Because of the jack hammering that's been going on for the new construction project on our street, we've been rudely woken up almost every morning at 8 am. I know, I know, that's not really early and most times we are in the early throes of being awake. BUT, it's another to have the jack hammer in the brain that early.
Our daughter, Ara, sent us a request to help out our 6 year old grandson, Arlo, with a Flat Stanley project for school. If you don't know what Flat Stanley is, it's where you draw a body and place your face (our grandson Arlo's) on the body. Then people you know get the picture printed and they take it to places Arlo has never been to. So off we went with the picture on my flash drive down to Mailboxes Etc. for color printing and laminating. From there Mike and I walked up and down the Malecón taking pictures of "Arlo" at different sites along the way. Arlo will be printing out our pictures back in Spokane and presenting them as part of his project. I actually think we had the most fun!
Monday evening there was the annual meeting of Democrats Abroad at Los Muertos Brewing. Mike had done some volunteer work for them so we decided to attend. Always good pizza, beer, and wine. And while there, we were invited to come to a couple's home, David & Judy, on Saturday to get to know them better. Slowly we are meeting people and making new friends with those who live here most of the year.
On our walk home, we ran into Mel Enge at Nacho Daddy's. He was there to watch the men's NCAA Championships. So, of course, we sat ourselves down and watched the game with him. A delightful evening all around especially since UCONN won!
Sean Moore, owner of Nachos, Mel Enge, & Mike
Tuesday we went out to find a Mexican salad bowl and spoon rest. We love the Mexican pottery and want to have some accent pieces that are useable and not just decoration. Our "go to" place on the other side of the river where we bought our water container wasn't open so we went down stairs. Lucky us that we found exactly what we were looking for and they are a beautiful addition to our kitchen and home.
The newly painted water stand
Yes, we are accumulating "things". Things that make our life and living it more enjoyable. They are not "needs", they are "wants". And none of them are necessary for day to day living. We are fortunate that we do have some discretionary money every month over our "needs" budget. These are also items that we could sell or could easily walk away from should the time ever come but they certainly make it more beautiful NOW!
We had made plans to meet up with friends, Andrea and Richard Doggett and Todd Wheeler for Happy Hour at the Signature Lounge at The Pinnacle. It was nice to see Harris joins us, as well. This was Andrea and Richard's last few days before they headed home to Iowa on Thursday. Certainly had a blast while they were here and we will miss them!! Somehow I have a feeling that we will see them again somewhere.
Mike had continued to try and reach our previous landlord to determine when we would be getting our money back. "No" was not an option with us and we felt we were definitely now getting the run around. So by Tuesday afternoon we were both very frustrated and decided to contact our legal facilitator, Felipe. He was happy to go with Mike Tuesday evening to meet with David and converse in legal and technical terms.
Turns out this was absolutely the right thing to have done. David was very upset with us and started being belligerent to Mike. That's when Felipe started to say "Fine, be that way. I will call my uncle the lawyer and we will file papers against you tomorrow." David threw up his hands and said he didn't want any trouble. "Supposedly" we will have our money within 2 weeks. Something about it having to be transferred back to Mexico from the states. He now knows that if we don't get our money back, papers will be filed against him. He picked on the wrong gringos. We aren't leaving town and saying "oh well". We shall see how this all shakes out....
I, on the other hand, was enjoying a lovely evening of beautiful blues and soul music listening to Chris Kenney at Nacho Daddy's while Mike and Felipe were out doing their work.
Thursday morning, Mike and I walked up the street to say farewell to our new good friends, Andrea and Richard. The nice part about us being the ones that stay behind is that we are now the recipient of left overs from various friends we've made who go home for the summer. Andrea and Richard's contribution was a gold mine though!! Tequila, Gran Marnier, Contro, Baileys, Pina Colada mix, Margarita mix, full loaf of bread and a box of granola. Score!!! Thanks, guys!
The final fund raiser for the Babies at Risk cause was being held Thursday at Nacho Daddy's. This cause is where the money raised is used to buy good formula for babies whose mothers have HIV and can't nurse their babies. Karyl Littlechild, a Spanish lessons classmate and friend, has been organizing and running all of these events. She is to be commended!!! Every community is enriched because of selfless people like her.
Mike and I showed up at 1pm to help with the setup. All went smoothly and we met some really nice people. Unfortunately, the time came and went for people to start showing up...only they didn't. Bummer!! The advertising didn't go well and the date had been changed too many times and it's late in the season here with many already gone home to the states or Canada. So all of us volunteers hung out having drinks and listening to the very very good rock band - Tres Quartos (3/4) band.
https://www.sugarsync.com/pf/D646513_67028128_7773124
https://www.sugarsync.com/pf/D646513_67028128_7773146
While listening to the music, we met a woman, Karen and her finance, Lindy. We had a wonderful conversation getting to know each other. So now we have plans to get together this week at our place for drinks then go around the corner and out for dinner at Fusion Gourmet, where everything is half off on Wednesday nights. Meeting more great people!!
Friday morning early, we were taken up to a beautiful condo project in Conchas Chinas, Miramar. It's at the highest point in PV. We enjoyed a lovely breakfast at their restaurant and shown some of their condos. A stunning vantage point to view the Bay from but way too far and up for us to consider without a car.
Saturday we made another run to Mega where we found nothing on our list so we ended up deciding to hop another bus and go up to WalMart and the Galeria Mall. Found nothing we were looking for in the mall either but did find a new toaster and a very large lid for our very large frying pan.
We have also been wanting to put up some window treatments in the living area. The sun is getting quite intense in the late afternoon but it's more for if someone comes and needs to sleep in the living area. They would need some privacy and darkness to sleep. We didn't buy anything but we did make a decision as to what we are going to do. Take a bus to Home Depot for the first time this coming week and see what they have available before making any further decisions!! It will also let us look at their washers and dryers before we make a decision on that also.
And, then we took a cab to go to our friend's home up in Gringo Gulch. They have a stunning condo that has a 180 view of the Bay off their terrace! What a lovely evening getting to know new friends, sharing stories, and talking about what a great life it is here. Judy and David are from Portland but live here 8-9 months of the year. Next time at our place!
I awoke this morning to the news that my article was published by International Living and it was and it was today's Email Postcard that gets emailed to thousands around the world. Many that I know and some that I don't emailed me directly with wonderful compliments. I feel honored that all of my efforts to share our journey through this blog are truly helping so many others. And, now my efforts are being recognized. That feels really good!!
http://internationalliving.com/
Mike and I decided not to cook breakfast this morning and instead went around the corner for a delicious and inexpensive meal at Fusion Gourmet. French toast to die for and Eggs Benedict. Then a walk on the beach, where it's clear that Semana Santa has definitely started!! We're being invaded by the rest of Mexico!! Laundry is done and I'm finishing up the blog. A really good day!
Video of this flying person: https://www.sugarsync.com/pf/D646513_67028128_7773248
So I'll end this week on that high note and hope that everyone else had a great week and that they will continue to do so in the coming one!! Thanks for following along....on our journey.
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