WEATHER IN CHELEM

As I am watching the weather back in the states and chatting with clients, I am counting my blessings that I am here in Chelem and not back home! Just in case some of you need some motivation to "come on down," here are a few pictures of plants in my yard today. As I am writing this it is 80 degrees sitting on my terrace with a nice balmy breeze off the Gulf blowing.


I have fallen in love with Bougainvilleas, they seem to thrive here on not much more than neglect, here is one I bought recently to have outside my living room window


Here is another plant that seems to do well, a Hawaiian Ti plant



And of course, who doesn't love Hibiscus plants, easy to care for and the little hummers love them
This is a succulent, I believe it is a Kalanchoe

Another Hibiscus
And more of my current favorites, Bougainvillea

And one in another color

This little guy is an Avocado tree that I grew from seed

Grape tomatoes, once again grown from the seeds of some that I bought in Costco

This is in my neighbors yard, I don't know what it is, if anyone does, please tell me! It is a beautiful tree that has striped leaves most of the year, than starts dropping them in January. After that the most amazing orange flowers open. Every morning, bright and early this tree is filled with little yellow birds, Orioles, Hummingbirds and of course, Grackles
Doug's bar in the backyard, underneath a Dwarf Coconut Palm

Then a few steps towards the beach and this is what it looks like here today


I must say, I don't miss the cold at all! Time to buy your tickets, pack your bags and follow your heart, come and live in the sunny south! Make sure that you checkout our Mayan Living webpage and look at all of our great properties! Lots of new ones, check them out today!

Until next time, we're Chillin' in Chelem!

The Start of a New Life

As most of you know it seems that there is always a reason for a party here in the Yucatan. Last night we went to the First Annual Chili Cook Off with the proceeds going for Christmas in Chelem. It was held at La Playa Restaurant, the only restaurant here in the Chelem/Chuburna area on the beach. It is also the home of the new Mayan Living Beach Office. We all had a great time and raised close to $600 for the local children for Christmas. We tasted some fabulous chili and Carlos had another fantastic buffet. Unfortunately I forgot my camera so you will just have to imagine how wonderful it was.



All of us that live here and most that visit know Issy, the cute and charming evening waiter at El Bull Pen. A couple of weeks ago a few lucky gringos were invited to his baby boy Alejandro's baptismal party. Alejandro was 3 months old, the actual baptism was held in Progreso with the party being held here in Chelem. Here are some pix, a little late but they still give you guys up north a feel for the wonderful life that we live here.


The cake
Issy's wife Sandy with little Alejandro




Issy, Sandy, Alejandro and Issy's Mom


Just look at that face!


The gringo table
Gringo group shot

Nancy looks like a natural with a babe in arms

Patrick on the other hand looks scared to death!

Marlene with the family, she looks wonderful holding Alejandro doesn't she?
Funny how the men all have the same expression on their faces......

After photos it was time for music and dancing

Marlene doing the light fandango
Sophia being dragged on the dance floor

She's a little more relaxed now

While the adults dance and party the kids just look on


I believ that this is Issy's brother and grandmother, but don't quote me on this!



Now everybody is getting in on the action

Look at this family, aren't they cute, the kids love having their pictures taken


And my favorite picture of all, sent to me by Marlene, is this grandmother enjoying herself or what?

What a great time that we all had. Laughing, dancing, hanging out with friends and of course having a few cervezas! Just one more reason to live in this wonderful community. Warm breezes and cold beers coming at ya from Chelem!

Steak Dinner in Merida

For those of you that have spent any time in Mexico you know that steaks aren't always up to the same standards as we are used to in the US and Canada. I have been disappointed so many times that I have just given up. I eat chicken, seafood and some pork. This isn't a big problem for me because in all honesty I could survive with no problem just eating fresh fruits, veggies and seafood. Now for Doug this is a major problem! He is definitely a carnivore! Everywhere we go he tries a steak and everytime he is totally not happy with his meat! It has gotten to be a joke between the two of us, we go out, I order shrimp, he says "I think I'll try the filet." I say, "you know it's going to be horrible," and he says "somewhere in Mexico there has got to be a good steak!" Well we finally found the place! One of my good friends that lives in Belize was in Merida for medical reasons. Now Jan is originally from the Houston area, she knows a good steak! She called us up and said we had to go out to dinner with her, she had found the best steak in Latin America. We jumped in the shower, hopped in the car and off we went........


The name of the restaurant is Buenos Aires City, Sean and Susan good friends of ours had just told us about the place and the time was right, we were salivating!

The sign out front made Doug smile, Certified Angus, yum!!!!!!

Full selection of liquor and wine, even better.

Beautiful grill and sparkling clean kitchen, it's getting better all the time!

We arrived early, Mexicans don't generally eat dinner until 8:00 or 9:00. We were there at 6:30, first guests to arrive.

We ate and drank on the outside verandah were they allow smoking. This is Doug and me, Jan with the short blonde hair and Teresita our bilingual social worker who helps with all doctors referrals, translations and anything we gringos need in the way of medical assistance.




Look at this food! Absolutely perfect! Steak like I haven't had in 6 1/2 years! We ate every morsel and considering licking the plate, but I was trying to act like I had a little class!

And for the grand finale there was a wonderful list of desserts, we were all too stuffed to eat but had to try one with four spoons, a delicious caramel mousse with a dark chocolate layer inside and lots of fancies on the outside.

Food like this may get me away from the beach more often! Chillin' in Chelem!