Peggy Update

Peggy left on December 14th to spend two weeks and Christmas with Adrienne and Jamie G.  Actually it is to spend time with the kiddos! She flew Maya Air from Cozumel to Cancun on a small plane. A 15 minute flight that very fun. Then she flew to Dallas for a week with Ellie Bellie, Charlie and Keanan. We’ve talked via Skype every night and she had a great time. Now, she’s in snowy Broomfield with Alex and Aubrey. She got a busy schedule for Christmas Eve and the Christmas. Ed stayed in Cozumel but has been busy. See the Posts! Peggy flies back to Mexico on the 28th and she’ll be welcomed back with open arms. Her friends, and especially Ed, have been missing her.

2011 Posada

Once again we were invited to Sergio and Cesci’s annual Posada. A posada is a play about the 3 wise men going to see baby Jesus in the manger. The street is blocked off for the play. There’s also a pinata filled with candy for the kids.  The audience is invited to participate in the play. And, of course, there’s food for everyone!

Here’s Jamie B, Ed, Cody and Peggy all dressed like peasants and dancing to celebrate the arrival of the wise men (3 kings). Cody kept calling us pheasants rather than peasants!

The 3 kings are visiting the manger with baby Jesus. Our friend Bob , in the middle, was one of the 3 kings. He’s wearing a decorated lampshade as a crown.

Joseph and Mary with baby Jesus.

An angel announces the birth.

The Posada was great fun. Lots of food, friends and fun. Cody got a huge bag of candy from the pinata which he left a healthy amount for Grandma and Grandpa.

The Texas Baxters are here!

Jamie B, Kelly and Cody came down for their annual visit. We had a great time with them We swam, fished, ate, and played bunches. They got to go fishing with friend Edwin and they caught a bunch if fish which we ate at Edwin’s parents place, El Farito. It’s right around the corner from our house. Cody caught 15 grunts which we delicious.

Jamie B, Cody and Grandma at Blue Angel looking for crabs, snails, or some other critters!

 

The Baxters getting ready to ride bikes somewhere. Cody loves riding on the back of his Dad’s Jaguar bike. The Jaguar is a pretty old rusted out bike. But, it’s fun!

We drove to the other side of the island to play and fish! Here’s Jamie and Cody casting out their line.

Grandpa trying his luck.

Cody looking in one of the many pools, searching for fish, crabs, or anything swimming around. He always carries a net and a collection box. He dumps them out before they die, or, he leaves them for Grandpa to dump out.

Visit With The Vein Wizard

Today we took the ferry and bus ride to Galenia Hospital in Cancun for Peggy’s visit with Dr. Morales, who we call The Wizard of Veins. He calls himself a magician, as he makes veins disappear.  Dr. Morales did the surgery on Peggy’s varicose veins 2 years ago and this was her annual follow up. Dr. Morales injected a few small veins and let Ed watch as those veins vanished. Mago (magic)!

Peggy then visited with the dermatologist there, Dr. Solis. She gave Peggy a thorough exam- from her scalp to the bottoms of her feet!  Nothing serious. She then prescribed some skin creams. And, the usual exhortations of  “Use  sunscreen. All the time. Everyday!” Good advice for us all.

Sam’s Club

Earlier this summer Sam’s Club opened a store here on the island. Prior to that, if we wanted to go to Sam’s we had to take the ferry to Playa del Carmen or to Cancun. Today, we biked over to the new store. It’s not a tiny Sam’s, nor is it Grand Junction’s size; it’s just right, to steal Goldilocks’ line.  Many of the same Member’s Mark products (only labeled in Spanish) that are found in the US stores and, of course, many Mexican products. Prices are about the same as US, except for some notable differences, like wine! Eat your heart out Gerry and Denny, 5L of Franzia was a little less than $10 USD!

Cochinita Pibil

This trip we brought down a DeWalt jig saw for our friend and contractor, Pulpo. Most guys down here have nicknames and Elias’ is Pulpo which means octopus. Go figure. Anyway, when we handed over the jig saw, Pulpo said he’d bring us cocinita pibil for Sunday breakfast. Cochinita pibil, is a Yucatan dish with pork that is slow cooked after marinating it in lime or orange juice. It’s cooked with achiote seeds to give it red color. Very, very tender and deliciousl. On the island, it’s usually a Sunday morning breakfast treat. Served with onions on corn tortillas, it’s perfect! Although Pulpo made his promise a few weeks ago, he did not forget and here’s a photo of him delivering it to Ed. Dressed in shorts and T’s, drinking coffee ,and enjoying cocinita on our new table, we pondered our good fortune!

Elias aka Pulpo and Guapo.

It’s a tough job but………

One of Rita’s boats (Frigate) has been out of the water for awhile getting some new fiberglass, paint, and engine work done. Before putting it back into service, a shakedown run is required  to break in the engine. We along with Dick and Gwen were were pegged for this grueling work. The night before, Dick decided to pass a kidney stone and bagged out. Silly excuse as far as we were concerned!

The weather was good with large rolling waves that we “surfed”  going south.  A very smooth ride but no luck fishing. The ride back was a bit different as we were headed into the wind and waves that were so helpful before.  The engine wouldn’t rev higher than 1,50o rpms so we motored into the marina and the mechanic checked it out. A few hours later after cleaning out the gasoline filters, we were back out on the ocean fishing following the frigate birds hunting on the water.  For us, no fish. For the birds, probably!  To mimic the old saying, “A bad day of ocean fishing from the boat is better than a good day at home doing not much!” Thanks Rita!

Such a pretty boat!

We don’t know about you but we’re thinking that Rita’s fleece lined jacket might be a little over-kill! 

Chester, the scooter riding dog, is watching every move Ed makes with that chicken!