New Year

Happy New Year to You All,

Yesterday most of our park went to Progreso, to a place called Arriba's for lunch, drinks and dancing. Each time I go to Mexico I am amazed with the talents and creativity of the Mexican people. I watched a young man make me a bracelet with my name on it. He worked so quickly you can hardly see his fingers move and in less than five minutes he had made the bracelet complete with hearts. I also like to watch the painters who spray bottles or canvass with spray paint and using a small piece of cardboard do incredible paintings. The handwork is just beautiful.

And then there are the musicians, who sing in English, but don't speak English at all.

Tonight, being Tues. is once again potluck, but I decided to skip it this week. The lady across from me says that this isn't an RV park, it is a fat farm. And she is right. I have over-indulged myself at the two potlucks I took in, so decided to stay away from them. There seems to be many occasions to get together with food.

Tomorrow, being New Year's Eve we will be getting together for finger foods, having a band, and indulging in drinks and dancing. We are supposed to dance in the streets of our park, but apparently the forecast is for rain tomorrow, so we may end up inside the rec centre.

I hope you all have a SAFE and happy New Year.

A Hot One Today

Hi Y'all,

I hope you all had a good Christmas. As you can see there was tons of food at my Christmas dinner and, as usual, I ate far too much. There were enough left-overs for supper. What you see doesn't include the dessert table! But, that is part of what Christmas has always been about, isn't it?

Santa arrived and we had a gift exchange and I got the most beautiful hand made cushion for my MH....the nicest gift there!

It has been beautiful here weather-wise and I see that it has warmed up at your homes as well. After that deadly cold, it must seem not too bad there! Hope you are all keeping warm.

Christmas

The season is upon us. In a couple of days you will be sitting down with your family to enjoy Christmas. It will seem rather weird for me as this will be the first Christmas away from my family and it goes without saying that I will miss them. I will also miss my friends.

We in the RV park will be having a Christmas potluck in the recreation hall and I'm sure there will be tons of food and goodwill. The weather has smartened up and by Christmas Day we should be in the high 80's.

I would like to wish you all a safe and happy Christmas. I'm sending a big hug to you all.

Flea Market

Today I went to the flea market just down the street. They sold a bit of everything. There was live entertainment as well so I sat for awhile to listen. I was wearing the brown T-shirt that my daughter, Gabrielle, had bought for me.

A couple came and sat by me and she said, "I like your shirt" and told her husband to look at my shirt. He was an artist, and while his wife and I visited he sketched this picture for me. Cool!

Festival of Lights

Greetings All,

Today was another busy day. We women went to Mexico today to eat and shop. I didn't eat since I had a dental appt. and I am a poor shopper, but I wandered about looking at all the jewelry and clothing. There is tons of beautiful jewelry and clothing and the prices are pretty good as well.

This evening a group of us went to Hidalgo to view the Christmas Lights. We took the trolley around town and the lights were gorgeous. They had peacocks, butterflies, dragons, bears, etc. The house across the street from City Hall belongs to a famous singer from these parts and his house was extremely well lit.

All in all it was a great day!

Mexico

Hola,

Yesterday I was back in Mexico to get my dental work done. Nuevo Progreso seems to be your standard border town. As you cross on the bridge over the Rio Grande River, there are people under the bridge on the Mexican side. They have their caps out and are asking that you throw them a penny, a nickel, a dime.

The merchants seem to sell similar items: jewelry, leather goods, blankets, pottery and CDs. The prices are very reasonable. You can buy a Mexican blanket for $2. Much of the pottery is beautiful. The little children are on the street with their parents and attempt to sell you items. They give you the most pitiful look. There is also an abundance of pharmacies, dentists and beauty salons. Traffic is extremely congested.

It is difficult to pass by the beggars on the street and frequently I put money in their cup. I think that for some of them begging brings in their only income. Wouldn't it be nice to have the money to change their lives?

Today is a wet day. We are all supposed to go to Hidalgo for the Festival of Lights this evening, but I think it will be cancelled, unless there is a major weather change before then.

Nuevo Progreso

Hola mis amigos;

This morning my neighbours and I went into Mexico. We had breakfast at this comida, where we were treated to this trio's music. We wandered around a bit looking at the merchandize and then I went for a haircut. It was $5 for a cut, product and blow dry.

Tomorrow I hope to go back and have some dental work done. A filling is $15 as is a cleaning. Many Americans go there for dental work and medications. Can't beat those prices!

Today is windy but 26C, so can't complain. I do feel sorry for y'all in Alberta as I watch the weather network and I can say with all honesty that I'm glad I am here and not there.