We needed to address the second level, beach facing, deck pretty much as soon as we had keys to the new house, La Villa Barra, project. The decking was rotted in spots and hazardous. Our favorite wood guy came out to have a look at that and some door and window issues. We discussed replacing…
TRANSITIONS
I had an epiphany of sorts the other night and again the following morning. The full moon was center stage at all three levels of decks in our new casa La Villa Barra. The decks serve as places between in doors and out of doors. I like those locations. I remember the first time I got to sleep outdoors. It was…
The Egg and I
Were it not for eggs the Calypso Couple would be full on vegans. Instead we cheat with a bit of butter (the real stuff not Mexican butter), a smattering of cheese, shoe leather, and chief offender the egg. Eggs are at the top of the list of our infractions. It is not as if we…
Suck it up
One of the hazards of beach living is the scorpion. Last year we had more than 15 during our 6 months here. So far things are a bit slower this year – maybe the more rain days? Or just blind luck. Our experience has led us to believe these ugly things have no interest in…
Malibu or Puerto It is Beachy
We live a few hundred yards from the same beach and ocean the folks in Malibu, California enjoy – the very same – just at the south end – next stop being Antarctica. Looking at the real estate market in Malibu, we notice many stars have been trying to unload their multi-million-dollar digs there. Actually they buy and sell Malibu property amongst themselves a lot.…
Season for Cost of Living Comparisons
The beginning of each year the Bloggers often write about cost of living issues as many of the annual fees come due or are paid. Couple that and the fact an increasing number of people are packing their stuff and heading to other countries where the cost of living is cheaper. It is no surprise that the number of expats is at record…
Because You Asked
A reader asks, “Is it feasible for a single English speaking N American with virtually no Spanish speaking ability to spend and enjoy extended time (couple months or longer) in Puerto? How easy or difficult would it be to function in a satisfactory manner? Certainly if I were to stay any longer I would desire…
Retire Abroad
This just in from Charles Schwab: As far as I can tell there is only ONE CHOICE if you want to drive. Pretty sure I do not want to live that close to China (Malaysia – apparently quite the bargain?). DO NOT LIKE many of Ecuador’s rules – a long way from the U.S. and…
Life in Perspective
Saturday last we had lunch with John and Jane. We count ourselves lucky to have developed a friendship with them. John approached us here on the Blog a few years ago having stumbled on it while Googling info on the Xalapa area. He also found a common thread – we both worked for Capitol Records.…
Inconvenient Rain…
Inconvenient rain is better than no rain at all. This the truth for the State of New Mexico which has totally recovered from living under the cloud of draught. New Mexico has had a lot of rain and affected a total recovery from the draught label. What is good for the State, and truly we…