"We don't see things as they are, we see them as WE are." ---Anais Nin
"Live each season as it passes; breathe the air; drink the drink; taste the fruit; and resign yourself to the influence of each...Open all your pores and bathe in all the tides of nature, in all her streams and oceans, at all seasons." --Henry David Thoreau
"The real voyage of discovery consists not of seeking new landscapes but of having new eyes." --Marcel Proust
Showing posts with label . vacation mexico. Show all posts
Showing posts with label . vacation mexico. Show all posts
Friday, July 3, 2009
Sunday, May 31, 2009
I'm Not Homeless Any More
Since last October, when I began this journey, I've pretty much been 'on the road,' living out of a suitcase. Even during the two periods back in the States, I was staying with friends and family, without a place to call home (my own house is now rented out to tenants).
That's changed. Yesterday, Saturday, I rented an apartment in Oaxaca. My first apartment in a foreign country. Gosh, it makes you feel all grown up....sort of. In addition to the usual signing of papers (contracts in a foreign language--there's something to keep you up at night!), moving in hassles, cleaning the joint, there are things you wouldn't have to deal with at home. Like calling the company that supplies those big jugs of drinking water to set up a regular water delivery schedule (can't drink the tap water). And calling the gas company to come out with a big old tank thing that looks like scuba gear. That's what runs your cooking gas and hot water heater. Until they come, I'm taking cold showers. Fun!
I had to have a taxi transport me from the guest house where I was staying. Too much to lug down the street. I really liked the hotel and recommend it to anyone planning to visit Oaxaca. I spent a week there. It's called Posada Don Mario, and they have their own Web site at :
www.posadadonmario.com The Posada is a family run place; you'll meet the mom and her daughters. It's super clean, breakfast and free WI-FI are included, and it's cheap. My kind of place.
But now I've actually made a commitment (OK, for a month). I don't do well with commitments. So we'll see how it goes. I went straight out and did a "stock up" trip to the grocery store. Like you do in a brand new house that has NOTHING in it. What's weird is that there are no closets, no cabinets, no shelves, no storage of any kind. So, after finally "lighting" in an apartment....I still can't unpack. Damn!
But I'll go out looking for some cheap stackable shelves this week. I'm liking it. No longer do I have to eat EVERY meal in a restaurant. I've stocked up the little fridg. And having my own bathroom is a treat. Out in front of the apartment (they call it a bungalow) there is an enclosed, private patio where I'm planning to spend lots of afternoons reading.
That's changed. Yesterday, Saturday, I rented an apartment in Oaxaca. My first apartment in a foreign country. Gosh, it makes you feel all grown up....sort of. In addition to the usual signing of papers (contracts in a foreign language--there's something to keep you up at night!), moving in hassles, cleaning the joint, there are things you wouldn't have to deal with at home. Like calling the company that supplies those big jugs of drinking water to set up a regular water delivery schedule (can't drink the tap water). And calling the gas company to come out with a big old tank thing that looks like scuba gear. That's what runs your cooking gas and hot water heater. Until they come, I'm taking cold showers. Fun!
I had to have a taxi transport me from the guest house where I was staying. Too much to lug down the street. I really liked the hotel and recommend it to anyone planning to visit Oaxaca. I spent a week there. It's called Posada Don Mario, and they have their own Web site at :
www.posadadonmario.com The Posada is a family run place; you'll meet the mom and her daughters. It's super clean, breakfast and free WI-FI are included, and it's cheap. My kind of place.
But now I've actually made a commitment (OK, for a month). I don't do well with commitments. So we'll see how it goes. I went straight out and did a "stock up" trip to the grocery store. Like you do in a brand new house that has NOTHING in it. What's weird is that there are no closets, no cabinets, no shelves, no storage of any kind. So, after finally "lighting" in an apartment....I still can't unpack. Damn!
But I'll go out looking for some cheap stackable shelves this week. I'm liking it. No longer do I have to eat EVERY meal in a restaurant. I've stocked up the little fridg. And having my own bathroom is a treat. Out in front of the apartment (they call it a bungalow) there is an enclosed, private patio where I'm planning to spend lots of afternoons reading.
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Oaxaca Social Schedule
Never a dull moment...
Saturday morning I went to the "intercambio" at the American library here. It's where local folks and gringos show up and are split off in small groups to practice conversation--first hour in English, second in Spanish. That way, everyone learns. It's fun. I had two ladies and a young man in my group, and we had a lively conversation (in both languages). It looks like I'll have plenty of opportunity to teach English here if I decide to do that.
Saturday night, I went to a FREE (free is good)showing of the film "Woodstock." In English with Spanish subtitles. That was a good way for me to HEAR my own language and READ the Spanish translations. Problem was that many of the translations weren't quite right. Especially the naughty bits. I found I was often the only one in the audience laughing (it was almost entirely Mexicans). But it was a funny, funny cross-cultural kind of evening. Sitting in the covered courtyard of a former convent, watching a hippie film from the 1960's....an era I lived through...in a Mexican environment. It made me think just how much the world has changed. Especially my own world.
And then, for something entirely different (as Monty Python was wont to say)...Sunday morning I got up and went to the Episcopalian church service (in English). I stayed for a nice coffee and chat with the 6 or so expats who attended.
Sunday evening I went to a baseball game that wasn't. I found it scheduled on the Internet for 5 p.m. tonight (Sunday). I walked all the way over to the stadium....about half and hour. And...drum roll, please...NO GAME. It's scheduled for tomorrow, with subsequent games all next week. So, instead of saying a very bad word, I just turned around and took a bus back to the hotel. I'm getting into the Mexican way of life. As they say, "Ni modo."
Saturday morning I went to the "intercambio" at the American library here. It's where local folks and gringos show up and are split off in small groups to practice conversation--first hour in English, second in Spanish. That way, everyone learns. It's fun. I had two ladies and a young man in my group, and we had a lively conversation (in both languages). It looks like I'll have plenty of opportunity to teach English here if I decide to do that.
Saturday night, I went to a FREE (free is good)showing of the film "Woodstock." In English with Spanish subtitles. That was a good way for me to HEAR my own language and READ the Spanish translations. Problem was that many of the translations weren't quite right. Especially the naughty bits. I found I was often the only one in the audience laughing (it was almost entirely Mexicans). But it was a funny, funny cross-cultural kind of evening. Sitting in the covered courtyard of a former convent, watching a hippie film from the 1960's....an era I lived through...in a Mexican environment. It made me think just how much the world has changed. Especially my own world.
And then, for something entirely different (as Monty Python was wont to say)...Sunday morning I got up and went to the Episcopalian church service (in English). I stayed for a nice coffee and chat with the 6 or so expats who attended.
Sunday evening I went to a baseball game that wasn't. I found it scheduled on the Internet for 5 p.m. tonight (Sunday). I walked all the way over to the stadium....about half and hour. And...drum roll, please...NO GAME. It's scheduled for tomorrow, with subsequent games all next week. So, instead of saying a very bad word, I just turned around and took a bus back to the hotel. I'm getting into the Mexican way of life. As they say, "Ni modo."
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Casa Montejo
This is the oldest building in Merida, built in 1549 (ahh...I remember it like yesterday)by Francisco Montejo, the conquistador of the Yucatan peninsula, who arrived in 1542, after a couple of failed attempts by his father to conquer the local Mayan Indians. It faces the main town square/park.
In the construction of this mansion, they used stones from Mayan temples they dismantled on the site. And, "to the winner take all," they incorporated a little attitude in the carvings surrounding the front entrance, which is flanked by two tall, elegant Spaniards dressed in armor(Montejo the Elder and Montejo the Younger), with their feet resting on the heads of two Indians. You can see from the open mouths of the Indians, they don't look particularly happy with this arrangement.
Currently, the structure is being renovated by Banamex (a large Mexican bank). They've built a modern banking facility in the center open courtyard. And they use some of the historic rooms for meeting rooms and offices. They will open parts of the restored building to the public when completed. Interestingly, you can still see the original stones "recycled" from the Mayan temple in the walls and walkways of the Casa Montejo. The are fossilized shells embedded in the stone.
Thing is, the Montejo family lived in this palace from 1549 until 1970. 400 years in the same house? Wouldn't you get tired of the wallpaper or something? Maybe want to move the kids to a better neighborhood? The max I've ever spent in one place is five years. Clearly, I'm not cut out to be a conquistador.
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