Casa Update 21

Friends,

Been a busy month here. Started right after the last update. Tuesday the workers arrived to finish the latest punch list and to finally build the grey water tank. They spent the whole week digging the hole (by hand) and building a 5x5x4 concrete water tank. Had 6 workers this time. Half worked inside finishing stuff while the other half dug. They brought their own water this time. Luckily it was still comfortable as we had to keep them company. Luis kept them busy and by Friday they had everything we agreed on fixed. We agreed to delay 3 things till September when it gets cooler. On Saturday we tested the grey water system and found out that the Master vanities and showers do not drain into the grey water tank. Monday they were out again digging up the back yard looking for the problem. They found it and fixed it.

We had a very interesting thing happen on that Monday. Our newsgroup posted a note that 2 of the 5 Pemex stations were out of gas and that they did not expect any for 5 days. Guess what that did? A run on the gas stations. We were going to go to the new one next to the Ranch. Not. There was a mile backup to get in. They even had the Federalies directing traffic. We ended up at the station on the airport road with only a 5 car line. Reason only 5 cars? They were out of regular and only pumping premium. We filled up anyway. By the late afternoon, there was no gas for 100 miles. The rumor turned out to be false but it took 3 days to get all of the stations refilled. Turns out that Baja is served by a tank farm south of Ensenada. A tanker ship was delayed and they were rationing gas for the rest of the week.

The following week we took off and did nothing but go to the pool for volleyball. We played a few times but mostly we chatted or read. We heard of a special dinner at the El Cortez Hotel. Wednesday Beef Filet night. You get: Margarita, soup, salad, a 8-10oz filet, baked potato, veggies, and desert. All for $10 US. Been there twice and were going to give it a break but were conned into going one more time with friends. We brought a bottle of red wine last time. Corkage: $0. Nice.

This week has been spent house sitting and watching the workers clear Ed's punch list. They almost got done. We are still waiting for the AC guys to come and balance one of the AC units to get the Master suite a little cooler.

We went around and took some pictures of the places we have mentioned. We have a picture of the Palapa Bar and Grill. It is attached to the Pool. That is where we had to go for internet last fall. The pool is where we go now. Also there is a picture of the new Pemex and our golf course, our beach and Juanito's Cantina.

Next update will include our experience with the medical system here as we have made dental and doctor appointments. Since we are just house sitting this summer, our house updates will be suspended and we'll just sent pictures of the area and the happenings of San Felipe.

I have included a copy of Ed's CFE (electricity) bill. Betsy, have fun translating :-)

Love to all,

Larry and Regina

Pictures: http://picasaweb.google.com/LarEWill50/Casa14?authkey=Gv1sRgCPSTkKLPgaKIfQ&feat=directlink