out the appliance store last visit, where we learned of it's 25% discount for cash purchases. The two appliance together (a Whirlpool frig and a Mabe 6-burner stove) together cost about USD700.

Next to our notario (land lawyer) who just could not stop chattering, happy to see us back. He handed over the original copy of the escritura, and no, he did not have our final bill yet, could we come back next Wednesday or so. Como no (but, course), why not, we're back in Mexico where things progress at a different pace. He had previously emailed us a scan of the title document, which we used to print out what we thought were enough copies, before coming down here this time. Next to the INM (immigration office) to inquire what exactly was needed for our five year No Inmigrante visa. This office is in an old building, right behind our lawyer actually, one street to the south, on the third floor up. The staff was very accommodating and helpful, printing up a list of requirements for us. Dan asked where to obtain the needed color fotos (3 front, 2 right side, no glasses), and received directions to a quick-foto shop two blocks away. Glad we did not obtain these in the states, as these infantil size images are very tiny. We obtained a set of 6 images of each view, 24 pix in all, so we'll have extras for some use, all for about USD7.20. Next a few more blocks to touch base with Manolo our realtor, who was not in, but his sister called him and made an appointment for 5-6pm that evening at our house.

Walked a long ways across town to catch a bus back towards home, and on the way we stopped at Walmart. Here we made big purchases. An aluminum ladder (folds into four sections easy to carry in the trunk of a car, opens to about 11 feet when fully extended, or can be a step ladder), plumbing stuff, cat foods (getting ready), beer, legal size printing paper for those extra escritura copies, etc. All heavy large items. Took a taxi home, costing MXP40 pesos, or about USD3. Upon arriving home Dan immediately unwrapped his ladder to discover one of the feet was broken. Now near 5PM and we have not eaten since breakfast. We put the ladder back into it's wrapping and just then our realtor arrived with the extra house keys he had. We are really dragging by now. We showed him that our upstairs bathroom sink was leaking. He tried to help Dan get it apart. No luck. Knowing that the realtor had to go right past the Walmart on his way home, we asked him if he would drop us off there with the ladder we had to return. He was happy to do so. We must of looked starved, which we were. He offered us a sandwich (a pambazo sandwich of frijoles & chiles) he had on the dash. Dan offered Carmen a bite. She told him quietly she was starved, but could not swallow the food without something to drink. Immediately we were offered the beverage on the dash also. Felt like it saved our lives, and surely Manolo must have understood the English. Dan did exchange the ladder with no difficulty, while Carmen picked up a couple more items, including a channel-lock wrench to use on the sink drain, and had to wait in a looooong line to check out. Taxi home again. Heated a packaged pork meal (cochinita pibil a yucatecan specialty) and made a sandwich with a fresh whole wheat roll, cold-water showered again, since we do not yet have propane for the water heater, and collapsed into bed.

Los Utilidades

Miercoles, 27 Junio 2012.  Late start this morn, after a hearty breakfast of oatmeal and juice, we walked the 12 blocks to the center of town. First we went to the city water & sanitation utility (CASF) to pay the existing bill (still in the prior owner's name), since we needed the receipt for our long term visa application. No waiting in line here and the ladies were most helpful. Both assured us that they did not speak English, however, they had had six years of English in school! Surely they spoke more Inglés than Carmen speaks Spanish, but they never would admit to this. In addition to paying the outstanding bill we paid MXP200 (ie, pesos, about USD15.00) to change the account to Dan's name, having provided them with a fotocopy of our escritura (title) proving we indeed were residents of Fortín. With that we were able to get a proper receipt for one of us.

Next we trekked four more blocks to the new federal electric utility (CFE) office. A half hour line wait here. Again we needed to pay the prior electric bill (owner had paid everything--utilities, taxes--up to mid-November or so). We needed another copy of our title, which we did not have with us, so we had to return the next day. Next stop was the bank for more cash – this being a cash society. Then a lunch for about USD5.50 for the two of us. Carmen had a broccoli soup and Dan had chicken-spinach soup. Entrees were chicken in a cream sauce for Dan and Carmen had the beef, which was long strings of beef, very hard to cut and chew, but really delicious. Rolls, tortillas and banana slices topped with yogurt sauce and cinnamon on top for dessert. Lastly we stopped at the grocery store for cleaning supplies and a bit of food including yogurt, fresh whole wheat rolls (bolillos) and bananas for supper.

Several of the readers of this blog have asked why we seem to spend a lot of time describing our meals. If this upsets you, just skip over these passages – Carmen especially is a real foodie, at home in the kitchen, and focusing on mealtimes is a habit she does not intend to break. Some of you, you know who you are, will understand completely.

Interesting little known fact. The symbol $ actually stems from old Spanish, where in older times it meant Pesos. Somehow the colonists in what became the USA appropriated it for Dollars. In today's Mexico all the printed prices use this symbol, so to avoid confusion we'll try here to use USD for dollars and MXP for pesos.

Home again. Spent the next few hours weeding out the back parking area, and Dan made a start at hand cutting the tall grass. In bed by eight. We had bought a Coleman inflatable bed to sleep on, last time we were here. Seems this Coleman bed has a minute air leak. Must be re-blown up every day. Bummer. Slept well. Woke to birds singing and the view of mountains and trees plus a blossoming red bouganvilla, of which we have three. We also have a palm, blue flowering bush, a bush with large yellow blossoms and a large multi colored leaves of greens and yellow. Mt Orizaba can be seen from the west bedroom & living room windows, and the north LR windows that flank the fireplace, and the back yard, off to the northwest (about 35 miles away), with it's snowy top.

Otra Vez En Fortin

Martes, 26 Junio 2012.  Actually this is being written on Saturday, June 30. We have been very busy settling in to the blue house in Fortin, and this is the first opportunity we've had to write a bit about our comings & goings. For those who await our words with bated breath, please excuse us, since there'll be more delay as we also have to find a location with internet to actually post this to the blog. Tomorrow Mexicans vote for their next president. How very sensible, setting election days on Sundays, when most folks are off work and can more easily manage to get to the polls. What exactly is so special about Tuesdays that make them voting day in the US?

We have been in Fortin since June 26, late afternoon. Took again a bit longer than 24 hours for the total trip from house to house. This time we flew on United Airlines, having used up our free ticket on US Airways. Another difference: United allows a free 50# checked bag, while US Air charged us $25 for the extra bag, for each of us. This is important as we presume we will always have some gear or items we cannot find in Mexico, and that extra baggage allowance will come in handy. We arrived in Houston at midnight with a nine hour layover. We took that time literally. Flights to Puebla leave from an older, carpeted terminal, suited for the smaller planes flown by United Express. We found a darkish spot where we pulled out the four attached chairs and slept on the floor between the wall and chairs. Was not bad., and much more rest than the red-eye flights last time with US Air. No folks around 'til 5 AM, so some actual sleep was possible.

We flew into Puebla on a 60 seat plane, this time, instead of into our usual destination of Mexico City. The fare was virtually identical, and got us into a smaller airport two hours closer to Fortin. WHAT A DIFFERENCE! You walk onto the tarmac from the plane, and the one immigration agent happily checks your passport. Here all luggage goes thru Xray. Oh no, we expected the worst! We usually travel with but one small carry on bag each. Quite a different experience having six bags, with two of them about 50 pounds each. The only clothes we had were three pairs slacks. We had left all the clothes here that we brought past winter.

Of course they just could not resist taking everything out of the heavier checked bags. Rather unusual and not the typical luggage, so naturally the customs inspectors asked the age of the various electronic equipment, and carefully looked over the various tools. We thought we might not be allowed to bring in all the vitamins we had packed. We take a lot, plus this was a six month supply. We had one bottle that was outdated, and yes, this was our problem item. Everyone there was required to inspect this bottle of multivitamins. Finally, we were allowed to keep it. The aduana folks were uniformly polite, fair and not at all jaded and perfunctory as we have experienced in Mexico City. We hope to always be able to travel to and from this airport in the future.

Here we took a taxi across town to the bus terminal, the huge CAPU (Cental de Autobuses de Puebla), (major slow traffic, full of trucks-- the route between the airport and in-city bus terminal is along the major Mexico City-Puebla-Veracruz highway) where we had several choices of buses. Waited only half an hour, and we were off again. Grabbed some quick sandwiches at the the Subway shop in the station. One bitty problem when we got on the bus – a lady was in our seat and she knew she was in the wrong seat, but this was the seat she wanted. She moved across the isle. Same thing happened in the row ahead of us – the bus driver made the woman move. The scenery on this two hour bus ride is not to be missed. The faint of heart might prefer to sit on the side of the bus behind the driver, since there are deep ravines along the other side. Also four tunnels to go thru. This road is going thru major repair at present, so the ride probably took an hour more than usual. Gave us lots of time to admire the scenery.

When we got into Orizaba, Dan called our friend Frank to let him know that we would be at our house in 25-30 minutes by taxi. Frank had our house keys, since he and his wife, Ania, did the final house closing for us. Not only was Frank there when we arrived, but he also told us he would be back in 45 minutes to take us to his house for dinner. On the way to their home, Frank stopped at the new Aurrera supermarket in Fortín for some essentials: a large jug of drinking water, mop, yogurt, cereal and some bleach to treat some mold spots we found under the kitchen sink, and perhaps have some left to swab out the water tank on the roof one of these days. By this time the rain was coming down with unbelievably huge drops—a suitable welcome to GREEN Fortín. Ania had prepared one of her favorite meals for us and another guest. It was a homemade sauerkraut dish and was indeed delicious. The conversation with David, a fellow teacher at the Tec, soon to move to Queretaro, was enjoyed.

We blew up the air mattress we stashed with our clothes and a few housewares purchases made last time, and fell into bed, the first night in our Mexican house, which we are calling Casa Azuledos.