We have arrived in the Yucatan on the tail winds of "El Norte". The local weather channel, a.k.a. the fishermen, happily attempt to explain the wind. After much finger pointing and playful acting, we decipher that an "El Norte" or "Norte", are northern winds off the Gulf of Mexico. They can be a mild breeze to hurricane strength winds; we are being welcomed somewhere in the middle. As we wander the streets of our new neighborhood, my husband and I have our hands interlocked in a vice grip and are huddled closely together in fear of one or the other being blown away!
The small fishing village that we will be calling home, for the next 5 months, is truly "Old Mexico". It is a port town where fishing is the number one industry. Even though the port is host to 2 weekly cruise ships, tourism has remained limited. With that said, there is little need for the locals to speak a foreign language. Ahhh, exactly what we were looking for!
We have a great rental house. I say this with much enthusiasm because we rented the house virtually sight unseen, via the internet. The only photo available, for our viewing, was of the living room. It appeared small, pleasantly furnished and bright. Keeping our options open, prior to our arrival, we committed ourselves for only one month. The little house is a furnished 2 story, 2 bedroom, 2 bath, with an upper balcony that has a view of the water. We are even on a sand street. I think we will be very comfortable here!
Purchasing household essentials has been quite the experience. We are getting by on what few words we remember of high school Spanish, sign language, charades, big smiles and the sign of the cross for good measure! To spice up the challenge, our only means of travel is by foot or local bus. Boarding the local buses, is similar to trying to catch a ride on a moving train. The driver will slow down just enough for you to get a foot on the platform and then take off at record speed. Pretty comical sight when boarding with a broom, mop, bucket and your hands loaded down with groceries.........
La Senora
Café Latte
Café Latte
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Happy Trails
With 2 days to spare, we arrive in California in time for the Thanksgiving holiday. We are anxious to share the highlights of our road trip.
Austin, Texas - Fun, vibrant city, serving up some good eating BBQ.
Fredericksburg, Texas - Quaint town, filled with beautifully preserved architecture. When it was time to get back on the road, we literally drove into the sunset. Now that is good karma!
Pecos, Texas - A real ghost town. Many boarded up and abandoned businesses and homes. Population: 10,000, but where are you? Very eerie.
Roswell, New Mexico - Okay, something happened!
Las Vegas, New Mexico - One of New Mexico's oldest towns. Over 900 homes and businesses are listed on the National Historic Register. The La Castenada Hotel, is just one of the many gems. The hotel was built in 1898, and in 2006, was a privately owned residence. Occasionly the saloon doors are open for business. It is a rare opportunity for the lucky to have a temporary seat in history. In the heyday of railroad travel, the hotel was a popular destination stop. If the walls could talk, I think the tales would be endless and oh so interesting.
Taos and Santa Fe, New Mexico - We took the high road to Taos. We missed the view of the sunset, but experienced the purple hues blanketing the mountains. I believe that color was born in New Mexico! I can see why the artist Georgia O'Keeffe, made New Mexico her home.
Winslow, Arizona - Yes, we are fans of the musical group the Eagles. Couldn't pass up a Kodak moment, to be standing on a corner in Winslow Arizona.
Grand Canyon, Arizona - GRAND CANYON! So many "oh my god moments". There are not enough adjectives in the English language to capture all of it's beauty.... Magnificent!
Sedona, Arizona, - Having lived in Arizona, the majestic red rock of Sedona never ceases to amaze me. I always feel embraced by peace and in a mystical way connected to theses mountains. Sedona is a special place. Sometimes the beauty is not in what you see, but to close your eyes and just listen.
Life has given us much to be thankful for. It is good to be surrounded by family as we say addios............
La Senora
Austin, Texas - Fun, vibrant city, serving up some good eating BBQ.
Fredericksburg, Texas - Quaint town, filled with beautifully preserved architecture. When it was time to get back on the road, we literally drove into the sunset. Now that is good karma!
Pecos, Texas - A real ghost town. Many boarded up and abandoned businesses and homes. Population: 10,000, but where are you? Very eerie.
Roswell, New Mexico - Okay, something happened!
Las Vegas, New Mexico - One of New Mexico's oldest towns. Over 900 homes and businesses are listed on the National Historic Register. The La Castenada Hotel, is just one of the many gems. The hotel was built in 1898, and in 2006, was a privately owned residence. Occasionly the saloon doors are open for business. It is a rare opportunity for the lucky to have a temporary seat in history. In the heyday of railroad travel, the hotel was a popular destination stop. If the walls could talk, I think the tales would be endless and oh so interesting.
Taos and Santa Fe, New Mexico - We took the high road to Taos. We missed the view of the sunset, but experienced the purple hues blanketing the mountains. I believe that color was born in New Mexico! I can see why the artist Georgia O'Keeffe, made New Mexico her home.
Winslow, Arizona - Yes, we are fans of the musical group the Eagles. Couldn't pass up a Kodak moment, to be standing on a corner in Winslow Arizona.
Grand Canyon, Arizona - GRAND CANYON! So many "oh my god moments". There are not enough adjectives in the English language to capture all of it's beauty.... Magnificent!
Sedona, Arizona, - Having lived in Arizona, the majestic red rock of Sedona never ceases to amaze me. I always feel embraced by peace and in a mystical way connected to theses mountains. Sedona is a special place. Sometimes the beauty is not in what you see, but to close your eyes and just listen.
Life has given us much to be thankful for. It is good to be surrounded by family as we say addios............
La Senora
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Road Trip
Feeling slightly guilty for not taking advantage of the sights of our own beautiful country, we decide to start our adventure with a road trip to California. We chose to head west for a few reasons. We are departing from Wisconsin. November, is the start of the winter season. We feel confident that the westward route will provide decent weather for road travel. Plus, we have family in California, allowing us a place to leave our car when we depart by plane to Mexico.
Our only goal is to be in California on or by Thanksgiving. With our new promise of spontaneity, we depart Wisconsin, with our packed bags, a full tank of gas, a cooler full of goodies and just to make things interesting, an out of date atlas! We have no planned daily travel destination or lodging reservation. We can stop wherever and whenever we choose. This is really going to be exciting; once I get over my state of panic! What I know now, that I did not know then, is that this would be the first of many leaps of faith.
Traveling by car is still the best way to view the world. There is a spark of excitement when entering a new state, city, town or village, which fuels your interest and imagination. As we enjoy the sights of nature's beauty, we cannot help but wonder just how difficult life must have been during the frontier days. What was it like to be traveling on foot, horse or horse and wagon and to see these mountains in the distance, watching them grow with each step forward, knowing your dream of a better life lies waiting on the other side? Today, when I look at mountains, I see not only their beauty, but a steepness of determination and a realization of what heights can be reached with perseverance........
La Senora
Our only goal is to be in California on or by Thanksgiving. With our new promise of spontaneity, we depart Wisconsin, with our packed bags, a full tank of gas, a cooler full of goodies and just to make things interesting, an out of date atlas! We have no planned daily travel destination or lodging reservation. We can stop wherever and whenever we choose. This is really going to be exciting; once I get over my state of panic! What I know now, that I did not know then, is that this would be the first of many leaps of faith.
Traveling by car is still the best way to view the world. There is a spark of excitement when entering a new state, city, town or village, which fuels your interest and imagination. As we enjoy the sights of nature's beauty, we cannot help but wonder just how difficult life must have been during the frontier days. What was it like to be traveling on foot, horse or horse and wagon and to see these mountains in the distance, watching them grow with each step forward, knowing your dream of a better life lies waiting on the other side? Today, when I look at mountains, I see not only their beauty, but a steepness of determination and a realization of what heights can be reached with perseverance........
La Senora
Saturday, February 4, 2012
Introduction
It is November 2006. My husband and I are newly retired. For the first time in our married life, we are taking an extended vacation. Having enjoyed travels in Mexico, we decide to spend 5 months in a small fishing village in the Yucatan.
The goal was to relax on a beach, immerse ourselves in the culture, try new foods, attempt to learn a few words in another language and be spontaneous. Simply put, we wanted to disconnect from our tiny piece of the world and look at life through a new window. What we did not expect, was a life changing adventure and relocating to a new country.
As a way of keeping in touch with family and friends we kept a daily journal. Each week, we would email excerpts of the journal home; our way of taking everyone along for the ride! The comments that we have received over the years, from our emails, have inspired me to share our story. I am honored by the requests for more stories and especially so, when asked, "What is La Senora doing"?
This blog is our story...............
La Senora
The goal was to relax on a beach, immerse ourselves in the culture, try new foods, attempt to learn a few words in another language and be spontaneous. Simply put, we wanted to disconnect from our tiny piece of the world and look at life through a new window. What we did not expect, was a life changing adventure and relocating to a new country.
As a way of keeping in touch with family and friends we kept a daily journal. Each week, we would email excerpts of the journal home; our way of taking everyone along for the ride! The comments that we have received over the years, from our emails, have inspired me to share our story. I am honored by the requests for more stories and especially so, when asked, "What is La Senora doing"?
This blog is our story...............
La Senora
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