Long Time

OMG.  It has been a long, long time since I added to this blog.  I am now living in Yuma AZ; sold the motorhome and most recently the Subaru.  I bought a park model home and have been working to remodel it and make it MY home.  That meant painting the inside and out, laying ceramic tile throughout, painting kitchen cabinets, taking the tub out and replacing it with a ceramic tile walk-in shower and much more.  What fun.

Ofcourse, I can’t give up traveling.  Last week I bought a Ford Sport Trac and a T@B trailer.  The truck is white and the T@B is white with red trim.  Can’t wait to take them out camping.  I will post pics soon.

Oh, and today in Yuma we felt an earthquake.  Haven’t felt one since maybe 1987 in Toledo OH.

14 Hours

Haven’t posted for a couple of days.  This is why.  I left Alamos Thursday at 5:30 am and arrived in Deming at 7:15 pm.  Yes, that’s right, I am back in windy, dusty Deming.  I’m not going to go into it all right now, but thing’s were getting strange in Alamos and I was lonely too so I thought to myself, “why don’t you just go home?”.  Did I just call Deming home?  Well, anyway, I drove and drove and drove until I was finally in Green Valley AZ and then decided to keep going.  And, after two days of rest, I feel pretty good again.

Going to Mexico was a good experience but I don’t think I would do it again in quite the same way.  For one thing at my age I just don’t like making a commitment to someone else for 3 months.  If I could just travel from place to place and maybe have someone to travel with I think it would be much better.

So, so long for now.  If I do anything interesting you all will be the first to know.

Tour of Alamos

This morning I met “Candy Joe”, otherwise known as Trini at 8:00 in front of the Oficina de Touristima.  We started with a walking tour around the grand church and he talked about all the large, old haciendas that were once owned by the owners of the silver mines just outside of town.  Many of them are now owned by americans or Canadians.  Alamos has been home to many of our favorite tv and movie stars;  Paul Newman, “Archie Bunker”, Rip Torn (still owns  property here), Gene Autry, Roy Rogers, and many others.

We also drove through the area where many rich americans live.  And I do mean RICH.  With estates so large and so full of wonderful flowers and trees and large swimming pools that I can’t imagine the cost. 

Then on to a little pueblo called La Aduana.  It is an old silver mining town with the company store still in business and run by descendents of the same family.  They are still finding silver there.

Company Store

I am not happy though with finding scorpions in the house nor am I happy with the brown outs that have been happening the last two nights.  Deming is looking better and better.

Scorpion

Yes, I saw my first scorpion.  In the house, walking around in my bare feet in the dark.  When I turned on the light there it was, 5 inches from my big toe.  Luckily I had a beer can in my hand and squashed him with it !  Then I downed the beer because I was frightened.  I lived in Tucson for almost 15 years and never saw one, inside or out.  Now I’ll keep my shoes right beside the bed and shake them before I put them on.

Did not have a busy day, although I was up early.  Played RummiKub with Dolores and Diana and met another lady, Michelee.  She just got back from a week in  San Carlos and had many meals at these “marvelous” restaurants and stayed at an “exquisite” condo and met “very entertaining” people.  Everything muy rico and caro I think.

Tonight at 6 I had my first spanish lesson with Rebecca.  I offered her water or coffee and she asked me if I had a beer.  This woman I like.  Tomorrow, a tour of the town with Trini.

Sunday in Alamos

Walked to town twice today.  This afternoon I heard music, sat on the balcony listening and finally decided I should get dressed and go see it in person.  By the time I walked down the hill, and I walked down the dirt path which was scary, the band was putting their gear in the car.  So I had a horchata walked a bit and came back to the house.  Then about 6 pm I heard music again and walked back down the hill, this time on the paved road, found the music but it was coming from a bar which I didn’t dare go into.  Alamos comes alive on sunday night!  There were people everywhere, eating, chatting, walking, showing off their sunday best.  I finally took a ride on the little “magic train”.  It is a 20 minute ride around town showing off where this general lived, this movie star was born, etc.  It was such a great time I thought about contacting a realtor so I could live here forever.  The flowers that are in bloom, hanging from every house are magnificient.  The smells and sounds that ring out from everywhere are magical; the people are laughing and singing.  Every night should be sunday night in Alamos.

I have made an appointment to go with Trini, the tour guide, on wednesday to the “ghost” town about 10 KM from here.  He will also take me to the cemetary, the government building (quite old) and show me the old silver mine, cacti in bloom and beautiful birds.  Well, he said he can’t promise the birds.  All of this for less than $20 an hour.  A private tour.  And, yes, I checked him out and he is safe.  Next week is oing to be a good week.  Monday Max gets a hair cut and bath, the tour and I’m sure a game of RummiKub or two with Diana and Dolores.  Maybe even a spanish lesson if Gloria can connect with her friend Rebbeca.

The following week I may be taking a ride to Guaymas and Obregon with Janet and Lynda.  Shopping gotta love it.

I’m trying real hard to have a great time so I have lots to write about.  Will try to get more pics on later.

Iglesia

Church from Plaza Gazebo

Today I walked down the path on the hill that leads directly to the church, La Parroquia de la Purisima Concepcion.  This is one of the oldest churches in Sonora; Juan Ross (the architect) began building it in 1786.  It was not completed until 1826, 41 years later.  They compare the style of this church to San Xavier de Bac in  Tucson.  It is rumored that there are are escape tunnels from older homes around the church plaza that make their way into the church.  The thick stone walls made it a place of refuge during raids by Mayo Indians.

The plaza outside the church is the place to go if you want to be seen, especiall on Sundays.  Sunday evening there wiil be a continuos parade of young people trying to get noticed.  We cruised through Big Boy resaurants and the main streets of our towns and they cruise the church plaza.  There is an ally that goes from this plaza to the plaza on the alameda that is known as “kissing ally”.  Let your mind be creative on that one.  I wonder if you wait at one of the corners if you would be asked to join in?

Church Bell TowerChurch From the Plaza GazeboGazebo from Church Entrance

Can’t seem to get the pics in the right place.  And the one to the left has the captions to all three.  Oops!

I think that I will walk to Casa de Maria Felix tonight and see if anyone is there for a little vino.  Everyone says it is safe to walk here at night.  LATER  Walked to Maria Felix but no one answered the door.  So I went to the plaza on the alameda, bought a soda and just sat there for awhile and watched the traffic, the people and the army parade by.  The guys in uniform look much the same as they do in Palomas, young boys with big guns.  There was a lady selling clothes out of the trunk of her car, people eating ice cream and little girls chasing each other and giggling about the boys.  The hot dog stand was inviting but I passed it up this time.  If you have never had a hot dog with everything from one of these stands you are missing a great treat.  When they say everything they really mean it, tomatoes, beans, jalapenos, mustard, mayo, ketchup.  Quite a delicious treat!  Next time I will have one for sure.  Gotta go for now and send an email.

Connections

Oh,  how great this thing called “internet” is.  I just talked with a friend back in Deming on Skype.  We could see each other’s lovely faces and everything.  Next time I get a video call though I hope I have just taken a shower and fixed my hair.  Since I have so much time on my hands and have a hi-speed connection I can look at all kinds of you tube clips and even educate myself on all that is important in the world.  Just think of the little known knowledge I can share with all of you.  The videos posted by a group called 4409 about the busy and productive border patrol are particularly funny to me having been stopped by one just a few weeks ago.  “where are you going, where have you been, what the hell are you, an american citizen driving a subversive looking Subaru doing so close to the border?”.  OK,  maybe that last question shouldn’t be in quotes but you know what I mean.  The only question that was asked of me on my entire trip into Mexico was asked on the road about 10 miles from Alamos.  And the question was, “Alamos?”.  The answer was ofcourse, “si” and I received a “pasale” in response.  It’s not that easy for me to get back into my own country after a trip to the Pink Store on Tuesday with all my rowdy friends from LoW places.

Oh, that’s right, I am supposed to be talking about connections.  Since it is now 10 pm and I just got back I am connected to a glass of Membrillo.  This should help me sleep.

The Maria Felix movie was quite dramatic, with love found, love lost and a jealous, bitter and very successful, strong headed woman.  I could follow most of the plot except for the part about las plumas (the feathers).  I had no idea why the men were picking them up off the ground or why she wanted to buy them.  I’ll have to see if I can research that.  Tonight there were about 15 of us that attended.  We were all served popcorn and soda.  And, to make everything even better, the movie was shown outdoors on the side of the building with a cool breeze blowing and the stars shining above us.  Remember drive in movies?

Buena Comida

The afternoon was spent at Diana’s house playing Rummikub with her and Dolores.  Sitting out on the veranda sipping cherry iced tea and asking the maid for more ice.  A very pretty veranda whith the gardner pruning and watering the pots of marvelous flowers ( I know what kind they are but don’t know how to spell it).  Maybe the gardner and I could have a chat and a cold one.

And then tonight I actually went  out for dinner.  There is this great hotel/spa here called Hacienda de los Santos and they hosted a Mexican buffet, music and travel films tonight.  The food was muy sabroso (very flavorful) with two types of kabobs, chicken or beef, rice, spicy beans, pork tamales, salad and coleslaw.  I would say part of the dinner was Mexican.  The music was smooth and inviting creating a very calm feeling; not like the Mexican music I am used to listening to at the Pink Store with Jorge and Rafael.  And the first travel film about Argentina made you want to leave right now to experience the flavor of that country.  Our first stop was Buenes Aires where we danced the Tango and ate wonderful, traditional food cooked asadero stlye by good-looking cowboys.  Did you know that something like 85% of the people there have therapistss and the  rich even take them on vacation with them.  They say it is because they want to be as beautiful on the inside as they are on the outside with their tummy tucks and facelifts.  I say maybe they just don’t know how to “breathe in, breathe out”.  Then we were off to Mendoza; a wonderful place to fall in love with a good glass of wine.  Let’s see, do I know anyone that could enjoy that?  Me, me, me!  Or, if you are not into wine (what?) you could enjoy a great cup of Yerba Mate as it is grown in this area in abundance.  It is said that Yerba Mate is the national drink of Argentina.  What about all that good wine?  I think Argentina might be a wonderful place for an extended vacation.

We then jumped over to Turkey, mainly Istanbul.  Now that is the place to go if you want to spend $40,000 or more on a handcrafted rug, see the Dervishes, or go to a hooka bar.  Think I will go back to Argentina.

I did get to meet a few more people, all way out of my league as far as travels, investments and the such but interesting to listen to.  Yes, you are right, no cans of Bud Light here.  There was a man there that had lived in Silver City for awhile and he imports pottery from Mata Ortiz so we did have a few things in common.  Others had been to New Mexico and asked if I lived anywhere near Santa Fe.  I told them not close but Deming is very much the same as Santa Fe with its art galleries, international shopping and wonderful architecture.  What do you think, did I steer them wrong? 

OK, after re-reading this I do sound a little, shall we say, angry, jealous?  I really did have a good time it’s just hard for me not to notice the differances.  Tomorrow night I will go to the centre de cultura (cultural center) and watch one of Maria Felix’s movies.

Trip to Navajoa

Today I went into the big city to buy more groceries.  It is about a 45 minute drive due West and there is not much between Alamos and Navajoa.  My cell phone works there so I tried to make a couple of calls, no answer either time.

The big event at the cultural center didn’t seem to draw many people.  When I stopped by this morning there were only about 6 and I think most of them were working.  I had planned on going to the Maria Felix movie tonight but as I watched off the balcony I saw only two cars arrive.  Monday night must not be a good night for entertainment.  The rest of the week I will keep an eye on the place and if it seems to be hopping I can get there in about a minute.  Maria Felix was a star in the Mexican movies in the 1940’s and ’50’s.  She was born here in Alamos so the town has many tributes to her, including a marvelous hotel.  I have so far found over 40 movies that she starred in. 

Sunset off the balcony

Pink Clouds, Pink House and thinking about the Pink Store.  I think we determined that pink = love.  Where will I find my love?

Oh, I picked up a text message from Luis today when I was in Navajoa.  Tried to text back but don’t know if it went.

Long, lazy day

I haven’t done much today to write about.  I was so bored earlier I actually ironed some clothes.  Then I sat outside and read for awhile and now I just got back from walking down the hill, which means I also had to walk back up.  And, yes I did buy a couple of beers .  Hopefully the walk will take more calories than the beer gives.  And  all this sweating has to good for getting rid of toxins and maybe a little weight.

It is going to take me a little time to adjust to the fact that all my friends are back in the states.  From reading forums about other americans living in Mexico it seems as if there is that period of adjustment that everyone goes through.  Then after they become more active in the commuinity everything is fine.  So, forgive me if I whine a little as well as tell you what life is like down here.

The neighbors sure had a good time this afternoon.  I didn’t have to worry about not having a radio.  I just sat outside and listened.  Not only was the radio good, but one of the guys  could sing pretty well too.  I think the more beer he drank the bolder he got.  And it didn’t bother me a bit.  I even knew some of the songs.

I also tried to wash my car; the dirt is gone but the water spots have taken its place.  I will need to find somecar washing  products and try it again.

Now that I have set up a Skype account I can keep in touch by phone and I even got a NM number so you all can supposedly call me without it being long distance.  Don’t want to post that number here but if you want to try to call me I can send it to you be email.  Ofcourse, I will have to have my computer on for it to work.  Lately I have spent a lot of time on this thing so I have it on most of the time.