The Tortas are in Tulum visiting our Austin friends Karen and Skip. We are on a hunt for items for our house, tile and light fixtures mostly. Options have increased over the last few years in our outpost of Mexican living. We now have a Home Depot in Chetumal which is thirty-minutes away, woohoo. The style of our house is rustica or pueblo. There are rounded corners, thatched overhangs, concrete floors, stuccoed walls and niches. Mass-produced furniture, lighting and all things made in China are not what we’re looking for. The hope is that Tulum and Playa del Carmen will offer more options.
Ok, so there are some exceptions. About $135
We stopped by the property for a progress update on our way out of town. There were a dozen workers trying to beat the rain clouds hovering overhead. Progress over the last six weeks has been amazing.
Front entrance.
The molds have been made and the concrete will be poured for the arches above the door and windows. Construction out of concrete is a whole new world for us.
Rounding corners using concrete blocks. Amazing!
The workshop aka Lisa’s she-cave is waiting on a part to install the garage door. A carport will be added to provide an indoor/outdoor work space.
The arches have been poured over the doors and windows in this section. To the right is the entrance to the main bedroom and bath. The interior window will allow an open view into the bedroom and close for privacy when desired.
All rooms open onto the porch with views of the Laguna.
The stairs leading down to the Laguna from the porch will also provide security allowing the house to remain open to the night breezes.
The trip to Tulum and Playa del Carmen afforded the purchase of decorative tiles for a yet-to-be determined location. It also gave us ideas, like these clay sconces for the porch.
Which do you like best?
I liked these. They can also be painted.
The roof will go on in the next week or so. After that begins the interior detail work of building counters, installing sinks, adding lighting and pouring floors. There will be many trips to Chetumal. And the projected completion date is…the end of August, four months as predicted. Forgive us David if we didn’t really believe you. House construction is the very definition of delays and unforeseen problems. Add Mexico to the mix and many projects languish. To say we are excited is an understatement. Lots of work left to do, but definitely light at the end of this two-year tunnel.
DOS TORTAS
the adventures of dos tortas 
Try looking at the nursery that is on the north side of the highway leaving Chetumal for decorative items like wall sconces.
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Thanks Kathe. I hadn’t thought to check gardening stores.
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Love your blog and the information that you have. Any pros and especially cons about living in Mexico. I have done much research on retiring in Mexico which we plan on doing in the next year or two and would love a balanced approach of pros and cons, good and bad so we can make an informed decision. I hear about the 3 C’s too much, cost, climate and cervazas but not enough about snakes, creepy crawlies and etc. that may also affect ones life if a very real way.
Thanks and here is my research on retiring in Mexico blog:
https://sites.google.com/site/dalanbinder/blog/0998-retirementinmexico
Full disclosure my website is geared for writers mainly but anyone can gather wisdom, strength and good words from it.
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Welcome David. Mexico is such a large country with very diverse climates and people. You can read through our blog and find out about life in our neck of the woods (jungle). I try to be quite honest and not write through rose colored glasses. I will say, unless you live on Chapala, and recreate a U.S. life, which many people do and is fine, but not a Mexican experience IMHO, Mexico is not for the faint of heart. Visit as many places as you can, really get after the Spanish and do an honest self-assessment of how flexible, tolerant of inconvenience and humble you are. Good luck. Check out our FB page and ask all the questions you like.
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Looking good! Did yu get my message to email me?
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Hi Jo, it s looking good. We stopped on our way home from Tulum and the garage door is on the she-cave!
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How exciting is this already! -alicia
Sent from my iPad
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Good to hear from you. There is so much we’ve learned in this process. Breathe and relax.
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What fun! Thanks for sharing, Alex.
Cheers!
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Thanks Bruce. As long as we keep breathing it is fun. I forget and find myself lying awake trying to decide what color goes where. Geesh.
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I LOVE it so far!! Please keep posting..and best of luck with it all. I LOVE the terra cotta ones you chose..my faves also. Love to you both
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Bought some wine glasses in Tulum. Come for a sit on the porch.
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shuck and gosh! I am touched by the beauty you are creating. sweet and I like your choice too on covers. the real test is put a light behind.
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This house will never be magazine worthy, but it will be comfortable, beautiful and full of joy.
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Wow ladies, sweet! I am liking a lot what I’m seeing. So happy to see the postings with the progress. ….. it’s like I’m following a real life reality program. .. “season” finale in August!
Just love the color of the she-cave…..
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Hahaha! It certainly feels like reality TV on this end. Trying not to let it keep me awake at night. We’ll be painting up on the roof before you know it.
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Wonderful! I love the pics. I want to pick your brain on info. ; )
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Thanks for stopping by Sweetie. We are having so much fun. Mi casa es tu casa.
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Wonderful progress so far! The end of August will be here before you know it.
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I know Em! We’re off to the property today. I’m actually starting to think about life AFTER the house is done. Imagine that!
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