5C's Que Pasa

…..December has been difficult. The focus was on getting us all healthy once again. Even Carlie has been very sick. Back to her chronic stomach issues and paralyzing pains. We can’t get her to the vet on our own ( it is enough just getting both of us on the launcha to cross the shipping channel, never mind carrying a dog ) and the vet is too busy to come to the Isla right now. So lots of phone calls and trying various medications. What we used in the past does not seem to be helping. Two days ago we stopped everything except Gabapentin 2 to 4 times per day, her dog specific gut probiotics and started Pepto Bismol. She has only had a few half good days this month, So difficult seeing her suffer.

So happy to have my mom’s Christmas  birds in our Mexican masks.

Before I forget, about November 20th, we lost one leg of our RV inverter which was the 110V power – it powers the fridge, microwave and anything that would be on a normal household electrical circuit. Colin was able to figure out how to plug the fridge into a separate 15AM plug which saved our food.

Erik did come that day and discovered that the electrical problem was the inverter and we would need a new one. It appears that mice made a nest on top of the inverter – no idea where all this paper came from. Erik was able hook us up to a battery charger which we needed to reprogram every 24 hours.

Finding a replacement inverter was a bit of an issue as the company that made ours no long was making any. Finally we found a company that had very recently started production of this inverter. Cost was $2,300.00USD. We had to get it shipped to Laredo,Texas where I have lady who took it across into Mexico except that UPS did not delivery over the US Thanksgiving weekend and the inverter was misplaced 😥 Finally it was delivered and just last week moved into Monterrey Mexico. However there have been multiple road blocks here in Mexico due to protests from farmers and others as well as cartels creating other roads blocks and actively fighting. Transport traffic in Mexico has been greatly affected and often stopped for days at a time. DHL is charging for overnight delivery but taking up to 25 days to deliver 😳  I had a chat with Elsa today and she suggested we wait until January to attempt the delivery of the inverter to US. She is concerned that it will simply disappear if she shipped today because of all the extra Christmas parcels. Meanwhile Erik switched out the battery charger for a hard wired converter so we can wait as long as needed. Thanks to Elsa we were able to save $415.00USD in duty but we still have to pay about $300.00 in shipping fees within Mexico. The inverter weighs 60lbs so when it does get here Colin will hire someone to go pick it up for us.

Colin had a nice visit with our landlords young son who is learning guitar, All three play and sing but they only had one instrument so Colin lent them one of his to use. He also introduced them to some Sinaloan folk songs. It was specail to see him being involved in a different form of music.

On December 1st we went into Mazatlan to INM to get our address offcially changed. The paperwork with Hogla went smoothly and we were 3rd in line with 2 single people ahead of us when a family of five pushed ahead of us checking into the INM office. It took almost 3 hours to get processed. Groan! Legally one must register a new address within 30 days of moving. You must have official paperwork showing the old and new address on it. The CFE bill showed Los Chivos while TotalPlay showed Las Chivos. A very sharp clerk caught that but took one look at us and how worn out we were at 9:30AM ( we left at 7:30 AM and being the first trip into Mazatlan on the launcha it was a very big deal to get Colin on and off the boat ) she did some constructive thinking and had me write a note that I had not brought the official address paperwork. Even Google Maps spells it differently than CFE ( Mexico”s electrical company ).  She even winked at me!

So on the way home from the main embarcadero ( we can’t use the Playa Sur one – impossible for Colin ) our UTV ran out of gas!!  I could not believe it! Then along came an Isla taxi truck and towed us home – he knew where we lived. He pushed Put Put ( that is now the official name ) into our yard and even filled the gas tank for us.  Colin nor I can lift the fuel container. He was very happy with his tip as we were to be home. It was a long morning. It was fun to be sitting in the UTV and being pulled along. Always a new adventure to be enjoyed!

While all of this was going on I had been looking for a used exercise bicycle for Colin as it really helped him when he was going to physio in Mazatlan in a daily basis. In the end a wonderful lady was moving and had to get rid of her bike – however it was brand new and there was lots of back and on price. In the end we gave up and then suddenly she decided to donate it to us. She even arranged a driver to pick it up and bring it to the Isla. We just had to pay the driver and meet him on the highway and direct him here. Colin uses it multiple times per day and it really is helping him. On the right of the photo you can see his inversion table that we just paid to have brought here from Kelowna ( only $200.00 CAD ) as part of a load the fellow was already bringing here to Mazatlan. The one we have had here for for years rusted out and it was cheaper to pay to bring this one here than purchase a new one.

A lovely never used exercise bike.

Colin almost has a full gym now of what he needs. He exercises a minimum of two hours per day to the point of needing a nap to rebuild.

Colin gets top notch physiotherapy here once per week. Sofia comes highly recommended and she has worked with other stroke patients. This was taken today. He made a bit of a break though today by being able to lift the toes on his right foot. Great progress.

Personally I have been suffering for over 12 weeks with very serious gut issues. I saw my usual general doctor about the 26th of November and he prescribed medication which because of his handwriting and the Farmacia interpreting what he wrote I was given pills to stop urinating 😡  My problem was excessive chronic diarrhea! I went back to him. The one he gave me next, I later found out to be something to deal with bloating 😮 I called him a few days later and he said that I needed to have colonoscopy and check for cancer etc. Well I was not about to spend a few thousand USD without bering checked for parasites or having any bloodwork done first.

I remember these lights!!

So I went onto an expat Facebook page and asked for suggestions for a new doctor. I made a choice and called and the doctor herself answered the phone. I met her at the hospital she works out of and she checked me out and ordered over 10,000 MXN  / $764.00CAD worth of tests including a variety of medications. The tests took over a week to be completed as cultures were needed for a few but meanwhile Dra Jocelyn ( turns out her father is a Canadian from Vancouver ) ordered a number of medications for me to start on. I saw her on December 4th and all the feces and blood work came back normal 😀 I  was certain that I had a parasite but I did not! I had already done the local Doxall parasite cleanse twice just in case. Meanwhile it appeared that the various medications and powders just might be starting to have a positive effect.

I have a regular medication area and now have added my new medications as well as Carlie’s new meds. Good thing we have a big RV. This is an old photo of just Colins meds and supplements.

The most expensive medication was a specific gut anti anti-inflammatory. Dra Jocelyn knew about this medication and of the reputation of the best  internist in Mazatlan who has begun to prescribe this drug. But a one monthly supply of only 30 pills costs 2416 MXN / $185.00CAD!!  That is very expensive but I wanted to try a more logical solution to my problem rather than start with a colonoscopy that likely would not solve the cause of the problem. One of my American friends looked up the medication which is called Cortiment. The generic version in the USA is up to $2100.00USD for 30 tablets which is $2885.00CAD – however the 30 tablets only cost $2200.00CAD  😮   Needless to say I am no longer complaining about the Mexican cost of the medication 😳

No idea where I was but Colin caught this little bird flying in and visiting with Ciela.

She was so very gentle with it.

It was over 5 hours on December 4th when I first met with Dra Jocelyn. I had to go to three Farmacias to get all my medications.  I was totally worn out when I got home and just went to bed. However just a few days later on December12th I saw my vein doctor for another treatment. It was a horrific treatment and I have been doing these for at least 8 to 10 years bi annually. I don’t know if her needle was dull but it was so painful with every injection and I got overr 60 injections, I asked her to change the needle and she ignored me. Finally I told her to stop. Plus each injection site would not stop bleeding. It was terrible. I cried in the Didi enroute to the embarcadero. Then there were police all over the place. I got in the launcha and there were police sea-dos circling. Once on the Isla there was a police presence at the dock with flashing lights. I was bone weary and thankful to have Colin pick me up. So happy he figured out a way to drive the UTV being a two foot driver.  I found out the next day that a tourist ( a father with kids ) from one of the cruise ships had died on the beach 😥

It took us over 6 -7 weeks to set up our site. That is my easily put up and down clothes line in the middle of the photo. If you look at the top of the wall to the left of ladder and on the top of the wall ( and between the 2 pieces of rebar ) that grey lump is one of the two iguanas that lives in this wall. One twin to the right of the stool and the other on the stool. They are obsessed with these critters but they are quiet. Unlike the barking they have done in years past with the feral cats.

So here I am three weeks later and I am doing about 90% better 😎 I am keeping a diary and it is impressive. My series of medications ends on January 3rd. As you know I have been excessively stressed since we left Canada early October 2024 ( I was worn out from selling stuff and packing up the house and was so tired ). Dealing with my cataract surgery gone a bit wrong and then Colins’ stroke put a kink into our life as we knew it. Moving to Cerritos for 4 months was literally hell on earth – Colin  says it was worse than the stroke. Then having to suddenly find a new location here on the Isla to place our RV and then set up an entire new palapa and outdoor set up was over top too much. My body was protesting.

Carlie is in pain here – her eyes are so expressive.

And of course the behind the scenes that I never posted about was the on and off again offers on the sale of our home. Our realtor left on October 31  ( never told us till she had left ) for three weeks in Turkey and we were at opposite time zones. It was beyond frustrating. Colin and I were out of our minds and feel that we may have lost a good sale due to here lack of communication. At the moment we still have an offer subject to the sale of
“their” condo in Calgary, Alberta. But that expires on January 7th, 2026.

Love this color.

I honestly believe that my gut issues are all self inflicted as a result of my stress levels. We all have stress but I been in a negative stress loop since April of 2024 and it has been accumulating.

On December 12th I took Colin to his first chiropractic appointment. It wore us both out but it truly did help him. Colin came home and slept for solid three hours. However he is standing taller and Dr Alan had a suggestion as to his twisting right foot. We actually both saw the good doctor again this past Thursday, the 18th. I certainly have some issues but don’t we all. Again a tiring day as it takes two fellows to get Colin onto and off the boat. It is more difficult when he is worn out – like after a medical appointment. And then the last physio appointment of 2025 was today the 22nd.

Just getting through the day is wearing us out. It takes a very long time to get anything accomplished. Not to mention worrying about Carlie’s daily pain and just even feeding us and getting water delivered. It is a non stop drain on me. So there you have the jist of it – December has not been fun. Yet we do manage to find beauty all around us and especially in watching the ocean.

The promise of things to come.

Last Thursday, the11th, we were putting up some lights outdoors. We got our neighbor from when we lived at #7 to climb up on the high ladder ( which he also brought ) and to do the difficult parts. It took Humberto a few visits to get it all done and we are ever so grateful for any help we can get.

But first I looked up through our tiny view towards the west and decided I needed to get out on the road and check things out.

By walking to the left outside of our gate I came across this newly cleared opening. That is El Faro in the background. With all the rain this past summer everything is overgrown along the shipping channel.

Tris ( and Robbin from Hawaii ) I believe that David might have paid to have this done or maybe shared with the fellow in the two story white house to your left.  It is very well done and I was able to manage to get up on my own to get to the opening.

This is what I saw……spectacular!

A bit of a pan to the right and the Baja ferry.

The color in the sky had not yet reached the car carrier nor the cruise ship and tuna boats.

So this clearing is not ours and I don’t know if we can use it.  I don’t think it would be right to do so. Plus is it a bit of a walk for Colin. So guess what I asked Santa for this Christmas? You would be correct. Yes another Contessa sunset corner 😎 It has been started but I have not yet taken any photos. Sadly as the brush was being cleaned across the site from our gate, it appears that the terrain is about as steep as it was at #7. And we only see our “site builder” every so many days. Might be a New Years project 😉 Hoping it will all work out.

It was so fun to come down the road and turn into our gate and see this.

Ciela waiting for me.

Tis the season and looking ever so festive.

Very carefully I got my ten large Christmas balls hung.

I had already gone in when Colin heard the loud hiss of the snake. It had its head extended and appeared vicious. This was taken later, through the window.

It wanted to go into my bougainvillea plant. That is a machete holding the snake back.

Humberto came immediately. Such a great friend. Notice his machete.

Caught the snake with the broom handle, placed it in a bucket and threw it over the edge into the ocean. Crisis averted!

It had been a strange week, most overcast and somewhat cool temps. Today I wore a cardigan and late afternoon we started having a few very light showers – enough to wet the tops of the tables. The windows have been open for a few days, love the fresh air and lack of A/C noise. But the showers were allowing drips of rain in through the over head ceiling fans so I had to close those. The indoor/outdoor weather station shows 74.8F outside with 51% humidity. Inside it is registering 78.6F with 67% humidity. Why so much more humid inside? Your thoughts?

We have had an average four boats in the bay but down to two this afternoon.

I hope that the fisherman on the left is getting some of those fish.

This went on for over three to four hours, the pelicans went to bed with full tummies tonight.

My surprise of the day. This perfect hibiscus was the first flower of this plant since we got back. It was hidden behind the pot and was almost touching the  ground. So glad I found it. Isn’t it lovely?

One of my favorite Mexican sayings is poco a poco which means bit by bit. My new saying is paso a paso! Step by step. It is special because that is exactly how Colin is progressing, step by step. Both as a description and in reality, one step at a time. He is working very hard at putting his foot down correctly.

And the palapa/ramada was built step by step.

The last two photos were taken from inside the RV.

Alex on the top level. Colin took the following palapa ( yep I am going back to calling it a palapa ) photos. `

You can see how the hot sun is bearing down on the front windshield. Fortunately we had these four large pieces of cardboard covered in reflective foil to help deflect some of the heat wile we were in Las Jaibas.

But this is how it looked that very first morning before we found those foil pieces. It was so hot inside. Yet one of the girls was baking in their bed.

A new palapa idea for Alex ( now in red ) created and designed by Colin. Actually this is the second new palapa and original build we had Alex do for us in three years. In year two at #7 he did an adaptation. I would say that he considers us good clients.

Love the curve.

Poor Ciela either stepped on something or got bit by an insect. It took three days but the welling eventfully receded and she was walking normally again. The most difficult thing was to stop her from repeatedly licking her sore foot which is instinctive as the licking kept irritating the area.

Hard to see but this is a couple swimming the width of the bay and also pushing a paddle board with their dog standing on it. The dog was still standing on the return trip.

More electrical issues. Somehow the 50AMP plug was not totally pushed in when we were set up and created a melt down. Fortunately Colin just happened to have another 50 amp electrical box. We had both been smelling the electrical burn odor. Always follow up on something like that.

November 8th sunrise along with some local fishermen.

Carlie is so very content. The girls are still not being walked but don’t seem to be missing the beach.

It took almost a week, but we did get our plants back and my job was to cut out all the dead stuff. This was November 10th. Everything we did and are doing is a slow process but was are moving forward “paso a paso”.

But there was the odd time off for relaxation.

November 14th was the second time that Sofia, Colin’s physiotherapist came out to the Isla. She is now coming once per week. She is amazed at the changes she is seeing week after week.

We finally found time to have a brief visit with Patricia and Denis at their temporary location at #4 in RV1 ( we will always call it that although it now has a new name ). Patricia took the girls for a beach walk but they were more interested in getting back to us rather than enjoying the walk. I can still remember how worn out I was that afternoon – November 14th! The lovely sunset just as we left. These good friends are now wintering in Melaque.

We actually pulled over to take this shot as we neared home. That is a tuna boat in dock open the right. This is exactly how the sky looked. Taken with my iPhone.

Colin and the girls. We are having fun using our ‘Put Put’. It is wonderful that Colin has figured out how to get in and how to drive it with his left foot. It gives him some freedom.

We left our favorite home here on the Isla ( since 2009 ) @ #7 last June 29th and returned to our new home @ #15 on October 29th. We have been ever so busy everyday. Of course it does take us much longer to do things these days and we haven’t stopped much.

Erik helped us with the very final pack up at Las Jaibas and drove the RV back to the Isla. I followed in the Jeep. It was a bit unsettling at first as I have not driven a car in over two years because of my eye issues. But just like riding a bike, my driving skills came back in full force. And of course all I had to do was follow our home on wheels.

Almost home. So neat to come around that corner and see three cruise ships in port.

A bit of a tight fit.

We did scrape the bottom as we drove in but we also managed to miss the high overhead wires.

It took a bit of back and forth to find that perfect sweet spot and then we shut off the engine. As you can see we are uphill from the front of the RV. It’s just how this site was built and we will have to deal with it. Certainly does give the this muscles a work out.

Then the basic set up started. Not much to look at with a high wall surrounding us. The big satellite dish that is connected to nothing, sits atop a small cement shed that comes with the site. Very handy for storage.

We had left some fencing in the shed a few weeks earlier and were devastated to discover that each piece of what looked like white rice were nesting baby ants that were in the process of hatching. It was beyond gross. We sent someone to buy us strong bug spray. We also learned that ( fortunately for us ) that these are non biting ants. I never knew they existed. It made us feel better but it was still very yucky.

The priority was a fence to contain our girls and we did get that started. This is modular fencing that we already had 16 pieces  ( 24 inches wide buy 24 inches tall ) of and I had ordered more shipped to us from the USA. We now have 48 pieces in total. Very easy to put together and take apart. So far the girls have not been able to get out.

This fencing was put up by the property owners. We had to put large rocks all along the netting so that the twins did not get out. Lots of pieces of rock everywhere. The girls are so very happy to be here. A huge difference from being at Las Jaibas.

Late in the afternoon our palapa builder, Alex stopped in. Because of the aftermath of Hurricane Patricia with the high tides / full moon and the destruction of most beach front restaurants and ramadas, Alex is booked solid for the next few weeks but as a special favor to our landlords ( they just happen to be best of friends ) he agreed to build our palapa right away – putting us in front of others. However there is a shortage of wood and cement at the moment and he needed to check what he could get. So he took measurements and gave us a price the next day.

Just a quick lesson here. I have always used the word palapa ( likely from our many vacations in Hawaii in years past )  but both our landlords and Alex are saying ramada. So I finally asked. Apparently it is an Isla thing. So I am trying to use ramada.

The very next morning Alex showed up – at 6:30AM!!! It was still extremely hot and humid and he asked if he could work earlier in the morning. We certainly were not going to say no. So the post holes were dug.

See all that brush/weeds in front of Colin, up the slope. It was blocking our view of the ocean. There is also a great deal of large rock in that same area that goes deep and can’t be moved. We have what appears to be a large site but we really don’t. In fact we have very little level site with a view. Plus that ramada next door to us on the right blocks our view from inside the RV. Not the perfect site. But unlike the RV Park at Tres Amigos, we have no bugs.

These next few photos were taken on Friday the 31st. It was nice to see that my photos had a date which is making this post easier to write. Everyday we did a bit more. From this angle you can see how the ground slopes downhill – a bit difficult for Colin.

Not a great sunset view but give us a few more months.

The girls are happy and that is important. They were so good under the horrible conditions of the past four months.

Almost every night we see a few very small pangas with one fisherman and a small light.

The next afternoon we made a point of dragging two chairs uphill to just sit and toast us and our new home. Colin even had a few sips of wine.

I saw three sunrises in that first week of November, a first for me. I get up often to use the bano and I was amazed. Sorry about the dirty window but the photo did not have to be perfect. I think we got the window cleaned about 6 -8 days later. It was not a priority.

The good news is that we do not have feral cats here. We have seen two different cats go by ( a large grey and a blonde ) but they stay out of our yard. However we happen to have two resident iguanas that live in the wall. The girls can see them ftom inside the RV and let us know when the iguanas are out sunning. In fact the girls can hear them moving within the wall and even if we can’t see them, the girls tell us that they are there. At least they are not being hysterical about the iguanas as they were the gatos and they know that they can’t reach them.

Once again I had major issues setting up our internet. It took 3 or 4 days and I was on the phone to Totalplay for several hours each day.  Long story short they claimed I never returned my equipment from last June which I did while we were in Las Jaibas and that I owed a full month for internet. Once that got sorted out we could move forward. Except someone at headquarters decided that I could not have internet at this location which made no sense as the former tenant had Totalplay. Both my landlords, Juanita and Fernando spent at least 4 hours between them on the phone with Totalplay. What a stupid and unnecessary mess of bureaucracy. They had to guarantee that they would pay if I did not. So finally – well it actually took 3 attempts to come and try and find this address –  the technicians showed up.

We put the fibre optic cable in this piece of conduit and Colin tried to bury it but was unable as his right hand is still not working properly.  Finally Fernando came and did it and it is safely buried.

On November 4th the material for the palapa began to arrive.

And soon thereafter the posts were cemented into the ground. The posts are buried three feet deep.

The cement was mixed in a barrel on the back in the truck in the photo above this one. Very very heavy to carry and to pour. It was still very hot and extremely humid.

No one wears gloves. The wood comes from the Sierra Madre mountains.

I put up a string of old lights just so it looked pretty. It was November 4th, the full Beaver Supermoon!

From no post to 28 photos in one post 😳  I think I will leave this here for tonight and for certain will continue tomorrow and get you up to date.

Sorry for not posting.. Thanks to all who care and had have reached out.

All is fine, just busy. We are much happier here. Things are moving ever so slowly and it is taking a long time to settle in. No extra time at the end of the day to post. I do think about posting everyday but just can’t manage.

You all know about October 31st and Halloween. Many of you are familiar with the Mexico customs at this time of the year regarding the dead.

As you can see the makeup is a true art form.

Many set up their own personal altars to honor those who have passed.

Locally here in Mazatlan there are a variety of activities to enjoy.

There is always a parade around the Plazuela Machado and in front of some other local restaurants in that area. So you simply make a dinner reservations and watch the parade pass you by so to speak.

Some parades are more elaborate than others. Mexico City always has a huge celebration.

There are hundreds and hundreds of personal celebrations at graveyards. Some hire a live band to play and all bring food and to enjoy as they sit and visit with the spirits of those that have passed.

One of the most enduring symbols of the Day of the Dead (Día de los Muertos) in Mexico is the Calavera Catrina, or simply “La Catrina”. Her skeletal face has become synonymous with Mexico’s celebration of life and death, adorned with an elegant dress and an ornate hat.

Puerto Vallarta is known for having the largest Catrinas.

Nowadays, La Catrina is everywhere during the day of the Dead. Her image is used to remind everyone that death is not something to be feared, but rather embraced as part of the human experience – from giant sculptures and costumed parades to sugar skulls and face painting.

Sadly this year Colin and I will not be able to participate but hopefully next year.

There are so many different aspects of Mexico to enjoy and to celebrate.

 

 

 

Can you believe we are only two sleeps away from returning to Isla de la Piedra? A week ago I wasn’t sure that I could wait eight or nine days and now we are down to two nights and one full day. We have been busy packing and organizing. Because of the extreme rains this past summer the Isla roads are full of huge potholes. Fortunately Colin had already arranged for the low trees branches to be cut so we only have to navigate the pot holes. Hence careful packing of our fragiles and art objects.

Now that we are leaving the weed cutting gets more intense.

Meanwhile I have been busy grocery shopping for what is not available on the Isla and stocking up somewhat so that we can simply just get there and sit and rest and relax and take it all in. Yes we will eventfully need to get stuff from our bodega but we have lived without it all for four months so we can take our time getting settled.  Of course the urge to get it done will be pushing us but I think my desire to be one with the ocean wl be stronger.

I had no idea that there were two RV patio pads under all that mess.

I know for a fact that Alex our palapa builder will be pushing to get started but we do need a few days to figure where the light is coming from and where we will set up our relaxing areas. The priority of course will be fencing for the girls. I already ordered new fencing to add to what we have and it is waiting on the Isla.  We can simply start with a small area and then add as we have time and expand their area. I am pretty sure that to just be free to be outside next to the ocean breeze and view will be all they need – no matter the size of their penned in area.

Night two of unloading the U Haul into our new RV on October 8, 2024.

Colin’s first physio appointment on the Isla with Sofia is booked for Friday morning, the 31st. She is the one he has been seeing once per week in Centro. Sofia has an eagle eye and is extremely attentive to details and to the slightest error. She has caught so many small things and has helped Colin so much. He has progressed in the past few weeks. But he does tire easily as he keeps pushing his body.

It took me 6 other 7 months to finally find things. Those first days things were simply shoved into empty spaces.

I can’t say that I will miss this place ( hell hole ).  We had three huge 5th wheels from Alberta heading down to La Parota RV Park in Lo De Marcos stop by last week. They were surprised at how unkempt this place was. The mosquitoes are still biting but the weeds are starting to get cut. On a daily basis we check for spear grass and remove it from the girls. Ciela is a magnet for the new batch of prickly burrs just popping up everywhere. And Carlie has the eye infection this week. Wednesday morning can’t come soon enough.

So why can’t I sleep at night? Maybe too many things going thru my mind. As far as I can tell the new site @ #15 is ready for us. Erik was supposed to have set up the tinaco & pump and water supply for us this past weekend. I called TotalPlay and created a new account with an anticipated installation of the fibre optic internet connection early afternoon Wednesday.

A new perch for the girls last October. This October they will have a new yard.

With everything that has been happening ( including daily physio this past week ) it completely slipped my mind that we have been full time RVers for over a year now. We started living in this RV on Monday October 7th, 2024

We someone managed to fit into the old palapa. One of our first sunsets  on the Isla in October 2024.

We left Canada on October 4th, 2024 and crossed into Mexico on October 24,2024 and have officially been living in Mazatlan since October 26, 2024, a year ago yesterday.

A new windscreen. Lovely. We were able to  have it moved to the new site. It will be a bit shorter when we re install it next week.

It took extra time to write this blog post tonight as I had to go back to last October. I was surprised to read things that I had forgot like my having emergency root canals mere days before we left Kelowna and of course my cataract surgeries. But we actually had problems on the road with the Jeep ( and crappy hotels )  traveling to California to pickup this RV. Then when we finally left the RV dealership we had RV problems from that first night. It really has been a difficult year. Let’s hope that as we go into our second year in the RV things will settle down.

Starting to look like home. At least this October, I only have to deal with the outside of the RV.

The details of last October are not well recorded as I simply did not have the energy to do so. I wish that I had been able to take the time to go back and write up all the missing days.  I know that I was so worn out once we got to the Isla that I pretty much slept from November 2024 to March 2025. I was just getting back to whatever my new normal was going to be when Colin had his stroke.

Our new location. From the Playa Sur Embarcadero you turn right and walk for a short period of time. The tip of the first red arrow shows the entrance to the compound. Our RV was parked at an angle. The tip of the second red arrow, along with the #15 indicates the entrance to our new home. The yellow outline will be our RV and the green area shows our outdoor living space.

So returning to the Isla is going to be like starting all over. Hoping to take it one step at a time, poco a poco.

No one made a comment on my last post about using #15 or commune or ??  So it likely be different each time.

Meanwhile back at our old compound some serious cement pouring is happening re the construction of a swimming pool. No one really knows what is  being planned for the site.

The necessary tree trimming has been done and the route is clear. However there are some very deep and wide pot holes that we will have to navigate.

This will be the gate that we will drive in through. The owner has put a huge amount of energy into cleaning up the site and laying new gravel.

The plan is for the front of the RV to be parked next to where the grey wall ends, just before red brick wall and the palapa. All that gravel will be our space.

Brand new installation of a sewer system and 50AMP RV plug.

Three new breaker panels. We are #15 and a large 5th wheel will be beside us in #14. Lot 13 is for the old 5th wheel that is placed along the back wall. We had been told that it was rented but this past weekend we were told that it is not.

Brand new meters will be installed.

Our friends Lusana and Mario visited from Chihuahua, Chihuahua over the weekend. Mario is an electrician who also teaches electricity and he checked out every inch of the new electrical installation paying specific attention to wire gauge, connections, grounding etc. All is ready for us.

They also gifted Colin with lovely shirt and I with a magnificent matching shawl. Both the softest materials from Oaxaca, Mexico.  We had lots of laughs which Colin and I certainly needed.

We will be on the right.

Only 7 more sleeps until we can be parked here.

We actually went out to a late lunch / early dinner two days in a row which was much too much for us. We are not used to much activity and it has taken us a few days to recover.

We ate at La Caleta on Saturday and we were not at all impressed. Never mind the half hanging door in the view but the service was bad as was the food.  We will give it one more try once we are back on the Isla but I am doubtful it will become favorite.