Miercoles, 04 Julio 2012. Had we been in Anacortes
today, we would be hearing an occasional fircracker (cohete)
and be anticipating the city's annual fireworks (fuegos
artificiales) display. Mexican Independence Day, which we
experienced here last fall, is celebrated much less explosively.
We called Frank for his
dentist's phone number, the notation of which we apparently left in
the US. We are both ready for a cleaning. Dan tried Wendy, the
dentist, but got no answer. A bit later Frank stopped by and he took
a seat on the office floor where we were both working on the blog.
He read all we had found out about applying for IMMS health
insurance, since he plans to go with us and also apply for it. As he
was about to leave he asked if we'd like a ride to anyplace since he
had a bit of free time. His wife was out walking for awhile so he
did not need to rush home for further instructions. As if that
happens! Dan gave Wendy another call and she could take us this
afternoon at 4pm & 5pm. Great, one more item we intended to do
on this trip that we can cross off the list!
Frank dropped us in the
middle of Fortín near his atm. Saved us 12 blocks of walking.
When Frank dropped us off, he asked what it cost for the taxi into
town. To his surprise we had no idea, as we have always walked. We
had never taken an in town taxi here, just between here and the
cities that flank Fortín on the east and west.
First we walked to the bank
for the atm. Next the hardware and bought hooks for windows and
hardware to install our lovely mailbox on our gate. Next to a
locksmith's stall to get some duplicates made. Two worked but the
third needs some more grinding to fit the padlock. Next to the
Fester store for some festermicida, a wood preservative. Fester is a
well-respected brand of specialized coatings and selants. Bought a
gallon of this liquid to paint on wood to discourage termites and
repel water. Walked home with time for a bite to eat and a wee nap,
before going for a bus to take us to the dentist. Well relatively
near the dentist. We managed to get an 11th avenue bus
which is what we wanted – except all these buses are not equal. We
wanted one that went all the way down 11th Ave, but this
one turned at 10th street so we had to walk on down the
three blocks to 4th street. This way be got to walk by a
beautiful little city park.
We arrived at the dentists
office a half hour early – and guess what – this is one of the
places that closes between two and four. We walked to a restaurant a
block away and shared a soda pop. Carmen took her appointment first.
We had taken the computer with hopes that the dentist office would
have internet. No such luck, so Dan caught up on the local
newspapers there. She does a really good job. MXP500 each, about
USD36 – sure beats the $140 each in the US. There is also a
dentista but three blocks from our house that Carmen will try
next time. If all is well, we could perhaps change just for the
convenience of going to someone five minutes from home.
After leaving the dentist,
we walked the 10+ blocks to the notario, along a cross-town route we
had not traversed before. Always good to learn of specialty store
locations for some future shopping need. We're still trying to pay
our land lawyer his final bill. No such luck. He told us hi from a
distance, but he had a terrible cold, so would we please come back
next week? Did one ever have so much difficulty paying a bill?
Just up the block from the lawyers office is a Waldos dollar store.
As in many local stores, no one is allowed to take a package or even
a purse into a store. All must be checked. Dan stood outside the
door while Carmen perused the store for goodies. She found a small
mop to be used to sanitize our tinaco (water tank on top of
our house). Sent Dan into the store while Carmen stood outside with
our backpack containing the netbook. Dan bought the mop and a box of
candy and marshmallow cookies that Carmen had been eying. Bussed
home. Was interesting carrying the mop on the bus.
We decided to treat
ourselves to some Aztec soup from the nearby restaurant. Took our
supplies home first. Happily walked the four more blocks, only to
discover the restaurant closed again. The hours posted are 7-10,
everyday. However this is now the third time we have stopped there
and found it closed. Had some fish nearly thawed in our frig.
Discovered we had no salt, so used some thyme and parmesan cheese and
crisped it in oil. Yum. Fresh tomato, avocado and blue cheese salad
with fresh lime juice. Guess it was good that the restaurant was
closed.
