For openers let me warn you that I dropped my laptop a few weeks before I left Minneapolis and now it's beginning to show some mysterious problems and every time it boots up I'm grateful. All that is to say this journal may abruptly end sometime. I enjoy the sharing so be assured I'm sorry if it goes that way.
Years ago I got to retire early because I enjoy a simple lifestyle and had the great good fortune to meet a successful small business operator and his family who showed me what early retirement looks like in real life. One of his avocations is wood carving and I thought of him the other day when I spotted this hotel door. Here's 1/2. They were just too busy to close to doors for the full effect, sorry. . . . . Sorry it's so nice and busy here. =)
Spiral staircases are very popular in Mexico, so here are a few that catch the eye:
The main shopping avenue is 5th. It runs from the plaza, where the ferries dock, North for 10 to 12 blocks. Out in front of a beach ware shop I found this book exchange. What a great idea.
One of the more popular beaches is here in front of the Blue Parrot Hotel.
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Another popular spot is the Costa Del Mar beach which we call Senior Nelson's. I have relatives named Nelson that farm in South Dakota. They also sell seed and provide farm services. I was wearing one of their ball caps when a beach waiter told me his name was Nelson and proved it with his drivers license. I just had to give him my hat and the beach his name.
I belong to the Minneapolis chapter of the International Human Powered Vehicle Association. We have a web site and a discussion list that I post to. Sometimes I take some guff because I don't show or talk enough about bikes. Well, check this out: (it's gotta be a brute to pedal)
On the subject of bikes; Years ago I wanted to get more exercise and wasn't comfortable taking long walks because of an arthritic toe problem, so I bought a dual suspended mountain bike. Despite a variety of seat choices I couldn't ride that thing for more than an hour without getting off and walking for a while. Then I discovered recumbent bikes and after a lot of test rides decided I wanted a BikeE, and found a great deal on one at Erik's Bikes. Not only was the price right but there was an unconditional lifetime warranty. Years ago I was pretty active in the local Mac Computer User Group. As host of one of the monthly meetings I asked Erik to come speak on the topic "Doing business on a Mac" because he used a Mac in each store as a cash register, etc. Very interesting talk about Mac's and the bicycle business. In closing he said that if any of us wanted a deal on a bike to call him last. Yup, the guy just couldn't be beat and I got one with an air shock suspension system. . . .it rides like a Mercedes Benz! There is a class of downhill off road bicycle racing that was very popular and in 2000 BikeE made a dual air suspended bike model with a terrific gearing system called FX. Tough as a man hole cover and it's like riding on a cloud. Once again I couldn't beat Erik's price so I got one.
One of the reasons Mark and Chris gave me a ride to the airport is that we ride our BikeE's together. . . . (and I asked for the lift). A couple months ago Chris got some surgery on her back. She and Mark ride un-suspended BikeE's and were looking one like mine for her. Last year Mark had bought a 3 wheel recumbent (EZ3-USX) for his Dad but it never got ridden so finally his Mom asked him to bring it back home. On a couple occasions I've been inattentive and gotten thrown off my 2 wheeler so we traded one of my BikeE's for the trike. Chris likes the smooth ride and I like the stability. This picture was taken on a RR bridge over the Mississippi river. More on that if you. . . .
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BUT FIRST, note the tree colors. Click 'Back' to return here.
All of that is to explain my joy and amazement to discover this display item in a surf/beach ware shop on 5th.
The one on display has been all specked out with expensive gear systems, fenders and a leather seat.
On the evening after I arrived, there were still some half block areas of town without electricity so they just did evening business by candle light.
Several years ago they put up a pager antenna and decorated it with tin palm fronds. Very artful. Wilma kind of rearranged things but the show goes on.
Next is my worst fear. Mosquitoes are probably the most frequent vector or spreader of disease in the tropics. It's not like using dirty needles. They can bite a sick person then a minute later bite you and nothing happens but you get to scratch a little. What actually happens is they drink in some pathogen with the infected victims blood and then assimilate it into their own system. Days or weeks later when they bite you their saliva itself transmits the pathogen to you. The saliva is injected as an anesthetic so you don't feel the bite right away, and also acts as an anticoagulant so your blood flows freely. With the hurricane passing through, everything got washed off and washed out so the mosquito patrols are working overtime to retreat the are. They drive up and down every street with a big spray outfit on the back of a Jeep, fogging. I think they use DDT in kerosene. An AA friend of mine here has a house mate who's been in bed for over a week, helpless, with mosquito borne Dengue fever.
Next door to 'Green Chairs' is an open-air restaurant with red chairs, and that's were I've been eating. Here is a chicken dinner with chicken soup, tortillas and a cold drink called Jamaica (Ha-mike-a). 40 Pesos
I don't know where 'Chuckie bird' sat out the storm, but he's back on duty at Sr. Nelsons. What a lovely voice. Makes you wish you had one in your home. (NOT-!!)
There are two ferry companies running between PDC and CZ, 'Ultra-Mar' and 'Mexico'. Ultr-Mar built this pier last year and it isn't deep enough for cruise ships to dock. Too bad because if a cruise ship comes to PDC (and there aren't many other places open for business right now) all the passengers need to be ferried into town on Ultra-Mar's boats. (he, he, he)
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Here is my spot this year in PDC (Green arrow) with a safe place to keep the Triciclo (Green circle).
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