• 30Apr

  Sorta normal, sorta not

  around México, blogging, worries 3 Comments

  

  It’s not normal to see pictures of my son and his family in facemasks…but as per normal I think they are a handsome family.

  I walked the dogs this morning and aside from there being fewer people around, it seemed pretty normal.  All the restaurants on the malecon were open and occupied as usual.

  Paul went to the mercado for me and when he walked in he thought they had widened the aisles.  Turns out they just appeared wider since there were no pesky people making purchases.  That’s an alarming thing to hear, as this is the main city mercado, almost empty!

  In the comments section of my last post Danny Jacks mentioned an LA Times article that will give some non-alarmist perspective on the flu crisis – it is linked above.  Thanks, Danny.

  I thought you might also be interested in something from my website statistics.  Usually people find this blog by  Googling a variety of terms – retire, boomer, México, Mazatlán, etc. etc.  Take a look at the top ten search terms people are using to find my blog now.

  

  
• 29Apr

  Wha’cha gonna do?

  around México, family, health, worries 8 Comments

  Well it really is a different world down here in México, people.

  First of all, it’s so darned quiet.  Normally there is a kind of happy noise that drifts in our home, which is almost completely open all the time.  The gas truck song.  Kids hollering to each other.  Car alarms.  Loud talking.  Laughing.  Music of every kind and decibel level.  It is just a wee too bit subdued for me.

  People are more reserved.  Say hello less.  Look a little more wary.  And I wonder, am I, too?  I know I’m worried about the economy and the people here.  Cruise ships have cancelled…that’s about 3,000 people per ship and we usually have five or so a week.  No trinkets being bought, no taxi or pulmonia rides, no restaurant meals.  And since the usual tourists visiting aren’t here, either, Mazatlán is a ghost of it’s former self.  Paul went to the dentist in the Golden Zone today and it was very quiet there, too.  It just feels…subdued – and that’s just not México to me.

  Our son and his family who live in México City are visiting family in Colima, so I don’t have to worry that our new granddaughter, Consuelo, would be in the thick of it.  They originally went for the weekend to attend a baptism and have extended their stay.  I’m happy Adam can do most of his work on the phone and computer.

  So what do you do when all the fun stuff has been cancelled?  I’m taking the forced down time to read, cook, and get back to some knitting.  I made Verduras en Escabeche today, and am preparing Avocado Soup and Walnut and Chickpea Empanadas for guests tomorrow night. Oh, and I also have been working on my México links page that I created using NetVibes.  It’s a cool website that lets you collect RSS feeds on both public and private pages.  There’s a link to the public one on the top of the left column.  Take a look, it might be something you want to bookmark and use.  I guess I have to admit I have been watching Facebook and the news sites a bit more than usual, too.
  

  One other thing we did is to change our phone and internet setup here at home.  We had 2 mb DSL and phone from Telmex ($999) and the digital cable package from MegaCable ($450.)  We changed to a MegaCable package that includes 4 mb internet, unlimited phone (Mexico, US & Canada) and Digital Cable for $999.  So we are saving quite a bit and have improved internet and enhanced phone in the bargain.  We’d put it off because stuff like that has been a pain in Spanish but no hay problema ahora!
  

  I hope all of you are healthy and that you stay that way.  Later!

  
• 27Apr

  Tough times

  around México, worries 6 Comments

  
  

  México has been taking some hits in the international news lately.

  First: It was labeled a “failed state.” Breast-beating ensued on both sides of the border as México attempted to defend herself while others backpedaled and tried not to sound racist. The drug violence was front page news in most newspapers. México expat bloggers tried to get the truth out by publishing The Truth About México.

  Next: Mexico City seems to be ground zero for a possible swine flu epidemic. I say possible, because no one knows how quickly it will (or will not) spread, but it is clearly NOT business as usual here. Travel is not advised, schools nationwide are closed until May 6, and no normal civic or cultural gatherings are taking place. We are even seeing people with masks here in Mazatlán, and the paper reports that there have been no cases of swine flu here.

  Then: This morning a strong earthquake hit México City, and was felt as far away as Acapulco. The quake measured 5.6 and I am sure ratcheted up anxiety level for the city that is already dealing with a potential epidemic.

  This situation is hard on everyone.  From the Seattle Times writer vacationing in Mexico City to  parents trying to figure out child care with schools and day care centers closed.  And since most cities in México are tourist destinations (some more than others), the hit from reduced tourism will be severly felt.  And the trickle-down effect will hurt many more.

  Mexicans are used to dealing with adversity, and I don’t doubt that the current situation will turn out fine, but at this very moment, it seems like tough times here.

  
  

  
  

  

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