Escorpión

Really there isn't too much to say as pictures truly are worth a thousand words.

This fella was found outside our back patio, along with another little friend. To give you an idea he was larger than my hand spread out. The other was about the size of my pinky. Needless to say, we have the fumigators coming again on Wednesday and have informed our neighbours to do the same. Our cleaning lady found a dead one inside our house last week, and we found one in our BBQ cover (alive). This makes 4 in less than a week.... I'm not so much worried about me, but my two dogs...whole different story!!!

***********UPDATE**********

A mere minutes after writing this post hubby found ANOTHER in our BBQ cover bringing the count to 5 in less than a week. We took another pic, and I apologize for the quality as it was taken with hubbys Blackberry.

Missing..

Well I have just been having some of "those" days lately where I am missing a lot of things from back home. I have been spoiled with visitors, but I know the time is going to come where there won't be any for long periods and I'll just have to get used to that.

The home we are living in is just that "the home". It is not "my home". It usually does not take me long to adapt to new homes, my parents moved around a LOT when I was growing up. This is different - we are still waiting for our furniture to arrive as it's over 3 months late. It's been a real challenge for me trying to live in a place without any of my things, and we don't want to buy too much as we know its' coming...we hope anyways. Also, with having visitors coming and going we feel awful that we dont' have the basics set up for them as of yet.

I don't want to complain too much as I know I have it better than a lot of people. but I am just hitting that point where I miss my freedom. I miss being able to be self-sufficient. I have never had to rely on anyone for anything for as long as I've been an adult. I was very independent and did not mind doing things by myself. Heck, I enjoyed running errands on my own. Now, I am so dependent on my husband as we live in a fairly large city, and I don't feel comfortable enough to drive around by myself yet. I mean I will drive myself to Costco, or to my inlaws, but no more than that.

I'm also missing the ease of things from back home. I kid you not when I say our plumbing goes every other day, and it's always a new issue on top of an old one. The sink leaks, the toilet leaks, the hydro pump breaks, etc... We fix it and a week later they start going again.... WHY? Why can't plumbing just work? Why do I have to take a 2 minute shower everyday in fear that the hydro will go? Oh and our neighbour was stealing our water so I had little to no hot water. I know, shower in the cold - I'm in Cancun, right?

I'm hoping I get over this mood of mine fairly quickly, and I don't blame anyone if you dont' want to read about me getting these things off my chest, but I just need to say some things... Probably a lot more than I have. I don't want to talk to my husband about this too much as I think he is getting sick of me complaining about our furniture, and the house. Not even getting sick of it, but he takes it to heart and I don't want to stress him out. Ahh...life in Mexico... I love it, but why can't things be just a little bit easier? Oh well...in time.

On a plus note - the weather has been amazing, and my best friend is still here for another day.

Rainy day : What to do?

The other day was my mom's birthday, and also happened to be a HOTT rainy day. Humidity was at 70% making the temp feel like it was 39 degrees (102 F), and we didnt' want to stay indoors.

We ended up taking my mom to the bowling alley in Paseo Cancun. It was my first time there, and what an improvement from the old alley hubby and I used to go to. Mexicans love their bowling. We were surrounded by "professionals". It was kinda annoying as we were just trying to have a fun time, and we had to wait behind the "line" every time they went up to bowl beside us.... they took forever to gaze down the lane, and decide how they were going curve their ball. I know they were there to practice, but why did they have to come and set up right next to us? The rest of the place was empty, and you pick your lane!!!!

Oh well, anyways, what a great day bowling...can't say the same for our scores. Finished the night off with dinner at Puerto Madero. We were there earlier in the week for dinner, and made a reservation for my mom's bday. We requested a table overlooking the lagoon, and it was a perfect night for it. The humidity kept the evening air warm, and we had an amazing view. Perfect ending, to a perfect day.

What the heck have I been up to?

I've been taking a wee little break from blogging lately for a few reasons. One of which was time. We have had our best friends visiting from Canada stay with us for the last 15 days, and we were very busy playing tourist with them. Ohhh how much fun we had. We went down to the Bahia Principe for 5 days, Xcaret, Isla Mujeres and of course Cancun!!

Another reason for my absenteeism has been mi casa. Ohhh I don't know where to begin. We have been so busy trying to get it "ready" for our guests, and "ready" for us that I just don't know when this project will end? It may not look like we've done a lot to others, but we have spent half a years rent fixing the place up!! Cleaning out our water pumps on the roof, adding pressure tanks, cleaning, painting, plumbing, electrical, etc... The list goes on and on. I'll have to post some pics....

My biggest nightmare has been dealing with our shipping company from Canada. Why oh why did we ship our things?? If it were up to me we never would have, but the decision was out of my hands. The container was loaded in Cgy Canada on the 9th of December. It went straight to Vancouver port area. Was supposed to arrive in Cancun between the 15th and 17th of January. Great. Then when it didn't arrive we were told Superbowl Sunday (mid Feb). That didn't sound right, and guess what? It wasn't. Then we started getting a little feisty with the company and were told Mexican customs were holding us up, and were questioning the value of our goods, etc... They wanted us to pay tax as if everything were brand new. Which it wasn't. Okay, believable. We were told it would arrive on the 6th of March. So no problem, on the 4th I confirmed it was still scheduled for the 6th. The 5th I inquired? Was told - they would look into it. I get an email at 9pm that night advising "blah blah blah we are so sorry, but we sent the wrong container and your container is still in Canada, blah blah blah". So basically I have been even more mad as not only do they still have all our things in Canada, but also they think I am stupid enough to believe all the stories from before. Customs my ass.

The story goes on and on, and supposedly the container was loaded on the 10th of March and confirmed to have left Vancouver for Cancun. We'll wait and see....

I would write more, but am too tired to even write about it at this point. I have had to tell the story a million times, and now it's just exhausting. Wow is this a lesson learned.

If you are thinking about ever shipping anything to Mexico, make sure you use a company that knows what the hell they are doing, and have experience dealing with Mexico.

All for now - my mom arrives tomorrow and have to get ready for that!!

Blow here....

For those in town, you know that Cancun is trying to step up it's efforts in combating driving under the influence... They are advertising check stops, and fines, etc... I have to admit years ago you'd never have seen a check-stop, and if you did all it took was $10 to get you out of it. Drunk or not.

Now, this is a touchy subject, and NO I do not tolerate, nor promote driving drunk. Everyone knows that it's wrong, but I do know most of us have driven after having a drink or two. I'm really not sure what the legal limit here is to be honest, but I had to share this experience.

On Saturday night hubby and I were driving home around 3am from a friends house, we both had been having a few drinks throughout the evening, and were stopped in a check stop on the way home. This was our experience. All vehicles are asked to pull over. The police officer then asks the driver to blow in his hand, and then he smells his own hand, and decides whether or not you are drunk?? YES, I said you blow your breath in his hand, and that's it, and we were on our way. LIKE really???

Now I'm all for keeping the drunks off the road, but how the hell do they expect that to work?? I mean, I guess you'll really know when you see the person or speak to them, but is that seriously all they have? It can't be....

Oh, and while we are on the subject. Cancun also has a new police force that is supposed to be "better", and supposedly are not taking any bribes, etc... Well just the other night my friend told me he was driving home, and had a few drinks, no drivers licence on him, and he was stopped at a check stop to. What did he have to do? Pay $100 pesos, and be on his way. Glad to know things are changing..... I mean I know he wasn't drunk, but he said he didn't want to give them shit because he didnt' have a licence and didnt' want to get in trouble later.

This is supposed to be the NEW and IMPROVED police force.... Is this happening in your area(s) of Mexico?? I'm curious....

Best of the best

Yesterday I had my first visit with my new Ob/Gyn here in Cancun, and the overall experience was so amazing that I had to write about it.

I had been putting off this visit for...errr.... 2 years to be exact. I can't believe how stupid I was, but that is a whole other story. The truth is I tried to go when I was in Canada this past January, as it's free. Yes, I said free 100%. Well that's great and all, but the Dr was late that morning due to a snowstorm and he told me he didnt' have time to do a pap, unless I was experiencing troubles?

Well, I was with one of my closest friends a few weeks ago and I told her I really need to get a pap, and full physical. Truth be told, I was getting colposcopy's back in Canada, and they were always okay, but the last one was 2 years ago. So, for me it's all the more important to go. I know this is very common, so some of you know what I'm talking about.

I showed up at my Dr's office, and it was so nice. The waiting room was nothing like what I was used to back home. It didn't look like your trypical clinic. It was like a scene from a movie it was tranquil - dimmed lighting, soothing music in the background, and the most comfy sofas ever.

When it was my turn, I was buzzed through a door and there was my Doc. He had a friendly smile on his face, and greeted me with an open hand. I quickly said - I need to speak English, and he was okay with this as long as I didn't speak too fast. He asked all the important questions, some embarassing ... only as I realized how bad I had been neglecting my health.

When it was time for my physical - he took me to the space behind a wall, asked me to change into my robe, and meet him back there.

I don't want to give too many details, but he did a full breast exam. All good. He then did a pap, and was so gentle. I couldn't believe it was over when he said he was taking out the "thing". I really didn't feel a thing, and that's never happened before. I thought that was it. NOPE - he then did an internal ultrasound to check out my ovaries, etc....

Now, I'm not sure where you're all from, but back home this does not happen. The ultrasound. Unless you are pregnant, I've never heard of the Dr. providing this service at the time of your physical. Usually you have to complain of some issues, and then they send you to see a radiologist to get these done. I was so impressed.

I go back in a month for my results, and oh geeze I hope everything is okay. I do feel better having finally done this. Thank goodness :) Now maybe we can look at having a baby!

My Doctor for any of you living in Cancun was Dr. Luis J. Medellin, and his website is: http://www.ginecologocancun.com/ . All his contact information is there, and I would recommend him to ANYONE. Altogether the total cost for my visit, and my tests was $850 pesos. Not bad if you ask me? Again, I came from a place where healthcare was absolutely free, and I now realize free doesn't always mean better.

For any of you ladies putting this off - don't be stupid, don't be me!! Book your appointment now!

Speachless...

I am a very, very positive, outgoing and talkative person. Not a lot leaves me absolutely speachless. Well, it happened. I literally did NOT know what to say. I thought it was some kind of joke, but nope. It wasn't.

On Saturday hubby had a business meeting at the Starbucks in Paseo Cancun (local mall - huge). He asked if I wanted to come along, and I of course said I'd love to have a coffee, and I could sit in a corner and read my book.

Now I love Starbucks. If you don't, I don't really care, because I do. I was sooo looking forward to it. I don't order any drink that I can't actually pronounce, in English or in Spanish. All I ask for is a grande coffee in a venti cup. That's it. No biggie...right? WRONG.

How is it possible? I order a coffee and the lady says to me "Sorry, no coffee". So I assume they mean it's not ready. So I ask how long? She says "No, no coffee. We only serve cold beverages". I honestly didn't know what to say?? It's February, the temps haven't been great...It's not the middle of summer in a heat wave? Is she kidding? She's not laughing or smiling. Then it hit me - she was 100% dead serious. With no other explanation. Just told me "We don't serve hot beverages at this location". Starbucks not serving coffee...speachless.

Is it just me? Is it like this all over Mexico? I know it's not like this in other warm climates. When I was in Hawaii last September they served the same cup of coffee as they did back in Canada. I just don't get how "they" got to Starbucks to. By "they" I mean Mexico. I really don't think this happens anywhere else in the world!

Needless to say I still was able to read my book, but sans beverage in hand. I still love Starbucks, and I still love Mexico, but some things I will never, EVER understand.