My neighbourhood

I felt tired today.  I think I have a cold.  So mostly I hung out around the house, except for a nice walk to Hotel Cozumel where I napped and stretched.  So this is a good time to tell you a little about my neighbourhood.

I'm staying at a place called Casa Mandarina.  It's owned by a super nice Mexican couple, who happen to be/have been in Paris.  I know this because David, the husband told me while he was here this weekend.  It seems he had business in Mexico and dropped by here for 2 days.  While he was here, he skype introduced us to his wife, Ana Paula who I corresponded with for my reservation here. I don't know what they're doing in Paris.  It felt rude to ask in the short time we chatted.

Casa Mandarina is in the Corpus Cristi neighbourhood, generally a nice place.  I'm about 2 blocks from where I stayed the last 2 years, and 6 blocks from the water front.  Right beside me, is a little complex where 2 Canadian couples are staying at the moment. It's lovely, and I would have stayed there, except they have lots of greenery in their little courtyard which means they have lots of mosquitoes.  And there's no pool, which I do like to have.  And it is very nice to be staying, again, in the same complex as my friends Susan and Chris!  Which might not have been possible there.

Across the street, there's an up/down duplex with a family upstairs.  We've only said hello so far.  But they seem nice.  Next to that is a very large house!  With an American owner who has adopted about 10 dogs and a few cats.  Aww...how caring!  Except the poop on the street is, lets say, plentiful!  Apparently, they sometimes fling it over the wall around the house and onto the street.  I hope it doesn't happen when I walk by! 

You should not live in a Mexican neighbourhood and expect quiet.  Most buildings are made of cement, which lets sound carry very well.  It is very quiet sometimes here.  But, one neighbour has a boom box they like to share sometimes.  The other has an air conditioner in need of a tune up.  And the 10 dogs and uncounted cats sometimes decide to be very vocal in the middle of the night.  It's kindof funny, in a way.  To picture all the dogs barking and excited together!  And to imagine the cats' nocturnal search for "friends".....

Nothing ear plugs can't fix!  And, as David says..."the sounds are free with the rent!"

Photos:
#1-my neighbour's super cute courtyard
#2 the huge fancy yellow house of dogs and cats
#3 maybe the most vocal cat.  he looks like his eyes are crossed.  adorable!!
#4 my street with Casa Mandarina on the right