THE END OF SEMANA SANTA IN CHELEM

Well all of us expats living in Chelem breathed a sigh of relief on Monday when Semana Santa(Mexican Easter Celebration) was finally over. It has been going on since the 4th of April and our sleepy little fishing village has been teeming with visitors to the beach, carnivals and rodeos. Now life is back to normal. We have alot of former Mayan Living Real Estate clients coming in over the weekend, Steve and Mary from Kansas are coming back for their first stay in their new home. The paperwork is completed and closing is on Friday, they will be here Friday night. Dan and Deronda are also coming in from Florida Friday afternoon to take a peek at their new home here in paradise and enjoy the sun and a few cerveza's. Our adopted son, Curt is flying in from Atlanta and will be staying a few months in his beautiful beach home. So this will be a fun week, seeing old and new friends and helping them all get set up in their homes.


This is a picture taken from my upstairs deck, we live on a dead end piece of sand and normally have no traffic at all, but this is what the past few weekends have looked like. I am so glad that all have gone home and Doug, my dogs and I are able to walk the beach and have it all to ourselves again.

The town square has been full of vendors selling all kinds of rafts, floats and beach things.....

Hats anyone?
The town square has all kinds of rides for the kiddies and grownups. This area doesn't get active until after dark,during the day, everyone is at the beach or at the bars and restaurants, eating freshly caught fish and have cold drinks.

Saturday night is the rodeo and bullfight, I have never been to a bullfight, thought that it was cruel, but this one was fun, nothing was killed or stabbed, no blood, no guts, just pretty horses, matadors and some big bulls. This is outside waiting to get a seat, hotdogs and french fries must be traditional fair food the world over.
And then there are always the vendors selling the usual junk....... In the background with the blue tarps is.......you got it right, the seats for the rodeo, it is made of sticks tied together with rope.
Oh wait just a minute, Doug and Eduardo need to get a couple of cold brews before we sit down!
Can you see how this thing is constructed? Only in Mexico!
This is where we sat, we looked out at the bull ring thru sticks woven together and tied with string. I felt very secure, not!

Our view


Our own personal bull fighter!


The bull in action

Traffic leaving town



Ahhhh, back to the quiet paradise of the Yucatan, where even the dogs smile!

WHY BUY PROPERTY IN THE YUCATAN?

Doug and I left the US a little over six years ago, off on the great adventure! We lived in Playa Del Carmen for 3 1/2 years and it was wonderful! The ocean is gorgeous, 5th Avenue was always exciting and fun with lots of shopping, restaurants and bars. However it grew faster than we did, we loved it when it was smaller and had a more close knit community, but being of the baby boomer generation we were looking for something slower, with a strong expat community, great medical care and a more laid back atmosphere. So.....we thought we would try out Cozumel. When we moved there I remember saying, "I'm living the American dream, everybody wants to live on an island." Sounds good doesn't it? Well believe me after awhile I had island fever, I wanted to be able to get in my car and drive, and not just in a circle, so back to Playa. But when we moved back we remembered why we had left, there were condos springing up on every corner, the rent was twice what it was when we left and driving into town and parking was a thing of the past. The cost of living was comparable to what we had left behind in the states, Playa had gotten too big, too fast. So while sitting around having a few cocktails we decided to try another country, how about Belize? It was still close to Mexico which we loved, they spoke English, and it's beautiful. We took a couple trips across the border and discovered Ambergris Caye, another island. Our first few months there were idyllic, no cars, only golf carts on the island. No problem with communication, wide beaches with swaying palm trees and magnificent rum. However we were still in the "honeymoon" stage. Soon we realized that when it rains, and it rains alot, golf carts get stuck, they throw mud all over you, every article of clothing I had was mud stained. The crime was much worse than Mexico, people were getting stabbed, robbed and raped on a regular basis. By the time we left I wouldn't even walk around after dark by myself.

Thats when we grew older and wiser, we had bought a house in Chelem years ago. Why keep paying rent and moving around? Lets put down roots, fix up our home and live a peaceful safe life. I want to give you a list of all the reasons why this is now my permanent home. I wish that I had someone that would have done this for me originally, I could have saved alot of time and money......So here goes:

It is safe here! The state of Yucatan has one of the lowest crime rates per capita in Mexico. Violent crime a rarity almost nonexistant. A sense of tranquility and safety pervades the community. I haven't seen or don't know anyone that owns a gun, except the police. Neighbors watch out for each other here, just as we used to do back home when I was growing up. There are nights that we forget and leave the keys in the car and the back door unlocked. We have never had a problem, nor have any of my friends.

The people- The Yucatean people embrace foreigners, they aren't like many of the locals in tourist areas that have learned to prey on Americans and Canadians. They are fascinated by us and want to learn our culture and want us to experience theirs.The Yucatan is that it is primarily a family and community oriented society and there is very little juvenile crime and delinquency. For example: on weekends, instead of the youth driving around, drinking and looking for trouble; they go to the town square with their parents and family. In Merida, you can see teenagers escorting their Grandparents and even dancing with them in the Zocolo.

There is a huge expat community here in Chelem and Chuburna, we have all moved here because it is a warm and welcoming place to call home.

Health Care- Merida is only 30 - 35 minutes from the beach,

DOES MERIDA HAVE GOOD MEDICAL AND DENTAL FACILITIES?

YES! Merida has numerous hospitals that are staffed by well trained physicians, most of whom were trained in the United States. The hospitals in MeridaMexico. Wonderful, inexpensive dental work is also available in Merida. Many Americans and Canadians have been taking advantage of this for years. Also within the past five years, a growing number of Americans and Canadians have been coming to Merida for plastic surgery. We would be more than happy to refer you to competent doctors, dentists and plastic surgeons in Merida. Also Progreso, just 10 minutes from us has a hospital, Centro Americana, as well as many doctors and dentists.

Culture - If you need to get away from the beach, go to Merida! It boasts of many malls and stores that you are familiar with, Sams Club, Home Depot, Costco, Bennigans, TGIFridays etc.

Merida today has about 950,000 residents and is a very cosmopolitan city with Mayan and Spanish descendants and is an extremely cultural city with many museums, libraries, theaters, numerous universities, etc. The economy that was once based on the henequen industry is now based on tourism, agriculture and fishing plus Merida´s export business is increasing every day. Some of the items exported are honey, sisal rope, petroleum products, hammocks, fine jewelry, concentrated orange juice, fish etc.

Residents call Merida "the Paris of the West" because of it´s tree lined boulevards, colonial mansions and estates of the henequen barons of the 1800¨s. There are many things to see in and around Merida. It is an easy drive from Merida to beaches, Mayan ruins, haciendas, etc. One of the nicest things about Merida is its people. The Yucatecan people are hospitable, honest, easygoing, hard working and make wonderful neighbors.

About 2 hours from the beach is one of the new 7 wonders of the world, Chichen Itza, there are many Mayan Ruins even closer.

Properties - buying a home here along the beaches of the Gulf of Mexico is much less expensive than buying back home. There is an increasing demand for beach living, baby boomers are moving to the area, whether to the beaches or to Merida "the Paris of the west." Americans are being priced out of US markets and are losing money on their homes, here the property value has gone up approximately 30% in the past year, but are still priced within reason. There is tremendous untapped potential in Mexico. Prices are very low compared to inflated US home prices. Even the heavily developed markets have areas with opportunity for strong appreciation. It is easy to buy here, we work with English speaking attorneys and walk you through every step of the process. We have a US phone line installed in our home, you can call us directly with any questions or concerns. If you are seriously interested in making a move give us a call, 302-200-0461. Check out our website: www.mayanliving.com . Take advantage of your opportunity to live in paradise before the prices get any higher.

Warm breezes and cold beers coming at ya!

EXPAT BAR AND RESTAURANT FOR SALE - CHELEM,MX

$289,000 USD

HAVE YOU ALWAYS WANTED TO OWN A BAR AT THE BEACH?
Here's your chance! Located in Chelem, a fast growing little beach town just 30 minutes from Merida and minutes from Progreso. Owner says that all reasonable offers will be considered!!!!!This property offers four, one bedroom condos, a restaurant, bar and room for a pool. The Bull Pen is a working resturant and bar. Fully staffed with bilingual wait staff and manager. Since opening this has quickly become the local hangout. They offer Taco Tuesday, Italian Thursdays, Beer Fridays and more. This is the happening place in the Chelem/Chuburna area. Sunday baseball games are observed from the rooftop terrace under sunny yellow umbrella's. There is an enclosed outdoor patio which is the place to be in Chelem and host's birthday parties and other local events. It is the perfect place for shows, dances and more. This business opportunity is is only steps from the beautiful Gulf of Mexico water on a beach access road. It only 3 blocks from from downtown Chelem which offers local markets for fresh fruit and vegetables, shops, restaurants,bars and a growing expat community. The lot sits on a very large 42.5 by 19.4 meter lot. Come on down to the number one retirement haven in the world as quoted by International Living, have your own business and escape the harsh northern winters!

The front of the building

Side view of the condo's

View from the rooftop
Side view of the beach access and condo terrace
kitchen
Bedroom
Baseball Sunday on the rooftop terrace
Typical Friday night, drinks, food and friends


If you want any more information on this great business for sale let me know!

Books and Reading in Paradise

As of all you that know me know, I am an avid reader, I'll read most anything, cereal boxes, spanish newspapers whatever. Whenever I have friends coming to visit I always beg for books. It is really hard here to find current books in English and I bemoan the fact to my poor husband daily. I have been under the weather since Sunday, bedbound and down, this isn't supposed to happen in Paradise! Being able to do nothing but sleep and read I have now gone through every book I have thats worth a darn. When my friend First Mate Mary was here she showed me an amazing new device. Amazing at least to those of us who have been in Mexico for the past 6 years. It's called an Amazon Kindle, it allows you to download and read books of your choice whenever you want. If you are in the US it is all done wireless, here in Mexico you need to download to your computer and then to your Kindle. It automatically saves your place when you quit and is the same size or smaller than a normal paperback. You simply touch a button and it turns the "page." Wow, I think I have to have one. Unfortunately the price is bit prohibitive for those of us who live on pesos, about $359. But I will start saving up and then I'll never be without books again. I have posted a link on my blog if you are interested in buying one, if you buy it from my link it will give me a few bucks to save up for the purchase of mine and it is the same price as buying it from Amazon. In the meantime a friend of mine sent me a link to download and read the Twilight series on my laptop, if you are interested here it is:
http://janmckingley.googlepages.com/twilightmoviesandbookseriesebook2

Meanwhile here in the Yucatan, the place is jumping! The Easter week celebration is going on like crazy according to Doug. Remember, I haven't been out of the house all week to see it. Doug went in town this afternoon to try to catch up with the owner of a house that we sold a couple of weeks ago, it is getting ready to go to closing and the new owner is anxious to get some furniture moved in since they are coming down soon . The normal timeframe for a trip into town is about 2 minutes, Doug was gone over an hour, he said that traffic was bumper to bumper, the town square was full of venders, selling food, shoes, shirts, leather goods and more. There is a circus in Progreso and Doug saw 9 trucks go by full of white Bengal tigers, camel, lions etc. The rodeo is in full force and there is dancing in the streets. People are decked out in their finest local costumes and having a great time. Across the street at the little nine room hotel, we had a car count today of 23. What has happened to my quiet little village? But it will all be over on the 20th and peace and quiet will reign again! Will try to get some pictures of the festivities to you all soon, enjoy the holidays! Warm breezes and cold beers coming at ya from the sunny Yucatan!

Warm Breezes and Cold Beers in the Yucatan!

A friend of mine sent me the saying, warm breezes and cold beers. I loved and asked her if I could use it, it so fits our life here in Mexico! I guess that you've noticed that I haven't posted for a while. Sorry.......it's been very busy here and regardless of what people may think, we are not on perpetual vacation, we have to work to earn money and continue to live here in paradise. We have had a virtual onslaught of new and returning real estate clients. Each and every one of them is special to us so it means we have been spending 10 -14 hours a day, 7 days a week trying to keep everyone happy! It is always such a pleasure to see old friends and meet new ones.

Yesterday started the official beginning of Semana Santa here in the Yucatan. Semana Santa is spanish speak for Easter. It is one of the busiest holidays of the year. The people who live in the capital city of Merida all seem to own beach homes along the Gulf Coast. These are mainly empty until Semana Santa starts, now our quiet little village is alive with seemingly 1000's of beach visitors. There are carnivals and fairs set up in town and rodeo's and bull fights scheduled. Music fills the air and bodies fill the beaches. The good thing is that this is nothing like spring break in other places throughout the states and the Caribbean. The people who come here for their two week vacation are families. They all come, mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, babies and grand parents. They bring their coolers and grills with them and the air is filled with the smell of barbeque and mexican music. Everyone is happy and relaxed it really is quite fun!

The real estate market is booming here, the 2 homes that I posted last month as listings of the week are sold. They were on the market less than a month. Everyone is trying to get a little piece of that pie called a better life! We are now selling more homes than we ever have, what a difference from the US and Canada.


A party at our place with our Mexican family

A picture of me visiting my Mexican Mama

Local entertainment during Semana Santa (Easter break)

Rodeo


Our dear friends Don and Jody who were here for a visit, just one short week. She brought me lots of goodies from the States including a book on how to blog. Maybe one day soon I'll have a chance to read it and learn something.
My new friend Mary, here for her birthday, she is the lucky new owner of the beautiful orange house I had listed on here a couple of weeks.
A view from one of our favorite restaurants here in Chelem. La Playa is owned by a great guy, Carlos, he has wonderful food, a great view and speaks perfect English. What more could you ask for?



Well thats it for today, we're hanging out, chilling in Chelem with warm breezes and cold beers! Thanks, Deron!