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.
