Whale watching

Friday morning, Gabriele, Delia, Bill and I went to Miramar to go on a whale watching trip.  It had originally been scheduled two weeks ago but we cancelled to clean the beach.  The trip we cancelled was to leave from San Blas and would cost 1500 pesos.  Delia found the boat in Miramar for just 1000 pesos!  As it turned out Miramar was a much better choice as it is almost 20 kilometers closer to the whale watching area which saved us an extra hour of boat travel each way.

We saw several whales (or a few whales several times) and we experienced something that non of us had experienced before: we were able to hear the whales talking to each other!  The guide said that he thought it was a mother and calf communicating and from the sounds, I think he was right.  The girls both came up with a pretty good imitation of the sound and it almost seemed that the whales were responding to their calls.  

Pelicans did fly-bys all day

Unfortunately, we think this turtle was dying as he was unable to dive normally 

Delia with her life jacket/umbrella

I think this is how our hill looked before houses were built

The hotel Dubai right across from the boat launch

After the excursion we went back to Gabi's house for lunch.  We had some delicious tamales that Delia's sister prepared.  After lunch we went to the sea wall at the front of Gabi's yard and we had another treat.  A whale shark was cruising by about twenty yards off the beach.  All in all, it was a great day!

Farmer Dave

There is so much space available up on the hill I decided to plant some vegetables and flowers.  The soil is not the best so we will have to wait and see what grows from the first seeds I planted.  At the farmer's market last week a neighbor was selling topsoil that looked like a good mixture.  I bought 10 forty kilo bags and it was delivered to the hilltop at no charge.

Once I had the soil it only took a short while to decide that I would build some planters so that the flowers and veggies would be in soil.  With the help of the caretaker we had four built in less than an hour.

Sunflowers and carrots

Sunflowers, asters, cherry tomatoes

Spinach and lettuce

Sunflowers and asters

Mexican Dentist

Yesterday I made my fourth trip to the dentist in San Blas.  Knowing that I was going to be in Mexico I put off some much needed dental work for a year.  The cost of the work in the US was way beyond my budget.  While it will cost nearly $2,000. dollars here that is just a fraction of what it would have cost.

With the prices here I am able to have everything done that I need.  I will wind up with a bridge and caps on the front ten of my upper teeth.  The lowers will be whitened first and then a color match will be made for the bridge and caps.

Dental work in Mexico is not for the squeamish.  The precautions we take for granted in the US are not always followed here.  The dentist does wear latex gloves but often touches things like his phone or switches on equipment that are not sterile.  Also, during much of the work he did on my last visit he was talking to his assistant about his kids, her kids, the cost to rent a house and many other subjects.

I told the dentist that I wanted a nice smile because I wanted una novia (a girlfriend) and he proceeded to try to set me up with his dental assistant who is 36 years old and divorced.  Who knows?  It is nice to have a dentist who is also your friend.  I told him my friend wants to buy a refrigerator that runs on propane and he said to call him when I am in Tepic and he will drive me around to find one.  I can't imagine a dentist in the US volunteering to do that.

In one month I will be able to show the after pictures.  There is no way I would take a before picture.