July 20, 2007

July 20, 2007

Emily said, “Gee, your last entry sounded kind of sad” and upon re-reading, I guess she’s right. It was a bit of a frustrating week.

This week has been much better … mostly because I can NOW count the days until Bev’s arrival …six days from today!!

I’ll be working as much as possible over the next several days to accomplish as much as I can, but one thing I’ve learned here in Mexico: things have their own pace (slow and steady…usually) and it is best to adjust accordingly especially if one’s work interrelates in any way with Mexicans.

Fortunately, we have had basically no rain though violent storms threaten each day. Therefore, roof leaks have been non-existent. If only I could have predicted this I could have stained more floors. The roof is ready to be re-sealed with is supposed to happen next Monday. It better be successful as I plan to hit as many of the floors that I can …notwithstanding that workers tramp materials (and dirt) in each day.

I haven’t really done anything interesting this week …except work related stuff and a Sunday hike. I’ve shopped some more for wood and have found that interesting (but I’ll spare you the details!).

I spent last Saturday night in a very rustic cabin in the foothills of the Los Picachos that a friend is renting. It comprises two adobe structures with several bedrooms (as the woman who lived there did so with 5 children!). It is totally surrounded by high dessert greenery and very remote. No running water (catch basins for rain water only), an outhouse, and solar electricity. My night’s sleep wasn’t the best because of the two scorpions (little) I killed on the floor …where my mattress was. Nevertheless, we were able to get a relatively early start and spent nearly 7 hours in the mountains. We got into the oak forests which is what is on most of the summits. It is almost an entirely different eco-system. Spectacular views!

This week, Carole loaned me her guitar and one night I played for e straight hours. It’s great to have one around!

I’ve written an article for the local Mexican/gringo paper, The Atencion. The editor really liked the story and is eager to run it as soon as I get it translated along with a picture. Since blog readers may not see it, I thought I’d put it up here in case you’re interested.

Rowing on the Presa Allende

I left Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania a few weeks ago to drive all the way to SMA carrying on my truck rooftop a one-person rowing shell (commonly referred to as “a single scull”) that I had just completed building. Its maiden voyage was on Saturday morning, June 30, on the Presa Allende, and it was a good row! The water was flat and the temperature just right. No one was on the water except a couple fishermen casting their nets from their own boats. As we spotted each other we eased our boats together. We felt a commonality in moving our vessels across the water with oars as we exchanged admiration of each other’s craft. His, totally utilitarian frames of naturally bent mesquite and oars tied into their chocks with bailing twine; mine at 24 feet, a beam of a mere 12 inches, with sliding seat, and carbon fiber oars. We could not have been more different, yet alike. He said he liked to row as much as fish. For me, rowing has been a lifetime passion.

You may ask, “Rowing on the Presa Allende?” That has been a calling since my first visit to San Miguel three years ago. It was then that I felt the determination to join efforts with others to improve the quality of the Presa, and also help to raise consciousness by promoting rowing and similar activities. Access to rowing shells similar to the sleek ones in the States may be more difficult to come by here, so I chose to build one. Further, a significant part of my hope is to work with others, adults and young people, who may want to learn how to build and row their own boat. Using mostly common lumber-yard materials, I’m pleased to say it is a relatively easy shell to build and row. It would make a great project involving young people and a parent or guardian.

The Presa is actually a beautiful place to row! The water in the Presa is much cleaner than many believe, despite the fact that it is not clear. This is due in part due to the stirring up of mud and silt - a consequence of the near constant turbulence and shallows. Local, State, and Federal government agencies and others, including volunteer groups, are working to improve water quality on a long-term basis. While it still has a way to go, it isn’t unrealistic to hope that one day it will be possible to swim in the Presa and even see an increase in fish species as well as an improvement of the quality of fish.

To help support the work of others with shared goals for improved water quality, a new group has formed, appropriately named, Amigos de la Presa, whose objective it is to promote the conservation and sustainable use of the Presa. Launching my home-made rowing shell is actually part of the effort to encourage more people to discover the possibilities of the recreational use of the Presa through environmentally benign activities such as rowing, kayaking, and sailing.

Local architect, Eduardo Arias, regularly kayaks on the Presa and, has remarked, “One of my favorite activities is to explore the ruins of the Presa especially the Church of Saint Augustine, the three haciendas, and the bridge that was destroyed by dynamite in the 1930’s.” Mr. Arias reminds those who may want to paddle on the Presa to remember to take appropriate safety gear such as a PFD (personal flotation device).

You may have noticed a Hobie Catamaran on the Presa on a fairly regular basis. That is most likely Timoteo Wachter and friends, during their weekly sail. Tim says, “There is something magical about it. Maybe it's the combination of the desert light and air with the added fun and excitement of Hobie sailing that brings me out there time and again.” (Tim is the owner of that castle-like tower that can be seen on the southwest shore of the Presa.)

Others, experienced or not, who may be interested in rowing are invited to be in touch with me. The shell I built can be completed in about 50 or 60 hours and at a relatively modest cost. I am available to supervise and guide construction as well as to give rowing lessons, if needed. Rowing is great fun and one of the best physical exercises there is.

All those interested in learning more about Amigos de la Presa are urged to drop an email of inquiry to: MichaelPLambert@gmail.com.

Check out pictures at: http://picasaweb.google.com/MichaelPLambert/LivingInMexico

On losing track of time

July 12, 2007

On losing track of time

Wow, that sounds serious: losing track of time. I’ve not watched the news or anything since I’ve been here. I haven’t a clue on what’s going on in the world. From time to time, I think I ought to tune into Democracy Now, but it seems whenever I go to a neighbor’s or friends to pull down my email, I’m always in a ‘rush’! I have to look at my watch to know the date. Even the time of day often seems to elude me. I more or less go from event to event, project to project, etc. For most of you that are reading this, I wonder how this strikes you? Chances are you may be frequently finding that you don’t have enough time!

On reflection, it isn’t a particularly satisfying way to live as it feels a little too directionless. At the end of the day, I much prefer the feeling, I think, that I’ve accomplished something that day.

I think that part of my frustration is that it seems hard to find focused time. It seems there are always workmen pounding here and there and walking through the house with materials, etc. I start something and I need to run out for something or someone. Or worst of all, Ricardo says he’ll be over, I wait, and he doesn’t show.

I think I need to figure out a better way.

Progress on the house seems to move forward slowly. Sacramento has worked on the terrace covers for a week: basically making six roughly 2x2 feet square concrete covers over the various tanks buried beneath the terraces. Since he’s working alone, it goes slowly, but today he finished and it looks good. (The holes where he built the covers were not all necessarily square with the tiles, so it took him quite awhile to cut the tiles so that they matched all the others). Today he moved (FINALLY) to the job of working on the leaky skylights. This appears to be a very slow going project necessitating the chipping away of the concrete by about two inches all around each skylight and redoing them. He got two mostly done today. Only about 30 to go.

Estephen has been here working on the enclosure needed for the bathroom water heaters (as the wind blows the pilots out!). If I could describe the process (which I could if anyone is interested!), you would soon see why it takes forever to do the work that they do. One thing is certain, that work very steadily.

Fun?

Well, let’s see:

I’ve had four or five meals with Alan and family which are always really enjoyable. The “comidas” or “family festivals” are often to celebrate something. The biggest was the announcement that Alan and Flora will get married on August 12 and I get to be the best man!

The festival of Santa Cruz was last weekend. It is a local festival for many of the surrounding communities and has been adopted as the official anniversary festival of the Botanical Garden … now 16 years old! Fireworks nearly all night! Fantastic traditional dances, lots of foods, bands, etc. The feature is when a whole line of members of the community carry a cross to one of four little shrines at each of the cardinal points. A different community takes each point. The solemnly carry the cross, flowers, incenses, gifts of different types, and play music. They make prayers of thanks and solemn sounding speeches. Notably, there isn’t a priest, but rather the community shamans. The festival, like so many others is a convergence of native traditions and rituals and those of Christianity.

I went wood shopping and found some good stuff. The price is high compared to the US, but they plane it for ‘no charge’!

The high point thus far was a Flamenco performance I went to last night featuring this fantastic male flamenco dancer from Spain, his wife, and our friend Angela. The dance floor was about 3x5 feet and we sat on the same level … about 25 or 30 people. Apparently, this is how authentic flamenco is done and it was totally out of sight. So powerful, so filled with passion. The guitarist, percussionist, and singer were amazing. The male dancer (extremely well known in Spain) danced almost as it in a trance!

I went for a long hike in the Botanical Garden today which was good for the soul! It is an amazing place especially now that the water is rushing down the canyon!

I hope to be somewhat productive over the next two days and go for a long hike up the mountains on Sunday.

On retirement

It has been an interesting couple months since stopping my work at the boathouse. The preparations for Mexico consumed a lot of time and energy … particularly emotional energy. Let’s face it, I love Pittsburgh and Crossing Creeks...they are ‘home’ and knowing that I’d be without Bev in a foreign culture (despite the very good friends we’ve made) brought up much anxiety that I tried to deny! Also the rush to finish my boat so that I could take it to Mexico consumed more time than I’d rather admit and kept me on a pace not dissimilar to work!

It was working on the boat, however, that gave me one of the greatest early experiences of what retirement is about: rather than get on myself about how long it took to do this or that on the boat I found me self stepping back and asking, “What’s the rush?” I know this seems like a relatively minor revelation, but it really was a great feeling to know that I could take as much time as I wanted! It changed the experience of working on the boat to a real pleasure!

Progress on the boat on the deck of my workshop in West Virginia:

Nearing finish - in the back yard in Pittsburgh:

Mexico … week one!

So much has happened in just one week that I think I need to just summarize the highlights even though there is a real story behind many of the occurrences

This was the second time we drove down to Mexico and in many ways; it seemed easier even though I did all the driving. Bev was willing to drive, but hauling a trailer and a truck load of stuff was a little tricky.

Loaded in Pittsburgh and headed for the border!

Bev’s company made all the difference for the first two days! She kept me entertained, fed, and awake! What a woman!

We parted in San Antonio, Texas from where she flew back to the ‘burgh. The ‘plan’ was that I’d mosey down to Laredo (about 3 hours), hit up Home Depot, buy Mexican auto insurance, go through customs, spend the night just over the border in Nuevo Laredo, and get a fresh start for the remaining 11 hours drive to San Miguel. (Customs had caused a fair about of anticipation due to all the stuff I was hauling and just the general sense that Mexico must be …should be… really pissed at the way we are dealing with immigration).

Best laid plans …

One needs to ‘register’ one’s car immediately after crossing the border. No big deal. We’d done it in January and knew the routine…except for one thing! It seems like we missed the fact that one my ‘de-register’ one’s car when leaving Mexico (that way they know we’re not taking cars into Mexico to sell!). Foreigners are not allowed to have more than one car in Mexico. Problem: I’m driving the Nissan pick-up and the Subaru is sitting in the garage in Pittsburgh!

I plead with two agents who basically shrug and say there is nothing they can do. I cannot take the Nissan into Mexico unless the agents first de-register the Subaru which they can only do by physically seeing the car! You got it: I’d need to drive the car down to the border so that the guy in the little white shack in the lot can see the car and physically remove the little sticker!

I think I’ll skip the details as I don’t want to get into trouble … but suffice it to say, I left the car registration area and directly headed for San Miguel driving all night arriving at 4:30 AM!

Needless to say, I have an issue that I need to somehow straighten out.

Sunday I went to a great fiesta at Alan’s to celebrate Flora’s birthday. What a great time! We feel very lucky to be part of this Mexican family!

Monday I began staining the floors and I must admit it is going to look great! Except I came to an abrupt stop when the first of the daily rains came. You may recall that we’ve said we have 72 skylights? Guess how many leak? Hint: more than 20 and less than 72!

The calls to our architect began on Monday and to my great delight, he showed up on Thursday and his guys commenced work Friday on fixing what is likely to be a sizeable problem. Monday others will be here (so I’m told!) to begin working on the 25 or so items on our ‘punch list’.

So far,

one hike in the Botanical Garden (http://www.laneta.apc.org/charco/news_vol2no7.htm),

an aborted trip to row on the Presa when to road became impassable due to the heavy rains, three meals out with good friends, several short ATV trips to the grocery and hardware stores, and one tutoring class in Spanish. Lots of floor mopping! Tomorrow (Saturday) may be the first real row on the Presa …

The first real row on the Presa was today, Saturday, June 30. Santiago Corral, a good friend, arrived on a very broad expanse of grass (at various times of the year underwater) in his ultralite with his student (after 20 hours of instruction one can pilot an ultralite here). I took a short row and gave Santiago a short rowing lesson. After he left a rowed for about another hour stopping frequently to adjust the rigging. I think it is right now and I look forward to future rowing on the Presa.

Saturday night there is a full moon ceremony at the Botanical Garden which I plan to go to…so watch out!

Today (Sunday), I took a fantastic hike up a hike up into the Los Picachos Mountain range which we see clearly from our house. At its core is an ancient volcano the crater of which can be made out via Google earth. The hike was definitely a challenge especially with the elevation at 7,000+ feet. The views from the summit were breathtaking. Check out some pictures at:
http://picasaweb.google.com/MichaelPLambert/LivingInMexico