Paradise fun

Just another typical Thursday in Barra. This is how I spend my Thursday afternoons. Life is good here. :) 

Mixed emotions

I'm procrastinating about starting to pack because I really don't want to leave! After two months of being here it's really starting to feel like home. I've never been happier. But I know I need to go. I have family to visit, grandkids to hug, another dog at home that's missing me. Tucker looks so sad whenever I see him on Skype, he'll be happy to see me.

So yes it's time to start packing. One good thing is my suitcase will be a lot lighter going home. I'm giving away most of my clothes to my neighbor because nothing I brought with me fits properly. All the summer clothes I brought were way too big. I lost 20 pounds before coming here and now I've lost another 10! I'm sure it's from having no appetite because of the heat and sweating like hell. The house gets so hot sometimes it's like being in a giant sauna. I'm looking forward to being at my mom's in the air conditioning. Although then I'll be complaining I'm too cold and I'll get the typical mom answer 'So go put on a sweater.' A sweater. I haven't seen one of those in a while. Or pants, or shoes. I think next time all I need to bring is a bathing suit. ;)

Alright enough procrastinating, time get my suitcase packed. But first I'd better get Karma out of there.

I met new people, yay!

I haven't posted much in a while because I was too busy enjoying myself! It's amazing how one thing can lead to another and things can change in the blink of an eye. I was invited to a water volleyball game and from there the fun began. Water has never been my favorite thing but meeting new people is, so I decided to go to the game. When I showed up at the pool at the Cabo Blanco hotel I had no idea what to expect but I thought what the heck this could be fun and it was! I instantly felt welcomed as I sat down at the swim up bar at the pool. I watched the game, chatted, had an impromptu swimming lesson and met a great group of English speaking people. Americans, Canadians and Mexicans all laughing and having a blast, I couldn't help but have a good time. Then in the last week came open mic night at La Oficina bar, a birthday party, watching a stand up paddle board competition and a nightclub night at Mamitas. I was so tired this week after 3 late nights in a row that in the past few days I turned down offers to a potluck dinner, a dog walk, playing dominoes, a motorcycle ride and a swim in a friends pool. (These guys are going to wear me out lol) Now that I'm busier I really don't want to leave in a week. But I've decided I'm may back for the winter. We'll have to see...for now I'm having fun. :)

Karma update

Karma is doing really well. All the fur on her back has grown in, she's been spayed and vaccinated. She's healthy and active. She's a sweetheart, so smart and affectionate. I thought I was going to leave her here and have the local rescue agency Pro Animal Melaque find a home for her but I can't let her go, I love her too much. I know having two dogs will be harder in a lot of ways but I'm too attached to her to leave her behind. I just hope I don't have a problem getting her into Canada. Sometimes pets are quarantined at the airport and it ends up costing a fortune because you have to pay for boarding fees. Wish me luck!

No shirt, no shoes, no bylaws

Some of the things I see around here are unbelievable, like the mom, dad, 2 kids and a Chihuahua I saw riding together on a scooter. That was a little nutty. But there are other things I've seen that I wish we could get away with in Canada. Like staying up all night with your friends and neighbors, playing music outside until 6 am. Here it happens often. Many times I've been sound asleep and suddenly at midnight the party begins. You get use to it, you don't call the police and complain. No bylaws here.

I've been in many stores where the teller wasn't wearing a shirt or shoes (male tellers lol). Kids run around barefooted in the streets, dogs poop and no one freaks out that it's not being picked up, the sidewalks are broken, horses are tied to random trees on the street or left in vacant lots to eat the grass. No one thinks anything of it. 

Yesterday I really shouldn't of been surprised to see the 50 or so goats roaming around the field across from the house. The farmer said he walked them over from a few blocks away. He laughed when I grabbed my camera and took some pictures. To them this is normal, they think it's funny that we find it odd. 

The lack of rules is what makes this place so appealing to me. The rebel in me loves it. 

Bring on the goats! :)

The frogs are back!

Not sure if this guy was hiding when I had my meltdown and rounded up the frogs in my yard or if he just found his way in recently. Nonetheless he thought he would hang out all night peering through my window threatening to come in and make that horrible sound lol (Watch the video on my previous post)

It seems they come out after a big rain. Someone shoot me now if this keeps up for too many nights!

Toronto bound

It was a great idea to spend 6 months house sitting in Mexico but being here during the hottest and slowest months may not have been the best decision. So I've decided to go back to Canada and come back in the winter.

I've booked my ticket and I'm heading to Toronto August 4th. I'm looking forward to going home, seeing family and friends, going to the lake, eating familiar foods. I'm really looking forward to spending the rest of the summer with my grandkids. Yep Nana Dee is coming home, get those water balloons ready! :)

A taste of retirement

Ahh so this is what retired life is like. Relaxing. No work. No responsibilities. Sounds dreamy doesn't it? Sure it's great to relax but it can get pretty boring and depressing doing nothing every day. Now I understand why my job as a Home Support Worker is so important. The seniors I visit are home alone all day, their spouses have passed away, their families are too busy to stop by. Sometimes I'm the only person they see all week. Now I know why the cute little old ladies get so excited when we sit down and have tea. It's nice to have company and someone to talk to. I've always been so busy that I never really thought much about it. I get it now. We need to connect with people and we need to stay active.

Routines are important too when you've got too much time on your hands. When I first arrived in Barra a retired lady told me to figure out a routine and stick to it or my days here would be very long. She was right. On the days I go off my routine it feels like the day goes on forever and I'm looking forward to 10 pm so I can go to sleep. What a problem hey? I know you're probably thinking you'd love days like that but I've been here for 40 days and trust me 40 days of boredom would drive you nuts. I'm use to being busy. At home I'm always rushing around from one thing to another, my day is over before I know it. Here it's a different story. Time seems to stand still if I don't find things to do. So I have my little routine. Daily walks, trips to the store to buy random things, checking my Facebook, emails, talking to friends and family on Skype (thanks everyone, talking to you always brightens my day), going to the beach, watching a movie, nothing too exciting. Most days are pretty slow. But I'm not complaining. Life is good.

Woke up, check. Ate breakfast, check. Facebook, emails, check check. Finally wrote something on my blog, check. Well according to the routine, it looks like it's time for me to hit the beach. :)

Good Karma

It's funny how just one detour can change things in your life. A few days ago I was on my way home from my daily walk downtown when I decided to take a detour down a different road. I wanted to take a photo of the graffiti wall near the beach.

Right after I took this photo I noticed a Mexican couple walking toward the beach and they were carrying a Chihuahua puppy. Being a huge Chihuahua lover of course I had to go pet it. When I was petting her I noticed she was missing a foot and most of the fur on her back was gone. Poor thing. I had to help this dog. I decided right there I wasn't leaving without her. The people didn't speak English and my Spanish is very limited but I managed to find out the mother dog had bitten the puppy's paw off (probably after delivery when she was cleaning her). They also told me the other puppies were always beating her up and they had to take her away from them. I asked if they were selling her. I didn't care how much they asked for, I would of paid it. They smiled, said 'nada' and handed me the puppy. That was it. I now had a Chihuahua puppy in my arms. All I wanted to do was get her home and fix her up.

As I carried her home, she wagged her tail and licked my face as if to say thank you, thank you, thank you. It was so sweet. As I walked I wondered what I was in for in caring for this little one. She was filthy, she smelled bad, she had fleas, ticks, was losing her fur and was missing a foot. But I knew I could handle it. I've had dogs for over 20 years. I would just do what I know how to do and the rest the vet would do.

First thing I did when I got home was grab some money and then head to the pet store. Unlike at home, the pet stores here carry medication as well as pet supplies. It's just like the pharmacy here, you don't need a prescription, you just walk in and tell them what you want. I picked up some flea shampoo, de-worming pills, a disinfectant solution for her leg and some puppy food. All for only 200 pesos, just under $20. With inexpensive prices like this I could be the 'Crazy Chihuahua Lady' and have a house full of Chihuahua's! (Ha ha don't worry I won't.)

She wasn't a fan of bath time but she sure smelled better after!

All clean and soaking up some sun.

Already doing the guard dog thing. She's 2 pounds of courage and love.

I named her Karma. Here's a video I took of her this morning. She jumped into the carrier sometime during the night. I found her sleeping in it in the morning. She's so funny.

            

      

Ear plugs anyone?

This is what I've had to listen to every night for a week - frogs! Last night at 1 am I had enough of the frogs that live in my yard croaking back at their friends. Like a crazy sleep deprived woman on a mission, I grabbed a net, chased them around and caught them. They've now been relocated to a happy frogland far, far away and won't be croaking outside my window any longer. Now if their friends would just shut up...

Adios!

At 0:16 in the video you can hear a gecko too. They live in the air conditioner in my bedroom. They're a joy in the middle of the night as well. Isn't nature incredible? ;)

Happy Canada Day!

The weather was crappy today. I debated whether or not to go to the beach, but it was Canada Day so rain or no rain I wanted to find some Canadians to celebrate with. Well I got soaked and didn't find any Canadians but I did spot a Canadian flag flying on the beach. Too bad in this pic it looks like an evil Ronald McDonald clown! lol

Here's a new Canada song from Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield and his brother Dave. The video made me homesick. I love Canada.

Happy Canada Day everyone.

In Canada - YouTube video Click here