Another week in Paradise

INM Mexican for INS (Immigration office)

We spent a good part of two days here along with a lot of other Ex Pats waiting for our number to come up for processing our visa applications. Nothing happens fast here. The paperwork and processes are like nothing you find in the States... In the States, they government says, "We are here to help you" ... We know that is a joke... Here they are honest about it ... They are here for a soft government job and you are here trying to make it hard by expecting us to do our job. They open at 9am and close the doors at 1pm ...

 Waiting Ex Pat from all countries ... Lots of American, Canadians, Cubans ...

 Inside is wall to wall people standing in lines... Some of the people were there from 9pm until 1pm. If you are there they stick around and handle whoever is there... We had a appointment and we were there from 11:30am until 2:30pm. (It took three trips to get it all completed )... Amazing! We are now official ... We can stay for another year, then we can do it again... But, it is worth it... Notice ... No Snow...

 We dropped by one of our favorite spots for a little lunch.. The is the Vera Cruz in Market 28. This is a market that sees a lot of tourists.. Full of trinketry and tourist stuff.. We go there because we like one of the waiters... He was helpful on one of our first days in Cancun .. There is always wandering musicians and it is fun to watch the tourists...

 This is our friendly waiter... Sorry.... Alzheimer's has caused me to forget his name..but, I will not forget his kindness or face!

 The is our neighborhood convenience store... We refer to it as "Hugs & Kisses" .. This type of store is everywhere down here. They are well stocked and resemble your local 7/11 in the States.

 Inside our "Hugs & Kisses" ....

 Here is another neighborhood eatery ... We dropped in because it is always crowded and a few thousand Mexicans can't be wrong...

 This is very traditional of the local cafes... They are clean and the food is good ... Very affordable.. This one is real upscale, I guess ... It has toilet seats!

 Here are the dogs... We know who is in charge here... They are waited on hand and foot... They eat, sleep and take life easy... We know they are in charge, you don't see them picking up our poop!

Sport is presently the main focus of Becky's attention. He has broken a toe.. We think it did it on the steps going up stairs. The tile floors are not to forgiving when you fall or drop something.. He is on three legs .. Becky helps him move around the house and even his potty stops outside.. Wish I had a picture for you of Becky helping him do his business... Being male, he wants to do it on three legs and it doesn't help to have a broken front left toe... He and Becky work it out... Sissy tries to console Sport.. She senses he is hurt and wants to help.

Well, that is our week in Paradise.. Weather is wonderful! We haven't used the air conditioning in weeks.. The night are cool and make sleeping perfect!

Looking forward to another wonderful week in Paradise!

Shopping for a good used car in Cancun

Well, this week we went out looking for a different car. Our current car is really a nice car...BUT! We can get parts for it, every simple service is a nightmare... We must have oil filters, air filters and any other item sent from the States. The law prohibits us from selling it here in Mexico. We will have to make a trip to the Border (2 day minimum) to sell it...
But, we must have a car to get around here... So the plan is to make a run to the border..Sell the car to CARMAX, catch the bus back.... That will take a week.. Then hopefully find a Mexican car to fill our transportation needs.
Here are a few pictures we took while shopping... They have a massive used car sell each weekend at the local soccer stadium.... Sellers bring their cars and buyers come to wander thru the cars and make a deal with the owners... Selection each week is hundreds of cars .... Quite a carnival atmosphere...

 Every make and model are here! It is a Buyer Beware atmosphere... According to the sellers, everyone is their mother's car driven only on weekdays, to and from the store  .... Hummmm... I haven't seen them on the road where I drive...

 They like their cars... They like big ones and like to "BLING" them up.. They personalize them with numerous stickers and painted images, names and logos...

 Natalie ... They even have UGH's here like yours... The license plate is UVG instead of UGH ... Must be Spanish for Ugh...

Buyer's and Seller's are everywhere.. This covers over 30 or 40 acres .. It makes any tent sales I was every involved in look small ... Food vendors and even some street musicians and street entertainment ..

 all free lance.

This was an adventure in cars sales...

Still having fun in Paradise!

Ross & Becky

Thanksgiving 2010 In Paradise

We enjoyed a very nice day here in Cancun. Starting off in the morning with two sets of tennis... This will be replacing turkey bowl at the park in the snow and cold of Utah with the local guys... I will miss the guys, but
Tennis will be with the local amigos here in Cancun... Not cold and wet!

Andres, Our host and coordinator! Andres and wife have a small Travel Agency and manage properties in Puerto Morelos and Can Cun!

 Victor, local Artist (He paints better than he plays tennis)...Thank goodness!

 This ain't Wimbledon ... But it is a nice court out in the jungle. It is owned by a small resort that allows Andres & Friends access in exchange for maintenance and up keep.. It is lighted for night play.

Andres is the BEST tennis player, at least in Puerto Morelos!

Becky, Kathy and Kris were all doing the cooking thing... Each at their own home, I don't know where we are going to put all the food.. Each family of two will have a large turkey to dispose of..

After tennis, the guys all did their own thing whether that be watch NFL football or the Championship series of the Pro Tennis Tour from London. It was all good!

 Dinner was wonderful! London recipes, American Traditions and Cancun location! It doesn't get any better than that!

Who gave Nacho a sharp object? This man is dangerous with a Tennis Racket ... Sharp knife could be fatal! And it was for this bird!

 Kathy & Nacho's garden is coming along nicely! Beautiful plants and Nacho's Habanero Peppers! (They are really HOT!!!) ...

Kathy & Nacho's house is really coming along nicely too! They have made it very cozy and comfortable... It was already warm....

They have a head start on ours, but the little house is coming along nicely over on our street too! We added some vanities to the bathrooms and the last of the light fixtures and a fan to the patio..  New grass in the front yard. What we saved on not having to get a snow blower, we put into the little house.

We are starting tennis lessons on Monday... We found a place that charges $30. per lesson... That is pesos, so it equates to just about two dollars and fifty cents USD.. Becky and I wants to get our game up to where we can play doubles with Nacho and Kathy and not embarrass them... They  might even want to play with us once in a while.. We have no plans on every winning a game, but to at least make a lucky shot once in a while..

We also found a really nice health club in our neighborhood, it is as nice a Tree House is in Sandy.. It has Tennis, Squash (No racquetball, Darn!), swimming pool, weights, machines, pool, billiards, paint ball, dancing, spinning, aerobics, belly dancing, plates, yoga, soccer, cafe and lounge.. (Nice) ... We hope to find budget for it... It costs $1900 pesos per month...equates to $159 USD.. That's as much as food for a month! Sooo... I guess we are going on a diet...

Our Newest Friends - Martha & Andres

We met some very nice people in Puerto Morelos, a little fishing village south of Cancun. Their names are Martha & Andres. Martha was originally from Canada and Andres is a native of the area. They have been in the area over 30 years and have a small travel agency ... http://www.puertomorelos.com/ . They have many different hobbies and activities they enjoy. They have accummulated a lot of property and also sponsor the Wednesday Poker games in their backyard.

This is one of two homes they have just a couple of blocks of the beach. From the balcony off the Master Bedroom you can see the Caribbean Sea. The backyard is wonderful... Walled in for security and includes a BBQ and area that they use for parties and poker on Wednesday Nights!

Andres and friends were installing a tarp over the poker tables in the event of rain... Don't want to get rained out for the poker games... Starts at 9pm and lasts until 2pm ... Table stakes are 600 pesos each player with a maximum of 600 additional pesos can be added by each player who choose to add at the break at 11pm.. Lots of food and drink ... Good time is had by all!

We sat and ate at the beach. Watching the sunset and enjoying each others company... Sharing stories and interests. Andres has a baseball team in town and love to play tennis... I think we are going to get along just fine!

Weekly Get together - Sew - Quilt - Embroidery - Karaoke - Dancing - Lunch

Pilar's Living room

Pilar and the Karaoke Machine

Pilar's Backyard

These aren't the Andrew Sister

Dancing too!

The whole Gang

Listening to the song! Beatle's music... I think

Karaoke Machine

Becky went to her group for the weekly shindig...

Tennis Anyone?

Kathy can play Tennis!

Nacho working with Amatuers

We went out to play Tennis with Nacho and Kathy. This was our first attempt at tennis here in Cancun.
Nacho spent his time getting us acquainted with the game. He is very patient and a good instructor... He should be, he is a professional...
We had a GREAT time!
Kathy is a good player also. She plays numerous times every week and plays at a level 3.5 or 4. when she competes in tournament play... Becky and I are in the negative when it comes to ratings... But we ln to make it a part of our regimentation going forward.
My love of racquetball is not helpful here. Racquetball is a game of wrists and Tennis a game of arms... They don't mix well... As for now, I will try to do both... The day will come when I need to make a decision betwen the two... If I want to be competetive..

Ole' Duffer Trying to play tennis

Kathy doing her thing!

Tennis Courts at the Royal Resorts

Unfortunately, Becky was manning the camera and failed to include herself in these photos, but I promise to take the opportunity next week to catch her in her tennis outfit... She has got some good looking legs to showoff in her tennis shorts!

Winter is setting in here... The temperature has dropped to low 70s and we have gotten out our long pants... Tank tops and cutoffs are only our day wear now!

Life is good in Paradise!

Cancun Quilter & Crafts Group

Becky met with the local Quilters & Craft Group today. They meet each Wednesday and Friday for a craft & gab session... They do lunch on Wednesday at a local eatery..
Becky says they were all very Gracious and tried to help her by speaking as much English as possible.

They meet in one of the groups homes and then go to lunch.