CRUISING AROUND PROGRESO ON A BEAUTIFUL NOVEMBER DAY

TGIF! Here it is a week before American Thanksgiving, that means the Christmas holidays are right around the corner. Here in the Yucatan I am having trouble getting into the spirit, sunny days and blue skies have lulled me into thinking that it is still summer.

Yesterday was "bill paying" day for us, that meant heading into Progreso to take care of business and then hanging out for a little fun. Progreso is about 5 minute away from where we live in Chelem and has become a Port of Call for assorted cruise ship lines. When there are no cruise ships in town it is a sleepy little place, but when there is a ship in, the party begins!

We started the day off stopping by our favorite used furniture and junk store, owned by Reuben and Marisol (Marisol means Sea and Sun in Spanish, I just love that name.)

Here is a picture of their store, they were closed when we stopped by, but we hollered and they opened up for us!


This is the telephone company Telmex, they also offer DSL internet service called Infinitium. Unfortunately it doesn't go all the way into Chelem just yet, so we use a Satellite service.


Our favorite hardware store, Niplito, right on the main drag heading towards the beach. They have a good supply of things and have a great guy that speaks English who can help you out.

This is our local electric company, CFE. You can either pay your bill here or at various convenience stores located around Progreso and surrounding areas.


The Municipal building, we pay our annual taxes here, last year they were less than $38 US. Isn't this a gorgeous piece of Mexican architecture?

Right across the street is CMA, Progreso's hospital. Great care at very reasonable prices!

Progreso has 2 grocery stores, this is the one we all refer to as "Bodega." It sells everything; clothing, tires, liquor and food.

With all the boring details of everyday life taken care of, it's time for a stroll around the Malecon, a concrete beach boardwalk or promenade.

This is one of our favorite places to eat, Eladios. They start out by bringing you 6-7 varieties of botanas (free appetizers.) If you sit there long enough they will do this 3 different times, each time different than the first.

It turned out that yesterday was an unscheduled cruise ship day. The Progreso Pier is about 4 miles long and allows no foot traffic. If you ship a container of your household goods from back home, this is where it will come in.

The tourists from the ship are offered free shuttles from the ship to Casa de Cultura (local market) in the center of town.

Beach massages are offered for $10 USD for half an hour.



Another very good restaurant, right across the street from Eladios.

Cute little palapas (thatched roofs) offer a place to escape the sun and relax. There is beach service from the local restaurants.



This is the view from the beach looking towards the Malecon. Yesterday, November 17th it was 86 degrees with 50% humidity and soft Gulf breezes. Don't you wish you were here?

Looking east on the Malecon.

Moving a block off the beach is one of our favorite stores, it is owned by an American who travels all over Latin America buying unique items. A percentage of all he sells goes towards helping the indigent people of the area.

Some of my favorite things in his store.




I love this colorful tour bus that takes you around the town while a guide points out local points of interest.


Most everybody ends up here, at the local vendors market. They have lots of handcrafted items and souvenirs. You won't find vendor approaching you along the beaches or haggling with you on the streets. The government recently built this new area so all the vendors are in one place.






This gentleman drives from Chichen Itza 2-3 times a week to sell his hand carved and painted Mayan masks. Chichen Itza is one of the new 7 wonders of the world, a great archeological site and is just a few hours away.


The day is done and time to head back to Chelem and enjoy my own home in paradise. First though we have to make a quick stop for a cool beverage!

Barloventa is a friendly place where ex-pats like to gather, sit outside and catch up on what's going on locally.
Not a bad way to spend the day is it? If this is the kind of life that you are dreaming of don't hesitate to give us a call on our US land-line: 302-200-0461. Check out our Mayan Living website and find the beach home of your dreams today!

Until next time, we are just "Chillin' in Chelem."