We’re getting ready to leave Maz. The boys, Ellen and I have been here for 2.5 months and I’m more than ready to leave. I have an heat rash which is getting worse each day (well, I hope it is a heat rash and not hives, but they do itch…) and Jamie is cranky with humidity. I think Michael might be cranky when we leave the beach, but next year he can enjoy Mexican beaches. I haven’t been on the beach, even though we’re camped right at it, for quite a while. I joined Jamie and the girls on the beach tonight, for sunset, and as the sea filled my nostrils and I breathed deeply, letting the moist sea air fill my lungs. There honestly is nothing like the smell of the sea.
I’m finishing up my dental work; I had a root canal and a post put in (for a bridge later on) but between all the dentist vacations (and 4 day weekends) and dental assistant vacations, it has taken a while just to get this far. The kids are done; they have had their exams, their cavities filled, their cleanings and their sealants. The dentist was so very gentle and caring of the kids and I highly recommend him. He is probably one of the highest priced dentists in the city, but well under 1/2 the price of dental procedures in the US.
Yesterday I splurged and we took an open air taxi to the dentist instead of driving yesterday and the kids LOVED it. Sissy had never been on one and spent the whole drive looking out at the world flying by. That taxista took 15 minutes off our normal journey time. Ellen was so tired she actually fell asleep on the driver over, but once we arrived at the dentist she was ready to swim. Nothing like a refreshing dip to cut the humidity and heat of summer. We’ve been off the beach for a good week; the jellyfish have arrived and Ellen has been “bitten” 4 times and Jamie twice, which just seems to be so unfair; now that the weather is truly sweltering with temperatures in the 90’s and humidity in the 80 percent daily, we NEED the beach. So we’ve been having water fights and dunking our collective heads and washing LOTS of stuff that needs washing.
My repaired computer has been making a long journey from California to Mazatlan (I HOPE!) for a good week. It was sent via FedEx last Saturday, but sat in Mexican customs until all the necessary paperwork had been sent in. When I called this morning to find out why the status continues, for over a day to report “delivery exception”, the agent (who I’ve been working with, I think there are two? working for FedEx in Mexico) informed me that that meant it was “enroute to Mazatlan”. I told him I was glad I’d called him because my English was getting really bad; I NEVER would have understood “enroute to Mazatlan” from “delivery exception”. He told me that sometimes you have trouble translating. He’s a funny guy. Hopefully it honestly WILL show up tomorrow; since FedEx doesn’t personally go all the way to Mazatlan, they outsource the delivery to a courier once it leaves Guadalajara.
Saturday we leave for Teacapan or Tepic; Jamie still isn’t sure. He’s the boss, so we all await his decision. We’ll slowly head to Puebla after a long visit (a week?) at Patzcuaro and then over to Oaxaca and then we’ll see if we have time for San Cristobol. Might have to wait for next year. We’re thinking that we’ll play around Mexico until August; spend August in the New Mexico and Chama (Colorado) area, then head up to Indiana to the AmeriCamp mothership, some time visiting family and friends in Wisconsin and Minnesota and then (shockingly!) back down to Mexico in December. We’re wondering if it might be possible to do Tday in Minneapolis…
So that’s the long and the short of it, Jamie and I are better than ever and Michael and the rest of us are adapting. He really isn’t hard to adapt to, but it is an adjustment. I don’t know why I’m surprised…
10 responses so far ↓
1 jody2ms // May 26, 2006 at 8:35 am
So good to see you post! I can imagine it is a bit of an adjustment. Especially after so long apart, and adding another warm body to the mix.
So you won’t be heading to the Yucatan this time? I think Bill and I are heading there at the end of August. Time for Mexico to teach us how to relax!
2 michelle // May 26, 2006 at 9:57 am
I haven’t even read it yet - just so excited there is something new!
3 michelle // May 26, 2006 at 10:05 am
We would love to have you all for T-Day. We should have the carraige house finished by then, so there will be even more room to ramble around in. So, we won’t be seeing you in July - correct? We are heading up to the lake house this weekend to meet Slade’s bro and family and our friends Ian & Diane and their three kids. We are supposed to have nice weather - high 80’s. So, the boat might be coming out. The last few times I’ve been up I wasn’t able to walk around much and I’m looking forward to taking a walk on the new property. I don’t think I’m brave enough for the ATV’s. Thanks for posting w/ pics too!
4 DeeDee // May 26, 2006 at 5:31 pm
Man, I would roast in that hot weather. Chuck would be grouchy to with a lot of humitity. He sweats like a pig in oil when the humitiy comes up. I bet you have heat rash Kathy. Do they have gold bond in Mexico? That helps heat rash alot.
Glad to see your post. Hope that everyone is adjusting better. It is so hard when someone else comes in to a family to be a family member. Puts a strain on emotionally, fiancially, and physicialy in a small trailer. Have you a way to get a tent? Maybe if he had a tent to set up it would be easier. He could have some “space” and so could you all. Just a thought as I have been there to. Talk at you later.
5 Tara // May 26, 2006 at 6:21 pm
Hey, when you hit NM/Colorado, can we all meet up at Pagosa Springs and have fun? Or go camping somewhere, or something? We’re needing to go on another trip soonish and the kids still talk about seeing you guys!
6 Working Gringos // May 28, 2006 at 7:08 am
Be careful on that road up to Tepic. We took that a few years ago in our SUV and were saying our prayers once we got up to town. Its a lovely town (Tepic) and there were Huichol Indians in the town square selling their beautiful yarn paintings. A painting we bought from them was the first bit of Mexican indigenous art we bought for ourselves here and we still treasure it. But the road is narrow, people are in a hurry to get up it. We think its the most dangerous road we took in our entire adventure from California to Yucatan.
Looking forward to hearing about more of your adventures!
7 Ta-ta's sigo // May 28, 2006 at 8:39 am
Don’t feel bad, Kit-Kat. In our co-dependency classes your Mother and I were taught to understand that families can be viewed as a system. Your family’s system had to adjust to the relatively long absence of Jamie and Caroline, and then to adjust not just to their return but to their return with a new member. Of course there are stresses and strains and it takes time for the new system to develop and come into an entirely new balance it never before had to achieve….
love, dad
8 Mamahops // May 28, 2006 at 9:47 pm
Thanks Jody. I doubt we’ll get to the Yucatan this year and I think I might opt out of San Cristobol (but we might get to Oaxaca). We are planning on coming back in December, so we’ll head to Maz for dental work and then book to the Carribean and San Cristobol then. I’m so glad to read about Bill.
The boys are really excited about seeing the boys for Tday so I’m glad you guys are up for it. I remember Tday 2004 when it snowed and I think the boys are expecting the same.
I’m glad you’re doing better; I’m still a little stunned as I expect you are too. Love to S and the boys!
DeeDee I’m hoping it will go away with the humidity (and altitude) in the next few days, but if not, I will look for gold bond. It goes from my neck to my pelvis and is getting awful. We actually brought a VW Westfalia (campervan) down for Michael, so he has his own space. I think it is really hard for him; he’s been on his own and I know he is lost when it comes to our and the family needs.
Tara I would LOVE to meet up with you guys; we’ll plan our trip through SF and probably stay out in the Espanola area unless we can stay at the llama farm or something.
Of course, you’re right, Dad. It is hard to remember all the adjusting and re-adjusting we’re doing (and need to do).
9 DeeDee // May 28, 2006 at 10:28 pm
Kathy, That rash sounds a lot like the rash I got when we were in Mississippi in the middle of summer. It was a heat rash, I sure hope that is “all” it is. They are sure a pain. You know, I have a feeling that Michael will become just another person in the family soon. It would be really hard on him with four children around after not haveing kids around. And if he has never had kids, then he is in another world!! Tell the kids they need to give michael lots of love. Gee, the camper van sounds great. He really does have his own house.
When your in the Yuctan next December, we have to get together and meet. I am sure I will know what part your in as I feel like a stocker of your family with your wonderful post.
Hope you all are heading for cooler weather.
10 Mamahops // Jun 3, 2006 at 8:13 pm
DeeDee, I’m sure it is heat rash and yes they are a pain. It seems to be getting better with salt water immersion (swimming) and air conditioning (when the electrical grid will tolerate it - only during the day). Michael is in another world and we’re starting to mesh. You’re right; I never considered it from his POV. I’m looking forward to seeing you in the Yucatan next winter; I’m almost positive we HAVE to go to PaaMul.
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