My dear hubby brought to my attention that I goofed and said the bus prices here were 80 pesoes and 60 pesoes depending on which bus. Well that would make the bus system the most expensive in the world maybe? They are actually 8 and 6 pesoes depending on if you want air condition or not. Big difference.
The conversion from US dollars to Mexican pesoes will be a challenge for me. I was told this morning by a Mexican worker that he'd mow my little back yard for $6. Did he mean 6 us dollars, did he mean 6 pesoes or did he mean 60 pesoes. When he comes over, I'll need to have this clarified as the area isn't much more then about 12 x 12 ft. (I don't have a push or gas mower here so I'll have to rely on the worker.
Monday, December 29, 2008
Saturday, December 27, 2008
The "Last Supper"
Well tomorrow Joel leaves for home, Joanne, Ralph and Kenny never came, and tonight Joel and I will go out for our "last supper" with some new friends. Ollie and I will become better companions over the next few months.
This blog will be very short, but the next blog will include pictures. I just wanted to let you know keep the emails coming j-whitaker@comcast.net. No junk emails please. I do have a working phone now that won't cost you any more then if you were to call my house, so if you'd like that, email me back and I'll email it to you.
Oh, by the way, Joel saw a massive whale playing out about 100 yards from the beach, spouting, flipping it's tail etc. Cool huh?
This blog will be very short, but the next blog will include pictures. I just wanted to let you know keep the emails coming j-whitaker@comcast.net. No junk emails please. I do have a working phone now that won't cost you any more then if you were to call my house, so if you'd like that, email me back and I'll email it to you.
Oh, by the way, Joel saw a massive whale playing out about 100 yards from the beach, spouting, flipping it's tail etc. Cool huh?
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Felize Navidad
Yes, Merry Christmas from Joel, Janice & Ollie here in sunny & warm Mazatlan. We've had a very relaxing time here and it's been a near perfect trip. We are navigating our way around; either by foot, two bus choices, open air pulmenia, or regular taxi's. We have gotten a lot of walking and for Joel, running in. Our favorite has been on the beach. We are in an area where there is not many vendors which makes it more enjoyable. I prefer not to do my shopping with vendors although I've been known to do it once in awhile. There are two separate buses. They also take you to different places so you really need to know the area you are going to as it is hand painted on the front of their windows. One is air conditioned and is 80 pesoes and the other one is I believe 60 pesoes and not air conditioned but the windows are wide open so you get "fresh" air. Next is the pulmenia. They are similar to a golf cart, but are motorized by gas and go faster of course, they also have room for 4-5 people. This is my favorite, but it cost about 50 pesoes to get to the Golden Zone. You know what taxi's are like, but they are smaller cars then what we are use to in the North West where we are familiar with.
Last Thursday night Joel and I were invited to a couple's condo in the Golden Zone. It was on the 17th floor and had a spectacular view. From their balcony we saw both Jupiter and Venus. They were so bright and clear. I don't believe I've ever seen them before with the naked eye.
Sunday night we had our first wine tasting at our home. We had some different wines from all over including Mexico of course. Since most of are only here for 4 - 6 months, we are going to meet on the 1st and 3rd Sunday of each month. We've had around 50 people express interest in being a part of this group although only a fraction came for the first tasting.
Joanne, our daughter, her boyfriend and her son were to be here last Friday, however they were snowed in, in Spokane. The next possible flight out is tomorrow on Christmas day. So providing all goes well, we'll see them Christmas afternoon. Joel leaves on Sunday. This is not a day I'm looking forward to, but we will both be okay and new this day is coming. We'll have a few days with Ralph, Joanne and Kenny before he leaves. (Grandpa is looking forward to swimming in the ocean with Kenny and boogie boarding.)
Tonight Joel and I had dinner out at Pancho's. We've been here before and it has never been a disappointment. We have always been pleased with the food here and very seldom do you here about Montezuma revenge. I had it the first time I came here back in the early 90's and that one time was enough. It took 3 full days out of my vacation.
Ollie is not eating quite as much down here. Maybe it is too warm? Don't know, but he loves his walks, had a bath today, is has been great to have with us here. It's been a little boring with him as he is doing just fine and no major problems to report.
We'd like to both wish you & your family a very Merry Christmas.
Joel, Janice & Ollie
Last Thursday night Joel and I were invited to a couple's condo in the Golden Zone. It was on the 17th floor and had a spectacular view. From their balcony we saw both Jupiter and Venus. They were so bright and clear. I don't believe I've ever seen them before with the naked eye.
Sunday night we had our first wine tasting at our home. We had some different wines from all over including Mexico of course. Since most of are only here for 4 - 6 months, we are going to meet on the 1st and 3rd Sunday of each month. We've had around 50 people express interest in being a part of this group although only a fraction came for the first tasting.
Joanne, our daughter, her boyfriend and her son were to be here last Friday, however they were snowed in, in Spokane. The next possible flight out is tomorrow on Christmas day. So providing all goes well, we'll see them Christmas afternoon. Joel leaves on Sunday. This is not a day I'm looking forward to, but we will both be okay and new this day is coming. We'll have a few days with Ralph, Joanne and Kenny before he leaves. (Grandpa is looking forward to swimming in the ocean with Kenny and boogie boarding.)
Tonight Joel and I had dinner out at Pancho's. We've been here before and it has never been a disappointment. We have always been pleased with the food here and very seldom do you here about Montezuma revenge. I had it the first time I came here back in the early 90's and that one time was enough. It took 3 full days out of my vacation.
Ollie is not eating quite as much down here. Maybe it is too warm? Don't know, but he loves his walks, had a bath today, is has been great to have with us here. It's been a little boring with him as he is doing just fine and no major problems to report.
We'd like to both wish you & your family a very Merry Christmas.
Joel, Janice & Ollie
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Negotiating Imigration with Ollie
Sunday morning, 12/14 we left Lake Stevens with 2 inches of snow on the ground. For those of you that know our area, you know that we rarely get snow. Not so...I spoke with my daughter that lives in Lake Stevens and as of last night they had another 4 inches of snow and funny as it my sounds, that paralyses that area. Snow day for the kids yesterday and maybe today. I'd like to say I care, but guess what, we've made it to Mazatlan. 80 degree weather, no clouds, star filled skies at night, a pool practically out our front door and across the street another pool, happy hour bar all day long and a beautiful sand beach with only a smattering of people, very few vendors and clear blue/turquoise waters. We're in heaven. (well almost, in heaven there will be no vendors)
Let me tell you about immigration in Mazatlan. First of all, very nice people all through out the airport. We arrived to Mazatlan only about 15 minutes late and that's because we left 1/2 hour late as they were deicing the plane. It is a 4 1/2 hour flight from Seattle with no stops. We first got in line to have our passports and documents checked. Once we cleared that we went and retrieved our luggage, and then walked through to another short line and had our baggage scanned again. We then proceeded to the next and last stop where you press a button that will flash either green or red. Green means go, red means you then are selected to have your baggage hand checked. We got green, however this is where Ollie will need to be checked with all his paperwork, and the gal at that booth didn't know what to do with Ollie and checked around and the other guy, said "no problema" so they just let us go through. How easy was that?
So they next hurdle is going through the small maze of shuttle drivers holding up signs with your name had you prearranged a shuttle through ones of these companies. We did not. We planned on paying a little extra for a taxi. Well then you go through a maze of taxi drivers. All asking if we wanted a taxi. What I didn't know, is from the airport all taxi prices are the same. You cannot dicker to get a lower price here. The taxi's will charge you 320 pesos which is about $25 one way to where we live. The nice thing is, we got an English speaking driver, the traffic was low that afternoon and we made it to our villa in about 30 minutes or less. The airport is a ways out of town. He took us to our front door helped us with our luggage and that was that. Did you know you do not tip taxi drivers? What they tell you in price is what it is. You have to go through a poor area of Mazatlan before getting to the tourist areas that then are much nicer.
All in all we had a very smooth travel with the three of us. We were amazed and thankful. Our villa is very nice. We are real happy with it and could not have gotten one this nice for any better of a price. If you are planning on coming down (after April 13) and want to rent a place of your own where there is 3 bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths, family room, living room, kitchen, dining room, laundry room, back patio and 2nd floor patio, etc. let me know and I can put you in touch with the owner.
Things to note: there is a lot of construction going on in Mazatlan and especially in the north end where we are staying. High rises going up all over. Workers begin about 7am, so go to bed earlier to get your rest unless you like getting up early. There are two different buses available. One is green and the other is green, yellow and white. They are only 8 pesos for the green and I believe 6 for the tri-color. The difference is amazing. The green is air condition, less people, and a more comfortable ride. You usually don't have to wait more then 5 minutes for the bus. You can pick it up just about anywhere. You just need to flag it down. Simple and cheap and clean. We picked up our meat for several weeks at a place called Henderson's. It is all frozen meat, but the quality is superior to most I've had in the states. We got New York, T-bones, thick pork chops, Tuna steaks, and on and on. Over 30 lbs for $60. Amazing, and what a deal. We've gone grocery shopping twice to the larger supermarkets and food prices overall are not a whole lot less. There are individual items like baked goods that are fantastic prices. Don't come looking for a grocery deal.
Ollie has adjusted really well. He is loving the weather and every once and awhile I see him laying in the sun, and when he gets too warm, he comes back to the shade. He loves his walks. So far I don't have anything unusual to report about him, other then he likes hanging out with us.
This has pretty much caught you up with our flight and first few days here in sunny Mazatlan.
Hasta manana,
Ollie and me
Let me tell you about immigration in Mazatlan. First of all, very nice people all through out the airport. We arrived to Mazatlan only about 15 minutes late and that's because we left 1/2 hour late as they were deicing the plane. It is a 4 1/2 hour flight from Seattle with no stops. We first got in line to have our passports and documents checked. Once we cleared that we went and retrieved our luggage, and then walked through to another short line and had our baggage scanned again. We then proceeded to the next and last stop where you press a button that will flash either green or red. Green means go, red means you then are selected to have your baggage hand checked. We got green, however this is where Ollie will need to be checked with all his paperwork, and the gal at that booth didn't know what to do with Ollie and checked around and the other guy, said "no problema" so they just let us go through. How easy was that?
So they next hurdle is going through the small maze of shuttle drivers holding up signs with your name had you prearranged a shuttle through ones of these companies. We did not. We planned on paying a little extra for a taxi. Well then you go through a maze of taxi drivers. All asking if we wanted a taxi. What I didn't know, is from the airport all taxi prices are the same. You cannot dicker to get a lower price here. The taxi's will charge you 320 pesos which is about $25 one way to where we live. The nice thing is, we got an English speaking driver, the traffic was low that afternoon and we made it to our villa in about 30 minutes or less. The airport is a ways out of town. He took us to our front door helped us with our luggage and that was that. Did you know you do not tip taxi drivers? What they tell you in price is what it is. You have to go through a poor area of Mazatlan before getting to the tourist areas that then are much nicer.
All in all we had a very smooth travel with the three of us. We were amazed and thankful. Our villa is very nice. We are real happy with it and could not have gotten one this nice for any better of a price. If you are planning on coming down (after April 13) and want to rent a place of your own where there is 3 bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths, family room, living room, kitchen, dining room, laundry room, back patio and 2nd floor patio, etc. let me know and I can put you in touch with the owner.
Things to note: there is a lot of construction going on in Mazatlan and especially in the north end where we are staying. High rises going up all over. Workers begin about 7am, so go to bed earlier to get your rest unless you like getting up early. There are two different buses available. One is green and the other is green, yellow and white. They are only 8 pesos for the green and I believe 6 for the tri-color. The difference is amazing. The green is air condition, less people, and a more comfortable ride. You usually don't have to wait more then 5 minutes for the bus. You can pick it up just about anywhere. You just need to flag it down. Simple and cheap and clean. We picked up our meat for several weeks at a place called Henderson's. It is all frozen meat, but the quality is superior to most I've had in the states. We got New York, T-bones, thick pork chops, Tuna steaks, and on and on. Over 30 lbs for $60. Amazing, and what a deal. We've gone grocery shopping twice to the larger supermarkets and food prices overall are not a whole lot less. There are individual items like baked goods that are fantastic prices. Don't come looking for a grocery deal.
Ollie has adjusted really well. He is loving the weather and every once and awhile I see him laying in the sun, and when he gets too warm, he comes back to the shade. He loves his walks. So far I don't have anything unusual to report about him, other then he likes hanging out with us.
This has pretty much caught you up with our flight and first few days here in sunny Mazatlan.
Hasta manana,
Ollie and me
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Dotting All The I's And Crossing All The T's
Hola,
I sit here this evening looking out my window and see the lights across the lake and shining off the water. Other then being cold, it reminds of the days to come when I can walk on the malecon in Mazatlan and see lights reflecting off the water and weather that happens to be 79 degrees right now. I am starting to feel the realization of being gone from friends and family for 4 months. I am really glad to have Ollie with me, but he isn't a replacement for my husband and the rest of my family and friends. I haven't taught him how to talk yet. He looks at me with these kind eyes, but then just goes about his business.
Today I received in the mail a Grandma's Brag Book from my children to take with me before I leave for Mexico. It brought tears to my eyes. I am so blessed with loving children and grandchilren. A mothers love outweighs anything a child might have done when they were young and at home. In fact, I'm glad for a fading memory as something may get brought up and I won't even remember it. Joel says, "having grandchildren is God's gift to us for not murdering our children when they were young". All this to say, thank you family for your love and for being the best kids and grandkids anyone could ask for.
Last week I brought Ollie in to have his updated shots. He will also start some pills so that he will not get worms or other parasites while I have him in another country. Saturday he had his paws groomed and next week he will have his well-health check and he'll be ready for his trip. I get to have some beauty treatments also on Thursday, getting my hair permed and colored. I have had my doctor checkups and purchased my pills to keep me well for the 4 months. Because we are doing this all at once, it has taken a toll on our check book, but I'm sure we would have paid all of this eventually anyway. Little by little I am checking off my list.
Well today I got the phone system I will be using in Mazatlan all connected. This will help to stay in contact with family back in the states. The more I get involved with the community the less they will here from me...maybe. I normally don't talk long, just want to get the latest and then let them know how I'm doing and that is about it. Oh, and by the way, if you want to make sure you get the latest blog each time I post, be sure to sign up to the left of this post okay? I wouldn't want to miss sending my interesting travels with you over the next few months. Also, be sure to tell me what would be of interest to you. What would you like to hear about in particular?
Hasta la vista.
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