Hell’s Half Acre

Musings from the Caribbean

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It’s a good thing we live in Mexican time

February 20th, 2008 · 6 Comments

Some time ago (don’t remember, but more than a week, could be two) I ordered a part from the brand new Ford dealership in town. I put 1/2 down (140 pesos) for a new car door lock. They expected it in 10 days and were going to call me when it got in. I went back a little while ago and the person in control was at lunch. Again, they’ll call. I think we’ll go back today and see if it is gathering dust somewhere.

The day that the brand spanking new City Club opened, I got a free eye exam and ordered two boxes of contacts. That was probably the first week of January. I put 1/2 down (250 pesos) and was to have been called when they arrived. We go to City Club at least once a week, so I recently stopped in (it had been over a month since I ordered) and checked on the status; they still hadn’t arrived and the optician was alarmed it had been so long. Eh, we’re in Mexico, right? She was going to get right on it and call me Monday (that was a week ago the day before yesterday). I think we’ll stop by soon and see how it’s going.

My dentist created a new tooth for me from composite and ordered a post to begin the crown work. This was at least a couple weeks ago. I really expected him to contact me by now but maybe he just got sick. I’ve also been meaning to email him but just haven’t gotten around to it. Maybe today.

Our Costco membership expires on Friday and according to the last person we spoke to (Costco Cancun) we could only receive our 2% rebate on the exact day of expiration. Not such a huge deal and I’m sure it can be circumvented (if, in fact, it is correct) but we’ll head there today to get tires for the van and see what we can do about the membership. We don’t use it much down here anymore (with all the stores in Playa) but we do in the US.

We are waiting for a quote from one contratista for our cement cabinets in the kitchen. Don Manuel (who did our recamera and other cement work last year) came by yesterday, but since he didn’t show up on Monday, I had started the job of tile removal and didn’t want to turn it over to him. He also gave us a kind of high quote so I’ll let him think about it before I negotiate with him. We’ll probably get going on Thursday (unless he continues to show up a couple days after he’s supposed to) or next Monday. Of course, if the guy I think will come in really high comes in at a reasonable rate, we might have him do it. I know Manuel is hungrier though and the other guy has lots of work lined up, so I’m leaning towards Manuel anyway. Jamie wondered yesterday if we couldn’t do the work ourselves (considering all the concrete work I’ve been doing anyway).

Around the first week of January I ordered some medical transcription materials. The company had some trouble communicating the invoice to the importer (Merkalink) and after much negotiation and emails and calls, the package was cleared yesterday. It is in San Luis Potosi as I type and you can follow the journey here.

And that is Mexico on Mexican time.

Tags: Mexico

6 responses so far ↓

  • 1 Dr Paul // Feb 20, 2008 at 5:15 pm

    We first ran into Mexican Time in San Felipe, while we waited for the Christmas Parade to begin. The publicized time of 5.30p passed and no one, except us, had a concern. The folks in the crowd chatted, the kids played, the vendors vended, etc. By 7.30p and no parade we had pretty much got into it. What difference did it make if the parade started at 5.30 or 7.30 - enjoy today as it comes to you. Kathleen’s email signature pretty much says it well:

    Look to this day!
    For it is life, the very life of life.
    In its brief course lie all the verities and realities of your existence;
    The bliss of growth,
    The glory of action,
    The splendor of achievement.
    For yesterday is but a dream and tomorrow is only a vision.
    But today, well lived, makes every yesterday a dream of happiness,
    And every tomorrow a vision of hope.
    Look well, therefore, to this day.
    * ~ Sanskrit Proverb *

    love, papa

  • 2 jody // Feb 21, 2008 at 7:36 am

    It used to take me about 24 hours to adjust to Mexico time, but now when we go (which the last time has been way, way too long)I get into it on the plane after my first drink.

    I love your moon pics….it was overcast and foggy here, so we missed the eclipse. We’ll catch it in 2010!

  • 3 michelle // Feb 21, 2008 at 10:56 pm

    AMAZING photos. we grabbed a quick glance at it as we ran outside to look, but then ran right back in as it was -8 outside. it was still a beauty!

  • 4 Kerry // Feb 27, 2008 at 8:44 am

    OHHH!!! Your eclipse photos are great Kathy!!! My girl did a science fair project on the moon and when we get back from the fair this evening I’ll have to show her. Just gorgeous!

    You can see her project on my blog btw - click on the pics and you can blow them up to read it.

  • 5 Christina // Feb 28, 2008 at 12:01 am

    Loved the eclipse pics too. How did you do it? Love to all, C

  • 6 jody // Mar 5, 2008 at 11:19 am

    I was listening to some Buffett this morning and was reminded of your post about Mexico time.

    OOhhhh Mexico, baby!!!!

    Way down here
    You need a reason to move
    Feel a fool
    Running your stateside games
    Lose your load
    Leave your mind behind
    Baby, james

    Oooh, mexico
    It sounds so simple
    I just got to go
    The sun’s so hot
    I forgot to go home
    I guess i’ll have to go now

    Americanos’ got the sleepy eyes
    But his body’s still shakin’ like a live wire
    Senorita with her eyes on fire
    Don’t you know

    Ohh Mexico
    It sounds so sweet
    With the sun sinking low
    The moons so bright
    Likes to light up the night
    Make everything alright.

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