Coca Cola Santa

We picked up Euriel at the Secondaria at 7 when it lets out. The rumor was the "Santa Parade" would be from 6;30-7 and we expected to miss it. We got to the plaza and the two new bars were trying to outdo each other for volume. The kids (lots) loved it - bouncing around the plaza and top honors go to the new one over 7-Stars for choice of music.

If we hadn't felt like a few tacos and beers we would have been long gone ... but come 8:15 along came the the "Coke Float" with lots of balls and candy to throw at the crowd. It was a big crowd but Coke cut it's costs this year. In years past there have been real floats and a number of them, this year just the one. Lots of fun and lights around the Melaque plaza

Melaque Sand Sculpture Contest

I posted about it on my Melaque Blog as one of the Festival del Mar events but we were busy all day and weren't able to get there until almost 4. Buying school things, dropping off two animal cages at the free animal clinic, picking up a donated counter top stove for my neighbors, taking Euriel to CAM for physical therapy and then dropping him off at Secondaria for the last 3 hours of school. He was missing his only day of English classes on Fridays so the school said he should come after CAM. I'll go for him at 7pm and really look forward to school vacation next week.

So about 4pm we dropped by the central Melaque beach where the sculptures were just to see what was left. They were reported to be in front of one restaurant but actually stretched for several blocks. The problem is they quickly dry out and/or people trample them for whatever reason. So here's a few of the best remaining.

Foto Geidy in Melaque

The best foto I got at the quinceañera was outside the church with Wendy in front of a nice black pickup. I was ready to enlarge the original when the store owner suggested they could remove the truck and put in another background (fondo). We looked at a bunch and decided on this one with some green to match her dress. This is a foto of the print with my IPhone so quality is poor but the print looks good. $200 pesos for the print which is about 10x12 and 80 pesos for the background.

My Christmas tree

My Christmas tree ... a gift from a neighbor. We went shopping for the stuff to make them but I had no idea what she would come up with. I gave her the box from my water heater so she has enough to make a few. She calls it a "pino" or pine.

Arbol de Navidad

Cambio de la Presidencia

The day the new President takes office happens on December 1st every six year and that day is a holiday.   I was planning to pay my bills at the bank yesterday and of course couldn't.  I tried Friday and the orderly "take a ticket and wait your turn" machine was broken so a line was formed.  The three tellers waited on the same people for 20 minutes ... then a second line started in front of one teller with people just arriving.   The bank managers couldn't be bothered to do any policing so I just walked out planning to pay yesterday.   We'll see what happens Monday

I got some of my car problems fixed while dealing with the bank.   They found a loose steering arm and a bad front bearing.   Bearings are expensive bringing that cost to $1200 pesos.  Mechanic thinks I need to get it aligned and I agree.  A 12 your old car and it has never been aligned.   Monday I have a date with the auto electricians to fix a tail light and the headlight switch.   Poor old car is getting tired and being in the Jova flood did not help at all.

Yet another party last night ... this time a birthday party.   About 70-80 people on the street in front of the house.  The MC was a clown with a powerful music machine.   Lots of games, contests and 3 pinatas.  The two year old who's party it was slept thu most of it.   Drinks, gifts and pozole for everyone.   These parties are open to anyone that happens to pass by.   Well that's my week and back to painting the bodega which is looking much better than the cement grey.

Clown and a game

Girls dancing