A few final (hopefully) updates on our house construction

Navajo Red is the colour of our new home now, with white accents, and I love it!! 

 

The bodega still needs paint, but we're getting to it. Con despacio you know (take it easy!)

 

It looks so neat with the palm fronds in the picture

 

And our toldo (or sun shade) to protect me from the wonderfully warm sun, without eliminating all the heat!

 

Awesome shadows from the palms too!

 

Or new kitchen cupboard doors

 

and drawers!

 

Bar stools which Meubleria Dixie was able to make to match our dining room set exactly, as they did with the kitchen cabinet doors as well :)

 

And the bathroom cabinet doors and medicine cabinet!

 

And we're done for this year! Time to relax and enjoy life!

See you soon!

 

Hugs, Deb & Vic :)

The Progreso to Merida National Triathlon!

An amazing and wonderful event took place this weekend in our small town.  The Mexican National Triathlon took place here, and started right on the Malecon (boardwalk) in Progreso,

 

 

Greatly organization was seen everywhere, and with 1500 athletes, from over 15 different countries, things had to run like a top!

 

The morning started with the Elites being introduced and then sent off into the ocean

 

Then with the heats of the sprint triathlon, by age groups - making it much safer and less intimidating in the water I would think! This way the largest heat seemed to be about 200 at a time.

 

Very neat start with the muelle (6.5km pier of Progreso) right there

 

This was the senior men's sprint triathlon heat (group).

The sprint race here, because the cycle portion is between Progreso and Merida, was longer than the usual.

In a standard Sprint distance triathlon, the distances are 750m swim, followed by a 20 km bike ride, then a 5km run.

As they were travelling the highway between cities, the cycle portion of the sprint was a full (long and hot I imagine) 35 kms.

 

Here we saw the runners as they exited the swim into the cycle transition zone.

Some beautiful, very high quality bikes were everywhere!

 

Lots of port-a-potties available for the athletes if they needed them

 

 

And helicopter supervision and radio announcing was taking place throughout the race

 

Here we see a cyclist getting dressed to take off on his bike

 

And heading to his bike after the swim. The bikes were placed in the racks according to the athletes' number, so very fair. Athletes had anywhere up to about 1/2 km to run either with or without their bikes.

 

Getting organized

 

And off on the ride they head

 

Lots of terrific spectators too!

 

And Vic as we waited for the next heats to go, the Olympic distance

 

Another shot of our pier

 

One of the Olympic athletes exiting their 1500 meter swim, to head out for the 40 km bike ride, which was then followed by a 10km run in Merida along the Pasejo Monteo (the major street in Merida)

 

A 23 year old young lady, Andrea, that we met at the beginning of the race.

 

A future olympian?

 

 Looking pretty happy at this point!

 

About 3 k into the cycling portion the 1st major intersection, lots of trafic control provided jointly by the military and both state and local police

 

After a 90 degree left turn south it is off to Merida with a slight tail wind as the wind has now picked up.

 

Not sure of the finishing times but we were hearing over the local radio station 97.7 KISS from Merida times in the 1:40's. For those who use internet for their radio it is a decent station.

 

The two lane hwy is down to one lane.  Further towards Merida we heard the 4 lane section was reduced to two lanes to accomodate the racers.

 

Speaking to people about travel into Merida during the race the normal 25 minute trip was increased to 2 hours.  We didn't go into the City but hope you enjoyed a glimpse of the race.

 

A walk into town on the beaches of Progres

 

One beautiful morning, we all decided to walk into town!

 

The beach was lovely this morning, and thanks to many of the local residents and their concerted efforts to restore the beaches Mother Nature is attempting to destroy, much of the sand is back!

 

 

We saw an adorable P.J. look alike out for her morning walk too. I miss my puppy, but know she is also having a wonderful time romping in the snow with her winter parents! I know this thanks to her regular and much enjoyed emails she writes me with the help of Shirley and Willard! :)

I guess this little one's owners thought she might be cold - ha!

 

Vic and Dave

 

This is the house whose colours I love! We met its' owners on a bus coming from Cancun to Merida one time. I've only seen it from the outside but would love to check out the interior!  We'll have to drop in for a beer some day! :)

 

Some neat corral washed up onto the beach

 

And still some seaweed, it is fall/winter you know!

 

Here is a typical fisherman's boat with the Progreso Pier in the background, a 6.5 km long pier that is a major transportation hub for many import and exports to Mexico, and the way in for the cruise ships that visit Progreso a couple of times/week.

 

A lovely day!

For a walk and some loving!

 

Lots of seagulls, and they too are very protective of their perches. It's neat to see them all lined up.

 

And then fly as we get a little closer to the boat!

 

As we arrive at the malecon (the boardwalk in downtown Progreso, which is about 2kms from Neek Kaan condos), where you see 2 very unique houses on its far east side, right by where the very large Mexican flag usually  hangs.

So now, downtown, 3kms into our walk, it's time for some breakfast, as we've worked up an appetite.

And our local market serves up an amazing feast for pennies!

 

And our friend Pedro, who is also a fellow runner, is our wonderful maitre d'. :)