Sometimes things show up that just make you chuckle, surprise you or that you shake your head in amazement, as in, “How in the world???” Here are some musings on that kind of thing here in Punta Abreojos, or Mexico, as I have experienced it so far:
~Did you know that here the twisty ties on things like bread are all twisted the opposite way from those in the US? Sorta explains the hot/cold faucet handles being ‘backwards’ too!
They have ice cream too, and it’s pretty tasty. Being a former employee of Baskin Robbins (when I was 16) I can assert that their scooping technique leaves much to be desired, but usually there are about 5-6 flavor choices and it has become our Saturday treat. And I know some tricks to getting my scoop securely onto the cone – I will not lose it!
However, I am sidetracking. I was speaking of how progressive our town is. Our malecon (ocean-front street) is paved, lighted, has benches with a children’s play area and both sides of the street have sidewalks. In fact we have sidewalks on many of the town streets, well 2 of them anyway…. But the most progressive part of it all is that each corner, paved or not, had a handicap ramp that is clearly marked with the proper blue insignia. Some city/town planner worked very diligently to be sure that everyone would be able to mount the sidewalks, even if they are not yet installed.
Trouble is, once up the ramp, a hard right or left turn must be negotiated, as usually the sidewalk ends abruptly on one side.
And if that’s possible, the continuing sidewalk is extremely narrow - about 2 feet wide.
And if you happen to have a wheelchair that narrow shortly you must maneuver around the planter boxes dug out of the sidewalk, leaving roughly 12” of walking or wheeling space.
And then, often the entry steps of a house will spill across the sidewalk completely blocking it. But we have handicap ramps on almost every corner!
~Latin America is well known to be a patriarchal society. Machismos is alive and well, but ask any of the expats, ’Who runs the town?’ and you will get the same answer -the women! No bars are allowed in town. I heard that once there was one, but the women decided that it was not healthy and it was closed. (I also heard the same about a whore house.) I asked one of the local ladies, a business woman who runs a motel /restaurant, about this and Chelo replied,” If things are going to change here, it will be because of the women. If you want something done give it to a woman! A man will either drink it, smoke it or *#@% it.” Hmmmmm….
On that note, the only bar remotely close to town happens to be behind our house, up the hill about 500 yards. It serves only beer and tequila, and is limited to Fri, Sat and Sun nights from dark until about 1 or 2 a.m. A couple of hours before opening the owner, Ilberto, fires up the generator and the cars slowly make their way the 2 miles or so from town to La Beliza, cruising the water’s edge as they come. The bar has no name but there is a big Corona sign painted on the side of the building. And to make it even more interesting, it is a karaoke bar! We are very grateful that it is behind us so that the wind carries most of the noise away from our house. Some nights the howling voices are pretty – well, let us say interesting… Sadly our neighbors Ed, Mona and Jerry hear it all. I’ve never heard any recognizable song, but then maybe it’s probably all in Spanish…
~A wonderful thing about the Mexican people is that they celebrate what is now. They don’t put off what can be enjoyed. Life is to be lived! If a birthday falls on Wed, then by goodness the party will be on Wed! And if it’s beautiful then it’ll begin in the afternoon and last until the wee hours of the morning! Heck, about a month ago there was a wedding at noon on Friday. After all, why wait?
With all the quirks and surprises, I love this place! I am never bored and its beauty is a source of constant amazement to me. I am ever so glad that I can share it with you!
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