Two long weeks without Internet access at home has finally came to an end (on Friday actually). Hurray!!! I’m glad Holly kept you informed by forwarding our emails. Now that we are back on the notebook computer we have access to our email address book, sent emails, and English keyboards!

How are you guys?

We are doing just fine down here - getting the basics figured out slowly but surely.

Leigh left for Las Vegas early this morning. I was up late then got up with her around 5:00 AM. I had to go back to bed then slept in till noon so I’m pretty well all messed up today. After that I caught the bus into Chapala to see if I could find the (open air) market and post office. I had thought the market was bigger then the one in Ajijic (the other direction) but either I didn’t find it, it was already closing down, or it isn’t as big. I’ll try again next week maybe. [The market in Ajijic is Wednesday.]

Finding the post office was interesting. I received a couple different set of directions. Perhaps it is because I was asking for “oficina postal”. When I finally found it the sign said “correo” [Aha! I remember that word from my prodigy.net.mx email account too]. I asked if I could rent a box and the man said they only rent from January to January. Interesting. There is no local mail service here and most local people don’t have post office boxes either. They don’t do much by post. They wait in line to pay bills a lot instead. But taxes are practically non-existent! [There is a Mail Boxes Etc. nearby that rents boxes but they are expensive and I’m trying to go local. In contrast, the Mexican post office box is only $15 USD a year!]

The cats made the trip pretty well. Then again, I didn’t experience it quite like they did. Leigh took a very small amount of food and litter with us but transitioning them to products available here was one of our first priorities. Unfortunately, Bella seems to be having trouble adjusting to the food and has a bit of diarrhea. I guess it is the kitty version of la turista. We are concerned about her but expect her system to adjust soon. Thomas didn’t have any problem at all. But he’s a big tough guy who just loves to eat.

I’ve got to do my Spanish lesson before my brain gets too tired today.

Stay well!