Confirmation party in Patzcuaro

Yesterday we were delighted to be asked to a confirmation party in Patzcuaro.  Our cleaning lady, Argelia, invited us to her daughter's confirmation.  What picture runs through your mind when I say cleaning lady?   Argelia is a lovely young woman in every way, and has 3 lovely children.  Her daughter, Sammy, had her big day yesterday.  Mass at 8 am (we did not go) and then party at 4 pm.
The hall was in an area that we had never visited.  We took a cab but walked back and as usual in Patzcuaro if you know the way, you walk anywhere in 30 minutes.
Sammy was elegant in her long white gown embroidered with pink roses.  Her hair was up and had a lovely short veiled braided into her hair.  When we arrived the guest of honour was setting snacks on the table!!  Everyone was helping..long gowns and all.  It was a scene reminiscent of my childhood.  Children were expected to help and most of the time enjoyed helping...that was the case yesterday. 
The hall was full by about 5 pm, and most of the guests were children; very different to most events in Canada.  Most families here still consist of 3 or 4 children. 
The music man did his share with the music.  Of course conversation was impossible.
It was fun watching the kids play musical chairs and of course they were all dancing.
The food consisted of blood sausage tacos and carnitas.  Carnitas, in  my estimation, is just a bunch of pork (I don't even know if it can be beef) and usually greasy.  This is washed down with lots of beer.
We left early as we didn't know anyone there, and we certainly needed the walk home.
That was another Mexican experience that we enjoyed and l felt honoured to have been invited.  Now we know another Mexican family that have welcomed us into their lives.

Bob has a BLOG!!

Bob decided to write his own blog.   He has all the technical details about the boat on his blog, so if you are a glutton for the technical aspects of a sailboat this is the place for you to go:  http://prairieboyonaboat.blogspot.com.

Building websites again

For the past month or more I have been building a website for 2 young realtors in Patzcuaro.
It has been a few years since I built a site, so my brain has been at work again, but I have enjoyed the exercise.   As our house is for sale on this site, I can easily make comparisons to other houses.   And I do know the market is slow here, and there are some lovely properties for sale.  Visit the website (http://www.housespatzcuaro.com) and have a look.  Who know?  You might decide to live in Patzcuaro.
By next week we hope to have bought a car here.  It is getting to be a pain having our Canadian car.  Mexico has changed its laws so we have to renew our car permit yearly.  The police also seem to stop you more frequently if you have foreign plates.  We are hoping to donate the van to the Mexican government as it is not worth driving it back to Canada to sell.  It has served us well.
On Nov 27 we will go to Mazatlan.  That should be a pleasant 2 weeks as Bob has worked hard and seems to have most jobs done.  I will do an inventory and decide what we need in the line of household supplies.  Our friends Corinne and Brian will be there and they will return with to Patzcuaro for the Christmas season.  While in Maz, I plan to eat seafood and enjoy the weather.  We will see how that actually turns out.
This Saturday we are attending the first communion of our cleaning ladies' daughter.  I had fun buying a gift for her ...pendant and ear rings in silver and amber.  This is an important occasion in Mexico.  I look forward to meeting Argelia's family and friends.
Today as we were walking we were noticing that many of the trees have lost their leaves.  This area does have its seasons.   Of course the 2 distinct seasons consist of rain and no rain, but there is a hot time from April until June.  To us this time of year seems like summer whereas the Mexicans are wearing scarves and heavier jackets in the morning.  I have yet to wear my leather jacket, but I can see in years to come, I will be aclimatized and will be wearing boots and gloves!!
Life rolls along.  Here was our day today.   Bright sunny morning encouraged a walk.  We walked to our other house and watered.  On our way home, we met about 6 friends and chatted.  I had my haircut ($6.00) and then we went out for lunch.  At about 2 pm we arrived back home.  Our house was clean as Argelia had been to work her magic.  For the rest of the afternoon, I puttered and read.

This photo was taken from our terrace in the summer just as a storm was coming into town.

Patches is ready to sail!!



Patches in his new life jacket!

Here it is November already.  When November arrives, sailing is on the horizon.

Bob has been in Mazatlan working on the boat.  From what he has said, it seems the boat is almost ready to go.   He has updated electronics, bought a new mainsail, and who knows what else.  Bob now has his own blog where he will be posting the 'technical aspects' of our venture.  I will ad his blog address when he gives me the okay.

This past week in Patzcuaro has been loco (nuts).  People flock here for the 'Day of the Dead' festivities.  There is a fabulous market in the grand plaza.  I have been there more or less every day, making my purchases.  The goods for sale are mainly hand made, and range from clothing to furniture with everything in between.

I have my eye on a small cantera stone lady but I did not want to pay the price quoted on Monday.  Today I will go and make a new offer.  There is not a lot of bargaining going on, but as the week progresses, the prices do come down as the vendors do not want to have to wrap everything to return home.

Autumn is here...the leaves started falling last week.  And of course autumn brings the lovely weather....sunny days and cool nights.  I have been enjoying our fireplace!  Most nights I can be found reading by the fireplace.

Reading brings me to my purchase of a Kindle.  What a neat gadget that is.  I bought in September and have downloaded 60 books, and read over 40.   With Bob away and me with my Kindle, the TV is seldom on.

For the past month I have been building a website.  I built a small site to advertise our house (we are selling the house on Calle Veapani).  That led to my building a site for our real estate agents.

Please visit the site:   www.housespatzcuaro.com.   They have about 50 properties and several rentals.  Ricardo and Alejandro are great guys  (fluent in English and Spanish) and very ready to help you with your real estate needs.

It has been fun building the site as it has encouraged me to pick up a few new skills.