Friends from Victoria!

Wayne and Pat from Victoria are staying in the Akumal area but took the collectivo to Playa del Carmen where I picked them up and brought them to Puerto Morelos for the day. We did a driving tour of PM and then had lunch at John Gray's Mother In Laws - thanks guys! Then it was back to the casa for a visit with the menagerie.


Drove them back to their all inclusive in Akumal - Grand Sirenis - very modern! Here is a shot from their balcony overlooking a very lush jungle area.


In case you thought my little dog house was pretty pathetic, I snuck out last night and suprised Botas who was very happily ensconsed on his Winnie the Pooh blanket....so there!!!

Animals and Olympics

Ok, as you know, I rescued the street dog, Botas, from certain death at the pound. So I have been keeping him in our courtyard - first the front, where he terrorized all the cats and wouldn't let them come in to eat. So put him in the back, where he pooed on the rim of the pool......OMG! So I got some plywood and screws and built him a quasi doghouse in the front right beside the water tank - covered, with a side piece for the rain, and a new green carpet and Pooh bear blanket. Doesn't look like much, but building doghouses is not my forte. He likes it, which is the main thing.


Then I had to convince the cats that they could come into the back patio to eat (some of them walk all the neighbourhood walls, so they are immune to dogs. Smart kitties. I made a wooden ramp for them, but as you can see it is too steep and so far no cat has ventured down it. Plan B - I will have to do a platform half way down somehow......hmmm!

Thursday night was the Canada-US Women's hockey game......what a great effort by our gals - and THIS is why I gave up touques when I was a kid! Go Canada!!! Another Gold medal!

It was all too much for Chi'ik, who went mad during the game, running around and cheering, but kittens just run out of steam and fall asleep wherever they land - this happened to be under a chair on the floor. Go Canada!!!!!!

Tragedy in PM

Last Thursday, while many of us were at the fundraiser for the local school, a terrible fire destroyed the home of Danny and Cecilia, a young couple who ran the Pizza and Love restaurant in town, and severly burned both people. Danny's young son and mother were at the fundraiser, and very sadly, Danny passed away the next day, as his burns were so extensive. Cecilia is still in hospital and on Sunday there were no less than 3 fundraisers held to help both families deal with the medical bills.

The Cantina Habernero devoted 50% of its food take and the staff and band donated their time that evening. Thanks to Ed and his crew for his kindness and generosity. The fundraising will help cover Danny's medical expenses, and help to pay Cecilias, which mount every day. She is recovering slowly. Puerto Morelos showed its tender heart this week - everyone came to help, whether they knew the couple or not, and ongoing support will be there for the long haul. We are all shocked and saddened by this terrible event, but the love is strong. THIS is why I love this little town!!!!



The second fundraiser was held at John Gray's Mother In Laws on the beach, where musicians played, donating their time, a percentage of the food money was donated, and 2 raffles were held for dinners at either Hola Asia or any of John Grays restaurants. In addition, everyone put money in a collection pot. Thanks to Cat and John Gray for their generous support.



You may recognize these musicians - they are the house band for the Cantina Bistro, on Rojo Gomez. Wonderful guitar and singing.
The 3rd fundraiser was in the evening, held in the town square, and hosted by Bara Bara, a local bar, and Anuncia's, the coffee bar. Every musician known to PM made an appearance, played some music, and the donation pot made its rounds many times. It was a very warm night, and I have never seen so many people crowding the town square. Everyone donated - including generous tourists who had just arrived and learned of the tragedy.

Today there is a memorial for Danny on the beach in Puerto Morelos.

Saturday night!

Chi'ik and I like to watch the Olympics at home, either through the internet connection or on our local channel. As you can see, he was intent on the ski jumping......!







Saturday night after working at the bookstore, headed next door to David Lau's to catch the Men in Blues with Jill. The place was packed - partly because they were recording and filming this session (and next Saturday's - their last night in town...sob!) for their new cd. It was, as always, a great show and we danced our buns off!


All the musicians are very accomplished, from drummer, to guitar to bass to keyboard.


Great job decorating, Valorie - the place looked fabulous, which just added to a wonderful night!!!

The Great Dog Rescue!

So you all know we have been feeding and caring for this mangy stray dog, Botas (Boots, for his 4 white feet!). Very sweet dog who we saw last year, but his family moved and left him. Sigh. We have been dealing with mange, parasites, fleas, worms and being undernourished. Just when we get him so much better the pound comes along and does a sweep. Picks up any stray dog they find, Botas being one of them.

Today I got directions to the pound in Cancun from Diane and headed off to find him. After getting lost only once, I found the place and the guy took me to the pens. Sure enough, when he saw me he just went berserk, jumping and smiling and trying to leap through the bars. I sprung him for $30 Canadian, which included him getting a rabies shot before he left, and he lept into the front seat as if he had always been there.

This is one very happy dog riding shotgun in the Tracker on the way home to Puerto Morelos!



He will now stay in our front courtyard, and I will get a leash and take him for walks often. The 10 cats will work out sharing the yard, and he will have an appointment at Dr. Jorge's next week to get snipped - no more running after females!!!!

School fundraiser

Despite uncertain weather, the 6th Annual Fundraiser for the elementary school in PM was held on Thursday night. There were many fine entertainers, and I understand I just missed an amazing young boy who sang up a storm. These two, Rosie and I am embarrassed to say I don't know this fellow's name, sing beautifully together.

Steve and Jan did their wonderful duo including folk and latin music.

This Mayan man had a wonderful voice, was selling his cds and played bravely even as the rain started to sprinkle. People got up to do an anti-rain dance and it worked - the impending rain stopped!

After the fundraiser, we headed to David Lau's to listen to John Cooker - an amazing blues singer and guitarist who comes here from Minnesota every year to play for 2 or 3 months. Tonight he was joined by AJ - a tourist with an impressive set of mouth organs who was just as amazing as John. It was a great evening of fine music!

Carnival in Puerto Morelos

All over Mexico, Carnival in February is a great event. It lasts several days and includes parades, concerts, dances, and lots of wonderful food everywhere. To see the Carnival album of pics, go to:

http://picasaweb.google.com/daffinparksville/carnivalinpuertomorelos










The "floats" were varying stages of decoration, but they were all filled with happy singing people, celebrating!




This truck load of fruit were very amusing!


This was probably the most expansive float, filled with dancers!