Bahia de Kino, Sonora, Mexico
We’re finding that being “retired” in Mexico in no way implies being without things to do!
The holidays took us by storm – with parties, visitors, and community service projects. Then our daughter and her friend came for an all-too-short week. Plus, the construction on our house has really moved into high gear! Apologies for being slow to post news to the blog, but it’s a Catch 22 – much to report, but too much to do to get at it!
CONSTRUCTION: (see photos in the new Photo Album called “January”)
• The new sea wall is virtually complete; just needs painting.
• Our new sea-side bedroom is well underway. This will include a small kitchenette, bathroom, and closet, where Perry and I will live for the next several months while the rest of the house is being redone. We’ve been picking tile and fixtures --- great fun!
• The garage is growing out to the street, and new electrical service is to be installed. Result is that we have no 220v power now, so the old electric range doesn’t work. We’re cooking on our propane camping stove and in the microwave (our first ever, and a real learning experience).
• All new plumbing is also underway, and we have no hot water. In January. Taking bucket baths with water heated in a little electric pot. I tell Perry it reminds me of Peace Corps days!
OTHER NEWS:
• Holiday affairs included baking solar bizcochitos and helping distribute them, along with gifts, to all the Old Kino school kids (a project of the “Kino Ladies Group), and taking food baskets/blankets/etc. to many needy families in the area (Los Angelitos annual project, which is just an amazing and wonderful affair).
• A private New Years Eve party at the home of neighbors on the beach, complete with scores of very interesting people, great food and drink, and professional-level fireworks.
• A morning excursion on friends’ boat out to one of the nearby islands to see whales. Lots of whales! What an awesome sight! They play in this area through the cold months, then head back out when the water begins to warm.
• A trip today to Miguel Aleman (town some 30 miles away) to cheer on the Bahia de Kino Bravos baseball team as they started off the league season. One of the young men working on our house, Daniel Moreno, is the pitcher – and a very good one, too!
• Maybe a dozen or more dolphins playing just off-shore in front of our house this evening at dusk. Are we blessed, or what?!
There is much more to tell, but we’ll take it a little bit at a time. And we’ll try to stay more timely with our postings! HAPPY NEW YEAR 2005 to all! – CJK
