Wednesday September 29, 2010

Well, hello again.


It is currently Tuesday night and we are watching The Last Samurai, Mr. Lee’s favorite movie of all time I think. Some of you may remember him dressing up as a samurai…hilarious.

Well, day 2 is under our belt and it was a successful day!!
After our blog update via the internet stop, we started walking around town looking for info on the closed (cerrado) gym as well as where we could buy Bex a table to use as her computer desk.

As we were looking for Bex’s yoga studio, we met Eduardo who also goes by Lalo. Kinda like Eddy for Edward. Anyway, he thinks we are tourists and he works in front of his silver store trying to sell his goods. We tell him in Spanish what our Huatulco cover story is (one year stay, just got in, living in the Pacifico Condos…), and then he speaks to us in perfect English asking us if we are from Saskatoon, Calgary etc. If they know English, they try to use it…that will not help us with our Spanish, but does come in handy. He did not know where the studio was, but one of his workers pointed down the street and we saw the sign.

Eduardo did not know of the Huatulco Fitness closing, but his two workers told him of another gym close by. He explained the directions to me, and then his worker even went as far to help Eduardo draw us a map.

We imposed one more time and Bex asked in Spanish if he knew where we could by a table. He said there aren’t really any stores in Huatulco that sell what we need, but the woodworkers from in the Hills come down regularly (but not regularly scheduled) and we could probably get a hand made one for $300 pesos max. He does not know when they will show up next, but he could either buy it for us, or come to the security gate of the condos, with the wood worker, and get us to look at the product. If it doesn’t work, we can give them the dimensions and they will build it for us. Most of the woodwork in the villas and condos around Mexico are hand made by these wood workers.

We thanked the guys for their help and continued on our walk.

We found the yoga studio sign, but no sign of a studio. Bex will look on line tomorrow and see if there is an email address she can send an email to. We also found many more internet stores (not cafes), including one just up a side street, outside our own security gates.

Moving further into town, we saw a Yamaha dealer where Carla came out and in perfect English asked us how we were and if she could help. In Spanish, I asked her how much the 100cc scooter was, and it turned out to be $33,000 pesos (plus tax of 15%) or about $3300 Cdn. Not bad as I think I saw this scooter for $5000 in Vancouver. A luxury to have, but it would be nice to drive around town or to the playa (beach) and of course cheap on gas. We could also rent it out once we have the villas.

We continued up the street and we were looking for a 3 prong extension cord so Bex can set up her Mac (limited plugs in the condo). We were getting closer to this possible gymnasio, when we saw a market full of stalls selling misc goods. I saw a 6m extension electricidad (extension cord), asked how much and was told. Problem is that it only has two prongs. Most homes in Mexico do not use the ground wire, thus their extension cords have only two holes and prongs. Same thing in another stall.

I did talk to a guy in a clothes stall, gave him the cover story and he really wanted to practice his English. It is a guy like this that I might be able to barter with and get him to teach me some key words and pronunciations and I will repay him in English lessons.

Left the market and we are in a part of town I had never been to before. Now that we live here, time to explore all areas. We could not see the gym, so I asked a fellow and he told us in VERY fast Spanish, but also pointed.

Hooray…we have found another gym!!! It has all the weights, and some cardio equipment, but it does have the feel of a cheesy 70’s Rockford Files kinda place. We met the Italian/Mexican guy in charge (owner?), Ghimbli Ginostna (?), and we went through the whole process again. He wants to try English and in Spanish I am asking how much for a member ship as well as when they are abierto and cerrado. Looks like $600 pesos for 3 months, or $17/month. Relieved is the word!! So much so that I was so thankful to Eduardo and crew for the help, directions and map, that I bought them a 6 pack of Modelo cerveza and brought it to them. Eduardo looked please…we hoped he would be sharing with the two guys who had helped as well.

One of the practices we have started is to ensure we are writing everyone’s names down as well as pronunciation, as our plan is to be able to say Hola or Buenos Dias to all these peeps as we walk around town. Carmen runs a tour store across from Eduardo’s.

Fridge still not working, but we picked up some veggies and papas (potato) for me. The veggie market is so fresh and colorful. Beats a Safeway or Metro any day!!

We had seen some really great looking rotizardo pollo (roti chicken) on the poultry row (one side street is piscado…fish, another is carne…meat, another is bakery…postere is dessert etc) so we were going to grab a bird for $100 pesos and eat papas and veggies. Well, Bex preps the goods and I am headed out to buy the pollo. But…if they sell out, they just close, so they were closed up for the day. Lol

I knew of another place but had never been in. They advertise roti, asado and Kentucky and you can order whole or half. This part I understood from the sign. I did not know for sure what Kentucky was (but it was a KFC knock off) so I asked about the other two. This lady has a name I could not write down or pronounce, but she was happy to try and explain and she spoke NO English!!!

The facts I learned? Rotizardo is most popular and it can sell out (termine??) by 2pm. Asado has a “not too spicy” (according to her…and she was correct) coating on it and we laughed when I said Kentucky Fried Pollo. I asked to see the asado and her helper showed it to me. I even managed to ask her how I cook/heat it up at home and she asked if I had a microondas (microwave) . I said si and she went about explaining how to heat it…this part of her Spanish I did not understand, but how to use a microwave I am ok with!!

She too got the cover story and was looking forward to me coming back before 2pm manana to try the rotizardo pollo.

Got the ½ bird home ($65 pesos) and it came with a little bag of rice, coleslaw and some green liquid…Bex says it might be blended jalapenos? I am going back tomorrow, thank her for the yummy pollo, get her name and ask her what the hey is in that sauce. Might be like Romer’s queso dip…something she should get rid of (ex-MS ‘er joke). Pollo was great and we ate dinner, did dishes and watched the end of the vid.

We have done 3 loads of wash, but the dryer takes 90 minutes per load. You can also only do one wash and/or dry at a time as there is only one empty socket in the room, and when you put a power bar in there and try to use both machines at once, it trips the protection on the bar. Welcome to Mexico!! After we see our electrical bill as well as see how much time we spend doing laundry, we might source it out as it might end up being cheaper anyway.

10pm…pack it in time. Gym in the morning and then we are meeting Rick at 10am for the drive around. In case the internet guy comes while we are out, Bex has made a sign for our front door.

We have a screen door on our front door and as hot as it can get, we leave the main door open. So we did see our neighbor walk towards her condo and we said hola. Then when she left I said we would like to introduce our selves and asked if she had a minute, but she was in a hurry and said no. Bex thinks it might have been because a shirtless guy sitting on the couch has just said he wants to meet her. Lol I think this might be the Dutch neighbor Rick mentioned.

I will update post gym and Rick and then update the blog itself.

Buenos Noches.


Wednesday September 29, 2010

Up at 7am…off to gym and what an experience. The gym has limited cardio equipment (if you do not include the rickety stairs to the second level) but did some LeMond biking. There is a bird’s nest in the rafters…welcome to Mexico. The weight equipment is older and some of it would be called “knock-off” machines. They have tries to replicate the good machines, but not quite there. I also need to figure out everything in kilos. Not the best work out, as the mid-age ladies seemed to hog the machines and have a great time chit chatting. Must over come that frustration as I am privileged to be here. Also found out that the other gym is permanently cerrado...lack of business.

Rick arrived at 10 and we got the tour of where to pay all the utilities. He then took us to Arocito and showed us his casa. Very nice property, view and building. And very nicely furnished with woodwork created by Mexican (from Pueblo) workers and artisans. Also got the tour of the million dollar house up the hill. What a view!! Makes us that much more eager to build our own dream villas.

Heading back to our condo we saw some of those travelling furniture sales men so we are off to check them out and then off to the internet shop.

Until manana.

Saludos