barrbower

I have been there twice recently helping others. Both times somebody had an "appointment" and were then directed to the back of the line. So don't go assuming you'll get right in. Don't schedule anything soon after on the same day. Alan

Anybody have a recommendation for a good swimming pool maintenance company? We have been using a very reputable company for many years but due to unknown issues his quality and dedication have recently dropped off. Maybe too many pools to look after? Maybe trouble getting and keeping good help? Maybe both creating too much pressure for him? In any case, we want to explore other options. Please don't complain about somebody... just give us ideas of somebody you have used who does a good job for you. Thanks in advance, Alan

Not sure what part of Riberas had work done on a sewer system since there are not any sewers in Riberas that I know about. Many folks have septic tanks that they aren't aware of. They recently did some water supply line work and installed a balancing valve that was supposed to help parts of Riberas that were always running out of water. Maybe that's why you were having to save water. The truth is that SIMAPA is underfunded like most infrastructure in Mexico. The wells are old, poorly kept, and water quality is bad. Yet the folks in charge keep giving permits to build without any thought to future needs or even current needs. It has been years sine new wells were created. Our water comes in as a trickle and full of sand and mud. You need a big aljibe, a good filter system, and a lot of patience. And you will still need to buy water from a truck on occasion. That is just one ugly truth about living in "paradise." Alan

There is a difference between legal and tolerated. Technically, I think they are not legal. They can't be licensed or insured in case of accident. Recently the local government stipulated that if the carts are only on side streets they will not be bothered. In recent years folks were given tickets or had the carts impounded. Logic seems to have prevailed since folks who drive them create a safer environment for the rest of us on the busy streets. New topic seems to be motorized bikes and trikes on bike/pedestrian path. They are quiet and fast and might be dangerous to folks who are out strolling. The ones with large balloon tires seem to work well on the cobblestone streets but don't seem as safe as a golf cart. Whatever you decide just don't assume cars are going to see you or follow traffic rules so be very careful. Alan

Rainy season weather is generally from the east. This little storm came in from the northwest. Predicting a rain occurring can happen by just checking the weather stations which gave long range forecasts. Rainy season may start "early" as Delfino suggested but that could mean by one or two days near the middle of June. We almost always have a rain shower sometime during the dry season but not this time. That makes everybody especially happy and hopeful that the rains come "early" but don't bet on his "spooky" prediction. Alan

The reality at both hospitals seems to be that after normal office hours there are no specialists available. They are more like an urgent care place in the US where you can get a cut treated but no help for a serious heart or stroke emergency. They have shown to be nice little clinics but slow to deal with real problems after hours. Even to call a specialist for an opinion or to get an ambulance to a hospital in Guad where real help might be available. Best bet seems to be to call your own doctor and have them advise your best course of action. They all give out 24 hr cell numbers and know your medical history and can arrange an ambulance and tell you what hospital to go to and which doctor to see when you get there. For some things they even might tell you to use a local hospital but for some issues time is critical and could be wasted locally. For instance if one is suffering a stroke there is no clot buster drug stocked in either hospital and if imaging is needed to determine if the stroke is due to a bleed or a blockage, there is a fair chance that there is nobody to run the machine or evaluate the results. Just get tGuad fast after talking to your doctor. Alan

Camping along the lake shore is a long held Easter tradition. I have seen temporary bars and food stalls erected in years past. Some stay for the week following Easter Sunday. It will all be gone soon. Alan

Here in Riberas, there has been almost no water since Friday. Pipa truck driver says problems abound. Odd that SIMAPA (Still-Implying-Might- Actually-Provide-Agua) says they are having well pump problems since about two months ago they did a week long well service and nobody had water in this area for over a week. This was done to avoid water shortage problems in the near future...now. They should be drilling more wells and better maintaining ones they have. Of course we are now in the Easter time of year when nobody does anything so I'm guessing this problem will be ongoing until after the spring break...when SIMAPA workers return well rested from the beach. Alan

First of all , the will doesn't say she gets our assets. Nor does the contract. It simply says she has the right to handle sales of assets, arrange distribution to listed charities, and after the notario handles the house sale she will get a small % for handling it for us. Secondly, how do any of us, once dead, know if anybody is going to do the right thing with assets once we are gone? Lots of stories about loved ones fighting over and even faking will information for personal profit. I feel like we've done what we can to insure our wishes will be met. I think faking a will to change beneficiaries will be close to impossible since only one notarized will exits and several folks involved with our deaths have copies of the same will. I'm not going to worry about it anymore. Alan

We had a Mexican will made by a local notario and have a well known local attorney as our executor for Mexican assets. She has a copy of our notarized will and will take care of distributing assets to listed charities. The funeral home has the notario's info as well as the executor's info and they will be notified at the appropriate time. In the contract we have with the lawyer, it is spelled out a small % that will be earned for handling the estate on our behalf. We don't have children nor any other family who is remotely interested in coming to Mexico to handle this for us when the last one goes. Our US assets have a US will and family beneficiaries. Seems like an easy method to insure our wishes are adhered to but this is Mexico so...just do the best you can. Alan

I spoke to an officer yesterday and he said they were guarding the man who owns the blue house. Not sure if he was being threatened or is a witness to something. Also not sure if the homeowner is paying some off-duty cops to park in front of his home or if they are on the city clock. They seem pretty relaxed (napping, eating food off the hood of the truck, not carrying a sidearm on a couple of occasions, etc.) to be on official duty. They are there 24 hrs. a day though which I guess acts as an appropriate deterrent. Alan

If you are going to try for the border in one day, the shorter and faster way to Saltillo is through Aguascalientes. Then loop around Zacatecas and head to Saltillo and whichever crossing is closest and fastest. That is the Columbia crossing. If you are going to spend a night and cross the next day you can take the route already mentioned in order to spend a night in Matehuala. Or if you plan to do the run to the border in two days you could plan to spend a night outside Saltillo and then head farther north to Piedras Negras or Ciudad Acuna. Both easy and faster crossings than Columbia but would require a couple more hours of driving in Mexico. No matter which way you go, watch for guys trying to cause a small wreck or crooked cops. Both will cost you money. We used to drive to Colorado and so we crossed in Ciudad Acuna which we did in one 13 hour day of 770 miles or about 1200km. Couldn't do it these days...knees are older and bladder is smaller. Alan

Wayne, I live very near to Havehammer and will come see you Monday afternoon. My skills for video production, social media, etc. are so severely lacking that my contribution could possibly only be the equipment donation. Alan

Good idea about the tech school. Will try them on Monday. Any other ideas? Alan

A friend recently gave me an pretty large collection of Canon brand digital camera and lenses. I will not ever use these items so am looking for ideas for who might need an equipment upgrade. Any school or local agency or aspiring young photojournalist, etc. will be considered but I'm not looking to give it all some entity or individual who would just sell the equipment for a profit. I'm hoping to make somebody's life better...no strings attached. All ideas welcomed, Alan