Ohhh the Projects!

Painting, ordering replacement kitchen cabinet doors, coordinating other work to be done (by others) and still have more work for me. Not a lot of time and rather focused on the projects. Very anxious to have my kitchen "back" so I can cook regular meals. We're painting the kitchen cabinets and drawers so everything is in boxes or piled around the living room! Maybe Monday? Probably Tuesday!

At any rate, I wanted to say HI but there isn't a ton of energy left over for writing. Drop me a note, if you'd like. I'll write more later.

Coffee and the Expat (?) Process

As is my usual procedure, I discuss the locale's coffee situation wherever I travel. However, I have been unable to complete my sampling -- until I got home! Merida, in the end, did rise to suitable standards, despite the disparaging beginning of Nescafe instant. :( There was a very nice specialty coffee place, selling hot, iced, and blended coffee drinks, along with sandwiches and treats -- La Boheme. Some of the coffee drinks were too high in other flavors and over the top in calories, but I didn't have to order them! :) At a couple of other restaurants I received very good espresso, and as you know, learned how to order it with just a little milk -- "cortado."

Although, I had to wait until home before I could make some specialty coffee that I bought there. It is called De Olla and it is particular to the Yucatan, as I understand it. It comes ground with cinnamon and sugar. While chatting, I shared some with a friend. I have to say it was suspect even upon opening the bag -- the mixture was not remotely dark and rich as I like my coffee beans. Sure there is cinnamon added but... Neither one of us would really call it a coffee drink, even though there was a hint of coffee. There was a very pleasant sweet and spicy flavor that was really more tea like, in my opinion. So not objectionable but definitely not coffee!

We are so glad we finally made it to Merida after all the research we'd done. Even before going though, we had pretty much decided it would be too hot for us. Assumption confirmed! We loved the city and the people, so warm and welcoming. Unfortunately Brian did not feel well most of the time we were there. :( It's virtually impossible to know why, exactly. However, the experience alone spoke volumes to both of us. When this happens, and it will from time to time, do we want to be in a foreign country struggling to communicate, or just without our little conveniences that make life easier?

We really thought Panama was next on the list. Now we are looking within the boundaries of "home." Although, nothing is settled until we are settled. We are still in no rush to make a decision, but we hope the house is ready to go up for sale by the end of April. It's still an adventure even within the States. We just don't have to do it in another language.

Maximizing Energy

I came back and promptly caught a bit of a cold. If I really don't feel well, then coffee is the last thing I want. Even the idea of it will sound terrible. I'm still drinking coffee so that gives you some indication of my health status. I'm definitely dragging though, and I think this is in order:

Is there a station nearby where I can "plug in"? I mean, drinking can take so much effort! :D Enjoy your day!

Parting Shots!

The trip has come to an end. So often I have mixed feelings as I'm heading home. I absolutely love traveling but the bed is never as comfortable as my own, restaurant food can get tiring (and expensive); plus, the familiar is settling. On the other hand, I love adventure, trying new things, and new surroundings are stimulating - both creatively and by challenging my perspective. I guess I can appreciate the combination of it all.

Here are some parting shots - just a random collection that caught my eye.

Built In Flash Cards

We walked in to the downtown area this afternoon to get a little something to eat and a coffee for me. (Remember, Brian hates the stuff so it was quite magnanimous of me :) to marry him anyway.) All of the waitstaff we have encountered have been very kind, patient and helpful in regard to our seriously lacking Spanish. I learned the word for olives (aceitunas) and the way to order my espresso. I like espresso but with a bit of milk. To say, "espresso con leche" is possibly incorrect, not colloquial or just plain lame. It's hard to tell which category it falls in, as the subtleties of the language are WAY beyond me. Anyway, I should say, "espresso cortado" or at least that's how it sounded to me. I repeated it back and he nodded so I'm going with it, a very valuable phrase to learn in my book.

Even our walk around the central district in Merida gives us a Spanish lesson. As I understand, the story goes that pictographs were used to mark intersections. This was useful for both citizens and visitors, in days gone by, who could not read. In this way, they could know where they were and could arrange to meet at a certain intersection, like the intersection of "La Palma." Then, they didn't have to know the street numbers or have to read them.

Our Spanish "lesson" as we walk ranges from the basic to a bit more advanced. For example, the basics:

The Tortoise

The Lemon

The Palm

The Lion

The Ball

These are pictures and concepts that any age can recognize and understand. Then there are the ones that could challenge a bit more. For the intermediate level we have:

The Theater

The People (says Google)
I would say - The Village

The Hawk

The Vineyard

For the following ones, it's a good thing we have a camera so we can check google translator when we get back to our B&B. These are for the advanced. One of these, perhaps two, I think verge on the obscure. Can you pick which one(s)?

Prosperity

The Muscovites or
The Residents of Moscow

The Cane (says Google)
I presume - The Sugar Cane

The Duchess

In my opinion, the Muscovites is a bit obscure. Although they did a great job showing the typical cold weather clothing for Moscow. The Duchess is also a bit difficult to get from the picture. However, in those days it might very well have been extremely easy to understand. At any rate, my Spanish is improving! Of course it's at such a level it could only get better.

WOMEN ON THEIR WAY -Destinations of Discovery!

As promised, I'm letting you know that it's time to vote for the contest I entered. It's an opportunity to do some traveling and write about it in Women on their Way - Travel Blog! If you'd like to see my original post about the contest click here. The link below will show you the essay I wrote and give you the chance to vote. While you're voting you can also "like" it so it goes on Facebook, too. :)

If you've already voted for me - a BIG thanks! You can do it again! It appears you can vote daily. :) All votes are appreciated!!

WOMEN ON THEIR WAY -Destinations of Discovery!

Along the Way - Doors of Merida

Although Merida has almost a million people, it doesn't seem like such a big city. Each neighborhood has it's own little or bigger park with an accompanying church and a flavor of it's own. We've stayed in three different B&B's to get a feel for some of the various areas of the city. We are in the third place now and this part of Merida is quite different than what we've been in previously. It's closer to the central square or Zocalo, busier streets and a greater mixture of building functions, like hotels, auto shops, police station, ruins and houses.

Along the way, we walk by so many glorious facades. Some of them have definitely seen better days, and some are wonderfully restored. I find I'm surprised by nearly every turn of the corner. I don't always have my camera with me so ... not everything is captured for others to see. Below is a small representation of just the doors we pass as we explore this amazing city.

 

 

These doors help in part to convey the variety of the city. It's fascinating and all kinds of worlds lie beyond these doors. I'm intrigued. There is no doubt this city can pull at one's heart. It does mine.