Its a mesa!

Another popular stop on the guided tour of our place is our dining table. When we shopped around last winter, we didn’t find anything we liked, and ended up using a plastic patio table. My intention was to build one (another “why not?” project).
One day this past summer as we wandered through a used furniture store up in Guelph, I found an old oak dining table, somewhat similar to the one we disposed of when we went home-free three years ago. I knew that they come apart for transport and convinced Susan we could do something with it. It was in rough shape, but the price was right. It also had a cheesy scroll pattern around the perimeter.

Heck, we can paint it, and the edge pattern, well, you can see that Susan had some fun with it. If you have seen some of the painted Mayan carvings, they look a bit like this pattern. Go figure.

Cabinets are in, knob-less.

To come back to the saga of our kitchen, the cabinets now have doors. After many discussions and trying several colours, we went with this glossy red. A bit bright, but if not here in Mexico, where? After many days of filling, sanding, and painting, they were ready for hinges. But not yet ready for handles or knobs. To this point we have tried out about a dozen different kinds.
Since we have gone this far, carefully being all hand-made, we think that some regular knob won’t quite do. We (Susan) will likely be creating them from Fimo resin. We’ve looked around but can’t find Fimo anywhere here. So there’s a project for the summer and the fall. Like mañana, eh?

Building a library.

There is a Mayan village, Chompon, down here, that has been adopted by people in Paamul. It is about an hour down the highway, and a couple of kilometers inland in to the jungle. About 600 people live there, and it has a public school with six classrooms.
For several years, some people have been donating supplies to the school and this year, with funds raised here in Paamul, we are building a library.
It took a while to go through some official hoops, but led by Cindy, and our hardworking neighbour, Dale, plans were drawn up, a location was chosen and work has begun.
So far Dale and his volunteers have made about five trips to the village with work crews of us old gringos. First we cleared the area, then marked out the foundation, built some forms, then mixed and poured a foundation. Then the uneven terrain was filled with rocks and calica (relleno or fill) and tamped down.
Then we built more forms around the perimeter, and yesterday, we poured a concrete floor slab over the whole thing.
It sounds simple when I write it out, but here are  some of the complications we ran into.
First of all, the building supplies: cement blocks, loads of gravel, sand and calica were delivered to the east side of the school where the library was first intended to go, and had to all be carted by wheelbarrows to other west side. Good thing we had lots of men, as this is heavy work for old guy’s back and muscles.
The terrain, like all  of the Yucatan, is uneven stretches of limestone with a few inches of dirt here and there. To mark out the site, we were drilling holes and driving in pieces of re-bar. Then trying to set the forms along these lines, was a jigsaw of boards and cement blocks and rocks to precariously hold them in place long enough for the base concrete to set.
To fill the site, we carried loads of rocks, and then countless wheelbarrows of calica, which was tamped down with the motorized tamper. The Mayan way, which was used building our palapa, it to use lots of water and a manual tamper. In the interest of time, Dale rented a motorized tamper which turned out to have the personality of a bucking horse. I ran it for a while, and found it really needed a firm grip to control it. Another of our guys, Bill, was at the reins for a while when he got too near the edge and it bucked on him jumping onto his foot, then tossing him over on to the rocks. Battered and bruised, he took off his shoe where he found his big toe mashed. He was taken off to the local clinic, where they gave him some pain killers, and removed the hanging toe nail, and bandaged him up real nice. Nothing broken but big ouch!
For the big pour of the slab yesterday, Dale rented a motorized mixer, and this time we had four hired local guys to help us out. Even though the motor died half  way through, and took almost an hour to get going again, we managed to finish the pour before 4 pm, and tired and dirty but satisfied, we headed home.
Today the forms were removed and we will now hire some local tradesmen to put up the cement block walls. I understand the finishing will happen in the fall, when we all get back. One of our guys, Bill, who got his toe mashed, already had a big donation from the Ontario teachers Assn., for a god supply of library books. It will be nice to get them on to the shelves.

Vive Fiesta!

The Phil & Heidi Fiesta last Friday was a good example of this special winter community. To my mind Paamul is big enough and yet small enough.
Paamul is big enough to have all kinds of different activities, all kinds of subgroups. At the peak of winter, PM fills all of its 200 rv sites. There are the Paamulians of the North side of the park, and South side, the Beach fronters and the Jungle street folks. We mix it up on the beach, at the sports, walking our dogs. The restaurant is a popular meeting place, especially during the weekly or bi weekly karaoke nights. Most of the major holidays are observed with special menus and entertainment at the restaurant. There are several daily Happy Hour groups (and a weekly AA group).
I’ve previously mentioned the music and exercise groups. I hear tell about poker and other regular card games around. And yoga and bible study.
Then there are the divers. Paamul has a popular dive shop, with several dive masters and a loaded boat going out twice a day.

And PM is small enough for most of us to get together for special occasions.
The Thanksgiving potluck (US November dates) is held at our local church when it is a good time to meet our returning neighbors and friends.
The other mega-night is the Phil & Heidi Party, which recognizes their two birthdays and their wedding anniversary which all occur with a couple days in early March. P&H have been here for 12 years and have been involved in a lot of the goings on here. Heidi is a natural green thumb spreading her plants throughout the park. She also coordinates regular art shows. Phil is an unmistakable presence if not only because he is so tall, and vocal (loud) and old, but still playing horseshoes and volleyball. He is also the chief crab wrangler -- collecting and keeping the collection of hermit crabs run in the biweekly crab races.

The Phil & Heidi Party is a good time to celebrate the nearing end of the winter, maybe seeing some people for the last time.

The Sounds of Musica!

The hills (PM beach community) have been alive with the sounds of music.
When we first got here three years ago, I hooked up with a group of guitar players meeting once a week to share some songs and guitar licks. We were meeting for an hour or two at Kevin’s palapa. Kevin had been a working musician back in the day and had recorded and charted some tunes with a group. Kevin’s proficiency in finger picking is awesome. He tried to teach us “Travis picking” but I never cracked the code on that.
However, playing and singing with others re-ignited my strumming persona from my folk-singing youth. Back then I had been a busy fish in a small pond when it came to leading singalongs of the early 60’s traditional tunes. But I got tired of the repeats of “Tom Dooley” and gave it up.
The Paamul guitar group and the internet changed all that. I was now going to several web sites, downloading all kinds of lyrics and building a an all-new songbook.

Then last year we moved our group over to Butch’s palapa. Butch had been a working musician for most of his life, playing in various country bands throughout the bars of Southern Ontario. He favors Waylon, Willie and the boys, and it is a gas to strum in rhythm along with his country classics. This group, usually four or five - including Joe and Mike, have been meeting twice a week, playing and singing (sometimes saangin’).
Then it became time to step it up. One of our guys, Jim, is a fledgling bass guitar player. Jim and I got it into our minds to form a band (a first for both of us). We decided to work on a few songs that we could learn well enough to perform in public. The idea was to make our debut at a big annual party here in the park, Phil & Heidi’s fiesta. I also asked another neighbor, Sue-Ellen to join me for some harmonies. 

  
Well Friday was it. The fiesta was on and we were on the program. Our short five song set went by quite well it seemed -- no major mistakes at least, and we had fun. Susan says we did all right. So now the world looks different -- or maybe I’ve taken to wearing rose coloured glasses like Elton John.
Everywhere I turn, I am sponging up the guitar singer thing. Watching the Olympics closing ceremonies, there was good old Neil Young all alone putting out a simple, haunting “Long may you Run”. A few minutes later, I had captured the lyrics off the net. And with the Idol contestants playing with guitars, I am sitting with pen and paper at hand in case a good tune shows up. Who knows, I may soon turn the corner into the sounds of the 21st  century.

Deportes (Sports)

In case you were worried about us, life here is not all about working and watching TV or lying in the sun. Yesterday and today were lovely days for getting out there and working up a sweat.
This is especially meant for my blog readers from the cold north.

A typical sports menu here in Paamul:
7 a.m, horseshoes, where there are always a bunch of guys pichin’ the ‘shoes. Some day I might join in but not yet.
First thing in the morning, there are also groups doing yoga, arobics, and qi gong.

Two or three times a week, around 8:15 we go into town for tennis. There are two public sports parks “Unidad Deportiva”  in Playa with tennis courts. Usually we get on right away and play for a couple of hours until it gets too hot.

Susan is not a tennis player but joins the dozens of morning walkers, some even without dogs. She often checks out the water, to see the wave action and then returns for a snorkel trip out to the reef.

The most regular sport here in the afternoon is volleyball ,which happens every day at 3. We have two man- made courts, each with a modest coat of sand which eventually packs down until we dig it up and or add more sand. There are usually enough players to make up three, and sometimes four teams. It’s a good work-out and can be hard on my arthritic joints. With the help of a couple anti-inflamatories I try not to miss playing.

Then every other Tuesday morning, we v’ballers convoy about 15 minutes south to another beach, Xpu-Ha, where they have a nice wide beach of soft sand. We set up our portable net and ropes, and play, swim, play, eat, and play some more. Yesterday we had 8 matches, ending aroud 3 p.m. I really enjoy it, though I’m too short to spike. I can set pretty well, but am struggling with the bump. (volleyball talk).
So that leaves but a little time in the day for working, eating, reading and napping. Oh, yes and music.

Young Glory!!!

Susan is a big figure skating fan. For years she has followed all the main competitions going at least as far back as Toller Cranston. (you know we saw his house in San Miguel de Allende, where he lives now and does his art?) The Kurt Browning years were transcendent, and we lived and died with Sale & Peltier, and their drama at the Salt Lake Olympics.
So last night we stayed up ‘til near midnight to catch the Free Dance finals where our couple, Tessa Virtue & Scott Moir had a chance ( they were 2nd after the compulsory dance, and had a narrow lead after the original )
How wonderful! It was magic! It was perfection! The young elfin couple, who had skated together since they were 7 and 9 years old twirled and glided like feathers on a breeze.
Their scores were a resounding first, and we were clapping and cheering as though we were there.
Some of you know that I was a pro photographer for our years in Vancouver, where I covered many events. Just capturing a few images off our tv screen, brought me right back to the feeling that I was there.
Yes, our hockey teams have a chance, and both our men’s and ladies’ curling teams are leading the round robins, but Susan says we can relax now. It may not get any better than this.

Paamulians go for Gold...

The Yucatan got into the Olympic spirit Monday as the Paamul Olympics joined the Games of Vancouver 2010.
Our IOC organizing committee, Dale, Sue, Ron, Sandy, Dave and Brenda put in many hours devising and designing the afternoon of competition and fun. In addition there were another dozen volunteer IOC officials who kept scores, and tried to keep the order.
In all there were 80 players divided into 8 “countries”, along with several cheer leading squads.  Each team had a t-shirt colour and a came up with a fictitious country name such as Rango Tango (orange), Thongo (white), Turtleonia (green), ROOF - Republic of old Farts (pink), Principality of Merlot (red), Blue Paradise (blue), Terra Nova (yellow), and our team the Pirates of Neverland (black).
As well each team added to their costumes, designed a flag, and brought an anthem or cheer.
The Games began with the arrival of the torch, carried by Richard, one of the oldest residents of Paamul, who then led us on a parade around the park, and then to the events:

1. Snow Plowing Relay Race (grabbing a handful of sand from your bucket, racing back and passing it hand to hand, then back to try filling your wine bottle)
2. Harpoon throw (with those spongy swimming noodles)
3. X Country skiing (in tandem groups of 5 strapped to long 2x4 boards)
4. Snowball Toss (a snowbird rv park classic - golf balls on a string tossed at the ‘ladder’ - they always fly off)
5. Hockey shot (another snowbird classic - washers toss)
6 Curling (with bumpy coconuts)
7. Icicle Melt (a team effort to run a frozen balloon on a string through all your team’s clothing, top to bottom, and all the way out again)
8. Aerials (throwing and catching small balloons filled with water, oops- splash)

All afternoon the park was ringing with chants and cheers as team spirit, fueled with a little of the other spirits swept through our participants and fans. The competitions were mostly on the silly side -- I have spent many hours on a curling rink growing up in Saskatchewan, but was dismayed when my rock (triangular coconut) did not reach the rings. Well, we had no sweepers, eh.
Can you imagine trying to get distance with those flimsy curved swimming floats in the Harpoon Toss?  Even the “classics” like the golf ball toss and washers take way more luck than skill, I’m convinced. ie. I scored no points on those.

The Icicle Melt brought our team closer, as we ended up tied together running a single string through all our shirts and shorts -- just following the rules, ya know?
The cross country skiing was a challenge, but a little planning and good team coordination with our coach calling out the ‘left’, “right” our Pirates easily prevailed in our heat. A couple of our members who had never played washers before tossed in 5’s adding big points to oour score. I think we won the Harpoon Toss and placed in a couple others too. Which brings us to the Finale and Awards.

We gathered back at the Centre for BBQ and more fellowship as the Ceremonies. Somehow each team got a congeniality award, as in best song, flag, costume, cheer, most enthusiastic, most obnoxious, etc. All good fun.

And now for the real hardware, the medals for total team scores:
    Bronze: Rango Tango
    Silver: Principality of Merlot
    and GOLD to THE PIRATES OF NEVERLAND
    Hey, that was us!
    “We never give up! We never lose! We never grow up!  We’re the Pirates of Never, Never, Neverland!” “-- Arrgh, Argrh, Arrrgrh!!!”

We're in the movies...

This little film was made about a year ago. It shows a fair picture of our winter home. Yes it is a lovely beach, a good pool, restaurant, and they didn't include our well-regarded dive shop.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5mTDCJHYmO8&feature=related

If the above link doesn't go through, go to YouTube and search for:
Paamul Rv Park
www.youtube.com

Measure twice, cut once...

I have chosen to build the doors for the cabinets and drawers. A bunch more work, but -- in for a penny...etc. 

It actually came down to style. We spent a morning touring several of our neighbors’ kitchens to get a few ideas and inspiration. Then I was reading out Ikea catalogue and realized that what we wanted was different to anything we had seen. So a few sketches and after more visits to our local lumber yards, I built a sample and we were off.
Once again learning on the go, especially about careful measuring, and accurate cutting. Measure twice, etc.
My little cordless circular saw did great service, but the key tools came borrowed from our handyman neighbors, Bob, Guy, Dale and Don. It could not have happened without their contributions of clamps and straight edges, sanders and especially Guy’s new chop saw. Adding the thin strips of border each of the 23 doors could only happen by being able to cut the precise lengths on each of the strips of wood. Yay, chop saw.
Susan has been away for a week, in Ontario visiting the kids and new granddaughter. Most of the mess will be cleared up for her return tomorrow. We hope.

January gone...

Somehow the month slipped away with no more posting. A lot going on, some relaxing, some fun, but I’ll start with a work report.
Have now built all our kitchen cabinets, adding three more over the stove. They each have recessed lighting under their lower lips.
And I built drawers, two banks of drawers, one on each side of the sink. This was the first time I had ever done drawers. Had to learn how they all went together. Only three of the seven drawers are cutlery-sized, the other four are quite large, so I went with heavy duty all-metal sliders. And I learned how they had to be built within tight tolerances for the slides to work -- like within a 1/16 of an inch side to side.  With a lot of measuring, and a little shimming, they work!
We're not done yet, as we haven’t designed / chosen / built or ordered to be built the cabinet doors and drawer fronts. We have spoken to a local cabinet maker (Marcos, the guy who last year built and installed our doors). I’m sure he would give it a dandy final look, but somehow I am reluctant to give up, having brought the project this far myself.

But no parkas...

For our recent visitors, my sister and her husband from Alberta, the weather was just right. They were more afraid of it being TOO hot. So the sub-60F (15C) mornings were fine for them. They are not drawn into the water either, though we did find one lovely afternoon for a stroll and a brief dip into the sea along Yan Ten.  And it was good weather for sight-seeing without getting wilted.
Even on 5th Ave, most people were in jackets.
They chose two major outings - a day at Xcaret, and a bus tour to Chichen Itza.
Xcaret is just a couple kilometers from Paamul, so we dropped them off and they took a taxi home. They loved it, lots to see, lots to read about, lots to eat ( they indulged a bit at the buffet, and while they are small eaters, they sampled almost everything). The highlight for them, as it was for us last year, was the evening show. It is a two hour musical extravaganza with a cast of hundreds depicting the whole history of the country and its culture.
The bus tour to Chichen Itza worked out well too. I dropped them off at a pickup point in Playacar at 8:20 and they rode in a big comfortable bus. The price included an entertaining commentary along the ride, a stop for a buffet lunch, with some dance entertainment, guided tour of the famous Mayan ruin, and a stop at a cenote on the way back. Return to Playa was about 7:30.
Just in time for a late dinner at one of our favorite Mexican eateries, El Fogon.