La Manzanilla - Up and Running!

The last 2 weeks have been wonderfully active here in La Manz.  All the restaurants are cleaned up and ready for customers, all the other businesses are likewise ready for customers. properties have been bought and sold, construction has restarted on those properties under construction and new homes are in the planning stages.  Yup - we are alive and well in La Manzanilla.

There are, however, a few streets that still need to be avoided ~ both in the dark AND in the daylight!

Yup - if you look close, that's Dave way back there!

I stood back a bit farther for this shot

This street is still like this because first they have to fix the sewer line, and then they have to fix the water line, and then they can fix the road.  It's a question of priorities - these crews are still serving other communities, some of which did not fare as well as we.

For the last 2 nights we have been blessed with a wonderful show of the ISS, having it's closest orbit to the earth (between us and the moon) - which I understand is the equivalent of missing a pool ball by a hair!  We had only a few minutes here to watch.  I was all prepared, I'd gone up to the roof-top by 6:30 pm to catch the 6:41 pm time set that we would be able to see it.  Then, at 6:41 exactly I saw it come out of the NE sky.  By 6:45 it had worked its way across to the NW sky, and by 6:48 it had settled down at the SW sky.  Incredible to see - awesome in it's proximity. 

Driving North

I saw the devastation south of us and wondered just how the bay north of us survived.  Boca de Iguana lies between 2 arroyos, and when the rains hit both arroyos overflowed and the small town was buried in mud ~ about 1 meter deep.  None of the pictures I took showed how deep or how devastating this was. One couple we know are still uncovering their stuff.   They have been washing clothes since the 14th, trying to dig out and decide what has been ruined and what can be saved. One of their sons is trying to revive the small electrical things - fans, drills, toaster, hair dryer for mom,etc.  Their 3  vehicles have been hosed off and are awaiting parts - but a section of the road from Guadalajara to us has been buried under the side of a hill just outside Autlan, so all materials have to go the long way 'round through Manzanillo.  They just might get one vehicle out of the 3 running again.

The resort farther north, Blue Bay, survived well - only a bit of windfall - the lawns and plants look just as beautiful as ever.  So, if your plan is to visit Blue Bay then you have no worries at all.  

Hurricane Jova

No sooner had I walked through the door ~ Hurricane Jova was on it's way and would be here in 2 days ~ no stopping it ~ and we are all praying that the angle of dangle of the wind would be pushing the water out rather than in.

Some people were really smart and trimmed their coconut trees so that they presented less of a sail area to the wind.  These great and majestic palm trees survived. 

And somehow, by God's grace, La Manzanilla didn't fare too badly.  The seas brought debris of all sorts up to and including the main avenue.  Yes, those properties along the beach suffered material damage and people here suffered losses, but nothing compared to other towns along our bay where one family we know has no house, no clothing, no nothing;  or Melaque which had about a meter - meter and a half of brown sea water . . . and people were literally swimming in the streets; or Cihuatlan, which had a mountain of earth and rain water combine to literally cover their lower streets (and the main throughways) in mud - dense, heavy, mud.  Barra de Navidad suffered massive property damage to those structures balanced along the shore.

this is looking looking up our street from the beach 

        this is the main highway outside of Manzanillo


Here are a couple of links:

www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&v=CKZ1T9kx2VA - Lalo made this one of the road connecting the bridge at Rio Cihuatlan to the turn off to Marabasco - all part of the highway to the Manzanillo Airport.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VK2KGaDgeWM - Barra de Navidad - don't know this person.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZZsPNtSM0ZQ&feature=related - this is Barra before the big seas hit

You can google more on utube.  The losses are just too sad.

How did we fare?  We ran away! We went north-east, slightly up in the hills, about 200km away. The town was called Las Abras and is the family home of our friend Salvino Brambilla. His wife is Luz, my friend and the woman who makes those wonderful chili rellenos! We stayed in the home of his sister and brother-in-law who were thankfully visiting in the US for the summer and had not yet returned. There we experienced only a small gale (30 knots) during the evening and a LOT of water. It started about 10 in the morning and rained for about 28 hours.  The small river that forms every year from the water run-off ran it's course as usual this year.  The first vehicle to try to cross got stuck and Dave gave him a tug out.  He wasn`t stuck too badly - just not enough oomph as the rear tires hit solid ground and so mired himself.  We stayed with the family for 2 nights and then gambled on whether or not we could get through. 

The few kilometers to the highway wasn't too difficult, the trees and limbs that had been broken off by the wind had been chain-sawed, sorted and taken away by the time we got there.  The coastal highway was strewn with windfall and several minor landslides, people working hard to clean up and clear out ~ not too trecherous but a little freeky.  The real blow-out was just north of the new turn-off to Cihuatlan.  Here the highway was completely undemined by the overflowing river beside it.  This took a few days for the people to create a new way around this hole.

Shortly after this area we made our turn up the hill to La Manzanilla.  We anticipated a large number of landslides and so were surprised at the relatively few there were, again everyone working to clean up and clear out.  I guess what had us all worried was that there was no communication open all along the coast, so no one really knew what was going on.  And so we made it home ~ and there wasn't a scratch on her!  Nothing!  Well, we lost a few plants in the front garden - they call it Hola Santa and it's a great spice for cooking and salads - and 2 trees next door were felled and they felled onto one of the Mango Trees which is the only thing between the trees and our back garden.  We have dealt with the front area and our neighbour asked us to get someone to cut those trees so they no longer represent a risk.

We wandered into town and found some friends of ours trying to hold up in the building of their Spa business.  They were going to try to sleep on concrete floor - and she is 7 months pregnant.  We told them not to be silly and to come to our house (we have room for them upstairs) - bravely they said they would try and see what it would be like.  We told them not to be silly, they could take over upstairs and have a kitchen and king size bed (that would have been the selling points for me) - bravely they said they would stay.  When I saw them the next morning I only asked if they needed one key or two.  Everything they had was wet from the hurricane and it has taken them this week to get things sort of back on an even keel.  Their house is still not quite ready but they are eager to move into their brand new home - it will be lonely without them.

Will you LOOK at that BODEGA!

I know it's been longer than 3 days, but things happen - and I'll try to keep them in order.  The first thing that happened was that Barb & Sal came through with the cables for our trailer so back to Valle de Juarez we went!  I know I've said it before, but that quick transition from palm tree to pine tree in so few feet of altitude is amazing.  I could go on and on about the beauty up here, but I'll just let you see it for yourself.

Salvador and Barb took us back to the stone sculptureer and I couldn't help myself - I bought 3 more. This man is truly amazing - I envy his ability to see something inside these chunks of rocks and then to be able to release these creatures.  I am screaming inside myself because somehow I lost some pictures - but ha'e no fear for I shall return and take another picture of this gifted man with his family (and end up buyine more, I'm sure.

So - before I get carried away as to what else has been happening, here's some pics of the new bodega, complete with sliding, locking doors and a very nice speaker system!

 

I don't know about you, but I'd say THAT'S a happy guy!



Then I went back to Victoria for a week - saw me' mum and family ~ also saw the thorasic surgeon who gave me another clean bill of health (Yeah! 3 more years of cancer free and I'm in the clear!) and saw the pacemaker clinic - evidently should the unit fail I'll still make it to the hospital and that's a good sign.  So, don't have to see anyone until we get back to Victoria in May.

Next Episode:  Hurricane Jova

Three Days of Mourning

We will not be posting until Monday - we are mourning the deaths of the 53 innocent people in the bombing of the Casino n Monterey.

                        End the war on drugs -

We Got The "Stamp of Approval"

Needless to say a lot more was involved than just building something for the 2 meters to sit in.

The electrical connection from the power lines to our house have always been a bit tenuous, so it was decided that it would be advantageous to change those wires now from the CFE post to the house.  A new post had already been built to put the meters in but it wasn't tall enough to receive the wires ~ so Dave built a column on top of the post.  There is a pipe in the post that receives the wires WAY UP IN THE AIR (22 feet) and feeds them into the post built for the meters.
    

Now that wire goes to the new electrical panels ~ 

Did I already show you that?

Not wanting to find ourselves digging up the driveway in the future and going through all this "dirty" work again, David decided he'd prepare the bodega for "luz".

I think that should probably do us for electrical improvements for a while, don't you?

Gas Leak

  

The last couple of days we have noticed that our gas consumption has gone WAY up - which led to the investigation of the gas lines.  With the work being done for the bodega and all the cement that has been poured with all the heavy equipment it just didn't dawn on us to check where the gas lines were.  A quick check from the tank to the first connection proved to be secure, which means that somewhere under the driveway, or indeed maybe inside the cement walls of the house, we have a leak.  For those not familiar with our house, we have an apartment upstairs which also requires gas for the stove which means that we had to get a new gas feed upstairs; which means - we drill.

Empty shelves help Dave get inside to do some drilling of his own - to get the line from outside to the stove.

Having achieved a pathway for the copper pipe, Joseito and Ray wrap the pipe with plastic to preserve it.  I rather liked Joseito's idea of simply purchasing a roll of plastic bags and then wrapping as required!

While they were working, digging, and drilling wouldn't you know it - but it rained ~ and I don't just mean rain, I mean IT RAINED.  For about 45 minutes we had this deluge!  Harley took advantage of the instant shower and took time out for a preen.  He's far more handsome after the dry off.

The day is done for the guys and I'm just wrapping up the blog for today and ...Wow - we just had a tremendous rain and power outage until 11:30 last night, so I'm finishing up this morning.  Deanne, who is our self-appointed and much appreciated weather gal reported: "Yesterday was a little on the horrible side - 1.88 inches of rain and a massive power outage that went on until 11:30 PM. Lots of wind and low, gray skies all day. I can see a little blue sky this morning but the monsoon trough is now directly on top of us, which probably means more rain today."

So, that was yesterday.  Before the skies opened up on us and the power went out, the guys managed to get this done:                                                                                                                                                       The copper pipe leaves the ground and comes up under the bedroom window,                                               

goes up to the apartment stove above the bathroom,

 and goes further along the wall to the kitchen stove downstairs;  by the time these are painted the color of the walls we'll never see them.

 The new electrical room.  If you need power, this is where you'll find it! 

 

 And here is our hero - looking proud of his work and he damned well should do!

No Bodega, but Great Looking Posts!

We hit a snag waiting for the electrical dude so not too much could be done - and when almost everything was done, the electrical meters looked like this:

 

Dave is rather proud of his work, as well he should be.  He has taken our plain looking driveway gate and turned it into a really skookum looking gate!  The part that makes me laugh is that the cat finds all sorts of places to have a nap!

We had some wonderful excitement while the coconuts were taken down.  We needed them down now rather than have them land on the new roof  Dave will be building on the bodega.  This man was about 8 meters high in the air, no ties to the tree just bare toes - which is another matter - hacking away, in the breeze, not really being able to see where you are whacking because of the palm fronds in your way - scarey!

Fiesta de Patronales!

I know it's been a few days, but we have been busy!  The Fiesta was a gradual warm up to the main event on the 15th and it was spectacular!  The street has been decorated with paper banners as well as the church. 

 The dancers were terrific ALL week long, the food and party every night as new treasures were brought to the church.  Somewhere around 10pm a man drags a "bull" around the jardin letting
off fireworks in a random and scarey way!  Pieces were raining on children who were laughing and pushing each other - it was a lot of fun.  On the last night of the party there is a HUGE effigy of the church in fireworks which is lit, exploding fire and pieces of the effigy all over the jardin. Every one is really pumped for a party by the time the effigy is lit at midnight.   I have a few pictures, but most of them didn't turn out too well.  If I find some from friends, I'll post them later!

Small Update

After the last post of the egg whites for burns, someone sent me this link: http://www.thatvideosite.com/video/the_skin_gun.  The technology for healing has certainly improved and I really wanted to share that link with you.

The bodega?  It's a slow process this building of walls with bricks - it takes a lot longer than you think!

This is as tall as the brick wall will be, and Dave will then build the bodega on top of this.  The pillar is still waiting for the electrical dude to show up and put the panels in, and more sand was delivered this afternoon so that the final pieces of wall could be built . . . like that far corner against what was the garden.  There is a bit in front that needs to be squared up against the new post of the driveway gate too.


The Fiesta de Patronales in our town seems to be more of the same - lots of people in the square, taco stands up in each corner, a few rides have been added in the last few days, but that's about it.  Evidently things really rock on the last 2 days - Saturday and Sunday.  I want to see the great fireworks display at the end of it.

We have had more fireworks in town.  We had a change of Padre in our church a few months ago, and this Padre is a firm believer in scaring the evil spirits away with the loud explosion of the fireworks.  He really "goes to town" at the times of  Church Service.  He is also the bane of Azul's existence.  Every time a firework goes off she heads for my shower stall - it provides the most protection, I guess.  Ooops - there she goes!  Must be getting ready for the noon mass.  I have tried to keep her comfortable by putting a quilt in there for her!

Egg Whites Real Pain Killer

We hear of lots of different "cures"for burns: aloe vera, cold water, milk.  We heard one last month that was different, and thank goodness David remembered it.  Last night as we were preparing dinner, David accidentally grabbed at a very hot cast iron pan while it was on the BBQ - burning his hand quite badly.  He remembered hearing that you apply cold water (stuck his hand in the sink), you separate the yolk from the white of the egg, and then apply/brush the egg white to the burned area - and leave it there.  It's sticky for a few minutes, but it dries quickly.  David was really impressed with how rapidly the pain dissipated - and even now, as I write this, he is complimenting the process once again.  Thought I'd let you know.

Pillars - We Must Have Pillars

Yesterday was so wet - there were few moments of sunshine and so Dave took advantage of a few of those moments and started on the posts!

Evidently, posts are needed  so that Josito can put in the 2 new electric meters.  Actually, only one post is needed but 2 are being built to go on either side of the driveway gate - so we will have one skookum look when it's done.

We were going to have our good friends Dean & Daniela over for dinner and found out last night that they had Danielas' 2 sobrinas (nieces) with her, so I needed to do a quick dash into town for another fillet of Lora - this is a great local fish.  It has a solid meat and is really flavorful and is one of our favorites.  So, we took Harley for his first car ride into town.  We got lots of great smiles, people liked to see a bird out with their owner like their dog would be, but mostly he just tried to eat my glasses!

We spend quite a bit of time together and so I feel quite safe with him on my shoulder.  He likes to climb on my head (power position), and will give me little kisses - these still intimidate me but we are learning to trust each other more and more.

My part of the dinner was started early - I was doing a poblano pepper casserole (because I still can't get the knack of Chilies Rellenos) and so roasted the peppers on our Weber BBQ (so much easier than trying to use the stove top) and cleaned the seeds.  Then it was time to cook the shrimp and grate the cheese; all ready to go except - - - no gas in the house!  Thank God for the Weber.  I knew that once the casserole was "built" it only had to go into the BBQ and 15 minutes later VOILA!

Then it was Davids' turn to hit the kitchen - but, alas,no gas, so he hit the BBQ.  Our wonderful, versatile Weber!  Thank God for this BBQ - it has bailed us out time and time again, acting an an oven, stove and BBQ - sometimes at the same sitting.  He was preparing a fish Veracruz style and man-o-man does he make a good job of it.  He says it's not hard to make, but involves a lot of prep (chopping, taking the skin off the jitomate (tomato) and care.  I'm glad he like to make this.

 These are the beautiful flowers Daniela brought.  She told me a scary story about cutting these from the manglars and having her nieces look out for the crocodillos!  I can just see her with her little scissors scaring off the big bad crocodiles!  They were beautiful, gave off a wonderful fragrance and definitely enhanced the table.
 
But I digress from the post building.  As I typed this, Dave has put down one corner of the bodega as well as gotten the post to it's ultimate height.

 yep - go ahead and rest, Dave - you definitely deserve it!

Give a Man a Few Minutes of Sunshine . . . . .

Well,darned if it didn't clear up yesterday and by one o'clock at the latest we had blue skies all around us!  Within moments the men all rallied, someone went to get the cement mixer, someone else went to get the cement, the gravel and sand had already been delivered and away we go! This lad, Danny,  is 14 years old and he did a day o' man's work, he did!  It was crazy busy all afternoon, but they got the slab done.  3 hours actually is what it took them to lay 15 square meters - there is 10 square feet to a square meter (rounding off), so that would be 150 square feet, or divide by 9 and that's how many square yards it is - anyway, they got it done.  Because it was mixed without any kind of consistent measurement (one bucket of water to a bucket and a half . . .) Dave ended up having to brush finish it.  We were hoping for a nice smooth top, easier to clean and sweep up, but it looks terrific. 

Here's Dave giving the cement his masters' touch - and then before I could take a pic of the new slab, he's on it building himself a sawhorse!  He's doing a bang up job using his Bosch Cordless Drill.  This has been his sidekick for about 3 years now, having a Mikita before that ~ but he honestly prefers the Bosch. 

A Pause in the Pursuit of the Bodega

Into every life comes a little rain - and we're getting tons of it, therego cancelling the cement pouring of the slab. 

So, down to Marta's Casita for lunch.  Dave had his usual 3 tacos con carne asada and I broke from the usual tacos and had huevos rancheros.  My god they were delicious!  At the next table was a friend with a few of her friends and we started to discuss the great Fiesta de Patronales that is to begin on the 4th and last for 9 days. 

Roughly translated these are "patronage festivals" and is a festival dedicated to the patron saint of the village or city.  Depending on the budget for some towns, the fiesta may last only the one day to celebrate the saint to be honored, or nine days called el novenario.  Most Fiesta Patronales feature verbenas, live entertainment by famous international or local singers, amusement parks and street vendors, among other things, during the celebration. 


The jardin ends up looking like a midway of some great circus.  The fireworks that go on every night are something else and if you've been here during Rodeo week yes, it can get louder!  The grand finale on the final night is this HUGE mock up of the church, which is made up purely of fireworks, it gets lit and gets hauled through the jardin and streets.  Children laugh and run, mothers hold their babies under roofs hoping not to get hit, others are dodging and darting to avoid the rockets.  I'll take pictures during the week, but on the final night I'll get the video camera out and try to download it.  Lock up your dogs and cats and head for the party!

Faster than the Speed of Light

This bodega thing is coming along a lot faster than I thought - even with the extra work thrown in.  We have had a problem with our power bill for 8 months - the meter says we are using a TON of power, but we can't figure out where.  We have a lot of lights, yes, but they are never on at the same time; we don't have an air-conditioner that runs all day; and actually these last 8 months have been with and without customers in the apartment above and the power meter has read the same.  So the men "in the know" tell us that we can have another power meter as well as a replacement for the meter that doesn't function well - thus splitting the power usage between 2 meters which reduces the power used on each of these meters so that we then qualifying for government contributions again!  That's like $100 bucks for each meter!  Additionally these need to be on a new post and the are not permitted to be on the house as in the past. The men are now making those post holes: