Domingo 23 – Sabado 29 Sep 2012. (Sun 23rd) We drove the
whole four blocks to the Fogon & Paila restaurant, since the sky
let loose just as we started out the door, and we were going to head out of town after eating. Rain does not often
arrive before late afternoon. While breakfasting at the restaurant, Dan
posted the blog and we both caught up on emails. It was sunny, warm
and humid (all those puddles evaporating) when we left two hours
later. There were only a couple other tables occupied while we were
there, so we probably helped their business rather than taking up a
needed table. Next we drove to Orizaba the back way via Cuautlapan &
Ixtaczoquitlan. Such a beautiful drive on a slow traffic day.
Mountains and lush vegetation! Didn't find the sawmill/lumberyard
that Frank thought was there. Strolled thru the Chedraui superstore which
is much like a Walmart. Still looking for a small pressure cooker with all it's parts in the box.
No luck. Did find some mightily fresh donuts though!
(Mon 24th) Hung around
debating whether to go into town to hassle the people at Cablecom,
since the Saturday install didn't happen. Decided to just hang out
at home instead, just on the chance they should arrive today. How we
do enjoy looking out our windows at the banana fields across from two
sides of our house. Rained off and on today. Dan removed old
deadbolt locksets out of the front and back doors, as we have no keys
for these.
(Tue 25th) Cablecom arrived
around midday, no phone call notice given, and installed our cable &
internet. Two TV outlets, a line into the office, a new phone and
modem, plus installation, all for US$15. They mostly used the
existing holes drilled thru the concrete walls, but all the wires and
connectors are now new. We have had an afternoon rain every day
except one, and today was not an exception. Took a little time to
update some of the programs on the computer, and to view the bank
account, since now we are using our own connection. This blog had
120 viewers yesterday, whereas it had been chugging along at perhaps
a half-dozen, mostly friends and relatives. We thought this was
strange, before Dan checked John Calypso's current VivaVeracruz blog
entry, and discovered a great mention in his most recent post,
suggesting that folks check out our efforts. Thanks John, maybe some
of the newest viewers will stay with us. We hope our experiences,
faithfully recorded, give some help to others thinking about a move
here.
(Wed 26th) We took the car
and drove into Córdoba for our initial visit to the IMSS medical
clinic we were assigned to in July. No parking, except on street,
how different than the US where offices are required by codes to
provided parking for expected visitors. At least 25 taxis lined up
to take people home. This new facility is not on any convenient bus
route, hence the huge taxi area. We were each assigned to a separate
doctor's office. A huge new building, seems to be really well set
up. Dan was in his doctor's office when Carmen was called into hers.
She says she did not do too badly, but when she and the nurse
finally got to the point of not understanding each other, in Dan
walked just in time. Now we have been given appointments for our
initial dental and doctor consults. A general impression is that
IMSS services and wellness outreach programs are much more wide
ranging than in the US, where one must frequently seek out
specialists. All appears to be without co-pay or additional charge
beyond the annual fee (US$270 or so) we paid for the August thru July
year when we signed up.
(Thu 27th) Planned to walk
into town but rained most of the afternoon, during which Frank
stopped by to invite us to come over for a game of RummiKub this
evening. Gardie is Carmen's sidekick today! She put his harness &
leash on him this morning and took him into our outside areas to see
the rest of his world today. He is so good. When told it was time
to go inside, he walked over to the door. He has learned, since
here, that some human food is good. Smij is spending her days under
the bedcovers. Just like in Anacortes, where she always hid out for
the day. At night after we go upstairs, Gardie goes downstairs and
hollers for Smij. Her eyes get all big and downstairs she trots.
They have adjusted really well. All will be better when our
furniture arrives. Drove over to Frank &Ania's just before dark,
stopping at the Aurrera supermarket for meat specials. Carmen drove
home since Dan had had some alcoholic beverages. Our garbage bags
are still, at 9:30pm, hanging on the back gate.
(Fri 28th) The garbage was
gone this am when we got up—guess the collectors had a long day
yesterday. Walked into town via Frank's worksite, to check progress.
Looks like all the marble tiles have been delivered. We stopped by
the cerraduría and dropped off the deadbolt locks to get keys
made—these are special high security keys with four faces. Bought
catfood samples at several stores, and then visited the hardware
store, where we purchased cut lengths of curtain rod (comes in 20'
lengths, cut to order for no charge), plumbing elbows with which to
make brackets for the curtain rods, and bird-blocking mesh for the
top of the chimney. We visited the Comex paint store facing the park
and talked to the owner about refinishing outside wood surfaces, and
we also bought a gallon of white interior paint. Tapped the ATM. On
the way back to our home in Colonia Las Azaleas, We bought
takeout meals of barbacoa de borrego (lamb BBQ) at the El
Rosario Restaurant, and mojarra (bream or similar fish), at 2
for MX$100 (US$7.70) Friday special at the Fogon y Paila. Ate the
fish tonight, the the BBQ is waiting in the frig for tomorrow. Dan
researched alternatives for finishing exterior wood doors exposed to
sun and rain. Traditional or polyurethane varnish, even
marine-grade, does not look like a lasting option.
(Sat 29th) A desayuno
of pancakes and bacon at home. Carmen likes the Más Fácil
brand, as it already contains eggwhites. Doing laundry today the
water was left running a bit too long and it overflowed onto the
floor. Was someone telling us it was time to clean the kitchen
floor? Walking around town seems to take up half the day, so many
stops to make scattered about. Seems like everything one could want
is just around the block (a la vuelta) or just a little
farther (un poco más allá). First we visited a window/door
shop close to home, way down in the SW corner of the same long block
as our home. The young man there spoke some self-taught English and
was eager to put together an estimate for some pieces of plexiglas,
which we'll get on Monday. Next to another paint store selling the
Sayer brand. A young man there also spoke some English, and we
determined that this would be our source for wood-finishing
materials, as we are going with acrylics and water cleanup, not the
two part catalyst/varnish that Comex sells. We picked up the keys
ordered yesterday. and then we waited to get another set of front
door keys we can stash somewhere outside for the day we both
forget/lose our keys. A final stop at the grocery store. At last in
late-afternoon we got home, hungry, and had the lamb barbacoa
and corn on the cob (elotes) for almuerzo (lunch). It
has been a perfect weather day. Dan made a batch of fresh oj with
our hand-operated orange press. Eleven small oranges go into two
tall glasses. A light late supper of toast & crema de
cacahuate (peanut butter), with a little dessert of three pieces
of extra-dark Swiss chocolate. So smooth...so delicious!
