Sunday in the Yucatan

The past few weeks have been just crazy! As it starts getting colder up north more and more people are dreaming of buying a beach home in sunny Mexico! Our phone has been ringing off the hook and I spend hours daily answering emails while Doug is out showing properties. I'm not complaining, this is how we make our living after all........ For those of you looking at properties here south of the border, now is the time! The inexpensive ones are being sold as fast as we can list them! Check out our website http://www.mayanliving.com and see what deals we have to offer and how many homes have been sold lately.

On another note, Doug and I hadn't had a day to ourselves in weeks. We decided that we would take Sunday, turn off the phone, ignore emails and just enjoy our time together. It is a shame to being living in such a cool place and not experiencing it. We had heard through our Mexican grapevine that they were having some kind of small boat races on the lagoon Sunday morning so that was our first stop. It was a perfect day, clear skies, light breeze, temperature around 85 with no humidity. One of the first people we saw was Jose, Eduardo's brother. He explained that the race was called a singa, which means the type of boat used. There would be different races with the winners of each participating in a grand finale. The prizes were a refrigerator, TV and stereo. Doesn't sound like much to us gringos does it? But for the locals these are luxury items and the competition was fierce.

This is Jose, sizing up the competition,

Spectators

View of the shore from the pier

The guys lining up, getting ready to start, there are no motors, just an oar placed in the middle of the back of the boat and swung madly, reminiscent of a gondola in Venice

These local fisherman are really working it!

The crowd watches and waits.....

Unfortunately our buddy Jose, didn't win, however he is a good sport, gives a "thumbs up," and continues on with the day.

The much sought after prizes,

Okay, enough of that guy stuff, I wanted to go check out the flamingos, I just love them as I may have mentioned one or twice before. A friend of mine was saying that she had just seen a lot of them on the back road from Chuburna to Komchen, so off we went. There have been sooooo many flamingos here this year, I see them everywhere, but this was the most I have seen at one time! They were everywhere in the mangroves and lagoons!

This is what the lagoons look like when you are just driving by. If you look very closely you will see flocks in the very back. One of these I'll have a really good camera and then I'll never stop taking pictures of all the cool things here in the Yucatan!

These guys were really close to the road, and we didn't seem to bother them at all!

More flocks

And more flocks, you guys know how much I love pink flamingos!

They don't even look real do they?

Okay, enough is enough, but I just think it is so cool, that I can take a 2 minute ride and see these beauties in their native habitat!

Until next time, remember that there is still an untouched place not far from home. The reason so many expats have picked Mexico is the quick access to the US and Canada. Add in friendly people, low cost of living and of course flamingos and it all equals paradise! Warm breezes and cold beers coming at ya, Chillin' in Chelem!

The Ultimate Fathers Day in Chelem

Where is in the world could you experience what we did in a few short hours with our local Mexican family? Since we moved from Delaware, Fathers Day, Mothers Day and similar holidays just haven't been the same, after all the kids are back home. Yesterday we had a marvelous day! We had the chance that many of the local gringo's don't get to experience. We have been so blessed that a local family has taken us in as theirs. These lovely people include us in everything, fiesta's, anniverseries, local cooking, child raising etc. They held surprise birthday parties for both Doug and I last year and all showed up with food and presents. The latest in a long list of great surprises was yesterday. Eduardo knew that we were missing our boys, Jake and Justin. He called us and wanted to take us a boat ride over in the lagoon. Sounded like fun and we had never been on a boat on that side. I took so many great pictures but it is never the same as the experience! Here are a few of my favorite shots. Remember that when you move to Mexico the most exciting and gratifying party is experiencing the local culture!


This is leaving the local harbor, it is right by the seafood store that I wrote about earlier
Captain Jose taking us off on our new adventure in Chelem


Part of our family, the girls are Eduardo's sister, Orsula, the baby, Yomara and his wife Marta

We hadn't been in the water 3 minutes when came across our first flock of pink flamingos. I am totally enamored with them, took about 10 pictures but will only subject you to one! Aren't they just gorgeous?

As soon as reached the other side of the Ria, about 5 minutes they took us on a trail that lead to a cenote. Look what was swimming in it! A sea turtle! Contrary to what they say about turtles this one was quick, I took a lot of pictures but even this one which was the best, I ended up cutting off his head. Oh well, you get the idea.

We jump in the boat again and head another minute or two away and this is what we see



We take a short walk and there are small palapas and piers for shade and swimming


Our Mexican family portrait. We all got in to cool off, clothes and all. The water was incredibly salty, if was hard to keep our feet on the sand. This is the area where the locals catch shrimp and crabs

Even Mama got in with her dress on. One of the things that I love about the Yucatecos is that they never leave the old or the young behind.
Yomara loved the water and was like a little fish!


As did her Papa and uncles, and don't forget Mama!
Of course by now we are thirsty, time to head over to a little lagoon front restaurant and have a few cold cervezas



Yomara is swinging while we enjoy free appetizers and cold beer
All to soon the day is over and it's time to head home, time to put my flip flops back on (thanks Deron) and get back to the real estate business. I'm totally recharged and invigorated. Just another day in the paradise that we call Chelem. I am so blessed to have both wonderful gringo and Mexican friends and family! Till next time, I'm just chillin in Chelem!