Can I please have a kinder, gentler world?

At first I was thinking this post wasn't going to have anything to do with Mexico, but it does. I always say while in Mexico it is like I have stepped back in time 40 or so years ago. Forty or so years ago we had a kinder, gentler society in the U.S. When in Mexico today, I still feel and see mutual respect and kindness. In the U.S. - not so much. Not so much at all in larger cities.

I just read a friend's Facebook post about a United flight that was diverted when two passengers got into a fight over the use of a knee defender (full story here) 
The pilot had to make an emergency landing to get the two people off the plane. I can't imagine the anger these two people must have been holding inside to let this small incident escalate to the magnitude it did. I visualize them this morning with red, sheepish faces over the embarrassment they undoubtedly must be experiencing. On second thought, maybe not. They may be relishing in how they got their way and "showed" the other passenger. Why are we in such a state of "I win/you lose"? Why are people becoming just plain mean? Are we at a point of no return? 

My theory on it all can be summed up like this - 
First, we all have access to enormous amounts of information. During my entire life, the media has reported predominately on the negative. But with more information, we read more negativity. We read and seethe over every incident. I'm pretty sure Obama isn't the first president that likes to play golf. And I remember presidents in the past spending at the ranch or at Camp David. But, I have to agree, if I read one more report on Obama and his golfing habits, I'm going to get a Knee Defender and break some knee caps. We get bombarded with too much negative information!  
Second, our world is becoming smaller. You can say what you want about diversity and embracing diversity. I say diversity schmersity. People are no different than animals in the animal kingdom. We gravitate towards those that look like us, talk like us, smell like us, and have ideologies that match our own. Experiencing diversity used to be a choice whereas today in the U.S. we have little choice. When you try to mix unlike groups, they separate like oil and water. You cannot change an ideology. All you can do is eradicate it by death or avoid it.
Third, I believe in the "divide and conquer" theory. As long as we are spending great amounts of time and energy on hating, we have less time to spend on forming relationships and bonding. We don't embrace our neighbors if we are busy arguing with them. We are much easier to control when we are fussing over Knee Defenders. The plane landed, the authorities were called in and they whisked the two unruly passengers away. 

So, in my daily world I fight back by having conversations with my HEB cashier, joke with my plumber about how he can now take the rest of the day off after I pay him, and I think about the Muslim man in the Sugar Land Whole Foods Market and wonder if his belly button is an "outie" or an "inny". I pray and yearn for my world to be filled with more love, mutual respect and kinder, gentler times. I hope you'll join me in trying to make it happen.

Damn, I am missing Mexico! There just isn't the same tension and meanness. 

Lots of Memories on Memorial Day

Over the Memorial Day weekend, we celebrated our 27th anniversary. And had to laugh when, before we sat down to our special dinner, we opened anniversary cards from each other. After 27 years together, I guess you start thinking alike. We had each painstakingly picked out and bought the exact same card! 

Happy Anniversary to the Love of My Life 

We also took the boat to Matagorda Bay and fished for about 10 minutes then did about 3 hours of boat riding in the ICW,  down the Colorado River, and down the "new to us" diversion channel. We just explored. We ended our trip with shrimp baskets at our new favorite eating dive.

I have been thinking of little granddaughter Maggie out in California as she celebrates her 8th birthday today. Happy Birthday My Sweet Maggie Girl! More memories...

We pay homage to all the military and their families, and remember and reminisce about Dad. His death on Memorial Day last year (5/27) will always mean on each Memorial Day we will have a special hero to remember in addition to our military heroes. But that brings me to another remembrance. 

We often get reminded of  life in Mérida...only different.

Right here two blocks from downtown El Campo we sometimes hear the sound of horse hooves coming down the street. And yes, the street is paved. You know I have compared Dad with his horse named Maude and his buggy-riding in Anderson, Texas to the horse and buggies that come in front of the house on Calle 64-A, Mérida. But when we look at the rider here in El Campo, we get confused. The rider isn't a white cowboy nor a Mexican cabellero. He is black. We couldn't help but joke about it this morning and decided if Dad was going to be re-incarnated it would be just like him to decide he wanted to come back as a Black cowboy. 

Yesterday, we were hanging around the house here in El Campo just relaxing. Terry was out in the garage with the door open, and I was sitting on the swing in the back yard. By many people's standards, we live in a less desirable part of town. There is not security gate leading down winding streets with cul de sacs. There is no name on a well-landscaped brick entryway leading into a subdivision. We live in the part of town that was filled with effluent homeowners of yesteryear. It was the snazzy part of town back in the 1930's. Right now, our house is by far the nicest of all the houses you can see from our front yard. It is the only house you can see that has been totally renovated. But, all of the houses on our block are receiving a facelift over time so we think of ourselves as "trendsetters". Our area of town is not considered so snazzy today. It is a mixed neighborhood of white, black and brown-skinned people. We are all respectful of each other, and smile and wave to each other on occasion. We visit when we catch each other outside but we don't visit inside each other's houses. We just go about living harmoniously. 

From the garage and the swing, respectively, Terry and I both heard a little air horn. It was a sound quite familiar to us IF we were in Mérida. It made me wake up from my pensive mood as I reminded myself I was in El Campo, Tx. Terry came out of the garage when he heard the horn as well. We looked up to see a Mexican gentleman coming down the street on his school bus yellow cargo bicycle. His bicycle was overflowing with sacks. I am guessing all the sacks were filled with homemade breads. That's what his horn sound was telling me. He was cruising the streets of El Campo just like he would be cruising down Calle 64-A or an infinite number of streets in anywhere, Mexico selling his wares and trying to make a few extra pesos...or dollars...I have a feeling he would take either. 

Last week we were sitting on the front porch in the retro-glider, when an old unmarked van came down one of the side streets, honked the horn, and stopped. Several neighborhood Mexicans walked over to the van and then walked away carrying white sacks. We were curious. As the van made its way to our street, we could see inside the window between the cab and the back end. The van was filled with crates full of fresh vegetables. Similar to the vendadores in Mérida, this vendedora was peddling her fresh produce to the Mexicans here in El Campo. 

By US standards, it is considered by many to be "unsafe" and "not right" to buy bread from a neighbor's non-commercial kitchen. We aren't supposed to be using pesos as our currency. And where did those fruits and vegetables come from? 

I give us a few more instances of hearing those horns honking and we will be whipping out those pesos we have for our next trip south, and we will be buying some fresh bread or vegetables from the vendedores right here in El Campo. And if somebody comes by selling fresh, cage-free eggs I'm definitely in!  

Does this Mexican Phenomena have a Name?

There is a phenomena, or at least I am using that term for the lack of a better one, that we experience in Merida over and over. I have never experienced it in the U.S. I don't know what to call it so if anybody has a name for it, let me know.

It goes something like this - 
You decide you are in need of something but you don't know where to find the item you need. The first thing you do is ask your neighbor or another Mexican friend or you casually make a comment that you are in search of something. On the other end, they either agree to go with you and help you locate it, or tell you where to go to find what you are looking for. It never seems like the first place you are directed to or even the second place has what you are looking for - but as you wander, ask questions, and go off in another direction you ALWAYS eventually are lead to what you were originally looking for. 
Terry and I just had a conversation concerning our experiences with this. Here are some examples of what I am talking about - 

1. When we were looking for the tile mosaico of the Virgen of Guadalupe, Carlos drove us around for several hours to no avail. But, he didn't give up and asked one of his work associates who told him exactly where to go. "The man here makes them on the spot". We got up early in the morning and headed to the address given, with Carlos at the wheel. We arrived before opening time and sat on the curb waiting for the shopkeeper to arrive. The place had samples of tiles and signs of work on the outside wall of the location. This had to mean we hit pay dirt.  In the meantime a random passerby drives up and Carlos casually inquires about the shop. He is told it is permanently closed but the random passerby knows somebody that makes the mosaicos. He thumbs through his Rolo-dex and gives Carlos the address, we eventually find it, and get the tile mosaico exactly as we wanted. What if we wouldn't have met the random person? He had the name and address in his Rolo-dex...for what purpose?
2.  
   
   When Tisha and Lisa came to visit, and Tisha "thought" she needed a plunger for the bathroom we went off in search of a plunger. I wasn't sure if Boxito would have a plunger, but they have plumbing supplies so it was a good place to start, and close to the house. When we asked about a plunger (along with some mighty fine charades) we were told they didn't have plungers but go check with Poblano's at the end of the block and across the street. When we asked about a plunger at Poblano's, the lady sitting at her small desk recording long strings of numbers on a piece of paper as if doing some type of inventory, literally threw her arm back behind her, never looked up, and produced a plunger out of nowhere. Seriously? What if we had asked for a pack of razor blades? Could she have miracously produced that too without ever looking up or skipping a beat?
3. Before Terry and I ever left for this past trip to Merida, we were hoping to get some things done to the house. We weren't sure what all we could get accomplished and had no plans or expectations at all. We were at the casa about 2 weeks when we peeked in the open door of the house next door to admire the pasta tiles that had been laid in the parlor area. That's when we met Carlos. In a few days he was constructing our stairs and macetera...like he just fell out of the sky and into our needy arms.
4. To celebrate New Year's Eve last year, I had wanted sparklers. I didn't care anything about firecrackers or bottlerockets. I just wanted sparklers. I inquired in the neighborhood and the response was a long pause with the location of a place not too far away that may carry them. They didn't. Each time we asked somebody, we were met with the same puzzled look. It was like we were asking for something that didn't exist. Were we going to have to go directly to China for this one? But the puzzled looks and pauses were always followed by directions to a place that may have them. I kid you not, we went to no less than 10 locations looking for sparklers. Finally, one of the shopkeepers told us the exact calle to go to, next to the big mercado. EVERY shop on the street had fireworks and sparklers! That was all they had to sell at this particular time of year. Did all those other people we asked not know about this street at all? Did we just happen to find that one person that knows every thing there is to know about who sells sparklers?
5. One of the things Terry wanted me to do when I was in Merida after his departure was to find somebody to put a strip under the front door so bugs and larger creatures couldn't sneak in under the gap. I didn't really know how to go about describing this in English, much less Spanish, to any of the supplies shopkeepers. It was even beyond my playing charades to get the point across. I procrastinated and procrastinated until I was at the casa in the finals days. While sitting on the front porch, a man came sauntering by with a few tools and strips of metal slung over his back. He stopped and asked if I need a strip under my door to keep rodents away. Was this really happening to me? In took him about 15 minutes to plug his electric drill (yes, he had one) into the outlet and make the strip and install it. It took me about 15 seconds to pull out the 100 pesos to pay him. Has this ever happened to you while sitting on your porch in the U.S.? 

Terry and I just get the sensation that you never find what you're looking for at the place you think you're going to find it...but you ALWAYS find what you're looking for in Mexico. 
 

 It isn't just luck and it isn't just persistence...it's something else.

 I don't know what to call this phenomena.

Terry's Flip-Flop Shop

FINALLY GETTING OUR BEACH ON

We have swept, we have dusted, we have hosed down...and then we have done it all over again. The house is back to normal after the work. 
Carnaval has come and gone, although it was a non-event for us here in Merida since none of the parades came anywhere close to the house. Very disappointing but just the way it is...things change. But, we do hope they make some changes for next year.
Wednesday was the perfect day to go to the beach. We were ready to kick back, soak up some sun, drink some cervezas, and plan our next couple of weeks while lying in the sand.  And, Terry had promised to bring a used pair of Reef flip-flops to his favorite beach waiter. The Reefs are a hot item since they have the beer bottle openers on the bottom. Forget the unsanitary idea of a waiter opening your beer with the bottom of his shoe. Anyway, Terry washed them up before putting them back on his feet for the bus trip to Progreso. They looked brand new. He had the spare pair he was going to wear home in his backpack. 

Once we got to Progreso, we didn't even have our towels spread out yet when the waiter came over. The bar was just opening up and he didn't even have his uniform on yet. The "deal" struck was six beers in exchange for the sandals. Only problem was - we would have to wait until he had a few pesos in his pocket from his tips for the day, so he could bring us the beers. Lucky for us and for him, the cruise ship was in and the restaurants, bars, and beach vendors were all having a darn good day. There were a lot of cruisers hanging on the beach and they were in the mood to spend some money today. The first two beers were delivered by the waiter from the bar/restaurant where he works. The next three beers were in cans the waiter purchased from the Cerve Frio and surreptitiously brought to us when nobody from the restaurant was looking. The sixth beer - well, we left without it. It is our way of saying "Yes, we will be returning in the future." By the time we left the beach, word had spread and Terry will bring his next pair of used Reefs - yes, with the bottle opener on the bottom - to another waiter. The exchange is getting heftier - beer AND fish.

LOVE FRIGATE BIRDS

We also struck up a conversation with Dave, the Canadian who has a 16' Hobie and gives rides on it to tourists. He offered to let us take his Hobie out since we told him we used to have a similar 16' Hobie. He will be leaving for Canada for awhile and would like for somebody to continue taking it out while he is away. I'm thinking if we can't make it on Terry's Flip-Flop Shop we may have to give Hobie rides on the side....Terry's Flip-Flop Shop and Hobie Rides on the Side. It has a nice ring to it.

We stopped off at Los Henequenes and had a few cervezas and wonderful botanas. Gotta love the free and "que sorpresa" botanas while we watch all the cruisers leave the beach and the local people of Progreso stop working and start celebrating their fruitful day. 

All was well until we got off the bus and as we were walking back to the house Terry discovered he had given the waiter his best pair of Reefs and he was wearing the old pair. Guess he needs to visit Terry's Flip Flop Shop! 

RIGHT ON CALLE 62...TOOK THIS PICTURE BEC. WITH SO MUCH CONCRETO IT'S A RARE SIGHT TO SEE BOMBEROS PUTTING OUT FIRES...THEN REALIZED THEY WERE AFTER A BEEHIVE...YIKES!!!

Lilia And a Gas Man Named Bino

Our gas tanque finally emptied so yesterday morning I called for gas. We both still have flashbacks to all the gas tanque fiascoes of the past that's always good for some good laughs. Each time I call the gas place, it goes the same way, like this - I always get hung up on the first call I make. On the callback, I make my request for 20 litros of gas, get asked for our direcciones (address) and then they verify who I am. Only thing is they think I am Lilia Rivas Santana - the previous owner of the house. I have always tried to correct them in the past but now I just say "Me llamo Lilia Rivas Santana." It's easier that way. The same delivery guy comes each time as well. We chuckle because our gas man is named "Bino".

 Generally, the workers would work until around 3 or 4 in the afternoon each day, then call it quits. But on Saturday they continued working until after 5. They were so close to finishing and were determined to have the stairs complete for us to enjoy cervezas up on the mirador. Somewhere around 4, Carlos had asked for Terry's permission to go buy some beer. Was it ok if they drank while they worked? Terry gave him permission along with some beer pesos. 

As luck would have it, they couldn't quite get finished because of the heat. The fine layer of finishing concreto they put on the stairs cracks from the expansion/contraction when it is a certain temperature. Carlos and Jose were a little dejected when they left, but promised to show back up Monday morning to complete the job.

And all the work is done! 

Ready for Paint

Sure enough, they showed up earlier than usual and while it was cool they re-did the concreto. We are super happy with the final results. Both Carlos and Jose suggested other things they could build for us. I think they wanted to keep the job going. We made sure we had information to contact Carlos in the future. It was hard to say "Hasta Luego" when we knew it would be several months before seeing them again. They loaded up the VW Bug with all their tools, machete, buckets, and leftover wood/concrete blocks and drove off. The last thing I said to them was "Muchos besitos!". Jose was the wisest, gentlest, kindest and hardest-working albañil we could ever want to meet.  

Muchos besitos a Jose! 

Sunday, Terry put up the two remaining lights in the kitchen. We did our bici-ruta walk but cancelled out the benefits of walking when we couldn't resist the temptation of stopping in the main plaza for a bite to eat. We now have a favorite little Sunday outside eatery and we ended up getting escabeche, rellenos negros, and salbutes. All served on the freshest little corn tortillas ever. Terry likes the horchatas, but I haven't ever developed a taste for them. He drank a horchata while I stuck with jamaica juice. I took pics of iron fences for future reference. The iron fences rate up their next to the doors in terms of workmanship.

 
After a trip up the ladder to the very top of the top floor, Terry figured out the part he needed to buy to fix the float in the water tinanca. The float is the same thing that I remember having in our cow and horse water troughs when I was growing up. The part was brass so we thought it may be a pricey fix. A quick trip down the block and around the corner to Boxito proved otherwise. Although a brass part, it only cost 85 pesos. It only took Lorenzo about 30 seconds to look at the part, reach around behind him, and come up with the part. Our guess is that Lorenzo at Boxito gets lots of requests for this part. Another trip up the stairs, up the ladder, and the tinaca is fixed. No more turning the water off/on at the street for fear the tinaca will fill up and run over. 

Our evening routine is now to sit on the upstairs mirador, have sundowers, and watch two iquanas that always come out on the wall and strut their stuff. We are happy with our park-like views of the gardens directly across the street towards the front, and the quiet, serene views of trees, foliage and birds behind us. We are blessed! 

 

Four Doesn't Equal Two

Yesterday all three of the albañiles showed up and diligently worked on the stairs and flower box. While they were busy, Terry decided to go to the ATM and pick up a few groceries. I decided to head out in the opposite direction. I was on a mission to buy four new terracotta light covers so I could get rid of the four hot little spotlights in the kitchen. I had spotted the ones I wanted at one of the tiendas next to the Mercado Galvez when Terry and I had gone out walking in search of the Lady of Guadalupe tile mosaica.

Before we parted ways, I told Terry I was buying four of them and he agreed to buy the necessary lights and sockets.

I love the Mercado Galvez. I love it best when I am alone and can wander through it and stop when I want to. I like to go off in the middle of the stalls and just watch the vendors, look at their wares, and smell the smells. I've decided Mercado Galvez is a lot like liver. You either love it or hate it. On each of Kimberly's visits she and I have gone and she loved it. Kate, Kimberly and I went through it last year and we had a great time. Terry can only stand so much of it. After awhile he starts getting claustrophobic. When Lisa and Tisha were here visiting I took them. We were all tired and I got completely turned around and it wasn't fun at all. The mercado expedition ended when one of them asked how far it was to the nearest sidewalk cafe where we could sit and drink a few cold cervezas. I would bet neither of them care for liver either.

My favorite part of the mercado are the fruits and vegetables, but best of all the section where all the bulk spices are sold. I just can't get enough of the smell. And looking at those huge mounds of achiote paste makes me want to just jump into it and see just how red I would get. And just imagine the smell!

Well, after wandering around in the mercado and taking some pictures, which I can't ever resist doing, I walked to the tienda and struck up a good bargain by buying not one cover but four of them. I headed home with my backpack and arms full. But not so full that I didn't also stop along the way and buy a fresh pineapple.

It just so happened that Terry and I got home at about the same time. I showed him the four covers and he showed me the two light sockets.

When did four equal two? 

THE TWO THAT TERRY INSTALLED

He KNEW I was buying four covers. I mean, that's how many we have to replace. His response was that  he wasn't going to install all of them today. Why buy more supplies than he needed for the day? He didn't want to over exert himself by doing all four of them. Frankly, I'm surprised he didn't buy one and go back lter in the day and buy the second one.
Here are some additional pictures taken along the way -

THOSE INFAMOUS, INTRIGUING DOORS

YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT IS BEHIND THOSE DOORS...ARE THERE WALLS WITH THE PLASTER FALLING OFF OR DOES THIS HOUSE HAVE THE MOST BEAUTIFUL PASTA TILE FLOORS AND THE MOST GORGEOUS ARCHWAYS LEADING TO A PERFECTLY MANICURED COURTYARD? THE FRONT OF THE HOUSE NEVER GIVES IT AWAY. 

 

SPORTS BAR...BEST OF THE BEST ...HIRING YOUNG WAITRESSES...EXCELLENT SALARY

The Fruits of Lots of Labor

KITCHEN BEFORE

It's been almost two weeks of daily work around Casa K. What started out as a few simple things on our wish list has turned into much more involved work. We have had tile workers, albanils, and painters all working outside as well as inside the house. Some days we all eat breakfast in and around the house, some days it is lunch. and some days we go out and leave the house to the workers. Some days there is a lot of talking and laughing, and some days it is more work and less play. On all days there is concrete, sand, paint, and mud tracked through the house. I have learned to get used to it. All days have been filled with lots of work. There has been lots of sharing of tools, buckets, and the coveted one ladder that has been in high demand out in front of the house, in back of the house, and in the house. Everybody managed to willingly wait their turn for the ladder use. I know today alone it went back and forth through the house at least 20 times, carefully passing through the kitchen where Terry and I were working away as the interior painters. And I am not kidding about the 20 times. There have been lots of hugs given for each craftsman's work by fellow workers and by us.
Today I went around the corner and bought tortillas from the tortelleria. All 7 of us here today sat down where ever we could find a place to scrambled eggs, chorizo, onion, refried beans and cheese tacos. It was me that got the kudos this time.
As the workers worked, Terry and I worked along beside them. Once Esad completed the tile job in the kitchen, we took over with scraping walls, preparing for paint, and then doing the actual painting. We painted the kitchen while the other workers used the space to get from the front of the house to the back.

We have all become friends. 

Trinidad, one of the exterior house painters, shared his tips on taping and painting for the best results with us. As we praised Trini, Francisco, and Jose on the work they did to the exterior of the house, they in turn praised us on how well the kitchen turned out.
Today was a big day. The outside painting of the house and grillwork was completed. The kitchen is also complete as of today. And, Carlos and crew have almost completed the stairs and flower box.

Some valuable lessons we have learned are (1) Just because there is somebody coming to do work for you, don't assume they have the tools needed to do the job. A painter may show up empty-handed, but he knows how and is willing to paint. You may need to provide all the supplies, some of the supplies, or they may have all the tools and some of the supplies. (2) All of the supplies is not an option. Each day supplies is brought or you will be asked to go get what is needed, It is generally a little less than what is needed for the day. On the bright side - when a project is complete, you will NOT have any supplies left over. (3) Keep a sense of humor. Take advantage of learning some real-life Spanish. Terry and I have both learned a whole new set of vocabulary words conversing with the workers. (4) If you can't beat 'em join 'em. We found that since we were mostly homebound, it was best to have a project of our own. It took our minds off of going to the beach and lounging around with a cold beer in hand.

But, the day of going to the beach, lounging around, with a cold beer is mighty close!

ESAD WITH HIS FINISHED THE TILE

PAINT ADDED

TRIMMED WITH THE STRIPE...FINISHED!!!

BEFORE...LA CASA DE CREMA

  

FRANCISCO WAS THE QUIETEST OF ALL

ADDING THE FINISHING TOUCHES

JOSE, TRINIDAD & FRANCISCO IN FRONT OF THE BAHIA QUINO COLORED CASA

And this is the Our Lady of Guadalupe tile mosaica that Carlos spent hours driving us around all parts of Merida to track down. It was his determination and friendship, along with Esad's work that got it up on the wall literally within hours of the panters showing up to paint.  Thank you to Sr. Maldonado of Maya Hut who did the fabrication of it.

THE PATIO...A LIGHTER SHADE...MAS CLARO

 

AND YESTERDAY WE SAW THE FIRST PASSER BY THAT MADE THE SIGN OF THE CROSS AS THE LADY WALKED IN FRONT OF THE HOUSE...SO GLAD OUR LADY IS BACK ON THE WALL WHERE SHE HAD ONCE BEEN BEFORE

 

SR. MALDONADO

And as I finish writing this Friday morning, Carlos and his full crew are working on the stairs and flower box project. It won't be long now. Here is how it looks at the moment - 

CARLOS IS NEVER CAMERA SHY

 

A Machete, A Plumb Line, A Level...All a Man Needs

We should have insisted the workers take the day off yesterday. As it turned out, with Sunday following Saturday night not all of them showed up. And, the ones that did show up didn't really have materials and/or tools to do much work. And honestly, we would have loved to have had the day to ourselves to go to the beach have a few Sols ourselves.  

This morning Esad showed up to do tile work but had no tile. One thing we have learned is that the amount of materials needed is often just a little less than what is required to finish out the day's work. Certainly no reason to have more than what you need, right? When Sr. P. showed up with the tile around 12:30, Esad had already gone home. There have been a total of five return trips back to the Talavera store for tile, and we're thinking there will have to be a slight pattern change to make the tile purchased today make it to the end of the project. When I found a broken yellow tile in the pile of sand on the patio I picked it up and put it back in the kitchen. I really think he's going to need that piece.
We met Trini today. Starting tomorrow afternoon, he will begin the exterior painting out front. He showed us some interior painting he has done in houses around the city, and it was beautiful. He showed us stenciling, textured walls, and even large, intricate painted medallions on ceilings. He is quite the artista!
So finally, I had to make a choice on house color. It's called "Bahia Quino". I am loving the name as much as the actual color. Then we threw in a lighter shade for the front patio with everything trimmed in an off-white. We also bought a bright golden yellow color for the kitchen called Holanda. Terry and I will handle that project. Boy, I love outings to the paint store. And, we couldn't carry every thing we needed and didn't think it was enough to ask for delivery, so we get to go back tomorrow. 
This morning I scraped peeling paint in our bedroom, re-sealed the walls, and painted. It didn't take long but I have added painting to my list of things visitors at the casa will be asked to do. It used to be "grab a broom and sweep" because there is always dust, but now it's also "grab a paintbrush and pick a wall" because something always needs painting. It's the concreto, you know.
We took a walk and had brunch earlier at the Maria del Carmen hotel. If you eat there you can also enjoy their pool, so if this work continues much longer we are quite sure we'll have to go back and spend a couple of hours lounging by their pool.
The patio stairs project is going well. The work, the work schedule, and the simple way things get done so beautifully amaze us. Terry is loving the imperfection of the work. Sounds crazy to say that, but it's true. Mr. Right Angle is starting to think more like 82 degrees instead of 90. We think it's awesome that the work has been done with 

a machete, 

a plumb line, 

and a level.

I think the main albañil has been forced to use a handsaw on occasion but he told Terry he used to do all of his cutting with a machete. And, of course there is plenty of concreto, some sticks to hold up the forms, and the wood used to make the forms. Oh, and they have used rebar. And did I mention there is lots of concreto?
The interesting thing is we have a general idea of what we expect this finished project to be, but we really aren't for sure. But, we're pretty sure we will like it and we know for darned sure we'll love when the concreto es completo! 

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