After breakfast, went to get laundry done. Still need 4 days worth until we leave Monday. Cab will take us 90 miles to airport @ 4:30 a.m. Ugh :-(
Anyway, on way to laundry, watched kids at school recess. How I love the sound of kids having fun. It’s like hearing the songs of happy birds. A little way down the street, noticed a sign in a window indicating a seminar had been cancelled. Only the words – aging gracefully and postponed were highlighted with pen. Was there a message for me here? Go figure. I agree though, later rather than sooner :-)
From there, decided to try to get to train station as I had planned on a walk a few days before. After checking map, thought maybe would take bus there and walk back, knowing I divert from course many times. Bus ride was about 3 miles and we still walked about 6 miles for the day. Not bad for not aging gracefully. Cost, 5 peso or 50 cents each.
The train station does not look like it is in use, but the tracks are used daily from Laredo to the north to Mexico City to the south. Both about 300+ kilometers either way. I have fun just browsing, not shopping. Like to see what is being sold or worked on. There are many things being done here that would be mechanized or automated in the US or Canada. But here, a necessity. Wages low and prices are comparable to what I see in the US – how do they do it I think?
Stopped into a “Bodega Aurerra” store. A Wal-Mart under a different name here in this part of Mexico. How did I know? Well, for one, they have a Wal-Mart Bank inside and the shipping cartons say so. Checked out the clothes washing machines. Like something my mother used 50 years ago. Still better than watching the hand wash near Casa Liza where both clothes and people are washed in outdoor public tubs – about 40 tubs in a public plaza.
The Aurera store was well stocked and loved the variety of fresh fruits and veggies. When on a trip to Costa Rica about 20 years ago, noticed they sell un-refrigerated milk in cartons. Saw this here too. If you can’t afford a refrigerator, how do you keep things from spoiling? One way is to buy what you will feat that day, I guess. Saw a “Chevy” car in the lot. Guess they don’t call them Chevrolet here.
Made brief stop at bus station to see how it is setup. Think next time will skip flight to Leon then 90 minute cab ride to SMA. Trip from Mexico City is only 2 1/2 hours by bus. Will save money and time.
Saw local machine shop in action. Not new equipment, but enough to do the jobs I saw. After a few more feet, was addressed by a man speaking in English – you never get a bad picture here in SMA. After a “short” 45 minute chat with Bill, learned he moved to Mexico 5 years ago. His wife died about 12 years ago and thought he needed a change of scenery from the cold north. He is a health specialist and found he could establish a practice here. How nice to have met him.
By then it was already 3 p.m. Time for a bite. Again, headed for El Pegaso restaurant. Cesar, Fernando Hugo, Cuco and Bennie of staff were all greeting us as we walked in the door. How nice of them to remember our names. It helped to introduce myself on our first return visit a month ago. We found this a nice place to eat, relax and have fun. Plus only a few blocks from Casa Liza. Finished the great meal with a yummy flan. I am spoiled.
Got to meet Santiago, the El Pegaso owner Betto, brother in law. From there, walk back along Recreo street. Carol met a nice dog, with tag that read – My name is Lola. A little further down is our favorite snack shop with with both sodas and wine. As always, we joke with Guadalupe and Juan, the husband and wife that own and operate it – one floor down from their home.
I notice as we got to Casa Liza, A car left in front was “bombed” by the snowy egrets overhead. Decided to relax and read a bit from the wonderful collection of books left in this room by the owner – Liza Kisber. As with most days – a beautiful sunset just outside our balcony.
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Today's photos http://picasaweb.google.com/magwheel44/Day28Of32SMA#
Days 1 to 22 @ http://picasaweb.google.com/magwheel44/SMASemanaSanta2010#
Days 23 to 33 @ http://picasaweb.google.com/magwheel44/SMASemanaSanta20102#
Adios – don Mariano
