tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90064273493128249982024-03-14T02:11:18.506-05:00Casa del Gato Azulan adventure in life!Carlos Q and Pat Qhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16773142238403264658noreply@blogger.comBlogger185125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9006427349312824998.post-88644676574710299382019-07-29T19:44:00.001-05:002019-07-29T19:46:51.174-05:00Cleaning out the Septic System - Mexican Style!<br />
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We knew this day would come! Since we are all on our very own septic systems in Merida, we knew sooner than later we would have to face getting the honey truck here to empty us out! And it would be sooner rather than later because we flush our toilet paper unlike many whom do not!<br />
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However our architect did us a favor and when he redesigned the simple Mexican style home to something more up to date, he put a new septic system right in the front yard where the previous owners parked but we wanted a front yard buffer from the street. It is placed inside the gate, to the left of this photo and is approx right in front of the doors. Thank you Roger for thinking of this. It means that I don't have nasty dirty hoses going through my house! Stinky ones at that!<br />
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Our toilet flushing slowed down, the showers drained slow, so we knew the time was quickly approaching to handle this situation. Today the workers showed up and here are some of the photos!<br />
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This is the waste chamber where the solids remain, than the grey water goes to the second chamber where it slowly leaches into ground.<br />
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Both chamber were opened and the workers sucked out all the solid waste as well as all of the grey water. They hosed both chamber with clean water than continued to remove all of the stinky stuff.</div>
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They than recapped the chambers and marked them to find the covers easier. (we figure in 2024)</div>
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Now it's up to Carlos and I to get some landscape cloth and re spread the gravel. All of this was 3,000 mxp or the equivalent of about $150 US. Since there are no waste treatment plants we asked were they emptied the tanks and we were told that the city of Merida does have a plant and they charge them 750 mxp to empty their trunk, I feel better knowing that!</div>
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<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><div style="font-weight:bold; font-style:italic"><p>© 2011, 2012, 2013) <a href="http://ontomerida.blogspot.com">Casa del Gato Azul</a>. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.</p></div></div>Carlos Q and Pat Qhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16773142238403264658noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9006427349312824998.post-4605068296311898892019-06-27T21:26:00.002-05:002019-06-27T21:26:45.828-05:00Adding a Puppy to Our Yucatan Household<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just give Clementina an ice cube!</td></tr>
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When we first arrived in Merida 5 years ago we brought with us our 4 rescue cats. Of course the least expensive way was to drive them down in our van. 6 days later we had arrived in Merida, intact but never wanting to drive 4 cats thousands of miles again! Border crossing was easy, although we had spent more than 800 US dollars on health certificates, no one was even interested in looking to see what we had in our van. </div>
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The cats settled in quickly. They found that the pool was wet and luckily the two that fell (or were pushed in by our grump Maine Coon Gustavo) were able to swim out with no problems. They all found new places to explore and to nap and just were happy as can be. Sadly our blue Tonkinese who our house and blog was named for passed away two years later at 18 years old. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kiwi, Gus and Persimmon the night we arrived</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gustavo had his first experience with locust swarms!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And Gus found a great napping placed</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kiwi making himself at home</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BleuBeri after his first accidental swim...</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another napping place</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A safer napping place</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Watching the sun rise<br /></td></tr>
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Now 5 years later it was time to shake up their lives with the addition of A PUPPY! And it has shaken up our lives too. We have not had a dog for almost 25 years and the last puppy was more than 35 years ago. As Carlos has been back and forth to the states quite often this year, I felt a dog would not only be company for me, but also be an alarm system if someone/something was entering our territory. So after much research and 8 months of watching dogs for adoption. I found a good match for us from a breeder of Havanese pups. (Here in Mexico they are called Bichon Habanero) As my husband, son and grandson are all allergic to dogs, I just needed to find one that would not cause an asthma attack and I never did find one for adoption. Havanese are hypoallergetic and do not shed. Also I felt that I needed a puppy to minimize the stress for the remaining 3 cats.Who had never been around dogs...ever!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The day she arrived (8 wks)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clementina at 10 wks<br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's a face that's easy to love</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She learning how to be safe in the pool</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">When she knows she's been bad!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q1BjGsy8geE/XRVxsSzeKiI/AAAAAAAAfqc/30uSZ3Vm05cfGs2KULz54W_F7taJtctXQCEwYBhgL/s1600/Clem%2Band%2BPersie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="996" height="185" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q1BjGsy8geE/XRVxsSzeKiI/AAAAAAAAfqc/30uSZ3Vm05cfGs2KULz54W_F7taJtctXQCEwYBhgL/s320/Clem%2Band%2BPersie.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Friends!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sleeping together in the heat of the day</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Patrolling her property keeping us safe!</td></tr>
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<br />So here we are now with a 5 month old puppy. I love her to death BUT it is so much work...to housebreak, to train, to wear them out so they sleep all night, to feed, shots, etc etc etc. But rewarding also...I am secure in the knowledge that she will alert us to anything that is different, after all she barked like crazy at a Costco size package of toilet paper today...it had snuck in the house and it did not belong!<br /><div style="text-align: center;">
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<div class="blogger-post-footer"><div style="font-weight:bold; font-style:italic"><p>© 2011, 2012, 2013) <a href="http://ontomerida.blogspot.com">Casa del Gato Azul</a>. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.</p></div></div>Carlos Q and Pat Qhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16773142238403264658noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9006427349312824998.post-83662086282652791582019-06-19T10:25:00.002-05:002019-06-19T10:25:46.588-05:00Living With Dietary Restrictions In the Yucatan...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FkH7U_JzdsY/XQpGHo_4vWI/AAAAAAAAfYU/F_er_m9712IBXRWiX5csvXOoS8q7W93iACLcBGAs/s1600/SAM_0347.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="901" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FkH7U_JzdsY/XQpGHo_4vWI/AAAAAAAAfYU/F_er_m9712IBXRWiX5csvXOoS8q7W93iACLcBGAs/s320/SAM_0347.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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A Mexican made gluten free beer....</div>
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When we first purchased our home here in Mexico in 2007 we had to mule down anything gluten free that we needed in our suitcases. It wasn't too bad because we were usually only staying for a week or two. Fast forward to us moving here full time in 2014 and suddenly it was much more difficult to cook and make foods that were our comfort foods. So we were still bringing down a suitcase full of pasta, breads, mixes etc. Soon after we found a health food store that had corn pasta. Not our favorite but it did in a pinch. Than Costco started stocking a few items. A Mexican firm distributed a gluten free bread that was OK toasted. And now 5 years later the only thing we mule down in our suitcases are gluten free bagels from Trader Joe's. However sometimes when you find a gluten free food that you like...stock up because it may not be seen again...ever or a year or more!</div>
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Back in the early days, I was making from scratch a cauliflower pizza....now I can get it frozen at Costco way better than I ever made it! Currently I have 6 in the freezer just in case!</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yJ6fZSNmxr8/XQpG5MiLIDI/AAAAAAAAfY0/4ervS5CdqaYMJjaTkBDAGWVemQfhnZLiwCEwYBhgL/s1600/glutenfree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="960" height="180" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yJ6fZSNmxr8/XQpG5MiLIDI/AAAAAAAAfY0/4ervS5CdqaYMJjaTkBDAGWVemQfhnZLiwCEwYBhgL/s320/glutenfree.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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My pizza</div>
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In the Freezer at Costco!</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BbHm5g5lKyU/XQpRKTaHyYI/AAAAAAAAfbM/W63yPGZouZQL4vrFLtelcbOATuFqSn1CgCLcBGAs/s1600/crackers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="350" data-original-width="350" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BbHm5g5lKyU/XQpRKTaHyYI/AAAAAAAAfbM/W63yPGZouZQL4vrFLtelcbOATuFqSn1CgCLcBGAs/s320/crackers.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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One of the disappeared products! (a favorite!)</div>
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What I am seeing here in the Yucatan is the availability of products in the groceries are reflecting a sophistication of palate of the population! So if you are gluten intolerant, lactose intolerant or diabetic there are many more choices for you. Each time I go to one of the grocery stores I am discovering new products from around the world as well as from Mexico. </div>
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Here is a look at what's in my pantry!</div>
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Don't let dietary restrictions hold you back! It gets easier and better every day. Remember that vegetables and meat are plentiful and relatively inexpensive here in the Yucatan! If you are a vegetarian or vegan there are many more products available for you too!</div>
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<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><div style="font-weight:bold; font-style:italic"><p>© 2011, 2012, 2013) <a href="http://ontomerida.blogspot.com">Casa del Gato Azul</a>. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.</p></div></div>Carlos Q and Pat Qhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16773142238403264658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9006427349312824998.post-3540005303207406392019-06-10T17:47:00.000-05:002019-06-10T17:47:10.684-05:00Here comes the rainy season!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z69NkCH2T48/XP7bgKhU6MI/AAAAAAAAfOM/NkF7dHgtVvEK1Hc9_q9uVQa4IZfHHvCGgCEwYBhgL/s1600/weather_flood.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="772" height="238" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z69NkCH2T48/XP7bgKhU6MI/AAAAAAAAfOM/NkF7dHgtVvEK1Hc9_q9uVQa4IZfHHvCGgCEwYBhgL/s320/weather_flood.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Merida has hot and humid conditions almost all year long. However the official rainy season is June through October. The rain is usually in the afternoon as it can build to a storm all day long, but it's usually over after a brief but heavy rain. The street can look very much like the photo I took above as there are not many storm drains in Merida's infrastructure. The water does absorb into the ground quickly because of the limestone and underground rivers. </div>
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I love sitting on my terrace and watching the approaching storms. There is not always thunder and lightening...but sometimes it does and it can also get very windy. I like the gentle storms the best! Today about 4 in the afternoon, one of the gentle storms rolled in. </div>
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The storm cooled down the temperatures by about 10 degrees. Making it into a just lovely evening!</div>
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<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><div style="font-weight:bold; font-style:italic"><p>© 2011, 2012, 2013) <a href="http://ontomerida.blogspot.com">Casa del Gato Azul</a>. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.</p></div></div>Carlos Q and Pat Qhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16773142238403264658noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9006427349312824998.post-369419847684555292019-06-07T11:14:00.001-05:002019-06-07T11:14:38.557-05:00Almost Coming Up To the 5 Year Mark!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R_pPsYw_eKo/XPqMCDXKkVI/AAAAAAAAe40/8Yv8SZynFBcRDYNe15LrMdNV70ZvDJaNQCLcBGAs/s1600/pizap.com14851019292551.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="315" data-original-width="851" height="118" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R_pPsYw_eKo/XPqMCDXKkVI/AAAAAAAAe40/8Yv8SZynFBcRDYNe15LrMdNV70ZvDJaNQCLcBGAs/s320/pizap.com14851019292551.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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We are coming up on our 5 year anniversary of living in Merida. I am sitting here on my terrace, already sweating at 8 am in the morning thinking of all that has happened in these 5 years. Do I like living here? YES! Even though it can be hotter than I have ever experienced, the good far out weights the bad. The weather for the most part is bearable...you just learn to deal with it and change your lifestyle a bit...like take a siesta, slow down and savor the days of October through March! The social pace slows down during the hot months anyway. Most of the snowbirds are gone by April 1st and it's just us year around folks and of course people who are searching to see if this is the right place for them.</div>
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There have been several organization that have formed and/or expanded in the 5 years I have been here. Several of them have become a good part of my time. I am a volunteer at two or the organizations and I really get a good amount of personal satisfaction working with them. Fundaciion BAI is one such organization. I am on the social committee and we plan most of the fund raising activities. This organization does such important work in the Yucatan with HIV as well as sex education with teens. You can find out more information here: <a href="https://www.fundacionbai.com/">https://www.fundacionbai.com/</a></div>
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I have participated in several activities with Yucatan Giving Outreach. We made more than 100 sundresses for needy girls and more than 500 knitted hats for the elderly in nursing home or in the pueblas. The organization does much more than that, art programs, support of soup kitchen, teaching English and so much more! Information : <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/yucatangivingoutreach/">https://www.facebook.com/groups/yucatangivingoutreach/</a></div>
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A great group has formed in the last year and 1/2 and is the Merida Coffee Club. It's a great group of people who just gather to chat and drink coffee type beverages. Though sometimes they do other activities like eating shrimp tacos or go bowling. There are many days that they sponsor pop up activities in different sections of the city. Very inclusive it's a great place to meet like minded or just get further info about Merida. Information: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/227201847808754/">https://www.facebook.com/groups/227201847808754/</a></div>
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Another group is the First Tuesday Artist of Merida. This group of about 140 artists meets the first Tuesday of each month at a members home. After sharing a pot luck the artists share projects they have been working on. Sometimes there is a theme, and sometimes not. At any time there are oil and watercolor painters, puppet makers, glass artists, weavers, print makers, potters, sculptors, photographers, leather artisans....and we all share our works! <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/176173076405975/">https://www.facebook.com/groups/176173076405975/</a><br />
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So much more is going on in our life...I am hoping to rekindle my blog and to write more often so I can tell you just how great Mexico is treating us! </div>
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<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><div style="font-weight:bold; font-style:italic"><p>© 2011, 2012, 2013) <a href="http://ontomerida.blogspot.com">Casa del Gato Azul</a>. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.</p></div></div>Carlos Q and Pat Qhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16773142238403264658noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9006427349312824998.post-56762842501642061462018-05-02T10:33:00.003-05:002018-05-02T10:33:56.233-05:00And this is how I'm filling all the hours....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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There is so much to do in Merida that it easy to fill all the hours in a day. However, I am not one to sit in front of the TV, or to shop...except for groceries. We also do not eat out much because of some dietary restrictions. I have filled many hours taking classes and learning some new skills. I also garden, cook, and sew! I find that doing some volunteer work is a satisfying way of giving back to the wonderful community of Merida.<br />
Art (and music) is in the air in Merida. The artist community here is extensive and the artists are from all over the world. I have the pleasure of knowing a weaver from Czech Republic, A textile artist from New York City, a glass artist from Iowa, a sculpture from Indianapolis, painters from Canada, painters from Holland, a German ceramicist, a potter from Atlanta, a water colorist from England and many more! Each one adds to the atmosphere of Merida. Added to this international artist colony is the many great artists from the Yucatan as well as other states in Mexico. I have been lucky to not only take some classes from the international artists but from the craftspeople of Merida too!<br />
I started out my class taking with glass fusion classes taught by Randa from Iowa, Super talented and always willing to share her art I have taken several classes from her as well as arranged some for my international visitors.<br />
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Another class that I love was basket weaving. Taught at Louise's textile center, the Maya fellow who taught it did not speak any English but with his hands and patient way, he had all of his students weaving beautiful baskets in no time! </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maestro helping me with my edge work.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And another one!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sometimes the baskets are useful!</td></tr>
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One self-learned craft has been hat making....strange yes, but fun. I first was invited to a Kentucky Derby party and a hat was required. Hmmmm, I thought and I went hunting for some material. Found some and made a hat. I won the contest...I didn't even know there was a contest! Than there was a polo game for charity...some friends wanted hats....so I made more! Really fun! Here are some of the results:<br />
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And than there were more! (The women look so beautiful!)<br />
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Stay tuned for Part II of And this is how I am filling all the hours.......</div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer"><div style="font-weight:bold; font-style:italic"><p>© 2011, 2012, 2013) <a href="http://ontomerida.blogspot.com">Casa del Gato Azul</a>. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.</p></div></div>Carlos Q and Pat Qhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16773142238403264658noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9006427349312824998.post-41481946649154523962018-04-11T18:03:00.000-05:002018-04-11T18:03:58.746-05:00What's all that Beeping, Whistling and Tweeting?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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So what's all that noise coming down the neighborhood street during the day and well into the evening? It's enterprising vendors doing home delivery for small amounts of pesos. From the bread man/pastry guy with his ding, ding bell, to the milk guy with his mooing, to the ice cream man or the furniture person with his stack of chairs and tables to the older couple with the tenor voiced women yelling "Tamales!" They are all there and you can be their customer! When you hear them coming down the street, hustle out to the front of your house and wait for them! You can see many of your neighbors doing the same. Once you are a customer they will make your house a stop or at least a hesitation!</div>
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One of my favorites is Harley Francisco, the knife sharpener. Several times a month we can hear his pan whistle in a distance and I hustle and get all my dull scissors, knives and yard clippers ready for him. Now he stops at our house once a month and plays his tune outside until we come to the door. Today was one of those days! And here his is with his pipes!</div>
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He's unloaded his tricycle and is getting set up.</div>
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He comes to the door, sets up and he's waiting for me to plug him in. </div>
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He has a well used grinder but takes really good care of it.</div>
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He inspects all that I have given him and fine tunes the clippers and tightens the screws. </div>
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I had him sharpen two pairs of scissors, 2 kitchen knifes and a pair of clippers. He worked for about 15 minutes, made sure the results satisfied us and waiting patiently for his payment. Total cost? All of 150 pesos.. or about 8 dollars US. Oh yea, since it was well over 95 degrees F, I threw in a ice cold bottle of water!</div>
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<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><div style="font-weight:bold; font-style:italic"><p>© 2011, 2012, 2013) <a href="http://ontomerida.blogspot.com">Casa del Gato Azul</a>. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.</p></div></div>Carlos Q and Pat Qhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16773142238403264658noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9006427349312824998.post-48977161987655690502018-04-06T20:01:00.003-05:002018-04-06T20:01:48.696-05:00It's Heating Up!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's snowing back in the states, but melting here!<br /><div style="text-align: left;">
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I was sitting around sweating today, waiting for the pool to be cleaned (and a friend to arrive). I started thinking about all the ways I learned to 'beat the heat' here since I have moved full time to Merida. Some things I have had from the beginning of my journey, others I have added as I have found other peoples ideas that work! Many of the ideas in our home were implemented by our architect, Roger. <div>
Our house was built with many ideas that really help with the heat...the front two rooms are original to the house and they have 18 inch thick stone walls and high ceiling. Also they have either high windows or heat escape pipes near the ceilings.</div>
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Ceiling fans and bedroom air conditioner units help during the evenings. The public portions of the house are not air conditioned. Thick insulated drapes keep the bedrooms cool during the day as well as keep the hot sun out.</div>
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Windows on the east side of the house as well as the north lets the cool morning and evening breezes in.</div>
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This winter I added sun shades to the lower terrace because in the afternoon the sun heated up the area almost making it impossible to sit there. During the summer the sun is higher in the sky so it does not heat up the terrace as much. With the new shades and the ceiling fan going it's really a lovely place to spend the afternoon. The shades are adjustable all the way to the floor. The solar panels on the top of the upper terrace helps keep that area cooler also. This was the first time our solar provider has a client request the panels to also be used as a sun shade! Works great!</div>
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On the hottest of days we only use our gas grill as to not heat up the kitchen.</div>
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Of course what would a tropical oasis be without the pool? We use ours daily except for the cold days of December and January...though our northern visitors find it pleasant!</div>
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And finally we have our indoor fountain which cools you down with the sound of water...it vents out of a skylight so no humidity inside!</div>
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I'm sure I will find more and different ways to stay out of the heat! When in doubt there is always a trip north....that will make me shiver and crave the warmth that is Merida!</div>
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OR we can do as Carlos likes to.....hug a bag of cubes while drinking an ice cold brew! .</div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer"><div style="font-weight:bold; font-style:italic"><p>© 2011, 2012, 2013) <a href="http://ontomerida.blogspot.com">Casa del Gato Azul</a>. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.</p></div></div>Carlos Q and Pat Qhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16773142238403264658noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9006427349312824998.post-30780644244764617682018-04-05T20:57:00.001-05:002018-04-05T20:57:43.232-05:00Tranquility in Baca<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A large Buddha welcomes you!</td></tr>
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<br /><br />Friends Lee and Pablo invited us to lunch last week and wanted us to choose where to go since we have the car and they do not. After consulting with them, Carlos and I decided to take them out to Baca about 20 minutes outside of Merida. Carlos and I haven't been in almost a year, Pablo and Lee had never visited.<br />Baca is a small town that has a revitalized hacienda that houses both an excellent Thai restaurant and a center for healing called Fundación para el Bienestar Natural A.C. Surrounding the restaurant are magnificent water gardens. These also act as a buffer to envelope the hospice area in calming waters as well as a quiet serenity. Visitors are free to wander through the gardens as well as eat in the restaurant, but the hospice area is gated giving the residents solitude to work on their healing. Before we sat down to lunch we spent a good 45 minutes enjoying the gardens.<div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lee in the distance</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carlos</td></tr>
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When we sat down to eat, 3 of us ordered PadThai as our main entre and Carlos ordered a curry. Geen Papaya salad as well as spring rolls rounded out our meals. So good. Good thing we wandered aound the gardens before lunch! Go to La Casa de los Lotus soon for a great lunch and to regain some serenity in the gardens! Check out their facebook page for further information such as directions and opening times.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seating</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pad Thai</td></tr>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer"><div style="font-weight:bold; font-style:italic"><p>© 2011, 2012, 2013) <a href="http://ontomerida.blogspot.com">Casa del Gato Azul</a>. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.</p></div></div>Carlos Q and Pat Qhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16773142238403264658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9006427349312824998.post-29438975190365141522018-03-30T20:32:00.003-05:002018-03-31T09:27:16.986-05:00It's Baseball Season!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cuM9NzSjG6k/Wr7XcmyT2LI/AAAAAAAAWqs/u8-2PR3n5FsIK7-Ug0XXOXvBGZZRAMsLgCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_20170813_193725344.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cuM9NzSjG6k/Wr7XcmyT2LI/AAAAAAAAWqs/u8-2PR3n5FsIK7-Ug0XXOXvBGZZRAMsLgCKgBGAs/s320/IMG_20170813_193725344.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One beautiful night last season!<br />
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Both Carlos and I wait for baseball season. The Leones de Yucatan is our local team and their stadium is just a hop, skip and bump away from our centro home. We went to baseball games in the states. However it's no longer affordable to attend many. Last time I went to see my local team, the Saint Louis Cardinals, it set us back more than 100 US dollars. That was only tickets, so far away and high up in nosebleed land the game was not even enjoyable. Here in the Yucatan it is still and event for family.Tickets for my favorite area, alta butaca, behind home plate and a bit high to catch the breeze are only about 50 mxp each. (at current exchange rate of about 2.50-300 US) Many of the games have specials such as women and children free. It's common to see Mom and Dad and Grandparents with 4 or 5 children at the game enjoying the evening breeze and having a good time.<br />
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And then comes the most awesome part<br />
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THE FOOD! I will tell you that I have never seen such a variety of food at an event, except possible a state fair. And everyone eats... so many choices! Beers are poured two in a cup...price 50mxp (US 2.70) Each area of the stadium have several drink/beer vendors and they are attentive!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beers are heavy!</td></tr>
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<b>And there is so many more choices!</b><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You want peanuts with that beer?</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Or a giant ham sandwich!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Popcorn...with or without hot sauce?</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fries or fried hot dogs or marquasitas (like a rolled crepe)?</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Lupita Botana girl will take your order...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VaK2MEzz7xw/Wr7dd6DR-fI/AAAAAAAAWsE/Eh36_l8xZeULsktbkRI1pbtuFILNDq0qQCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_20180329_204341877_BURST000_COVER_TOP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VaK2MEzz7xw/Wr7dd6DR-fI/AAAAAAAAWsE/Eh36_l8xZeULsktbkRI1pbtuFILNDq0qQCEwYBhgL/s320/IMG_20180329_204341877_BURST000_COVER_TOP.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And make you this....which you can share all around your seats!<br />
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<b>AND There is even more!</b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-X79Nx9xOjbE/Wr7dFehCSDI/AAAAAAAAWsE/pGYJvUQdgdc-pE68nncu-2bthGzwWqylQCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_20180329_200020821.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-X79Nx9xOjbE/Wr7dFehCSDI/AAAAAAAAWsE/pGYJvUQdgdc-pE68nncu-2bthGzwWqylQCEwYBhgL/s320/IMG_20180329_200020821.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Restaurants will take your order and deliver to your seat!</td></tr>
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I did not get pictures of it all, there is pizza, and fruit and coffee frappe, and ice cream and candy apples and spun sugar, kibis, cup o'soup, and on and on!<br />
In the meantime the game is going on, the fans are cheering, the drums are drumming and hopefully the Leones are scoring...and last three games we spent (total for all 3) with tickets and food somewhere in the vicinity of 50 us!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Got to have my churros!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The mascot and me!</td></tr>
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<b>Hope to see you at a game soon!</b></div>
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<i>(Thank you Julia for being the covert photographer!)</i></div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer"><div style="font-weight:bold; font-style:italic"><p>© 2011, 2012, 2013) <a href="http://ontomerida.blogspot.com">Casa del Gato Azul</a>. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.</p></div></div>Carlos Q and Pat Qhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16773142238403264658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9006427349312824998.post-56043521453614490102018-02-23T18:40:00.001-06:002018-02-23T18:40:04.463-06:00Drinking Water in Merida<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5CxUcQO_HRE/WpCuNEwvPqI/AAAAAAAAV30/XmpbjcJ-xh0_x4X4Y9uMHiHqAC5zezcOQCLcBGAs/s1600/garrafon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="370" data-original-width="555" height="213" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5CxUcQO_HRE/WpCuNEwvPqI/AAAAAAAAV30/XmpbjcJ-xh0_x4X4Y9uMHiHqAC5zezcOQCLcBGAs/s320/garrafon.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
There are many ways to get your drinking water in Merida. You can install a reverse osmosis system under your kitchen sink or you can drink bottled water. We choose to drink bottled water. Now this is not the end of the choices...you can have the 20 Liter bottles delivered by a service for about 25 mxp per bottle, take your empties to a store and exchange them for about 20 mxp or go to a water machine and fill them yourself for 10 mxp. Since we have a car we choose to take them to a water machine for refilling. To get the bottles, called garraphones para agua, you can buy a filled one at the store and pay a 40 mxp deposit in addition to the 20 mxp for the water. We did this and now have 4 bottles we refill around 2 times a month.<br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KA2G0C2IjtQ/WpCw-GDMQtI/AAAAAAAAV4A/LWATOy-fPNoEQY-lfO4kFi8o1781HAMdACKgBGAs/s1600/20180223_173135.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KA2G0C2IjtQ/WpCw-GDMQtI/AAAAAAAAV4A/LWATOy-fPNoEQY-lfO4kFi8o1781HAMdACKgBGAs/s320/20180223_173135.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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First we load up the empty bottles and head out to our favorite water machine. It's on a quiet street in a close neighborhood. </div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GU6Q-Xhnh3Y/WpCw-CrQEiI/AAAAAAAAV4A/AbOIlm9-2iE7LfERu8fZtfsFppIh5Ba2gCKgBGAs/s1600/20180223_173051.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GU6Q-Xhnh3Y/WpCw-CrQEiI/AAAAAAAAV4A/AbOIlm9-2iE7LfERu8fZtfsFppIh5Ba2gCKgBGAs/s320/20180223_173051.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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This is what the machine looks like and it's very easy to use. You can fill different size bottles in this machine. The first thing you do is put your cap in the cap holder and turn your bottle upside down so the machine gives it a cleaning spray. </div>
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We keep correct change in the car because it does not take bills.</div>
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All the garrafones are lined up and ready to be filled.</div>
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4 garrafones take about 15 minutes to fill.</div>
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There are racks that you can purchase to hold multiple bottles. I want one...however I just haven't found the right one yet!</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GLgylU0HKuA/WpCz5Yf7O8I/AAAAAAAAV4M/8QMmmyfMIn8KW-NY6ul3Xlg0r8ejdufhQCLcBGAs/s1600/garrafon.rack.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="284" data-original-width="284" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GLgylU0HKuA/WpCz5Yf7O8I/AAAAAAAAV4M/8QMmmyfMIn8KW-NY6ul3Xlg0r8ejdufhQCLcBGAs/s1600/garrafon.rack.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><div style="font-weight:bold; font-style:italic"><p>© 2011, 2012, 2013) <a href="http://ontomerida.blogspot.com">Casa del Gato Azul</a>. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.</p></div></div>Carlos Q and Pat Qhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16773142238403264658noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9006427349312824998.post-22531175515765682762018-01-15T20:15:00.001-06:002018-01-15T20:15:58.927-06:00Front Doors!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oCX_8tZ4N8M/WfXn0GPBq4I/AAAAAAAATTE/bjbECa3RROAAkkbb-VI333UEqy75v3RxACLcBGAs/s1600/001-doors.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="637" data-original-width="358" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oCX_8tZ4N8M/WfXn0GPBq4I/AAAAAAAATTE/bjbECa3RROAAkkbb-VI333UEqy75v3RxACLcBGAs/s320/001-doors.jpg" width="179" /></a></div>
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The tropics really gives houses in Merida a beating. This is one of my two front doors. They are about 5 years old now, made of wood with the upper windows that open. The door is split and we usually only open the right side unless we are moving something large into the house. The doors are a mess! This one I have had repaired/rebuilt two times and it needs it again. We decided to pack it in and look for other possibilities. </div>
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We found a aluminum fabricator several blocks away, had him come and give us a price, discussed the 'colonial' look to match the house and ordered two. We also had him as part of the project subcontract a pair of wrought iron protectorants to also add both to safety and the colonial look. (BTW...safety has not been an issue). We decided to put an upper transom as well as two frosted glass windows on each door...with the split door that actually gives us 4 windows that will open as well as glass in the transom. </div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gCXp4Dmsu7U/WfXn1qTV25I/AAAAAAAATTU/5t1Ie_LE5_0fg1DagU0e3R9VvxqwAsu3gCEwYBhgL/s1600/001-protectors.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="588" data-original-width="1046" height="179" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gCXp4Dmsu7U/WfXn1qTV25I/AAAAAAAATTU/5t1Ie_LE5_0fg1DagU0e3R9VvxqwAsu3gCEwYBhgL/s320/001-protectors.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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With the protectorents we will have screening (cat proof) and deadbolts so that we can keep the entire door open to the northern breeze. This should keep the mosquito and the feral cats out and our 3 cats in!</div>
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On Friday we had the first aluminum door delivered as well as the protectorents. Monday the install starts....</div>
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Now it's several days later and the install continues. One door is installed and all but the fine tuning is done. (some calking and cleaning) I love the look and can't wait for them both to be finished and the screening to be installed. We still have the colonial look which is a big part of Merida's charm and the hopefully less upkeep of the aluminum. </div>
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All of the doors are fine tuned, calked and the screening is installed. We are loving them more each day. The winter north breeze is now being channeled into our home. The cats seem to love it to as now they can gaze outside. The amount of light the door windows let in is truly amazing. Next project is to replace a few of the wood windows with aluminum.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gustavo looking out the door</td></tr>
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<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><div style="font-weight:bold; font-style:italic"><p>© 2011, 2012, 2013) <a href="http://ontomerida.blogspot.com">Casa del Gato Azul</a>. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.</p></div></div>Carlos Q and Pat Qhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16773142238403264658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9006427349312824998.post-30511629850102846632017-06-30T09:32:00.000-05:002017-06-30T09:32:14.278-05:00Update on the landscaping<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TZ5jfmnh5Q4/WVZfC2eLAVI/AAAAAAAARVk/nw7FT8gXG7ItMhZBBkoVAu4y-uyrZmFqgCLcBGAs/s1600/landscape-June1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="638" data-original-width="359" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TZ5jfmnh5Q4/WVZfC2eLAVI/AAAAAAAARVk/nw7FT8gXG7ItMhZBBkoVAu4y-uyrZmFqgCLcBGAs/s320/landscape-June1.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
We thought we were done with the landscaping, but now the wet season has come and we can now see how lush our plants will become. We have fine tuned some of the areas and I decided that I need more things that will bloom and I am working on that. I do like some of my 'mini' areas where I have added some plants that I have been gifted....and in turn I have gifted plant cutting to others.<br />
So take a look and see where I am in the landscaping saga...by the way I have a person that comes in 1/2 day each week who waters if needed, sprays and does other things like planting. Otherwise it's just CQ and I keeping it up.<br />
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<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><div style="font-weight:bold; font-style:italic"><p>© 2011, 2012, 2013) <a href="http://ontomerida.blogspot.com">Casa del Gato Azul</a>. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.</p></div></div>Carlos Q and Pat Qhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16773142238403264658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9006427349312824998.post-53847981279315978322017-04-12T22:11:00.000-05:002017-04-12T22:11:08.300-05:00We've now got this tour guide thing down!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We have now had visitors from Germany, Czech Republic, Denmark, Hungary as well as the United States and feel like we have the 'tour' ingrained in our brain...the only thing that may change is the order of things. Luckily it is what we enjoy as well as what our guests have loved.<br />
The first day after most arrive we try to just let them de-stress, relax and get used to the heat of the Yucatan. We may take them out for a typical Yucatan lunch and than just let them lie around the pool.<br />
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Getting up early the next morning we would leave for Uxmal which is about an hour and half drive from Merida. It's great to beat some of the tour buses there. Though Uxmal is no where as crowded as Chichen Itza is and I think it's as beautiful. </div>
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After several hours at Uxmal we like to take our guests to eat lunch in the next pueblo down the road called Santa Elena. There we eat at The Pickled Onion a great restaurant as well as a bed and breakfast. From there it is time to head back to Merida for dinner and an early night. Again our guests are pretty tired out from the heat.<br />
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To change it up a bit on the next day we are likely to take them to the beach at Progreso. About 30 minutes north of Merida, it is the closest beach. With many beach palapas, it is a very nice place to sit and watch the water and to have a drink or two. After sitting on the beach for several hours we head to lunch at a fish place a bit of the beaten track...in other words off the beach and 1/2 the price. Yum Ixpu is known to the Mexican families as a place to eat fresh fish at a great price.<br />
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By the third or fourth day our guests are ready to explore Merida. It is now that we take them to Lucas Galvez, the main mercardo. Every vegetable imaginable is for sale as well as hardware, pet food, pets, shoes, undies and way much more. The sounds, the smells and the crush of people fills all of your senses. It is the real Mexico.<br />
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While in centro we will also visit the main plaza and some of the historic buildings. Later that evening we would attend one of the activities in one of the plaza, like dancing in Santiago Park.<br />
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Now the week is just half done and there's more to come, so wait for part II! In the meantime....time to take a nap!<br />
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<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><div style="font-weight:bold; font-style:italic"><p>© 2011, 2012, 2013) <a href="http://ontomerida.blogspot.com">Casa del Gato Azul</a>. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.</p></div></div>Carlos Q and Pat Qhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16773142238403264658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9006427349312824998.post-46068570729875932432017-02-27T19:34:00.001-06:002017-06-30T09:33:45.339-05:00Landscaping...we are almost done!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We thought we were done with the landscaping, but now the wet season has come and we can now see how lush our plants will become. We have fine tuned some of the areas and I decided that I need more things that will bloom and I am working on that. I do like some of my 'mini' areas where I have added some plants that I have been gifted....and in turn I have gifted plant cutting to others.<br />
So take a look and see where I am in the landscaping saga...by the way I have a person that comes in 1/2 day each week who waters if needed, sprays and does other things like planting. Otherwise it's just CQ and I keeping it up.<br />
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<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><div style="font-weight:bold; font-style:italic"><p>© 2011, 2012, 2013) <a href="http://ontomerida.blogspot.com">Casa del Gato Azul</a>. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.</p></div></div>Carlos Q and Pat Qhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16773142238403264658noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9006427349312824998.post-89810572810997433332017-02-24T20:52:00.000-06:002017-02-24T20:52:18.268-06:00Learning New Things 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The second class I signed up to take was a series of 4 hand loom weaving class 1 a week each class being 4 hours long, I will never be a weaver. However I did learn how to do some basic weaving and I loved the colors of the yarns. Our Czech instructor, Marketa, was very good and so very patient! As our class was both expat and Mexican nationals she was able to switch from English to Spanish with no problems. With one more class I am sure I will not go on to the next series of classes...Of the two friends I went with, I think one will be going on as she was very, very good at it.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here I am working the small hand loom</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I had a back ache from leaning forward!</td></tr>
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Even though the I will not go forward on the hand loom weaving, it did bring me to the course at the same place of basket weaving, which is now my third learning experience. This is so enjoyed. I was able to use some of the weaving techniques I was taught in the hand loom course, but this was different. It uses more movement and I had no back ache and it was fun. <div>
We were introduced to the materials by our Maya teacher Pablo, who although he did not speak any English managed to get his ideas across. His wife prepared the vines that he has harvested out in the Yucatan jungle, They were a very pliant fresh vine so they were easy to use.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pablo, our Maya instructor</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">His wife prepares the vines</td></tr>
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My first basket was a very simple basket I made and designed to hold a special pot I use called a caldero...I use it to make arroz con pollo, a traditional Puerto Rican chicken and rice dish.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My first basket</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Holding the caldero</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">But Kiwi thinks that it's for him</td></tr>
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The next week I returned to take another 4 hour class. This time I decided to use other materials as well as the vines. The new materials were henniquin which is like a sisal fiber rope. </div>
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I had a great time working on my basket. It ended up to be large and I was really pleased with look of it.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My large basket made with the additions of sisal accents<br /></td></tr>
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I even had a bit of time to knock out a small basket!</div>
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After the 4 hours I went home happy with my baskets!</div>
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I can't wait for next week. So there is so much to do here in Merida... and I'm just starting to experience them!</div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer"><div style="font-weight:bold; font-style:italic"><p>© 2011, 2012, 2013) <a href="http://ontomerida.blogspot.com">Casa del Gato Azul</a>. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.</p></div></div>Carlos Q and Pat Qhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16773142238403264658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9006427349312824998.post-69976955140401618772017-02-17T00:02:00.000-06:002017-02-17T00:06:27.911-06:00Learning new things!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I decided that I need to take the time to find activities that give me some satisfaction in a creative way. Searching I came across someone who has a studio and teaches the creative art of glass fusion. Having taken a one day seminar many years ago in Maryland, I remember how great it was and signed up. I also talked 2 of my friends (both from Canada) to sign up with me.<br />
On our first class glass was discussed in a general way and we all decided to make a small 6X6 inch plate. We had come prepared with what we thought we would like to make. I decided on the basic colors and pattern and winged the rest. It was a very relaxing three hours... Learning how to score and cut the glass was challenging, The differences in the glass types and how to put it all together was demonstrated. Here are our first ones getting ready to be fired for the first time. Mine is the one with the black background.<br />
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After the fusing they were fired again...this time for the shape:</div>
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I thought they were all just beautiful. So we decided to take a second class in which we would make a larger plate. I spend much time on the Internet looking for ideas and deciding what I wanted to try for my design.</div>
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Above is my second project.This time I was going for something that looked a bit like the 1960's.</div>
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Than for our third class I decided to try a branch bowl. This took a lot more time in cutting the glass as well as designing my project.</div>
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For the final result I decided to have the design on the outside of the bowl as I will be using it for a fruit bowl.</div>
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I have found that creating in glass gives me a feeling of satisfaction as well as makes me feel as if I am an artist...or at least have a little bit of artist in me... For those in Merida who want to know more information the studio and classes go to Facet of Synergy, Glass Fusion Design on Face book. </div>
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<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><div style="font-weight:bold; font-style:italic"><p>© 2011, 2012, 2013) <a href="http://ontomerida.blogspot.com">Casa del Gato Azul</a>. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.</p></div></div>Carlos Q and Pat Qhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16773142238403264658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9006427349312824998.post-49975654555616957722016-09-09T18:07:00.000-05:002016-09-09T18:07:21.555-05:00Now it's quiet time!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Since our last guest left on Sept 3rd, we have just spent time on the house, together and have mostly done nothing....and it felt great! It was wonderful showing our extended family and friends the Yucatan.In July we started out with Mette and family from Denmark...than close behind them came Mike from Denmark. Mette was the first girl exchange student we hosted and she has a special place in our hearts. She was only 15 when she spent her year with us. We have visited her in Denmark several times in the past years. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mette and family</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cenote in the mangroves of Celestun</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mette and Carlos dancing to "Careless Whisper" .<br /><div style="text-align: left;">
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Just before Mette and family left, Mike arrived. He was our third student, but just a half year as he was moved from a bad situation in Kansas City. He also did his college internship for Carlos later on. So we've been close to Mike for years.<div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carlos and Mike enjoying the pool</td></tr>
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Several days later our German student Andre arrived with his family. He overlapped with Mike as when Mike came to intern with Carlos, Andre was our student......Full HOUSE! And let me tell you I've forgotten what it was like with so many teens!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All (but me)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We embarrassed the kids by dancing to the music in Santiago park!<br /></td></tr>
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And finally came Anne-Marie, back to finish her dental work. Not quite a vacation, but needed and way, way less money than the states!</div>
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Now Carlos is preparing to head for the states for three weeks, I'll keep the home fires burning here and we have no guests except perhaps in December. But the snowbird season is gearing up and friends that head North to US and Canada will be returning and the Merida season will be starting. Si it's time to sit back and get some of the projects planned done and out of the way!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div class="blogger-post-footer"><div style="font-weight:bold; font-style:italic"><p>© 2011, 2012, 2013) <a href="http://ontomerida.blogspot.com">Casa del Gato Azul</a>. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.</p></div></div>Carlos Q and Pat Qhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16773142238403264658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9006427349312824998.post-74697802725318853682016-07-08T19:20:00.000-05:002016-07-08T19:20:04.703-05:00We debated about this, ad nauseam<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We debated and debated and posted on this blog as well as ask for opinions about if we should build the casita in the back of our property. The answers were mostly, "we've been here for 5 (or 7 or 9) years and we've never had anyone visit and stay with us yet". But the answer that swayed us the most was, "build if for yourselves...not for guests" and we did just that. Of course we than changed the design to one large room and one bathroom, thinking that as we aged we would move down so we didn't have to climb stairs. Our bedroom is still upstairs and this year is going to be our years of guests! And that makes me pretty happy!<br />
In January and February, we had friends come from Sweden...though they are Hungarians and some from California. It was great and we were able to do some touring about with them as well as to just hang out.<br />
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Than in March we had Pavlina and Steve as well as their two kids come from the Czech Republic and stay with us. It was such a treat to meet their kids....Pavlina was one of our exchange student back in the mid 1990's were she lived with us for a year and attended the local high school. We had a great time and was able to spend several days touring.</div>
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And now I am in the planning mode as the next two months will be chock full of guests and more touring around! Two different past students from Denmark as well as their families, My German student and his wife and three of his four kids, a friend from California and now still in the panning stages, two friends from Florida (Sept) </div>
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I've got a big smile on my face just thinking of my visitors and I hope they all fall in love with the Yucatan as we have!</div>
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<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><div style="font-weight:bold; font-style:italic"><p>© 2011, 2012, 2013) <a href="http://ontomerida.blogspot.com">Casa del Gato Azul</a>. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.</p></div></div>Carlos Q and Pat Qhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16773142238403264658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9006427349312824998.post-37106640432032658382016-07-06T13:20:00.000-05:002016-07-06T13:20:17.556-05:00I'm back in Merida and it's almost like I never left!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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After 17 fabulous days with the grand kids as well as my sis-in-law and her two, <span style="text-align: center;">I traveled back to Merida via Cancun and than the 4 hour bus ride. I left the house in St Louis at 4:30 am and arrived in Merida at 8:30 pm....yes, it is a trek....yes, I could fly directly into Merida via American or United. However, the cost is twice as much and since I'm retired I'm not in much of a hurry! Much of that time was waiting...2 hours (TSA requirement) in St Louis, 3 hours connection in Chicago, 3 hours waiting for the direct bus to Merida at Cancun airport. Once I was on the super comfortable ADO bus, I was able to lean back and snooze!</span><br />
Carlos sent me photos while I was gone so that I could see that he was keeping up with the yard work that I usually do (not):<br />
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and that my cactus bloomed for the first time:</div>
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as well as showing me how great a job Lupita, our cleaning person was continuing to do:</div>
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and last but not least all of my cats had survived his care!</div>
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And I jumped right into being back. I was excited that the rainy season had begun. Merida looked cleaned and fresh!</div>
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Baseball was still happening and my favorite player from Jacksonville, Florida, Corey W was back!</div>
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My first morning back we headed out to our FAVORITE taco place for breakfast! (yes tacos are a breakfast food here):</div>
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and I have almost finished dealing with the home repairs/updates with items from my bulging suitcases I muled down! Like the new pendant lights that just screw into can fixtures ...who knew! Love how the kitchen looks now.</div>
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and the best of all...the cats have let bygones be bygones and are over their snit!</div>
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Now we are preparing for an influx of visitors most coming from Europe to stay with us...I'm always excited to share our Yucatan!</div>
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<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><div style="font-weight:bold; font-style:italic"><p>© 2011, 2012, 2013) <a href="http://ontomerida.blogspot.com">Casa del Gato Azul</a>. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.</p></div></div>Carlos Q and Pat Qhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16773142238403264658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9006427349312824998.post-54613385875195134572016-07-05T11:58:00.000-05:002016-07-06T13:37:52.295-05:00Time passes so swiftly...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I just returned from spending a month in the US... First I went to upstate NY, north of Albany where I grew up. I hadn't been in about 6 years and wanted to see some family and friends. An added bonus was that the weather was just fabulous. When I left Merida it was about 104F...arriving in the evening in NY the weather was in the 50'sF. Glorious! For the next 11 days the weather continued to be warm in the afternoons and cool at night. I stayed with my sister Vel...the one I had meet in March on Cozumel and we adventured through the mountains and of course the shops. We spent one of our days at Fort Ticonderoga which is situated on Lake Champlain south of Plattsburgh. It was so beautiful and interesting. The last time I was there was more than 50 years ago!<br />
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I also managed to eat my through just about every food I had missed while living in the Midwest and iving now in Mexico...Ted's Fish Fry, Joe's Hot Dogs, Pastrami on Rye, my cousins Clayton BBQ (he now caters), and the best McIntosh apples!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pastrami on Rye with Saratoga Chips</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clayton's BBQ ..not much leftover </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Love those Macs!</td></tr>
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My eleven days here included meeting up with a cousin, (and babysitting her beautiful new granddaughter), spending time with two other sisters, chance meeting a facebook friend that I hadn't seen since I was a child and visiting my dads grave in Saratoga National Cemetery. Days were full and next visit has to be longer as I didn't get time to visit other friends as well as paces! Now it was off to St Louis for the rest of the month.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Buttermilk Falls close to were I grew up</td></tr>
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<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><div style="font-weight:bold; font-style:italic"><p>© 2011, 2012, 2013) <a href="http://ontomerida.blogspot.com">Casa del Gato Azul</a>. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.</p></div></div>Carlos Q and Pat Qhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16773142238403264658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9006427349312824998.post-27277635679170580302016-03-30T11:28:00.000-05:002016-03-30T11:28:45.670-05:00Coming into the heat!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our guests treated us to some wonderful goulosh!</td></tr>
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Well, I've been busy....it's been the cold season and I not only had two sets of visitors (Sweden..but Hungarian and San Jose, CA) but have spent lots of time just doing...daily things! And I am still 'doing'.<br />
I've loved showing the Merida area to guests. Both sets of visitors took advantage of the great dental care and had some work done...think teeth cleaning as well as dental in-plants. One also went to our dermatologist. We went to Progreso and ate fish, we visited my favorite Maya ruin of Mayapan and just spent some quality time sipping drinks around the pool as well as at our local cantina!<br />
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Than I got a message from my favorite sis that she would be taking a cruise with a friend and they would stop in Cozumel! Haven't seen her in a couple of years and it didn't take much persuasion to get Carlos to agree on meeting her there for the day! We took the bus over to Playa del Carmen using our discount INAPAN cards (like aarp) than the ferry to Cozumel. We stayed at hotel Casa Mexico right across the street from where the cruise ship docked. A great time was had by all! </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me, Connie and my sis!</td></tr>
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Now Carlos is in the states for a three week visit to see family as well as to do our taxes and a bit of shopping and I am here in Merida holding down the fort...so to speak! </div>
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Our next set of visitors will arrive from Czech Republic in several weeks, followed by our Danish friends in July and our German friends in August. BTW, these have all been exchange students we hosted back when our son was young! (We hosted 14 different kids and have remained in touch with all) Now they are all grown up and have families of their own!</div>
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We have been busy doing other things too... Again we proctored the Artist Studio tour and was assigned to the same great artist, Paul Lorenz..</div>
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We've gone on cantina crawls, attended art gallery openings, installed a new master bathroom sink we had made for us, played with new software and just lived here in the wonderful city of Merida!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another fun cantina crawl with our Canadian friends!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">copper sink</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New app called Dreamscope, had fun making my cat into art!</td></tr>
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<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><div style="font-weight:bold; font-style:italic"><p>© 2011, 2012, 2013) <a href="http://ontomerida.blogspot.com">Casa del Gato Azul</a>. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.</p></div></div>Carlos Q and Pat Qhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16773142238403264658noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9006427349312824998.post-84767266484055377942015-11-30T14:07:00.000-06:002015-11-30T14:07:18.044-06:00Time has gotten away from me!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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My gosh the time has passed so quickly. Just this morning I put on the Christmas tree. It's a first here for me in Merida, MX. I've been here for the last three years at Christmas, but it's only this year that my 'stuff' arrived and I have my decorations collected through the years. What I didn't realize was how insignificant a 6 foot tree looks in a room 15 foot by 25 foot with 18 foot ceilings....and somewhere along the way my angel for the top of the tree has gone missing!</div>
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Back in August I went to St Louis for several weeks. The grands were having their birthdays and I really wanted to be there. It was a great time. I not only got to spend lots of time with them, but I also filled three suitcases of things I needed here in Merida. I reconnected with friends from many times of my life, work as well as church friends. It was great!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I brought pinatas for the grands parties!</td></tr>
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Coming back to Merida was not too bad, for the first time I traveled from Cancun via the bus by myself! The most difficult part was schlepping all the extra bags I brought!</div>
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Once I was back I had the beautiful repaired pool to swim in, lots of ideas of new foods to cook and plans to do some decorating our home. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lots of stir fries as I brought back gluten free sauces!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I6vn_vECdPo/Vlyo1GGT2yI/AAAAAAAAIMA/5vf0lOnU3FA/s1600/100_3962.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I6vn_vECdPo/Vlyo1GGT2yI/AAAAAAAAIMA/5vf0lOnU3FA/s320/100_3962.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Working on perfecting the Cauliflower Pizza!</td></tr>
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We are settling in. We've made more friends, Now have been here full time for one year and are still pretty happy with our decision. <div>
Hopefully I will start blogging again on a more regular basis..our calendar is filling up with parties and fund raisers for the holidays so I should have a lot to report on.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6Cm5ce-C0hA/Vlyo3RN2uVI/AAAAAAAAIMI/OE3eYUgyBFM/s1600/100_4038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6Cm5ce-C0hA/Vlyo3RN2uVI/AAAAAAAAIMI/OE3eYUgyBFM/s320/100_4038.JPG" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carlos' birthday fish dinner!</td></tr>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer"><div style="font-weight:bold; font-style:italic"><p>© 2011, 2012, 2013) <a href="http://ontomerida.blogspot.com">Casa del Gato Azul</a>. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.</p></div></div>Carlos Q and Pat Qhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16773142238403264658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9006427349312824998.post-22380998019839129902015-08-25T09:22:00.002-05:002015-08-25T09:22:25.800-05:00Solved!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XLrYgAjncEU/Vdx4Wt2nTEI/AAAAAAAAHX0/BdHPvGC--Dc/s1600/empty%2Bpool.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XLrYgAjncEU/Vdx4Wt2nTEI/AAAAAAAAHX0/BdHPvGC--Dc/s320/empty%2Bpool.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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We moved down to Merida full time in November of 2014. Soon after arriving we filled the pool and thought that we would have lots of fun time cooling off. It was not to be. For an unknown reason the pool water kept decreasing. There was some kind of leak! As we are not pool savvy we called some people we had worked with previously to come take a look and the saga continued..... 7 months later we gave up on this group and proceeded to find our own expert.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uJWl4d76l5s/Vdx4WqyY_9I/AAAAAAAAHYA/aTz7sdACMCI/s1600/cats_pool.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uJWl4d76l5s/Vdx4WqyY_9I/AAAAAAAAHYA/aTz7sdACMCI/s320/cats_pool.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Even the cats missed the pool! To make a long story (shorter than the 9 months!) we now have an equipment room below ground...</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-swdOXYxWMOw/Vdx2FV1SRAI/AAAAAAAAHXk/4RuOvmXe5-0/s1600/pool_bunker1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-swdOXYxWMOw/Vdx2FV1SRAI/AAAAAAAAHXk/4RuOvmXe5-0/s320/pool_bunker1.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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The leak was found and repaired....</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ahw06pP2Tnk/Vdx2Fv9YKCI/AAAAAAAAHXc/gxgSiKYtNVk/s1600/pool_hole.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ahw06pP2Tnk/Vdx2Fv9YKCI/AAAAAAAAHXc/gxgSiKYtNVk/s320/pool_hole.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The pool was filled.....</div>
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And Carlos has been enjoying both day and night swimming....</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TyFtUuLobSw/Vdx2FKW6RkI/AAAAAAAAHXg/QK2UXH-Fh1k/s1600/Pool3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TyFtUuLobSw/Vdx2FKW6RkI/AAAAAAAAHXg/QK2UXH-Fh1k/s320/Pool3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I have been in St Louis for the last several weeks and I will be enjoying the pool when I return. Now I wonder which cat will be the first to fall in this time!</div>
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<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><div style="font-weight:bold; font-style:italic"><p>© 2011, 2012, 2013) <a href="http://ontomerida.blogspot.com">Casa del Gato Azul</a>. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.</p></div></div>Carlos Q and Pat Qhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16773142238403264658noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9006427349312824998.post-7123077381628214192015-07-26T21:15:00.001-05:002015-07-26T21:15:31.528-05:00Recreation In the Yucatan: Tunich International Craft Fair<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Today, late morning Carlos and I decided to brave the heat and head out to Dzitya to attend the Craft Fair. It is crafts from several of the Mexican States and what makes it international is the country of Columbia send some crafters. Add a huge stage with programs for children as well as adults, lots of local food booths and a few kiddie rides and you have a fair Mexican Style!<br />
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We arrived in the small town of Dzitya, which is just a few mile outside of Merida, at about noon. No traffic to fight at all, and there were plenty of flagmen letting us know where we could park. At just 15 MXP (less than 1.00 US) the flagman waved us into a spot in the shade.<br />
Dzitya is known for the artisans who work both in stone as well as wood. They design and make beautiful fountains, sinks, statues out of ticul and crema maya (types of stone) , as well a wooden bowls and religious artifacts.<br />
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We didn't buy much except for some cold drinks, but we did make an important contact with a representative from <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16.1200008392334px;">Santa Clara del Cobre</span> village in central Mexican state of Michoacan where copper sinks are made...We will be replacing our sink in one bathroom with a copper trough sink, so now we can send her measurements and receive back some designs and prices! Here Carlos talking with the rep...<br />
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And the one international booth!</div>
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Most of the entertainment is in the evening hours as the fair is open until late in the evenings. We may go back later in the week and listen to some of the music. Today it wasn't crowded and it was nice to wander around with a cold drink in hand and look at some of the beautiful craft items.For me it was a day well spent!</div>
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<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><div style="font-weight:bold; font-style:italic"><p>© 2011, 2012, 2013) <a href="http://ontomerida.blogspot.com">Casa del Gato Azul</a>. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.</p></div></div>Carlos Q and Pat Qhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16773142238403264658noreply@blogger.com1