Dancing in the rain and the availability of milk

Only in Mexico! I started laughing so hard I couldn't follow the steps. Ok it started like this- they have the free zumba classes in at least 4 different parks here, some at 6:30 like ours, another I know isn't until 8pm. A group in Mexico called DIF sponsored an event via the zumba classes, called a kilo for Penasco.

DIF is roughly translated to Development of the Family- here in Puerto Penasco, they feed the poor, clothe kids in need, support families in trouble- it's a government group. They do alot of fund raising activities, and tonite was part of a 5 week activity, and this was week 2. All the zumba groups come to one of the sites where the classes are held, and everyone is encourage to bring a kilo of food, packaged rice or beans, canned food, etc. Last week they collected 80 kilos of food. There were a bunch of city employees, "important" big wigs who all took the microphone to speak and everybody clapped. Blah blah blah....Same thing this week. But they collected a bunch more food and that's what matters.

Last week I did not enjoy it at all, our group was in the very back, and we couldn't see the instructers- and there were 2 of them- why didn't one come to the back or at least half way. They were all jumpy and smiley- I guess if they came to the back they wouldn't be "seen and appreciated" by the big wigs standing around watching. The other thing was all the women dancing in front of us knew the steps, so we were kinda just stumbling around and trying to follow whoever was right in front of us...
I just started making up my own steps to the music...then I started to have fun.

I wasn't really planning on going tonite but a couple of nites ago our teacher said "oh Teresa can give you a ride" (in Spanish of course)...so I went. Oh and she was supposed to lead 3 numbers tonite so that was another reason to go- support her and know the steps to at least those 3 songs ha ha. It was laid out a little better, long lines of women across so not as many deep, so you could see much better. Anyway after the warm up, during the second song, it starts raining, lightly at first, but by the next song it's pouring! We are getting soaked right to the skin in about 2 minutes, but laughing and we keep on dancing. So then we stand around, in the rain for a few more minutes, the rain starts to let up and we start another song- I think they were trying to cover the player/speakers...why they didn't use the elevated covered patio we were dancing in front of...and then the lightening, and finally the wind starts in. I was wondering if any of the trees near us were going to blow over- yes it was that windy! We keep dancing. I am laughing thru the whole experience. And then for the final blow, the rain stops but the wind increases and the mixture of sand & dirt that starts to hit us is the last straw for the big wigs and people start to scatter. The music stops and it's done. We never got to our teacher's songs...As I turned to head for the truck the sand hitting my face really hurt!

It took me less than 10 minutes to get home and by then it was pouring again, and as I opened the gate in our fence the sides whipped out of my hands and slammed open. I realized the windows were open in the car so I ran into the house to get those keys, and silently thanked God that I had decided to leave the doggys in the house with the fans going cause it was just so hot outside. Sam doesn't like lightening and thunder one bit, and I would hate for him to be alone in it. Yeah Lucky is with him, but he's only 3 months old and Sam barely acknowledges his existence.

I am worried about Lucky, but we have taken him to the vet several times, he eats good, sleeps alot, and his poops look ok. (sorry for that part but we are doing all we can to take care of him) He is growing, no longer fits in my hand, but he remains a bag of bones- his little ribs are always showing. We have dewormed him over 7 over, and now we're giving him powdered vitamins in his food. The vet had us change from dry puppy chow to another brand, but he stays skinny. He turned 3 months old a couple of days ago and I know it's normal for him to sleep alot, and really, this past month in this unbelievable heat, Sam sleeps inside all day, too- oh and me too almost. But he just seems, well, fragile. I think his momma was malnourished and he certainly was; we got him when he was only 3 weeks old and he and his sibling were in a box on the side of the road. Not sure if all of them, but some died. Anyway we give him lots of lovin' and this heat is supposed to left....hmmm...when? Hopefully in the next couple of weeks. He sure is cute, and today it was even hotter so I bought a bottle of coconut flavored electrolytes water and gave them each a bowl and saved a little for me ha ha.

What I would love is some milk! We bought a gallon either Monday or Tuesday morning before Everardo left for Coahuila, and on Wednesday morning it was bad. I knew when I took it out of the fridge- when I opened it I could see cottage cheese like stuff....yuck. I didn't bother to bring it back cause last time Everardo got into an argument with them about it. We found out that some of the stores take deliveries of milk from non refrigerated trucks....and I forget which ones are which. It totally pisses me off- we like to eat cereal at nite sometimes when it's just to hot to think of cooking. We both like milk, but in Mexico it can be a problem. In Playa Ventura the milk was always good- when you could get it. You never knew if the store was gonna have milk, or what store. Even the kid who walked by the house with the pail of milk from his family's cow was inconsistent. I wonder what the milk secret will be in Baja??????

I got an email from the guy with the houses for rent in Punta Banda today, and they're both still available. I think it's just a few miles away from Maneadero and we will for sure at least take a look since the rents are $300 and $250....wow- you know what? We started in Petaluma (Calif), moved down to Playa Ventura, (Guerrero) then up to Puerto Penasco (Sonora), so if we moved to Punta Banda (Baja) we have gone from one P-town to another!! ha ha ha ha

Ok fun fact about Mexico
The Zapotec civilization (600 B.C.-A.D. 800) established great cities along southern Mexico and developed the first writing system in the Americas.

And so it begins.....again

It's official- we are starting a new adventure! Not today, not right this minute, but we are in the planning stages. We are going to move again. Probably not a huge surprise if you have been reading my posts; me saying I'm sick of the desert, that the heat is killing me, and yes I know it's just a couple of weeks or so before it starts to cool off, but then we have a nice 3 months or so, and then cold cold cold. That will last until beginning of March...so extremes....

We've done the tropics; beautiful, super bug bitey, and this humid heat 24/7 365 days a year. Oh and remote. Now we done the desert. Not alot of bugs...but I do have an itchy rash from the heat, my friend Karen out at the center had the same one, and now Everardo as well. The doctor gave us some cream that helps with the itching...I do love how you can go to the doctor for about $10! And taking your dog to the vet is even cheaper. We're still taking Lucky and the last couple of times he didn't even charge us. Lucky is just so skinny; and the vet gave us some better food, I guess with extra nutrients. He also gave him another shot of medicine for parasites. Poor little guy has had a couple kinds of worms and parasites, but he keeps on kickin'. Actually he's 3 months old today. He sooo tiny. But the other day I had him and Sam at the park and this old guy came up & started talking to me- he had seen me out at teh center and was asking if I was still teaching out there. Well Sam ran right up to him tail wagging, but I was holding Lucky and he started growling, alot. I didn't laugh out loud cause I was glad he did it. Little big man.

Ok so back to the start of something new....we are gonna go over to Baja, maybe as soon as late next week, or for sure the following week. The reason we have to wait is because Everardo needs to go see his brother first. Well as it turns out he doesn't "need" to, but he wants to see his brother and so yeah, he needs to. His brother is sick, but it turns out it's kidney stones (I think), and he needs to have a procedure where they use a laser to try to break them up. He's out of the hospital now and goes back in on Monday, so Everardo is going to go see him. He hasn't seen him in 6 years, and before that- it was 30 years! I really wanted to meet this brother, he's the only one I haven't met, but this is not the right time. Poppi is gonna one of those big buses, and if I went we'd probably drive and the cost of the gas, hotels, and I know he's worried about his brother- yeah he's gonna be fine- but he's worried anyway...I understand this completely. If I'm with him, he has to translate for me, introduce me, basically "worry" about me, too. I would be fine, but when we went to Morelia, he was very conscious of when I couldn't tell what was going on, wanting me to like them, and them to like me.....he's this totally easy going guy, and sometimes only I know when he's worried or sensitive to things. So- since we want to take this other trip, I'll sit this one out. I'll babysit our doggys; that was another reason we decided to make the trip to Baja in later Sept rather than end of Aug, because we need a dog/house sitter, and worried if someone just left them outside all day in this heat. Basically we need someone to sit in the house so they can be inside as well, and let them out to pee, etc.

OK so we'll go to Baja after Poppi's trip, which will probably take a week; he has to go to Coahuila, and it's by bus...he may fly back though if he can find a flight for about the same as the bus fare- and he thinks he might be able to.

We're going to the Ensenada area. Ensenada is a huge city and we don't want to live in a big city, but there are tiny towns south of it that we want to take a look at. One is called Maneadero, an small agricultural town, and not too far from the beach, and only about 10-15 miles south of Ensenada...I need to check that distance again. Anyway the area is not desert! Yipee. I also looked up the weather, and it's not super hot or super cold. It's also on the Pacific ocean....not warm like down in Guerrero, but probably not as cold as northern Calif where we came from. Ensenada is only an hour, maybe a few minutes more from the Calif border, so maybe the climate is like San Diego.I've been looking at alot of photos, and I see GREEN, I see grass and trees and bushes. And it looks like there's some mountains, or at least hills. But we'll find a starting place, then come back here and start packing....did I say Yipee??

When I first started looking, I thought maybe San Felipe; it's almost directly across from us here. But I found out it's a desert area too- so no way! ha ha. Everardo told me about Maneadero; he says it has a big open market for vegetables and fruits. He also said he could probably find work there- maybe in the fields, also there's a guy he used to work for....ouch the fields- that's brutal. But that's what I like about him, he will find something. There's also some touristy places, in Ensenada, at the Bufadora (it's a big blowhole at the ocean), and actually I've been emailing with a guy who has a couple of houses for rent, in the $250-400 range. I gotta say though, I kinda want a house not as falling apart as this one....

So that's the new news. Of course Poppi says- this is the LAST move for at least 3 years! Unless it's back to the states....I know, it costs money every time, and I know, everywhere has things you don't like..but one important thing is this makes it even easier for our families to see us. Here is that crappy 4 hours thru the Arizona desert with the bizarre Mexican shuttle bus ha ha. And the truth is, I need to be near my kids more than I thought I would. And Everardo wants his family to visit as well, and maybe his aunt and uncle could make that trip easier. Hopefully we have a long life ahead of us, and we can travel all over Mexico, cause I know there's lots of places I'd love to live, but right now, our families have to be a huge part of us...
ok-enough for now...

Mexico fun fact:

The first great civilization in Mexico were the Olmecs (1400-300 B.C.) who established many cities along the eastern coast of Mexico, sculpted the famous Colossal Heads, and worshipped a mysterious, unnamed god that was part human and part jaguar

The best coca cola I ever had!...and rain

It was today, tonite really, just a little while ago. The best coke I ever had. I swear I could taste the shiny-ness, the sharpness of the bubbles, the sugar was like a thick wave inside the coldness of the wet. I never tasted anything like it, anything so complete, anything so good. I was dead after zumba, in fact about the second to last song I started thinking I might puke. I was so hot, so tired, so.....sick. As I danced I thought I can't stop because I might fall down and then everyone will look at the poor old chubby white lady....and I will be breathing so loud, and my heart will be beating so hard that I will only hear rushing in my ears and so won't understand what anyone is saying. And of course I'm totally insecure about my weight (yes even at the ripe old age of 56) so I'll think they're laughing, and then the teacher will want me to take it easier.....yeah I was thinking all that as I kept pushing and as the song ended looked towards the outer sides of the area where there were bushes I could run over and throw up in.....So the next song started and I pushed just as hard, then mercifully that song ended and the cool down song started....I was shaking and put very little effort into the cool down.

Everardo showed up right after it ended as he always does. He either runs the track for the hour or works on the equipment doing push up, sit ups, pull ups and jumps rope. He always shows up at the end and carries the huge speaker the teacher uses to her truck for her. The teacher told us that tomorrow we're joining another class in the "pencil park", and while she was talking Poppi asked me if I was ok. No- I think I'm gonna throw up...just like last nite, I thought I was going to throw up last nite, too...but I started feeling better when I got home. Well this time, he said he thought he was gonna puke, too. I think it's a combination of things; it's SO hot, we both push so hard, and we're trying to figure out how early to eat, what to eat...so enter the coca cola.

When we got in the car Everardo said, I gotta stop on the way and get a coke, I need the sugar. We live 5 minutes from the track and there's a little aborrotes (grocery) on our street, so he stopped and ran in. He passed it to me and said I bet you need the sugar! I don't like soda, I never drink it. I didn't drink it growing up so I guess I never developed a taste for it. When my kids were here a couple of weeks ago, they both said they don't drink soda- yippee I did something right! They didn't get it as kids and now they don't like it.

So back to my story- He handed it to me and I took a big swallow. After a few seconds I said wow- I think I DID need sugar. And it tasted SO good. I took another big gulp before I handed it back. It tasted amazing, refreshing, cold, tart and sweet at the same time, like syrup but cold and sharp. The nausea lifted, I mean it was completely gone! I don't know, maybe we need to split one before exercise? Or should it be after? It was a small coke, 10 or 12 ounces, maybe before is better because I don't like feeling like I'm gonna throw up during my exercise routine. Ok maybe I should google a better solution eh? Poppi says we need to get some Pedialite for our workouts while it's so hot- hmmm that might be a good idea eh?

Ok in other news; it rained last nite- and I mean poured buckets! It was raining so hard it was pounding on the roof. I posted a couple of photos on facebook of the street in front of our house- oh I mean the river in front of our house. And we are one house in on a side road of a main road (a paved road), which is also flooded. There's no sewer system for water run off. I just hope it doesn't rain again tonite. There are intersections all over town that are flooded, it will just take the sun to get the water to dissipate. We took a drive out to a neighborhood called Cholla Bay (pronounced choya), and part of the road out to there is dirt and really messed up. We were driving the truck but what about people who live out there who just drive cars? What a mess- good thing the average rainfall per year is only 2 inches- I guess that's why they don't bother making improvements.

Actually that neighborhood is kinda sad. Lots of fancy houses, some not so fancy; but it looks like not too many people live out there full time, and there were so many for sale! Lots of unfinished huge houses, and lots of houses falling into disrepair. Everardo said when he was here in 2005-6 that this area was booming, and to rent even a camper shell was expensive; a woman wanted to charge him $300 a month for a camper shell on her property- when he stopped laughing I think he told her to go f**k herself...ha ha. Not everywhere was like that, but a small apartment or room in someone's house was $500 a month. There was money here and people here and building like crazy people. I keep hearing it's coming back, not sure I see evidence of that. Well this weekend is Labor Day and "they" are expecting big crowds, I hope so, Everardo would LOVE to make some sales at the beach. It's so freaking hot tho', I'm worried about him walking the beach- but he'll do it, and I know he'll make some money.

Ok talking about rain,we got a call from Jay, the guy who takes care of our house in Playa Ventura, and he said....wait for it.....THE HOUSE IS LEAKING!! In the same F'ing place as last year. Where the new construction meets the old; meaning our bedroom, and the new family is there renting the place. I was pretty surprised, but Jay said there was an earthquake, and also, that it had been raining for 3 days straight down there and it started leaking on day 4. Oh and the kitchen is also leaking. But he knows what to do to fix it, and just needed the ok from us (really- you needed the ok to fix a leak??) The cool thing for me was I answered the phone and I understood everything he said- but to be sure I had Everardo call him back when he got home. I think I'm gonna talk to Poppi about contacting a real estate person in Copala or Marquelia in the next couple of months, before Dec when there's a big tourist time...

Yeah I thought the storm last nite would make it cooler, but I was wrong, sadly very wrong. The air is like when you take a hot shower with the door shut, and after you turn off the water you can feel the water in the air? That's how it is outside. I don't know, maybe it's a sign that it's gonna get cooler? Oh and maybe a pig will fly over the moon. Arrgghh this heat is killing me! Did I say that out loud??

Ok Mexico fun fact:
Modern Mexicans are a unique blend of many ancient civilizations, including the Olmec, Zapotec, Toltec, Maya, Aztec, Inca, African, French, and Spanish.

It's just so hot!

I can't believe it's actually getting hotter. Walking to the washing machine across the yard has me dripping with sweat. The streets don't have too many people on them, and I understand, I just want to stay in the house with the curtains closed to keep out the heat, and all our fans going.

Sunday we went for a drive, not really to escape the heat, but to do something in it. It's too hot to go to the beach, and the water is so warm it's not really too refreshing, and lately has had so much crap it it; sticks and algae, stuff like sawdust, I think because of the passing storms. It only rained here a tiny bit thru the weekend even though weather channels and websites said we'd be hit hard. I was looking forward to it because I also read it would cool down up to 10 degrees. But- no way. So we took a drive, heading south towards Caborca but then veered left instead of right to head for Desemboque. We left the house at 2pm, and so once we took the Desemboque road we started wondering how far it really was. I looked it up later after we got back home and it's says it's almost 7 hours!

Well after about a half hour we started thinking maybe we should undertake this adventure another day when we leave really early and/or want to spend the night, so we turned back and headed for Caborca. Well I just looked that up and it's almost 3 hours from here, but it was fun driving along the roads. One part we had been on when we moved up here, but at the end of 3 days of 12-15 hour driving days and we just wanted to get here, so I didn't remember too much. It's still desert, but much more beautiful than here- much more green and lush. Hmm using the word lush to describe the desert, but it was pretty, lots of different plants, trees and bushes, and lots of huge rock formations- and I love rocks.

Ok Mexico fun fact:
 Mexico’s flag is made up three vertical stripes. The left green stripe stand for hope, the middle white stripe represents purity, and the right red stripe represents the blood of the Mexican people. The picture of an eagle eating a snake is based on an Aztec legend.

There was also agriculture in some places; I don't know if they had to bring in better soil, but the ground isn't as sandy as it is here, much more dirt. So we saw fields of asparagus, lemons, and grapes. Olive trees, fields of them. It made me think of coming up thru Sinaloa- which I always thought- oh the drug cartels! But what we saw was agriculture- field after field of strawberries, avacados, asparagus, lots of veggies. So all in all it was a nice ride. When we finally hit Caborca we were really hot and tired, and so we really just drove thru the outskirts to head back home. We came down a side road and there was a small checkpoint. Just 2 cops; a man and a woman. She asked if we had any alcohol. We said no, then the guy told Everardo after we asked for directions towards Sonoyta, don't stop for anyone who tries to pull you over- we are the only ones. Wow- we thought he meant on the highway, but we drove down a couple of more streets until we found the highway, and it was a brand new road. Beautiful and paved, with the "chicken lane"; meaning cars would pull over to the right where there is a dotted line so they were half in the lane and half on the side, then you pass them in the middle which is the same passing lane for those going the other way. But we didn't encounter much traffic (the heat remember), and so we followed this road to Sonoyta and then turned south back down to Puerto Penasco.

So we did a big desert circle. If we had been in a more agricultural center, we would have made a crop circle ha ha! So our little drive turned into 5 hours! One nice thing though, as we headed out of Sonoyta, there was a family with 7 little kids, and they plus momma and poppa jumped in the back of the truck and rode with us all the way home. They lived out in San Rafael, in a little blue house with Dora the Explorer painted on it. (cute). It was nice to be able to help somebody out, right?

Well the next day-yesterday (Monday) I had grudgingly agreed to go with my friend Deb to Phoenix to help her friend Sue pick up a car. We had all been talking about driving back alone on that drive and how it sucked cause you get so tired on that round trip- that I had just done taking my daughters to the airport. So when she asked me, I couldn't say no. We went up with her friend and then Deb didn't want to drive back alone. I said yes cause she said we'd go early and just come right back so be back early afternoon. Arrgghh she picked me up at 5:45...AM! Well I brought a pillow and slept in the back part of the way up. Then there were some "issues" with picking up the car, $$ issues which I stayed out of, but ended up not getting home until about 6PM! Oh wait- it was 6:15 cause she said- see you can still make it to zumba!! Yeah...not!

But Everardo had made a nice dinner of carne asada and beans and I added some of the extra sharp cheese I bought in Phoenix, so it was goood.

So the other fun thing I did over the weekend, was get Rosetta Stone put on this new/used laptop. Karen emailed me and she did have the activation card in her wallet so she gave me the number. Oooops one problema! The license is only good for 2 seats- meaning you can only install it on 2 computers. And it was already on my crashed laptop. So I finally got someone from India on live chat, told them I was Karen and after quite some conversation, got him to open another seat. So I am back up and running. When I get my laptop fixed, I'll de-activate it on this one so she'll still have 2 seats available. I sent her an email and told her I impersonated her ha ha, I hope she sees it as "ha ha" as well. But man when it's so hot day and nite, little frustrations become big ones.

Last nite, since I missed zumba it was only natural to crave ice cream, and when we went down to the malecon to get some; Everardo back into a really big (tall) truck with my car and made a huge dent in my trunk, and cracked the tail light. Didn't do a thing to the truck luckily. This morning he had to take the back seats out to get to the trunk to get it open and pound out the dent some. My poor car just struggles for life, but keeps on chuggin' along. Well zumba tonite and I already did Spanish for today. Now I'm gonna look up a small town in Baja we might consider as our next spot to land.....it's close to Ensenada but not a big city and supposedly has a nice beach for him to work....as soon as I figure out the spelling I'll put it here- something like Maneaderos....wish me luck cause this place lately is killing me!!

ARRGH the DMV on a hot day in Mexico!!??

The heat,of course, continues. Did I say it makes me crabby? I think hubby would call that an understatement ha ha. But add heat to frustration...not good coming from me. Yesterday was run between computer places day. The afternoon before is when my laptop suddenly went dark, and so my first trip began. I went from place #1 to place #2 for a second opinion and ended up leaving the laptop overnite. They told me they'd try to call me before 6:30 pm but I understood that meant tomorrow, so the next morning I waited until 10am (they open at 9), and went in. She looked up and said- oh I was just about to call you- yeah sure I thought...and she told me this big long story about they thought it was the motherboard but there's a tiny chance it's the processor (which is not on the board). Anyway she was going down to Hermasillio this weekend and could see if they had one down there (they didn't have one there to test it), and she'd be back Tuesday. Hmmm well now I already owed 150 pesos to hear what place #1 told me for free. Then I'd have to pay for this additional testing, and wait a week to do it...so I said no, thank you, I'll take it now. Well I had to come back in half an hour for it, so we went to breakfast. When we came back...

So the woman speaks perfect English but when we go back and this time Everardo comes in, they start speaking in Spanish. I can follow at first but she spoke really fast, and so I got lost, and stopped them to ask what they were saying. Then they went back to Spanish....uh oh, my sweaty crabby brain started to get pissed off. This was my computer, I had been handling the business regarding it, and suddenly I cannot understand or make any decisions cause I have no idea what's being said. That lack of control can get to me, even though I know I'm in a country where I'm still struggling with the language...but I'm frustrated and hot, so I start to lose it. Oh- and I asked for the case, and she looked surprised, went to the back, and returned with it, saying, in English- well they said you left it on the chair...ahhh ok thanks. So they return to Spanish and I'm just standing there while they have a loud antimated conversation. Arrgh! So I turned around and walked out.

Everardo comes out a minute later and says, as I slam the car door- what's wrong? Wellllllllll I say...she speaks perfect English-why did you have the whole conversation in Spanish, effectively leaving me out (and I was thinking- and then you were in charge...). He just shook his head...At place #1 the guy is American and his wife (or girlfriend) who works there, too, is Mexican, so the conversation was in English. I just want some control over the things that are about me, if I can.

Ha ha forward to today. I get up at 8:30 but get dressed right away cause we're gonna get my Sonora drivers license. Everardo gets up earlier, so he was ready..and had made me coffee (love this man- even when he pisses me off). We think go early and finish it, then have the rest of the day. Did I say ha ha?? First to the bank cause we know we're gonna pay...ok then stop at the Red Cross where they ask you if you're allergic to anything (& in case I forget, they asked that at the DMV too), and you do and eye test...ha ha it's on the wall behind the guy's desk, and when he got to the really small lines, he "helped me" when I said P instead of F.. .more than once...ha ha ha ha. Then he asked my height and weight (of course I lied about my weight), took 200 pesos from me and gave me a small receipt like document. Of course there was conversation between the guy (maybe he was a doctor) and Everardo about the weather, the beach, working on the beach...I understood most of it, but of course was hot & sweaty so was irritated....I answered all his questions in Spanish, but he looked every time to Everardo to repeat the same answer.....

Ok off to the DMV. Now, in Playa Ventura, the "dmv" was a small office (room) in a small building that had other businesses in it. We gave a guy 200 pesos for each of us, he snapped our pictures and then we chatted while someone made up the licenses. Everardo's was for 4 years, but mine only 1 year because I had a 1 year temp residency card. When we got here, Everardo changed to a Sonora license right away because we bought a car here in his name and so he had to have it. He went to the Red Cross, had his eye test, went to the dmv, paid...I think 1000 pesos....and got his license. Oh- and somehow I thought the Red Cross was for a blood test, but no, just filling out the particulars, and the silly eye test. So, they tell us that they are going to call Hermisillo (state capital I think) to confirm that me having a Guerrero license would "make it ok" . Ok for what? Of course the conversation took place in Spanish. They also said we needed the original phone bill, not a copy, so Everardo went home and got it while we waited for the call. Then a man called me up to the window and asked if I wanted a special license. I said no, just to drive my car. He said ok, pls wait. Then Everardo came back and they told him I could only have a "special temp license", but it wasn't clear if I would be legal to drive either of our cars because they were not in my name. Now I was pissed off. We followed all the rules, did everything right.

We changed the license plates from Guerrero to Sonora, and Everardo changed his license. Changing those plates wasn't cheap. I got my new Temp resident card, which allows me to live and work here in Sonora- but not drive? Everardo got mad too, and then we waited to talk to the head guy there. Wait and pay wait and pay- the Mexican way. So he tries to tell Everardo that it doesn't matter that we had licenses in Guerro- every state is different, and he says..well you gave me one! Then Everardo talked about my immigration card and the guy said well that's Federal...blah blah blah....and of course it was in Spanish, and as it got heated I got lost (again). Ha ha Everardo called him a racist. Anyway they both calmed down and they guy said I had to take an exam at the police station. I said a driving test? Ok no problem. "oh no!" he exclaimed- not a driving test, just answer a couple of questions like identifying a stop sign. OH! So it's just about more money! Of course Everardo had to say that ha ha...It was kinda funny cause usually he's the most patient guy I know- I'm the one who gets frustrated....

So- we go to the police station to sign up for the test which is on Wed and Sat. But they say pls pay us $150 pesos, and come right in. We chatted with this guy (in Spanish) about the weather and how tattoos always have a message. Then he looked at my California license (no interest in the Guerrero license), and he stamped a piece of paper and told us to have a nice day. Oh and while we were waiting to talk to this guy, a man who had to be 100 years old in a police uniform walks by us and has this huge pistol on his hip- it looked as old as he was....not that was scary ha ha. It was like a cowboy gun.

Ok back to the dmv. Every time we go to another place the outside heat hits you like a brick. I have been completely soaking wet and then dry about 5 times and this is before noon.  I forgot to say- as soon as we pulled up to the dmv-the first time- and I saw this beautiful big cement and glass building, I knew it wouldn't be as easy as Guerrero....these guys will want lots of pesos and fill out lots of pieces of (useless) paper. So, we go back in and this time someone is at the "reception podium" and we tell her what we want. She looks at all our papers (again), tells us to take a number and goes off to make copies. I get called about 15 minutes later to the window where we started a couple of hours earlier, and the lady typing in my info tells the woman she called over to translate how we were mad when we were there earlier.....of course she was the one who had decided to make the Hermisillo phone call- which I never heard the result of...anyway I could understand her ha ha, and you should have seen her face when I started answering the questions in Spanish! ha ha ha haha

They asked me about allergies, if I wanted to describe my tattoos in case they could be used for identification- I looked at the English speaking one, and she says, "well in case of emergency...if...if..."I started laughing and said "if" and I drew my finger across my neck.....Oh and they asked me my blood type. Do people know their blood type? So I said B...B positive. Then asked if I wanted to be an organ donor? In Mexico- don't think so. I don't want them in a hurry for any body parts when I'm on the table....

So, in the end I got my license. They said only for 2 years because your immigration has to be renewed in 2 years...( I thought- arrgghh you think I'll be living here in 2 years!!! I so hate you all) but that was only thoughts..oh and then they said..$580 pesos please. wait and pay wait and pay. But I  will say this- this dmv was JUST LIKE the dmv in the states! ha ha

So now I'm home, and the laptop guy just called- I dropped it back off after the dmv for him to look at the hard drive again for the Rosetta Stone password because he said it came up when he looked at it. So he just called and said, hmmm it's not there. Shit! So I can go pick it back up...and he say....$pesos please!!!

It's 3pm and oh soooo hot outside.....but it won't start to cool off before about 7pm so I might was well just go down there...well maybe a small nap first...and maybe try to find out my blood type ha ha!

Hmm today's Mexico fun fact- I wish I would have had one of these today.....
One unusual Mayan weapon was a “hornet bomb,” which was an actual hornet’s nest thrown at enemies during battle.

Perception

The heat is killing me. When the slightest breeze comes up I thank the heavens. I never said "Thank God for the wind" before living in Mexico. It's hot all day and all nite. And yes, in Playa Ventura is was the same, all year round, but somehow- it's different.

I think maybe it's different because here I have to interact with people, with traffic, with gates, with stores, did I mention with people? The sand, the dirt that's always in the house, in my hair, in the air...the floor always sounds scratchy when you walk on it with shoes (usually flip flops unless were heading out to work out...), well of course that's not just wind, it's doggy feet. In Playa Ventura I was hot, sweaty wet all day long, but there were no people, so I sweat in the hammock until I couldn't stand it and then walked down to the beach. Here the beach is a card ride. Down there even a trip to the store meant the next town so with the ac running you got to cool off. But I could basically wear almost the same thing every day, well alternating tank tops cause I was always walking into the ocean whether I had a swimsuit on or not....I never bothered with makeup and I cut my hair short. It didn't matter that I couldn't sleep at nite cause it was so hot, cause I always took naps during the day...and there was always at least a small breeze coming from the ocean, a little water in the air...

Here is like real life ha ha!! There are people everywhere, and I actually have commitments, not huge ones, and except for teaching English, the commitments are to myself; aa meetings, zumba, Spanish class. And I don't go to the beach every day either. We go at least once a week, but that's alot less than couple a times a day. After we work out we usually stop at the house and get the doggys and take them for a ride- sort of a big circle- out a ways and then come around down by the beach...sometimes he gets out and walks down to the beach for Sam to take a quick run...Lucky tries to keep up- since I got new shoes for zumba I stay in the car for this part, it's only about 10 minutes, and we don't always stop, just when they haven't been out all day.

Tonite after zumba, and Poppi jogging, we grabbed the dogs and went for our ride. We were both really hot and sweating so Everardo stopped at an OXXO to get us some cold water. As he came out a guy was walking up with a basket of something. I saw him only out of the corner of my eye, cause I was watching this young dad trying to get his kids to look at the really big dog (Sam) and the tiny tiny dog (Lucky) sitting in the back of the truck...the kids were laughy scared and wouldn't come close. People are always very impressed with Sam and stop to look at him. So in the basket were these plastic bags with this bread that had pineapple in the middle. Sort of like a turnover, and they were 4 for 20 pesos....so Everardo bought some and some other people getting into their cars did as well. People sell everything here!

I was noticing in the window of the Oxxo that at the back wall they had a shelf marked "frutas & verduras" (fruits and vegetables) and had bananas, apples, some zuchini, tomatos- it cracked me up cause the day before I noticed they carry hard liquor. This Oxxo is basically 7-11 in the united states. But they have everything!

It's midnite and still really hot so I'm putting off going to bed. Everardo is running a drill anyway that's twisting copper wire together so he can make something. The other day he made a couple of lizards- really cute with colored beads for eyes. I'm using a new-new to me- so used-laptop we had to buy today. Yesterday a power surge blew my motherboard. We still want to fix it, but at this moment it looks like I have to buy a motherboard in China and ship it to the my friend in Tuscon, then they'll bring it down...yeah today was fun going back and forth between 2 computer places to see what each thought, then making a decision- which now of course I'm doubting- I coulda just shared his laptop...but no- this laptop was $300 and came with Windows 7, Microsoft office 2013, virus programs, and he got everything off my hard drive- except Rosetta Stone, so it was a good deal. It's a Dell which I like, it's about a year old. Well I found a motherboard for $118 new and free shipping so I'll proby order it tomorrow.

Yeah so I called my friend to re-borrow Rosetta Stone cause they left tonite on a 3 week vacation. She graciously brought to work with her this morning and I went over and picked it up. Unfortunately for me I didn't try to install it until tonite, and guess what- the password (activation code) is on a little card, and it's not in the box!!! aaarrrggggggghhhhhhhh!!!!!!! So tomorrow I'm gonna go back to the computer place with my broken laptop cause he could see it on the hard drive; he actually said it showed the password- so now I want it. When it's hot, the frustrating stuff is SO much more frustrating.

And it's quiet out during the day here now. People are staying indoors cause it's just too hot. Once the sun goes down they start coming out. One more month I keep hearing....but man I am a crabby bitch in the heat!
I never used to drink cold water from the fridge, I liked room temperature. Now we keep a huge pitcher in the fridge and ice cubes up top. This started in Playa Ventura- unless it's really cold it just doesn't quench your thirst. There's all these guys who push carts or have carts connected to a bicycle filled with popsicles- I bet they're getting rich right now. People who live here who have any money are gone on vacation in search of cooler weather. But most people who live here- well on this side of town, well we're all here suffering together! As Poppi says...suffering in paradise. The park in shade is just so hot. Sam doesn't want to chase the ball, but it's still nice to roll in the grass.

Well I almost said no fun fact tonite, but I just found that website real quick, so I hope this isn't a repeat..
Mexico City has the highest elevation and is oldest city in North America. It is also one of the largest cities in the world

Free zumba in the park

Free zumba in the park- Monday thru Friday. And now I find out that it's also free at 2 other parks here. How cool is that? I was reading info about Ensenada this weekend, and saw a forum post saying oh everyone come to zumba- it's starting up again and it's only $300 U.S. a month!! $300 a month! Not pesos, dollars! And here it's free in at least 3 parks, 5 nites a week. And I don't know if they have it any other time of day, although with the weather here, unless it was very early in the morning I doubt it's at any other time.

It is kicking my butt. I forgot that the second day after no exercising for 2 weeks is MUCH more painful than the first. I thought I was gonna collapse tonite. I am deader than dead. An when it was almost over, I hear some woman yelling out she wants the cancion (song) that "she" likes. I turn around and she's pointing to me- no no not that song at the end! It's a tough one, kicking the entire song with this drum beat boom boom boom. Ha ha I was barely breathing. But I tell you there's got to be 30-35 women out there now, and when I left 2 weeks ago we were at about 20. When this teacher started coming consistently there were about 8 or 10 of us. I am still the only American or English speaker, and I still stand up in front or the second row. I do that so I can see what she's doing...but man yesterday & today I was huffin and puffin. Give me thru next week and I'll be back up to pushing hard thru the whole class.

I bought a hula hoop this weekend while the girls were here, actually they found it in a store I didn't go in while they were buying inflatable inner tubes for the beach. My daughter took pictures and posted on facebook me, in a long tie dye shirt (over my swimsuit) in a parking lot trying to hula hoop. Hmmm could I ever do it? Well I can't now. I bought it to try and get the hip shaking, butt rolling moves they do in zumba to some songs. I mean, we wear a scarf around our hips with the little plstic sequin things that make noise when you "shake it". But it's like belly dancing! And our teacher- man she can shake it!

But you know, free zumba in the park at nite, it's such a cool thing to do. I don't know who's sponsoring it, I thought the city, but maybe I'll try to find out who. I see a couple of other zumba classes for money advertised, and we have a newspaper online called Rocky Point Times and another site call Rocky Point 360 that talks about everything that's happening around town, but I haven't seen this mentioned. Like I said, I'm the only American out there. I thought of sending something to both sites, but maybe I shouldn't, maybe it would get too big. The class is growing fast enough on it's own. And next week I'm gonna try the other place where my teacher teaches after our class, but will soon be teaching there only. If it turns out to be at 7:30 pm, that will be great! And I'll see if I'm the only English speaker there as well. Stay tuned- let you know!

My lower back, shoulders, calves, ok everything is aching right now, I just took an ibuprofin, luckily they sell the 800mil over the counter here- in the U.S. I think 200 is the highest you can get without a prescription, but everybody just takes more....I did sleep better last nite and hoping for the same tonite.

I also confirmed starting Spanish Sept 16 with 2 other students just about 2 streets over from us. And something kinda interesting; I noticed that both yesterday and today I was better with Rosetta Stone, I mean I could really hear and understand better, so maybe taking a 2 week break from that was a good thing. I'm on level 5, which I think is the last level. Probably when I'm done I'll go back and do pieces from all the levels for review... it's a pretty cool program, I like how it works. I would definitely recommend it if you're looking for a language learning program, but like all programs, or all new languages, you gotta practice practice practice, all the time, every day.

Ok back to the exercise, I think there must have been 300 people just on the track tonite, then a soccer game in the middle, people watching that, and the peewee games at the far end. In Mexico people congregate, people get together, for celebrations, for fun, for nothing, and for exercise...and on the way home I see people all sitting outside their houses, chatting with friends and neighbors, and it feels comfortable. I like it. Viva

Mexico fun fact:

Mexico City is built over the ruins of a great Aztec city, Tenochtitlán. Because it is built on a lake, Mexico is sinking at a rate of 6 to 8 inches a year as pumps draw water out for the city’s growing population.