Archive | June, 2024

Mexican Driver’s License – Take Two

23 Jun

At the post vacation bus heist in April, Lisa and I got our US driver’s licenses stolen. I told the humorous tale of acquiring my shiny new Mexican license in the May 5 blog. https://theadventuresofdostortas.com/?s=Mexican+driver’s&submit=Search

This week we went to Bacalar to repeat the process for Lisa, only to find a sign posted on the door of the license office. Whenever we assume that we’ve got something, anything figured out in Mexico, we receive the expat slap upside the head. This was no exception.

The license issuance process is in Chetumal until further notice. Note, no location is provided.

Dang, now we had to drive to Chetumal, an hour away, for her to acquire said license. It’s been a stormy few days with flooding in low parts of Chetumal. We took advantage of a lull in the tropical storm to venture out. Prayers were said.

We went to two different government offices before being directed to the right location. With our list of required documents in hand we went to breakfast. After all this was going to be an all day adventure! Girls need pancakes!

Not our favorite place to eat but ok in a pinch.

The documents were the same as what had been required of me in Bacalar. However Lisa had to watch a video and take a written test IN SPANISH with no assistance from me.

Thank god for Google Translate.

Her language skills are not great, but with the help of Goggle Translate she managed to get through the video and written test. The only problem was, she failed the test, oops. Back to watch the video again.

With a smile and a good attitude, much can be accomplished.

Lisa has such a way of charming people. After the second go round the official didn’t even look at her test. With a wink and a hand shake, she passed and we were on to the driving test.

Park between the cones and don’t forgot to put on your directional.

When you’ve been driving for over forty years, it’s hard to have beginners mind. Also we had my car which Lisa had only driven twice before.

Smiling through failure.

Needless to say, she did not pass the driving test either! Truth be told, it was designed to trip her up. I couldn’t have done any better. This time the official wagged a finger at her before signing the form and sending us on our way back across town to pay the fee and print the license.

The face of exhaustion.

We were extremely grateful that the weather held, everyone was so nice and the mission was accomplished. We love Mexico but it is always a head scratch and a test of patience.

DOS TORTAS

Want to learn patience? Move to Mexico.

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It’s Got To Rain To Find The Leaks

16 Jun

Thursday night was the first rainfall in months. I woke to streaks of lightening and house-rattling claps of thunder. Poor little Stella was shaking so hard she almost fell off the bed. It’s how she started sleeping with us in the first place. She’s terrified of thunder, poor baby.

Our blind pug.

In Austin, after months of drought, we woke one morning to find an inch of water standing in our dining room. A drainage problem that we didn’t know we had, made its presence known after the first spring downpour.

Our rear yard in Austin sloped slightly towards the house.

Gracias a Dios there were no major leaks this week in our Bacalar jungle house nor water gushing down the wall. When building nine years ago, yes, it’s hard to believe it’s been that long, we did everything we could to channel water away from the house. We also built drains on the porch. If water came in the front door, we could help it out the back. Our house sits at the bottom of a steep slope.

Before we added French drains around the house. 2015
Much has changed in nine years.

We did find a leak from the palapa over our front door. Palapas only last about five years. Of course we’ve had our fingers crossed so as to avoid the replacement expense. It’s time to call the palapero.

DOS TORTAS

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That Time Of Year

9 Jun

Next Saturday is what we affectionately call the Swim Across, one of several athletic events held annually in Bacalar. There’s a kayak marathon in the fall and a new half marathon in September. I made the commitment to swim this year because, why not? This week it was time to kick training into high gear. I use the word “training” loosely.

I haven’t set an alarm to wake up since I worked for The State of Texas. Back in the day I would rise every day at five a.m. I walked our Austin neighborhood in the dark relishing the quiet and solitude, before heading home to pack my breakfast and lunch and catching the bus to work. It seems like a lifetime ago.

2015

This week I’ve been rising at six before the wind picks up causing a choppy laguna. I still love the quiet and solitude. The clouds look like wisps of cotton candy before the sun pops over the horizon.

I will never win this event, even as the field narrows. Perhaps if I’m 100 and still swimming but I doubt it. I did buy some new goggles to motivate. Maybe they’ll make me faster.

Team Bacalar 2016

DOS TORTAS

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Hoping For A Hurricane?

2 Jun

I have been sitting on my arse all week wilted and without motivation. If a hurricane would bring rain and perhaps cooler temperatures, I’d be willing to risk it.

2024 Predicted Hurricanes

I’ve been modeling my activity level after the dogs. They don’t seem a bit guilty to be lying around all day.

The breeze off the laguna continues to be smoky due to annual burning, irritating lungs, stinging eyes and causing fits of coughing. I occupy my time with my latest audiobook.

The book is set in India. If there were a competition for stifling heat India wins hands down. Living in a hot, humid, tropical environment does add a touch of realism to the story.

This weekend is Mexico’s presidential election. Mexico is poised to elect its first presidenta. As everywhere, people run under the banner of CHANGE. So far I’ve seen lots of promises and little action. It’s a big job no matter who gets it.

I’m grateful for electricity which keeps the refrigerator cold, internet going and ceiling fans whirring. We only use air conditioning at night which is a privilege that many in Bacalar do not have.

Stella loves the sun.

So do your best to stay cool, warm or dry depending on where you live. We are making plans to escape for awhile, but that’s news for another day.

DOS TORTAS

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