Where's the SUN!?

What I thought wouldn't happen, happened.

Today is day 2 of travel to Tepic from my little pueblo near San Blas due to lack of sun, energy, and ultimately internet. 

A little brighter today, yesterday was even more overcast

Every year once the rainy season starts and we get those jungle like storms the electricity goes out and with it the internet. For me this becomes a problem because I work via internet and if I don't have it then I have to go where I can get access. 2 years ago I thought I could outsmart nature and purchased solar panels to provide electricity since we had blackouts often. Who'd a thought the sun wouldn't show it's face for 4 days? Well me I guess.

Since most if not all the little pueblos surrounding mine do not have internet, I have to travel to the nearest big city which happens to be the capital of the state, Tepic. It isn't that bad really but when you are a mom like me and leave behind a 4 year old, 3 grown men, and a mother-in-law to fend for themselves back home. it can get to be a hairy situation if you know what I mean.

Meanwhile I hope that the sun will grace us with it's presence once again so our solar battery will get recharged enough to provide electricity to the antennas up on the mountain. Looking on the brightside at least I get a small break from the humidity and heat back home.

Trinidad

Mango Madness!!!

Mango's in Ejido 5 de Mayo, Nayarit

We are in the middle of mango madness here at the ranch. Crates and Crates are being shipped out by the day, every house in the little pueblo is taken and there are a dozen or more cocina economicas that have sprouted up overnight. Before the month of May, you can find only 1 full day restaurant in the rancho, but once in May there are so many the choices can be overwhelming. 

The mini circus just left the "campo" or baseball field yesterday to move on to their next pueblo as they have milked 5 de Mayo for all it had to offer. The sport community will be glad to get their field back. There are dances held almost every weekend for entertainment and it seems as though every corner of the ranch is buzzing.

The Chiapanecos can be seen daily walking down to the river to take a bath. The store nearest me, literally across the street, is always empty because all the products are purchased by the seasonal workers. 

Aside from the lack of items I can find from my local store, I am glad to say the Mango Season is a very positive time for all who live in 5 de Mayo. It brings jobs for both men and women alike of long days of up to 12+ hours, nonetheless it is only for a short time. Before I know it the ranch will get back into a lull of quiet afternoons and hot breezes and a desire for cooler temperatures.

El Jileño, Nayarit

It has been over 4 years since my last post, I have returned to my blog several times attempting to write new posts as I have much to write about! But just couldn't stick with it....

This is my attempt at a return, in going through my many photos over the past years I found one of El Jileño, Nayarit which is about 15 minutes from me. When I first set eyes on this "road" I was dumbfounded at how people crossed it without being afraid the water would take them away.

The part you see where the water drops down is the road where the vehicles drive on through. Anyone else know of any crazy roads like this?

Trinidad

From My Balcony - Bazar

Hello Everybody and Happy Saturday!

Today, I would like to share this view with you from my balcony...

Monday to Saturday my neighbor will put out a variety of goodies to sell which he acquires usually from people moving away.  Today, I picked up these babies as I couldn't resist the dark wood (only one pictured below).  I might be in trouble once the hubby finds out but until then I will enjoy them without the guilt ha ha.

 

I do not have much of my own furniture other than a kitchen table and chairs (my living room set isn't even mine) because when I moved down to Mexico I of course was not able to bring down all my furniture. 

Little by little I have begun to acquire things here and there.  I am so proud of this find because I know I will get so much satisfaction out of them on the balcony.

Tootlz and hope you all have a nice day!

Trinidad

"From My Balcony"

I decided to start a new theme in my posting called "From My Balcony."

I will occasionally catch a birds eye view of some interesting things or things that will make me chuckle to myself as I remember yes, I am in Mexico.

Today, I will share my first "FMB" photo(s).  This one has had a lasting affect on me.  

Early this morning I was asked to move my car by the señora that lives just two houses down.  "Vendo cena y ocupo el lugar en frente de mi casa."  Oh, I thought.  Of course I reacted just like a typical American (no offense), I got angry and was like really, you want me to move my car?  I thought this was a public street.  I didn't actually say that but it was what I thought. 

Afterwards I felt so guilty for thinking this way becuase I saw this....

I truly believe everyday I live here, I am becoming a better person for it.  Even though I come from a strong Mexican background, I still grew up in the states.  I am experiencing "culture shock" at a minimized dosage.  This probably doesn't make any sense but it is the best way I can describe how I felt.  Shame on me for letting such a small request ruffly my feathers.

Trinidad

Laundry Day

Somehow I managed to get away with not doing laundry for a week!

Early this morning I awoke to start putting on loads of laundry and got through about 4 loads which I feel was quite an accomplishment.  Why you say?  Well check out these stairs I must climb in order to hang my clothes out to dry!

I get a little tired after the second load even though I get a break inbetween.  I noticed as I was putting on my last load that all along I had a companion the whole time!

He was snoozing on the 3rd floor roof atop the buliding next to me (I'm on a second floor with no third floor above me).  I thought well looky here, wish that was me taking a snooze but nope!  As I write this post I am remembering that I must climb back up those stairs to bring down all the clean laundry.  Yikes!

I guess I shouldn't complain because if you look around here in my colonia everybody else hangs their laundry on the rooftop just like me. I just get so tired.

Anybody else have these obstacles when it comes to doing laundry? 

Trinidad

Bucerias Nayarit Beaches

Bucerias Beaches..... are much more accesible than those located in Puerto Vallarta.  Why?

Most of the beach areas located in PV are for private use by hotels.  Of Course there is always the common areas like Los Muertos beach area but....there is vast uncluttered beach areas to the North of Vallarta in smaller tourist towns like Buceras, La Cruz de Huanacaxtle and Punta Mita.

Semana Santa just passed and PV is getting back to normal with the every day buzz of the city but it wasn't so just last week.  There wasn't a bare spot on the beach all up the coast from PV to the Punta Mita area and I would imagine even all the way up further to Sayulita. 

To be honest I stood away from the beaches this last weekend but was more than happy to walk over once everybody left and set up my little casita with the fam bam to enjoy the waves and relax...without all of the vacationers.

That's me up top having fun in the sun, setting up shop.  Just wanted to let you know I'm back and still in lovely NAYARIT.

Trinidad

A Bucerias Update

I arrived in Puerto Vallarta about 3pm today.  My job awaits me tomorrow at 9am in Bucerias at the Decameron Hotel & Resort. 

I`m nervous which is normal, but eager to start work tomorrow.  After 3 months of not working, I pulled out alot of hair ha ha.  Ok so it wasn´t that bad but you get the point that I´m happy to have something to do again.

I will temporarily be staying with my sister-in-law in PV because my apartment will not be ready until Feb. 4th.  Everyday I will have to drive about 20 minutes to get to work which isn´t too bad.  Once I move into my apartment, I will be in el centro of Bucerias and about 3 minutes from work!  I´ve never lived so close to my work before, this is going to be awsome.

I apologize for my un-organized and ill written posts as of late but I have not had the luxary of sitting at a home computer; able to walk away at any given time and then come back to pick up where I left off in my post.  Soon I will have an internet connection at my apartement. 

For now I will leave you all with scrambled messages which WILL get better.  I promise.

A Possible Change in Plans....

I will cut to the chase.

I may be relocating to another place called Bucerias.  Bucerias is in still in Nayarit however it is further South towards Puerto Vallarta.  In fact it is the last major city in Nayarit before entering Jalisco. 

The reason behind the move you say?  I am tired of being a bum.  I know crazy right?  But I can´t help the feeling of uselessness.  Hmm is that even a word?  It is hard to explain but in short I miss work.  The only place I can find a job pronto is near Vallarta.  Of course it will not be a dream job but it will keep me busy until I can find something a little more to my liking, a little more decent.

The decision has been made and I am only awaiting the confirmation of work. Please keep your fingers crossed for me because I really want this.   This will mean so many changes for which I am excited. 

Instead of one house I will have two! Most of all I feel that I will be able to enjoy both worlds of the quiet countryside and the city life.  I feel that is really who I am, I miss talking to people about what I love: history, music, art, books.  I don´t get any of that here.

I also miss all of you.  I never am able to sit daily and see what is going on with all of you!  Netflix!  My reasons may be a bit shallow but I´m being honest.  I want both worlds, both lives.

Is that too much to ask?

My New Fence – A Quick Fix

A couple of days before Christmas my husband B got around to putting up a wire-post fence.  We were looking for a quick fix to keep out the neighborhood dogs and the cars from making u-turns in our yard.  Every morning I can wake up and don’t have to pick up the dog poop x6 in my yard.  I’m loving it. 

B ended up putting the fence about 5 feet inward from the street so that we have enough space to pull in to our property because the neighbors that own vehicles live across the street and thus park the cars on their side of the street making it difficult to pull in.  Also, visitors can park out on the street for a quick visit because there is enough space and they will not be blocking street traffic. 

Eventually, I would like to make two entrances from the street: 1) a small gate which will open up to a cement walk-way to the front door and 2) a gate for the driveway entrance.  For the walkway entrance I want lots and lots of plants!  Soon I hope. 

The fence is nothing special but for now it does the trick.

My Comejen Problem - Update

Hope you all had a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!!

My posts have been sporadic... I know, but I will keep them coming and hopefully more steadily now that the holidays have come and gone.  I had a house full of family visitors and well that just about sums it up. 

If you recall, back in April of last year I posted about having a comejen (termite) problem after having purchased a brand new bedroom set.  The termites ate away happily at my headboard and inn table.  Thankfully the furniture was still under warranty and we were able to return the damaged furniture for new ones.

As I was sweeping away the dirt and dust that the coastal winds brought, I discovered an unfortunate little trail (see below).  They were back (the termites)! Grrrr.  Only this time they did not appear in the bedrooms but in the living room.  I think the termites didn’t return in the same place because B treated the places where he originally discovered them. 

So far, I have destroyed the termite trail 3 times.  B needs to get with it and treat the area before they come back.  However, B is hesitant because his method of treatment involves burned oil and it leaves a large wet looking mark on the cement (we don’t have tiled floors yet).  I told him that eventually it will get covered but since we don’t know when that will be we are trying to preserve the dignity of the floor however ugg it may be.

If  you are not careful and overlook a room you might not see them.  Here is a shot taken further away.

I’m telling you everyday it’s something new.  Ha! And I thought life here would be kick back and relax, I set myself up for that one.  These pictures were taken some weeks ago and we still haven´t treated the area with burned oil but to date the comejenes haven´t returned.

I will keep my fingers crossed and hope that they do not return! 

My Week

In my last post I made mention of perhaps being swindled by repair men but I have been spared!  I now have a working fridge WOO HOO!

Last Sunday I went to my husband´s ball game and met the fate of being hit in the leg with the baseball which left a very huge bruise.

I´m glad to announce that I am way ahead of schedule for Christmas.  Usually I don´t start decorating until the second week of December and every year I say next year I am going to be ready to decorate way earlier Since Thanksgiving isn´t celebrated here in Mexico I haven´t been busy prepàring for guests and making food so I´ve been able to focus a little more on other things.  For example...

I pulled out all of my pictures and finally fixed my huge frame that holds 1 8x10, 2 5x7, and 12 4x6. It took me longer than usual because the frame was badly molded from the humidity so I had to doctor it up and clean, clean, clean it up.  

The house is still coming together. Here are a few of my peeves as of late.

1) Every morning I have to go outside and pick up 5-7 doggie dumplings in my front yard.  Ever since we finished remodling the front yard is still wide open and with a lot of rock and sand where the doggie´s love to take a dump.  It´s driving me crazy because I don´t even have dogs Plus, I can´t let one day pass without picking up the dumplings or else I can´t leave my front door open to let in the breeze because all I get is an ugly stench.

2) All the traffic uses my yard to turn around.  I know it´s not a big deal but after a while it gets annoying because they almost make it up to my front window.

Ok, I´m done venting for now.  That pretty much sums up my week, I hope to start sharing pictures but can never seem to come prepared to the ciber.

I have an idea of setting up a desk at home to have a working area. However, I have run out of tables and need to buy a new one which I hope will serve as both table and side table whenever needed.  We´ll see but that is the plan.

Well, tootlz for now, its dark here and so I´m off for some pan con leche para cenar.

Swindled?

I´m taking my fellow blogger Contessa´s advice and am going to throw myself into this by posting about daily life here at home in Nayarit.  This place is truly like "Peyton´s Place," but more of that later.

-------

Today was the 2^nd time I made tortillas by hand, or as they say here in Mexico “tortie” (pronounced: tor-tea-e).  The 1^st time I tried, the tortillas came out a little burned but I think I’m starting to get the hang of it because today I didn’t burn them.  It’s not too difficult to make tortillas there is simply several things one must be aware of because if one is amiss then your tortillas suffer the consequences.  Making tortillas is an art into itself and I will go into how they are made in more detail later.  For now I will simply tell you that I’m tackling the task of tortiando daily.

Earlier today two men were driving down the street announcing that they repair refrigerators, stoves & washing machines.  We asked them to stop because the fridge my suegra (mother-in-law) gave us isn’t cooling as it should.  Reluctantly, my suegra called them over.  I say reluctantly because in the past other people have paraded down the street announcing their handy work capabilities and end up swindling my suegra out of her money leaving her only with broken appliances.

We told the two men that we had a fridge that needed fixing but weren’t very trusting because we have been swindled in the past.  They assured us that they were honest men who live in Tepic and work the surrounding ranches repairing old appliances.  After about 15 minutes of discussion, we (B, my suegra and I) agreed to let them fix the fridge.  We also had them unclog the stove (also given to us by my suegra) because one of the burners wasn’t working.  They fixed both (supposedly) and charged us $800 pesos; $750 for the fridge and $50 for the stove. 

We plugged the fridge in and it seems as if it is cooling more but only time will tell whether or not we too have been swindled.

Wish us luck!

-Trinidad

Home at Last

Ok, Ok, I´m sorry for being away so long.

I made it. I am in 5 de Mayo Nayarit and have tons to share but no time!! We´ve had renovations at the house, and I barely got unpacked a few days ago.  Things have been crazy and today is the first day I´ve tried "El Ciber" at the ranch.  I have to say it hasn´t been bad at all, the connection that is.

This is a short hello, but please bare with me as I get settled in at home.  I think I will create my posts at home and then come in to the ciber all ready to just cut and paste.

On to top of getting settled in I wrangled with a 102 temperature for three days until finally I went to see a doctor and got a shot which took away my fever within hours.  You know how they do things down here in Mexico ha ha.

Well, like I said please bear with me and I hope to post again soon.

"Surprise!"

The cousins and my Mom nealing at the bottom right

"Surprise!" was what I heard as I walked into the door of my aunt's house.

"No guys he's not here yet, it's just me" was my response.  Cousin Londa said "No this is for you!"

Tear.

As I stood there it all began to sink in that I wasn't actually there for my cousin's surprise birthday party but a surprise going away party for me. 

They got me good.

I was so emotional I needed a cocktail fast to simmer the nerves down.  My family began to give me hugs one by one, some I hadn't seen in a while so I was very glad they could make it.

The day before the party I told my mom I planned on making up little cards with all my new contact info so that I could pass them out at my cousin's surprise party.  She thought it was a good idea since the whole family was going to be there.  It is so funny how it all worked out that I had thought to make the contact cards and ended up passing them out at my own surprise party.

My family is awsome. 

I still haven't started packing but will get to it soon. 

Tootlz for now.

My One Way Ticket

A one way ticket...for anybody, can feel threatening when it is purchased without the intent of a return.

I have finally purchased my one way ticket and things are starting to feel FINAL. 

This move to Nayarit has been almost two years in the making and to be honest I have often felt that it would never arrive.

My situation has always felt somewhat like a dream that I wasn't really living.  It was hard to be married for one year and then have to be separated for two.  This was a hard and long journey for both my husband and I am so glad and thankful that it has all come to an end - the separation, not the marriage.

So much change lies ahead for me and I know I will be struggling to adapt.  It is true what is said about change and the unknown.  Both are not usually welcomed with open arms.  I believe to truly be successful in my transition I will have to embrace both with my eyes wide open.  Does that make sense?

Back when I started this blog, I had no idea I would be meeting such wonderful, intelligent people.  Thank you for your comments and posts, they have helped me to see this experience in a new positive light.

On Sunday Oct. 2nd I will make the title of this blog a reality and not just a dream.

Oh and did I mention I'm very excited? 

Because I am, even if it is to delve into those dreadful things in life like change and the unknown.

My $5 Coffees

Ok, so I am guilty of enjoying the rediculousness of Peet's $5 coffees.  I can't help it, lately I've gotten much better at taking my own coffee to work and staying away from the coffee mania of Peet's in the morning but not today. 

I woke up rather early to take a family member to the bart station, 6am to be exact, and thus had a ton of time to spare before getting to work.  My solution...I headed to Peet's coffee shop near my work and orded myself a large white mocha with whole milk and whip cream.  Mmmmm. 

Since I've been back, between the bagels with cream cheese and coffees I think I've gained about 10-15 pounds.  YIKES! It's ok because I am 99% sure I will lose it all once I move down to Nayarit. 

As I passed the time in the coffee shop with the much older crowd (which is why I like going to Peet's) I wrote my nephew in boot camp a 5 page letter.  After finishing, I sat outside on one of the benches and longed for some company.  I got to thinking after about 20 minutes how much better I would be enjoying myself sitting on my new patio in good 'ol 5 de Mayo drinking a 5 cent coffee instead of a 5 dollar coffee.

My mother-in-law and I often bond over coffee, it is something we have in common if not anything else we always manage to agree when it's time for café.

Sitting outside that coffee shop made me realize this as everybody walked by me with not so much as a single "hello" much less a "good morning." A realization that my $5 coffees are just that and nothing more. 

All in due time.... for now I wish you all a good morning.

Still Here!

After receiving a concerned email from a dear friend, I decided to write this post to let everybody know I am still alive and kickin'!

I have been a terrible blogger and do apologize. 

I have encountered a couple of obstacles to blogging.  One, my home computer is dying on me.  It is a fight to get my laptop booted up and am in the process of getting it replaced as I have had it for over 7 years and wouldn't mind seeing something new.  However I have yet to take the plunge at getting a new one.

Also, I have been working 7 days a week.  Crazy right? I know.  I figure that I don't have kids or a husband at home that need tending to and so I should be able to manage the schedule.  My last day of work is Sept. 30th and until then I will be working every day except for the Monday holiday in September.

I am on very good terms with my employers and we have a mutual care for one another.  I am on a mission to complete a project at work before I leave plus I don't mind the extra cash.  I will sometimes get online at work but most of the time my project takes me away from my office and thus away from my computer.

Don't give up on me as I should be getting a working laptop soon.  Also, I have recently found out that a new "cyber" has opened up in Nayarit where I will be moving.  So keeping the blog functioning shouldn't be too difficult even though I believe the connection is via satelite.  We'll see how that goes as I hear they are not very reliable.

Tootlz for now, I will be checking in soon!

Credencial del Elector

On this last trip to Nayarit we made but one trip to Tepic and I convinced B that we should go get our "Credencial del Elector" which is one of the most important Mexican ID's in Mexico as it is the one used to vote.  I have been itching to get some sort of identification in Mexico so that I could open my own bank account and do other things.

I had tried several other times to get this identification and was told I needed this and that to go here and there when all the time all I needed to get the Credencial del Elector is the following:

1. My Birth Ceriticate (the two originals issued by the Mexican Consulate in San Francisco)
2. 2 witnesses that know you with valid Credenciales del Elector (1 of the witnesses IDs had to be from the county of Tepic)
3. A proof of residence - ie an electricity bill

I have noticed that anytime you try to do most any kind of paperwork you are always asked for a "recibo de luz" or light bill.  So now I am always armed with an electric bill when conducting business.

It turned out we had perfect timing for getting these IDs because as soon as B went into the bank they told him that he needed to get a new one because his was now expired.  In Mexico I believe they use a series number noted on the ID.  Once your series number is retired you have to get the ID renewed.

For item #2 I wasn't able to use B because he didn't have a valid ID so I only had my mother-in-law who could sign as a witness.  On the street in front of a Bancomer Bank she asked an innocent bystander if they would sign as a witness for me even though they didn't know me.  The first person she asked consented, all I remember about her is that her name was Rosario and she was from the San Blas area.  After the agent took her information she was on her way and I heartily thanked her.

The agent filled out all of my paperwork and took my photo.  At the very end of the process I was asked to sign my name and not thinking I signed my name as I normally would in the states.  I forgot that the name I would be using in Mexico would be the name on my Mexican birth certificate not my husbands name that I had taken in the states.  Hmmm I caught it after reviewing the paperwork and asked the agent to change it.  His response was that it didn't matter if my signature didn't match the printed name on the ID but that I had to sign my name exactly as I had signed it on the ID.

I was like really? How weired is that going to be? He insisted that I need not worry about it, but I know this is going to really bother me everytime I take it out for something.  I also wonder if I will have any problems.  Well I guess only time will tell.  The ID was ready for pick up on August 3rd and will remain at that office until I go in person to pick it up.  They will hold it for 2 years and then it will be recycled if it is not picked up. 

Even though my name is wrong on the ID I was happy I existed on paper in Mexico.  I guess I felt like I was officially moving.  Now all I need to work on is getting an address.  I joke and call our house number 3 1/2, but that's another story for another time. 

Tootlz for now.

My Dual Citizenship

An article came out in our local paper which mentioned resident parents wanting to get dual citizenship for their kids so that they could reap of one of the benefits of easy travel to and from Mexico.  I must say that being able to go around the long line of tourists flying into Puerto Vallarta would be a definite plus for me.

When I was 17 years old, my father told me he wanted me to get dual citizenship so that later on when he was gone I could inherit his properties (without having to jump through hoops) in Zacatecas.  Even though now I think this most likely will not happen (a whole other story), I am glad we took the time to get my dual citizenship.

Getting the dual citizenship proved to be somewhat cumbersome in that it took many phone calls to the Mexican consulate in San Francisco to get an appointment.  If I remember correctly, we made one visit to the Consulate but trying to get that appointment took almost a year. 

When my application was submitted I was 17 and by the time I got an appointment to process all the documentation, I was 18.  The woman we spoke to on the phone said that I was passed the age to claim my right to dual citizenship. 

Apparently the children of a Mexican citizen have to be under 18 years of age for their parents to claim the dual citizenship for their kids.  We explained to the woman that the paperwork was submitted before I turned 18 and it was their fault we didn't get an appointment for so long.

Finally we were given an appointment where we had to bring copies of my parents and two witnesses' birth certificates and identification cards.  Also I had to be accompanied to my appointment by my parents and the two witnesses.  Trying to arrange for this was a little difficult in that everybody we knew worked and the appointment was during the day plus we had to travel to the city. 

After the appointment the Mexican Consulate provided me with a temporary "Mexican birth certificate" until the originals arrived in the mail.  I paid for two originals and sure enough within a matter of two weeks I had them in my hands.

I am happy we made the effort to get it done because now I am finally reaping the benefits.  Mind you I never thought it would be because I would be living in Mexico.

After 10 long years of being tucked away in a filing cabinet, I will finally be putting those Mexican birth certificates to use.