Construction, Kids, Schools, and Clothes

Some things are the same, (or similar), the world over.

Day broke with doorbells ringing - our Amiga (and housekeeper extraordinaire), Marina and her esposo, David, here to repair the roof.

Marina doesn't just "do" windows, sheets, towels, laundry, and overall cleaning tasks so well that we are still trying to figure out a way to sneak her past the INS and bring her home with us, she also "does" roof repairs and skylight sealing!!!

Marina & David on the roof of the casa

"The Shadow Knows..." roof repair needed

From Ladd's vantage point "up on the roof" as the old Drifter's song title goes, he noticed what appeared to be the start of construction for a new casa near ours.

The lot is on the street between us and "Mi Lola" and much like the only remaining lot on our side of the block, was most aptly described as a mini "jungle" as of 8am this morning.

BUT - that was before the arrival of the "trabajadores con machettes".

Check further down in the blog to see the fantastic results of their efforts.

Have machettes, will work

Even in all the heat, Marina & David still at work

We headed to "The Conrad Center" in our town of Bucerias for their "Roots" Intercultural Community Expo Market held on Wednesdays. This market has local artesans, producers, artists, and chefs. The sales benefit local charities.

Bob & Sandy at the entrance to the "Conrad Center" Market

Bob & Sandy admiring a great "Beetle"

We all had excellent empanadas from this local chef/vendor. From across the room he spotted me "bopping" to the music, and he started smiling & "bopping", too. When we went over to his stand again to chat with him, more fun began!

Our new amigo started doing really great magic tricks! Guess who the "volunteer from the audience" was! LOL

More fun, more amigos in Mexico!

Bob's new office in Mexico

This wonderful, interesting participant in the Bucerias market was raising money to help a poor community build a school. 

This is the organization helping to fund the building of the school.

They are using recycled plastic bottles as "bricks" to build the school! (Can you see that in the picture?) Talk about TRUE reduce, reuse, recycle!!!

Sandy bought an ADORABLE handmade Mexican outfit for her little grandson!

Next we headed to Bucerias "Centro" to walk around. These words painted on one of the buildings really does convey the feeling the Mexican people have shown.

The importance of family and community shown everywhere

Across the street from "Our Lady of Peace" church, a nun sits working on what looked like a dissertation/term paper of some kind. What an awesome spot to do "homework"-ha!

A cute little girl passing through "Centro" on her way home from school.

Riding dirt bikes in the mud! Boys will be boys??!!

This is the lot down from "our" casa totally cleared after only ONE day's work by three men with machettes!

After our Bucerias outing, Sandy and I headed down to the beach for some reading, relaxing, and sun time! Ladd and Bob came to the beach to let us know it was time for happy hour at "Karen's Place".  We met up again with our new friends, Darlene and Rick, and we seemed to pick up right where we left off with the nonstop chatting and fun! 

We had sausages, peppers, and onions for dinner at the casa and called it a night after a busy day!