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!!!