Log #57
June in Manzanillo ... and Elsewhere

June 29th

WWF Is International

Lucha libre

While exploring new cultures, sometimes one stumbles upon transcultural experiences that were avoided, elsewhere, but experienced here just because it's the Mexican rendition. According to Stan, the phony-balogna wrestling show translates the same in any language.... kids in the crowd wearing the masks of their favorites, lots of jolly families backing their favorite fighting man in tights, tongue-in-cheek entertainment bordering on the ridiculous. No plans for a return engagement.

Unlike soccer, which has totally captivated. Two teams are training here, staying in nearby Las Hadas resort, buff bodies pepper the beaches of an evening, expending alot more energy than tourists or residents, hopping up and down, galloping backwards through deep sand, striking poses, looking robust, young and healthy.

Some players aren't at training camp. They're away in cup play-offs with the Mexico team, which is comprised of players drawn from the various local teams. Last week's Gold Cup pitted Mexico against the US in Chicago, after a couple of weeks of elimination matches. Very exciting stuff, talented players, AND the TV coverage was as entertaining as the super bowl, clever commercials and all.

June 24th

On Evening Walks

Changing skyline

Discrimination?

An hour before sunset as the air slowly cools, I waddle out for an evening walk, sometimes with camera. From the casita, and from Casa RanaQuemada as well, different routes beckon, inland residential, inland business, beach condos, or just sandy beach.

Each day's scene is a little different as area building progresses, as flowers come and go, and as the stars align. One day last week our Santiago skyline received a dramatic addition in the form of signage...a giant marque screaming about the new condo rising from the sand. Both condo and sign clutter up the view from the casita (but not from RanaQuemada, since it has no view).

On the porch and around the hood

June 20th

While Waiting for the Govt. to Move

Filling the neighbor's pool

Sloshing water into the pool of our uphill neighbor, Il, consumed a full day (minus a 4-hour siesta break). The pumper truckman rolled out yards upon yards of hose, threaded it up the casita alta's steps and then up and over the balcony to Il's patio. Don't know how big Il's pool is, but the truck came and went about eight times.

Watching the hibiscus bloom and a pool fill, our diversions while our house paperwork grinds its way through the mill. Apparently, the filing went off without a hitch - it certainly should have because the Notario charged us 2% of the selling price for his services!

Also while we wait, we're canvassing the neighborhood for used furniture and appliances. Two groups are working through their email networks for us, Mujeres Amigas and the ARA-Manzanillo animal group. So far we've landed two ceiling fans a TV and a double bed. Some might say that's just about all we'll be needing....

Appliances will be the big problem, we'll probably end up chunking down the big change for a new fridge and stove. A couple split air conditioner units are also on the "we really need right away" list. And POOF! there go the proceeds from the boat sale. Here's where I could say, "Easy come, easy go," except no part of our sale of SolMate was easy.

Here's a note from SolMate's new owner to the Valiant List, a group of boat owners who share information on the web. The note sorta explains the painful process of selling our boat (and the really sad thing is, he paid one helluva lot less than she's worth, and he still went to all this bother):

I am the proud new owner of SolMate and please bear with me a moment as I too thank this group for helping me navigate through all the issues in buying Stan and MJ's yacht.

Many of you - Alan, Jeff, Bryan, John, Scott and others - really provided an enormous amount of information to me. A flood of generosity that I deeply appreciate.

On the other side of the ledger - it left Stan and MJ hanging for an awful long a time. Based on what I had heard from you guys, I consulted chemical engineers, surveyors around the world, the Valiant shipyard which did the extensive peel & rebuild, and had SolMate inspected to a degree that even would have put the Department of Homeland Security to shame. Stan and MJ, my apologies!

In the final analysis - sifting through incredibly fine-grained information (I am a journalist) - the situation clarified. The consensus: Stan and MJ did a phenomenal job in turning SolMate into a fine, robust yacht. The level of craftsmanship is astounding down to the smallest detail. The gear is to die for, and of course Wendy and I are thrilled for this opportunity to care for Solmate (and rave about her to anyone who will listen).

Rename SolMate? never crossed my mind. It was reborn in a way that I would never have been able to accomplish on my own.

Mark Schneider SolMate V40-149

June 15th

Post Negotiation - Shuffling Papers

Hede

Loosely translated, Hede (AY-day) means stinky. She's the sweet callejera (street dog) that our landlord adopted. Stan and I keep doggy treats in the casita...buy her love with food. She follows us home if she sees us in the street. She's still a callejera, we've seen her many blocks from home on the highway, flirting with speeding trucks. When we move a block away, will she know that her treats have changed residence?

In the news on the home-buying front, the owner has signed the offer, we've plopped down 10%, the inspector delivered his report, and all systems are go. But first, the nice ole owner, he's 82, needs to transfer his electricity service. It was in the name of a previous renter, but if the owner has proof that he's been living in the house he won't be charged capital gains on the sale. Proof of residency will be in the form of an electric bill in his name. Not sure, yet, what bearing this will have on filing paperwork.

Next step is turning all the paperwork over to a Notario, who is a lawyerly sort who performs the paperwork shuffle, ensures that title search is done, requests permits, and registers the deed, all legal-like. Then we take the deed and give the property to a bank. Yep, that's right. We can't own this house outright because it's within 30 miles of the coast. A bank will kindly hold our little ole casa in trust for us. Fideicomiso. Sounds like something edible...with noodles.

June 12th

The Beat Goes On

Stan starting work on the power steering pump

Unbeknownst to our conscious minds, Stan and I developed a philosophy, "Life is better when it involves a project or two, or three...." True, we don't really miss the never-ending SolMate projects, but we've since adopted a project van and a project house that will keep us equally engaged, and then there are our time-eating weather and website endeavors.

The current van job is a change out of the power steering pump. ¡Ay, caramba! Exactly like boatwork, three things break while one is being fixed. The pully broke during removal. Amazingly enough, the local dealer carried one on the shelf. Whilst installing the new, tight-fitting pully, the installation nut stripped. Stan's off in search of a replacement, and a pizza, at this moment.

Thankfully, our Manzanillo lifestyle isn't car-dependent. The SolVan has been laid up a couple of days, but we just keep walking and busing.

June 8th

More Shots from the PNW

From Rattlesnake Ridge

Sculpture park exhibit

Buck in velvet bedded down across from Bob and Janell's

June 5th

The Lake Sammamish Leg

Bob, Janell, MJ and Pippin watching the
deer (above Janell's head), headed for the roses

Memorial Day weekend found us enjoying balmy Seattle weather (!!) with Bob and Janell at their home on Lake Sammamish. They've lived there for twenty-some-odd years (less than half the time I've known Janell) and have watched the countryside develop and the property values skyrocket. It's still country enough for the deer to bed down across the road, though, and for them to wander through the neighborhood gardens nibbling on tender roses and other delicacies that the homeowners planted for them.

MJ and Janell taking a breather on Rattlesnake Ridge

Spreading development extended to parks and recreation, as well. Seattle skies cooperated for a couple of walks along the lakeshore and for a slightly more rigorous hike straight up the newly rejuvinated Rattlesnake Ridge Trail near North Bend.

Signature Seattle skyline from the new sculpture park

Seattle's waterfront has become cluttered with condos, but in amongst the clutter, greenspace and parks. The whole downtown area is alot cleaner and more pedestrian friendly than I remember. Bob, Janell, Stan and I explored the new sculpture park ... cushy walking paths meandering around whimsical outdoor sculptures.

We continued on the theme of our PNW tour - stuff your face 'til you groan. Janell and Bob, both excellent cooks, whipped up some great meals, and then we also sampled the fish and chips, a must for Seattle visitors. Uncharacteristically, the weather held and we actually ate out in the sun on Anthony's deck over the water.

From Sammamish we rolled on to Bothell to continue the food orgy, sample locally crafted beers, and partake of one of my favorite passtimes, thrift shopping.