Friends, Belize & Valladolid oh my!

You can take the man out of the boy...

Critter on Bacalar Lake

Jewel from above; commuter flight from Corozal to Ambergris Caye, Belize

ditto

Some people's idea of paradise...

Caye Caulker...just amazing

English group of 12-14; peak attendance at meetings...35-37

She made me drink them alllll.

10+ 6-10 ft sharks we swam with on the reef

15+ sting rays; a little overwhelming when you first get in.

Manny's long-lost uncle from Valladolid, MX; the "one-armed bandito"

Spectacular old Spanish architecture still in use today

The new 100mpg 4 seater model...

Some of our travels the past few weeks.

Come and explore with us!

Lots to see here...

Well, just finished December and we'll call this the "Month at the Beach".  We got to go to a few beaches (other than our normal places).

First we went to Paa Mul; met up with the Son in law's boss for the day.  Just your typical beach with a little bar and nice view.  Just a few miles down the beach from our place.

Then there's Akumal...very good place to spend the day under palm trees, drinking cervezas and eating "guac".  We went there twice its so nice and did I say the snorkeling there is pretty awesome for being so close.

Then we went just this side of Belize to Mahahual and Xcalak.  I'm pretty sure this is where people go to get "lost".  We were one of only a few in town it seemed in Mahahual.  Although it is a big cruise port Tues-Fri, there is no one there over the weekend.  Found this awesome little place owned by Italians and did I say they can cook???  Some of the absolute best I've had (or maybe I was just really hungry).  Here are a few pics of the place and some critters we saw while beaching it.

 
 
 
Did I say critters???  This little guy was found on the way to Xcalak....

So then we got to Xcalak...even more remote.  We started down a road, got scared after not seeing anyone for 20 minutes drive in the jungle on a dirt road, turned around and drove back to "town".  Went down another dirt road for 10 minutes and found a gem in the jungle with great food and drinks.  They ran on wind and solar to boot.  Here's a pic...

Then we went back north to Xcacel.  This was a boogie boarder's paradise.  Waves were like what we've seen on the Northwest shore of Maui (I think Honolua).  There is also a cenote nearby.  What's not to like?  And our polar bear swim on Jan 1 wasn't so bad...

And lastly, here are some of the happy faces you may see if you come to visit us.

So come see us already!
Next, we'll let you know how our Spanish lessons are going...we just had our first today.
Later,
ss

Latest...

So...not much new here.  We've finally settled into our "groove" and doing service 3-4 days a week and getting to know more of the friends.  Had 4 over for dinner on a Thursday night; something we'd never do when we worked.  My new saying is "every day is Saturday"...

We were back in the states (Florida w/family).  Seemed like everyone had nice stuff and we had none, but we were ok with that.  Interesting how your perspective changes when you simplify (but still comfortable) your life.  I'm working on helping anyone who needs it.  Went to a Mexican Home Depot the other day for lumber.  Got enough lumber to do a rooftop palapa and I hope to help on the actual construction soon.

Sorry so short, just not much going on other than service.  I'll post some of those stories soon as they're trickling in.

Special Day Assembly in Merida

So...shortly after moving here, we were advised to put in our fee to ride the private bus to the SDA.  I was thinking big van (12 people or so) rental from Budget...wrong!  They booked two full-size, like 50 peeps in each!  The drive is 200 miles west of us...

So I did the math quickly and decided the gas alone would have cost us $50 + $10 tolls, so the $14 each was a no brainer. We also got to sleep on the way there since we left at 5am to get there.  The drive up was somewhat quiet (except Bob)...enjoyed our coffee and took a siesta.

We got there with no problems and the first person to introduce herself was the CO's wife; very nice and has been serving in Nicaragua & Mexico for a while now; they're British.  They said Mexico was like luxury compared to the nights in Nicaragua...

Then we had a brother on a ladder showing us how tall Goliath was...

He and his wife were living in Cozumel, but they were originally from Searcy and Heber Springs, AR.  They knew my mom's best friend & fam and also my best man in my wedding and lots of other friends I grew up with...nice peeps.

They also had influenced a bro from Slidell, LA to give Cozumel a try...he happened to know our friend who married our daughter, Ash.  Small world, huh?

We enjoyed the lively bunch of 520 in attendance and are meeting more every week.  The English here is definitely growing...something like 22 groups / cong just 6 months ago to around 30 today for our circuit (there are 2 English circuits so far; ours has an A,B & C).

On the drive home, we stopped at a coffee shop and I got an Oreo Frap and did I catch some grief from all the onlookers...I told them it was for Lisa.  The ride home was just tiring, but everyone was having a good time.

Since then, we had a nice cong. beach day that just happens to be a few yards from the house.  We met more from the Norte cong. and they seemed really nice...we'll be joining them for service in the future with their group they are sponsoring.

Had dinner with a really nice couple from Canada and Sweden and some awesome arrachera steak...just like a tenderloin, just tastier.

Found some more options on places to rent...$4000 pesos or $300 / month that was a 3 br HUGE flat that had a roof-top grilling area...just no furnishings or services; you have to take care of the water, electric, gas & furniture...very good deal as it was very clean and nicely secure if you're worried with that.

That's all for now!
ss

Drive to Playa from Dallas

So went back to Dallas for the swagger wagon.  Was going to hire a brother to do it, but his passport expired.  So I flew back and hit the road to Laredo, TX on Saturday.  Entered Mexico on Sunday early am as I didn't really know what to expect.  Talking to a few here, they didn't really say much, other than do everything during the day...

I didn't listen to that advice as I woke up early enough to get through inspection by 5:30 a.m.  Then I was off for vehicle registracion' ...easy, right?  Well the first guy told me to turn left out of the inspection, go a kilometer and then make a u-turn and drive "down to the beach under the bridge"... WHAT?  DOES HE THINK I'M THAT DUMB???  That's what I said to myself as I imagined being pillaged for everything I have under the bridge.

When I saw a sign, I felt better...until I came to the first stop sign (black as night in a city of 400k)...4 guys came towards my car and made me happy I wore my oops I cr____ my pants...I turned right as I just wanted out of there.  I went a couple blocks and thought, they wanted me to go this way, right?  I made a u-turn and went back to the border crossing (flying through the same stop sign area) and asked another for directions.  After 15 minutes, I found someone who spoke 1/2 English and to my surprise he told me the same as the other about the "under the bridge" thing, only a bit more info.

So I went flying through the stop sign area once again and found the place...who really puts those places under a bridge down by the "beach" (river)...I digress.

Got everything done; $300 deposit & $62 in fees and I was off.  The first day's drive, uneventful and desert driving to Queretaro, MX...got there by 5 or so...dog tired.  Slept and got up for the next day's drive to Villahermosa...10 hours away.

Volcano to the left

Way at the top, guys chipping away at rocks...

Parque Nacional Cañón del Río Blanco

TACOS!!

Taco maker...happy bunch.

Parking lot...for your horse, of course.

The drive was very nice scenery-wise.  Reminded me of California, then Hawaii.  Saw the 2nd highest peak in Mexico (also a volcano just southeast of Mexico City) and 3 total snow capped mountain peaks.  Drove through a park and down into a valley that was the highlight of the drive, very scenic.  Ate 2 tacos and on my way to Villahermosa.

Got checked in and splurged on a rib-eye dinner (which came with 5 other pcs of Mex-food) and a cerveza for 90 pesos ($7.20) and then walked around town and noticed lots of barbers on the street and with my limit of 1 beer, I got kind of crazy and went for one.  I wasn't sure of the cost, but the worst it would be 50 pesos ($4)...30 minutes and a razor shaven neck and sideburns (new blade, I saw him unwrap it), he said 30 pesos...wow, I had dinner, a beer and a haircut for under $10!

So off to my last day of driving and it was a long one, but again, very scenic.  Mexico never touts their natural beauty, but its here for sure.  I'm back home, but very glad I took the trip.

$100 in tolls and 2,200 miles later, I'm back home with Lisa and went to our Special Day Assembly yesterday...read on for that one.

Patience is a virtue, right?

So I've been away for a while...We have had our first week here and so far, so good.  The only 2 things we are missing the most, the car and high speed internet (in our home).  We're working on getting the car down.  We met a brother from Canada who does this for a little extra cash and has done it many times and knows the ropes...he just forgot to renew his visa, so that's out for at least 4 weeks...we'll likely have to do it ourselves, which I kinda wanted to anyhow.

If there is anyone who'd like to join me in the drive, let me know and we'll talk.  It will likely take 5 days total, so its not a weekend kind of  trip...

The internet, well, lets just say "later rather than sooner" is their motto down here.  We have a couple helping us steer the waters down here, so it probably could be worse (although, I don't think so)...We have now a mobile stick for surfing until we get a DSL line (up to 2mb down...so much for 20mb days).  The stick is actually fast enough for video play on HULU, but not conducive to "all you can eat" surfing / streaming.

We'll survive for another couple weeks per our friends to get the DSL...

We've spent a few days in service and it is different, but good for building congregation relationships / friends. You see the same 10-15 peep when you go and everyone is so focused; pretty nice.  Been on 2 studies already and I hear the snow birds and Europeans are coming soon, so the congregation should swell to 100 on Public Talk day (Saturday here).

Had our first few over for dinner; a single bro and a couple from the states.  Enjoyed the evening...

Raining a bit as we have the remnants of a Pacific hurricane passing by us...makes you read more.  Walking like 2-3 miles a day; need to after all the tortillas and empinadas...food is still coming in by half or less, btw.  A bag of Giro's (Mexican Oreos) are 10 pesos or $.80 and most meals we're getting by on $3-6 for the 2 of us eating at home or $4-8 on the streets.  We had enchilada dinner and chicken fajitas & 2 jamaicas juice for 90 pesos...$8.50 USD including tip.  For break / lunch in service we stopped and had an egg, ham & cheese torta and coffee for 30 pesos ($2.50)...

We found out Wednesday is "cheap" day at the theater...25 pesos or so...2 bucks for first run in English.  More to come soon...
Scott

Moving day...

So today is moving day...

Yesterday, we did a few hours in service; casual dress & meeting at 8:30...ughh!  Finished up by noon and went to the beach with our car group.  Looking for English speakers is different...but fruitful per everyone's comments.  The congregations are 40-45 pubs and we have our first public talk meeting today (Saturday) at 6:30...
Breakfast - $6
Lunch - 38 pesos ($2.75)
2 drinks @ beach $6.50
Dinner - 119 pizza + 20 beer / agua ($10)
Gas - $3.50
Day - $28.75